Film Slr Lenses On Digital Slrs

[Purple Julie]

Ok, maybe this is a really dumb question, but here goes...

Will a digital SLR autofocus when an old film SLR lens is attached? Basically, is the autofocus in the lens or in the camera body?

(In case you were wondering, I'm thinking about Pentax cameras as all their old SLR lenses fit current DSLR cameras, but this question can apply to all brands).

[Ashanali]

I think I already answered this in an old thread you posted PJ.

The answer is yes. If they are both AF lenses and have the same mount then YES they will work.

[Purple Julie]

Oh, I think I mustn't have understood you or I was thinking about something else. I believe they will fit and have the same mount. I don't know if the film SLR lens is AF though. I know that when I used Dad's camera, I had to move the thing around to get the focus right, so maybe it is not an AF lens.

[Ripley]

The Tokina lens that fits out DLSR 350D was on husband's SLR camera. He sold the camera to a friend and kept this lens as it's a 300mm. It fits the 350D but sometimes it won't autofocus so I have to resort to manually focusing. It takes sharper pics than the kit Canon lens though, it's just so damn heavy you need to use a tripod, so I hardly use it.

[chezzyr]

Not all old lenses will automatically work with dSLRs and some will but in a limited

capacity. Can't comment specifically on the focus issue. But I had a lens that

I used with a previous Canon (film) SLR and it would NOT work with my digital SLR.

Despite having same mounts.

I have another lens that will only work if I pre-set the camera to AV and f5.6

(which is fine as that is what Id want it set at) - any other modes/settings

and it will lock up.

I haven't used Pentax dSLRs, they may well be okie dokie with old lenses.

Are you able to take the old lenses into a shop and try them with the

digital bodies?

Edited October 19, 2007 by chezzyr

[Purple Julie]

Are you able to take the old lenses into a shop and try them with the

digital bodies?

That's a good idea. I think I will do that!

[Purple Julie]

Ok, so here is the answer - they do work, but not when you're in the shop trying them out. There were a few settings that needed to be adjusted before the camera would take a photo with the old lenses.

Again, I am talking specifically about Pentax (compatable) lenses. I don't know how you'd go with other brands of camera and previous SLR lenses.

[Staff'n'Toller]

I know someone who had a Pentax 35mm SLR and bought a Pentax DSLR purely because he wanted to use an existing lens he had.

Mel. :rolleyes: