Help, PLEASE!

[mrsltg]

Hi All-

UPDATED - He currently has a Canon, and three different lenses. Thanks for your help! Does this mean another Canon is the best choice?

I have a question for you photography whizzes! My DH loves photography. He takes beautiful photographs. We have a regular Canon camera (point and shoot) and he has a much older 35mm camera that has lots of different lenses and bells and whistles. At any rate, he would love a nice digital camera. When we go shopping he eyes the nicer cameras longingly. I have squirreled away about $500 and I intend to surprise him with a good camera for Christmas. My problem is, I have no idea what to buy! I have no idea what makes one camera better than another and all I know he really wants is a camera that takes pictures somewhat quickly because he likes pictures of our kids that are not posed - more true-to-life type photos.

So, please treat me like I am six-years-old and tell me what I should be buying him. His birthday is 1/1 so I can buy him an additional lens or whatever for his birthday and that will come from a separate pot of money. Basically, I want to really surprise him on Christmas morning. Please help!

Thanks!!!

 

[annnewjerz]

What brand older 35mm camera/lenses does he have?

It's quite possible that a bunch of his older lenses will be compatible with a newer digital SLR, so the best bet might be to stick with one particular brand if he's already got a bit of glass accumulated.

 

[GrillMouster]

what she said.

 

[ukcatfan]

I agree. I think the very first question is if those lenses are going to work on a new DSLR. Until we know that, it will be hard to give honest advice.

 

[mrsltg]

Hi All-

Thanks for answering! I've been looking around and can't find the stupid thing! The last time I remember seeing it was about one year ago... I will keep looking. I never even thought about the possibility of being able to use the same lenses! That, by itself, is worth the scavenger hunt I am on!

 

[mrsltg]

Bumping due to update.


DH has a canon 35mm with three different lenses. What would be my best bet (I am assuming Canon)? It would be great if the lenses were interchangeable.

Thanks!

 

[bob100]

Bumping due to update.


DH has a canon 35mm with three different lenses. What would be my best bet (I am assuming Canon)? It would be great if the lenses were interchangeable.

Thanks!

The lens will still fit a current Canon DSLR if they date from after 1987 but there are many older lens that don't really compare with the newer optics but some still do so without further info it's hard to say. If there's a local camera store you might want to have someone check the lens out. Actually $500 is on the low side for a DSLR package but for a few hundred more there is the Canon T2i (550D) or for around $500 to $600 you can get a Canon T1i (500D). Or consider a gift certificate from B&H (a big online camera store) until you AND him look at all the current camera options. Hubby should go and try out all the current models to see what best fits him!

 

[Altair]

The Canon EOS line of SLR's use EF mount lenses. If the lenses he has are EF mount they will work. To find out the mount type just look on the lens. For example, the 50-250mm will have printed on it EF50-250mm.
If it says FD50-250mm it won't work.

 

[photo_chick]

I disagree on old glass. It depends on the lens. I'd put some of the older high end lenses I've acquired over the entry level glass out there today.

But the big question for the OP.. is it FD or EOS? As said look for the EF on the lens. Or you can just look on the barrel of the lens and see if there's an AF-M switch.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Yeah, the model of the canon camera would help. Hopefully it's a EOS with auto focus lenses because they will work with newer canon cameras.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

I disagree on old glass. It depends on the lens. I'd put some of the older high end lenses I've acquired over the entry level glass out there today.

But the big question for the OP.. is it FD or EOS? As said look for the EF on the lens. Or you can just look on the barrel of the lens and see if there's an AF-M switch.

Agreed. I can use any of my full frame capable glass on my 7e film camera without issue!