Film Camera Lenses on Digital Camera Bodies?

Yes. It's been a while since I've looked into it, but there are some great DYI sites out there, that show you how to make your own adapters. I'll look around.

This may help:

http://fotodioxpro.com/index.php/lens-mount-adapters/mirrorless-dslr/four-thirds-om4-3/fotodiox-pro-lens-mount-adapter-exakta-auto-topcon-lens-to-olympus-and-panasonic-micro-four-third-mft-cameras-exakta-m4-3-pro.html

That's a must read for anybody interested in this topic, GA thanks!

I was a long time user of Minolta film cameras. (The product line is now Sony cameras, btw.)

I decided to switch to DSL photography last year and bought a Nikon. I considered Sony, thinking my old lenses might be of value - but eventually figured out they weren't.

Theoretically you can adapt an old film lens for digital camera use - but most of the time the adapter needed moves the lens focal point forward, off the sensor. The result is that you can never focus to infinity. Some adapters have a small negative lens built in to correct for this back-focus problem - but this changes the effective focal length and f/ratio. So long as you are aware of this and account for it in your exposures, no problem.

Another thing to consider though is that those old lenses are made with all-glass lenses and metal housings. Newer DSLR lenses make use of high strength plastic housings and some plastic lenses to dramatically reduce weight. You might initially think "plastic, that's junk!", but you would be wrong. These lenses are finely crafted to out-perform glass lens elements. And overall the weight reduction is a huge plus. -- So while you might save a few $$ by making use of old lenses, there are some significant advantages to using the newest lenses with the DSLR cameras. If you have a very unusual and expensive 'old' lens, it might be worth getting an adapter for it.

The two links already provided do provide a lot of very good information. (I'll add a GA to both of Kram's postings later.) I'll give a quick synopsis of your predicament.

There is nothing special in the lens that makes it better for digital or film usage. The only thing significantly different with the use of any lens on any camera platform is the distance from the back of the lens body to the focusing focal plane. Now there are complications because many high resolution digital sensors are a much smaller area and are more sensitive than most film emulsions. This will change the expected field of view and depth of field for a focal length and f stop.

Topcon made some exceptional lenses for their camera platform. Your problem is that Topcon choose to stop making consumer cameras thirty years ago. If your lenses are for a Topcon camera, this means an adapter to properly place an image at the correct plane from your lenses will be an esoteric part. If instead your Topcon lens is for a more common SLR body then an adapter will be more likely available.

I ended up with my Dad's camera equipment from the late 70s. Top of the line stuff.

I cannot bring myself to get rid of it, and never will; if nothing else, just enjoying the memories and precision engineering that went into that equipment, makes it worth hanging onto. It's art.

I may delve into the adaptors one day, but quite frankly, the modern point and shoot digitals produce pictures that look just fine, as far as I'm concerned.

As I reflect back on the old 35mm, and waiting for prints to be developed...opening the envelope when you picked them up; I'm not so sure that digital is such a boon.

I've probably got 4000 pics on my computer; and while I scroll through them occasionally, there's nothing like sitting down with an album and looking at pics that really mattered. Captured moments that go back decades...important moments.

Here's an article that pretty much sums it up:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/lens-adapters.htm

I'm a total photography freak. I buy, sell, repair, and refurbish vintage cameras. I have more than 100 cameras in my temperature and humidity controlled workshop. (My specialization is range-finder cameras from post war through the early 60's).

My experience with these type adapters is just so-so. Really not worth the trouble. You have to make too many compromises, and the images suffer.

Although vintage lenses are usually made much better than today, (with exception of the superb Fuji X lenses), today's optics are excellent.

But what's wrong with shooting film? For the price of a new quality digital body, you can shoot and process many rolls of film, and at the same time have them digitally scanned.

Although I own a full-frame Nikon digital, with many modern lenses, I love to shoot film.I also have the complete Fuji X system.

But with all of that, all I really need is my Fuji_X100s

I may just start using that 35mm of mine. If I tell you what equipment I have, would you give me your opinion of how good it is?

I'd be more than happy too!

But remember, the camera has little to to do with the quality of the photograph. Only the photographer does.

I've found that out the hard way...more than once.

I've managed to stop myself, but for years I fooled myself into thinking a more expensive camera would do the trick.

The new digitals do a pretty good job of compensating for my lack of skill.

It's not a lot of stuff; I'll post the info this weekend.

I just got time to pull the stuff out.

Camera: Minolta XG-M

The long lens: Asanuma Auto-Tele/ 1:6.3/ f= 400mm/ No.110710 It comes with separate 2X and 3X converters for the Minolta camera

The medium lens: Soligor Ø67 1A

Thanks.

The XG-M was a mid price consumer camera made in 1982. You didn't list the lens on it, but I'll assume it's a Minolta Rokkor MC 50mm f/1.7. A decent camera in 1982, and still a decent camera in 2013. In fact, if I was only to use an XG-M for my work today, no one would hardly notice the difference.

That's the good news.

It's not a sought after camera today. Only a photography 101 student on a very limited budget would be interested now.

The other two lenses, being off brand, are worth very little. Taking for granted that everything works, and no cosmetic issues, you'd be lucky to get $100 for the lot.

The best was to see what you old equipment is worth, is to see what they're SELLING for on e-bay.

Back in the mid 80's, Minolta and Canon, (among others), changed their lens mounts. The earlier lenses won't mount at all. So their old glass has little use in today's world. Nikon, (and Pentax), has always been backwards compatible, (mostly). With my new Nikon 600, I can mount all Nikon lenses made since 1959, and they will work. So, some old Nikon glass is worth more than what you paid for it.

I suggest you load it up with some Fujifilm Superia and go shoot, it will be fun!

Thanks Bricktop.

I wasn't looking to sell it, but curious as to what I had. If someone had a use for it, I'd likely give it to them.

I'm sitting here with two digital cameras, and while I talk about using the 35mm, the chances that I'll follow through are pretty slim. I know myself.

This is working fine for me.