Lens for film SLR - will they fit DSLR body

[silverbirch]

Hi - hope it's okay to ask this here.

I have a Pentax film body and two lens. Is it possible to use these lens on a DSLR body.

Many thanks.

[Jonbar18]

Have no idea about Pentax specifically, but my guess would be yes. Try doing some research here or failing that, here

[silverbirch]

Thanks for those links - will check them out. One lens is Sigma 70 - 200 with Tamron adapter, and the other is a Tamron 35 - 70mm.

[NathanFranke]

Depends on the manufacturer, but at least with Canon (and probably Nikon), old film lenses will work for dslrs, but digital lenses won't work on film cameras. Lenses designed for full-frame digital sensors will work on both.

Again, no idea with Pentax.

[OsmosisStudios]

*ahem*

[silverbirch]

I've realised that camera and the lens are 29 years old, so can realistically think about an upgrade! Thanks for the information.

[inkista]

If the lenses are in the Pentax K (bayonet) mount, they can be used on Pentax dSLRs. If the lenses are in the Pentax M42 (screw/thread) mount, they can be used on Pentax (and Canon, Sony Alpha, and Olympus/Panasonic four-thirds) dSLRs with an adapter.

Originally Posted by NathanFranke

Depends on the manufacturer, but at least with Canon (and probably Nikon), old film lenses will work for dslrs, but digital lenses won't work on film cameras. Lenses designed for full-frame digital sensors will work on both....

Uh... Couple thoughts.

Full-frame lenses are typically designed-for-film lenses. Not digital.

If they are autofocus film lenses, they can work on dSLRs, if the mount is still being used. Nikon F, Pentax K, Canon EOS, and Minolta AF/Sony Alpha are the four that are still around. Panasonic and Olympus's four-thirds is brand new, and was not based on an existing film mount.

If they are manual focus lenses, and made by Pentax or Nikon (although pre-AI Nikkors need to be used with care, and there is a different amount of functionality given the age/features of the lens), they can be used on the same brand dSLRs. If they are Minolta, Canon, or Olympus, they cannot. If they are not any of those five mounts, the lens may (or may not) be adaptable to one of the mounts, but will have some serious limitations on use.

Crop-body lenses (EF-S, DX) are, by definition, made for digital. HOWEVER. While Canon's EF-S lenses cannot be used on the 5D/1Ds, Nikon DX lenses can be used on the D700 and D3, but will vignette, and the image is likely to be cropped in-camera. And ditto with third-party crop body lenses. E.g., the Tokina 11-16, which is a crop-body lens, can be physically mounted on a full-frame camera like the 5D, it just vignettes, because the lens's image circle can only cover an APS-C sensor.

So, it's not exactly as simple or straightforward as you've stated. Typically, an answer that holds for one specific film lens/digital body combination may not hold for another. You do need to ask about the specific combination.

[silverbirch]

Hmmm - well I *think* the main lens for the camera is a bayonet mount, and it says "Tamron made for Pentax KM". The second lens has an adpater, again a Tamron brand.

I assume [I]manual[I] focus means when you move the lens itself to focus - both these lenses have a sort of middle square in which you adjust the focus until it is clear.

Thanks for your help.

[silverbirch]

I've decided to go for a new set up, currently looking at Canon 600D and 18 - 135 lens, or 25 - 250, depending on prices the dealer comes up with. Am also going to check out Nikon on Friday.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by silverbirch

Hmmm - well I *think* the main lens for the camera is a bayonet mount, and it says "Tamron made for Pentax KM". The second lens has an adpater, again a Tamron brand. ...

Hmm. Might be an Adaptall lens. If you go with Nikon, you might be able to find the Adaptall Nikon F adapter, and still use the lens. With Canon, unfortunately, the adaptall was for the old FD/FL mount that's no longer compatible with EOS.

I assume manual focus means when you move the lens itself to focus - both these lenses have a sort of middle square in which you adjust the focus until it is clear.

Actually, it's not the lens with the square--it's the camera's focus screen. But yes, by manual focus, I meant that's the ONLY way to focus the lens: by turning the focus ring on the lens barrel.

If you go with Canon, you can adapt Pentax K lenses to the mount with an adapter ring, but you won't have autofocus or aperture control from the camera body (i.e., you have to use the aperture ring on the lens). Metering will be stop-down, and you'll be limited to M or Av modes. But the lenses can be used. Might not be worth the hassle though.

You cannot adapt Pentax K to Nikon F without modifying either the lens or the camera mount.