Lens question (Sorry to keep asking so many)

[tony64]

Hi
This so going to sound like a silly question to must of you but can a Nikon lens from an old film camera fit a new digital camera and a canon a canon Etc. etc.
If so is it worth buying Just a body and an old film camera that has been looked after and swapping the lens over???

 

[handicap18]

A lot of it depends on how old the lens is, but for the most part yes (though there are some exceptions). Best thing to do is take the lens to a camera store and try it out on the camera body you are thinking of buying. How old is your lens?

 

[tony64]

I don't have a particular one in mind at the moment but my son brought a really nice Canon EOS 500N from a charity shop with a 28-300mm lens on it and it got me thinking.
Is there a down side to going for a good quality secondhand lens as opposed to a cheaper but lower quality new one???

 

[PaulD]

I don't have a particular one in mind at the moment but my son brought a really nice Canon EOS 500N from a charity shop with a 28-300mm lens on it and it got me thinking.
Is there a down side to going for a good quality secondhand lens as opposed to a cheaper but lower quality new one???

Only the lack of a warranty. As long as you can assure that the lens is not defective (which is certainly a consideration) and it works with your body then there's really no down side. I bought a lens from a coworker for a good price and have been happy with it (who wouldn't be happy spending $100 for a decent lens?). You can buy used lenses online from reputable retailers and they'll even rate the wear. Remember that the new lens you buy today is a used lens tomorrow.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Not all older Canon lens can be used with newer Canon cameras. Lenses manufactured pre-1993 can't be used with newer Canon cameras because of their different mount. They used to use "F Mount" then in 1993 (IIRC) they switched to EF mount.

 

[tony64]

Thanks
Is there an idiots guide to knowing which type of mount a camera and lens has or is the only sure way actually trying the lens on the camera.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Every lens will have a mount designation such as Sigma, it will say "for Canon EF-S mount" or Canon lens itself will say (printed on the lens) EF, or EF-S or F. The same goes with Flash, Lenses for Nikon, Lenses for Pentax, etc.

 

[tony64]

Thanks
It's even Tony64 proof