Know this has been covered before, but will bring it up again. Am looking at getting the wife(and I:teeth: ) a DSLR body. She has a Rebel T2 Film SLR now, am looking for a DSLR body that will accept the lenses from that body in digital format. Can not afford really to get both the body and glass right now. The Lenses are both Sigma,one is a 28-80, the other is a 70-300,1:4-5.6 Any help would be appreciated Thanks in advance
They should be fine on any Canon DSLR. Remember though, that you'll have effectively a 45-128 and a 112-480 lens due to Canon's 1.6x magnification factor between film and digital. 35mm film SLR lenses just cover a bigger "film" plane that DSLR lenses, so you can use film lenses on DSLRs, but not necessarily the reverse, without vignetting. I'd plan on picking up something wider than 28mm in the near future.
Shaun - I converted from a Canon A2E last year to a Digital Rebel XT, and have never been happier. I can use all of my old lenses, and the camera is awesome! What Pete says is true, but I have not found it too be a big deal (or even a little deal..) at all.
I absolutely agree it's not a big nor little deal. I just advise people to be aware of this factor. I wasn't aware of it in 2002 when I bought a Nikon D100! I should have been, but really hadn't done much research. I hadn't been active nor interested in photography for two decades, thought a digital SLR would add to my range of services and, wow! did it ever! When I go out on a shoot, I mount a 12-24 on one body, and a 24-85 on the other, and carry a 70-300 in my pocket, or my wife's pocket. If I get a third body, then she'll carry that with the 70-300. My lens choice is heavily dependent on what I expect. If I'm out shooting birds or bears, the 12-24 is in my pocket, because I'll probably not get within range for a wide angle. Yet most nature shots are taken with the 12-24, with the 70-300 in my pocket. It's very rare that the 24-85 is in my pocket. And then, most scenes taken with the 12-24 allow me to be rather deliberate. I would hope a brown bear wouldn't get close enough to me to require that lens. Just some thoughts on lenses for a DSLR that you might consider.
Pete and Dave, Thanks for the reponses and the help Dave, Am leaning towards either the XT or XTi, but have been told by others that the glass we have is not very good on the higher MP cameras. Not sure if this is true but just can't afford to buy new glass right now and this will be a major purchase for us. Wife loves her Rebel, but would like the convience of digital too. She enjoys being able to bring it home and just load and view(I have a Canon A95) which i used on all of my RI shots(none have been PS either) Thanks again Shaun
I have the XTi - had some friends have trouble with dust on the sensor, so I figured that the self-cleaning feature was worth it. Have had no problems using my 70-300 Canon lens off my 35mm.
The picture won't be any better than the lens, regardless of the camera body. I did try my old Canon EOS lenses on my Rebel Digital XT body. They did "O.K." , but you have to remember the magnification factor. (Also, they were many years old). I tried the Canon digital kit lens (18-55mm) and found it to be very lightweight and convenient; however, the optics and speed were less than I had expected. It is a great "starter" lens and keeps the DSLR outfit lightweight, at the expense of picture quality. In short, most older Canon lenses will work, but eventually you will want to upgrade your lenses to match the capabilities of your camera. Harold
I agree totally with Harold. The only lenses I saved from my film days were the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 and the 35-105mm macro zoom. I'd sold off the "big glass" many years ago, and I gave a niece the off-brand lenses. I paid more for a Nikon 12-24mm zoom than I would for a Nikon D80, or perhaps even D200. I think Canon is pretty much the same as Nikon, with three levels of lenses: kit, "prosumer," and pro. I read many reviews before settling on a lens. While I would love the new Nikon 18-200mm Vibration Reduction lens, it's a little steep ($900?) for the way I would use it in my photography. It's not wide enough for landscapes, nor long enough for wildlife, so I'd still have to carry three lenses. I'm perfectly satisfied with my 24-85 and 70-300, along with the 12-24. But that's the way I shoot the subjects that I do.
I use a Canon 17-85 USM w/ Image Stabilization. Besides being a much better quality lens than the 18-55 that comes with the body (in "kit" form), it also expands my focal range from 3x to 5x. The Image STabilization allows you to shoot pictures at ultra slow speeds (like 1/5 sec.) without using a tripod! It comes at a cost (in $$$ and ounces). Overall, I am very happy with the lens. My next lens may be the 70-300 USM DO IS. Harold
Nikon is behind in bringing out less expensive VR (or IS) lenses. The 70-200 is a beautiful lens, but costly, as it is for a full SLR frame. Same with their 80-400. I think I'll just wait. The 70-300 has been plenty long enough for now. I think you get into a whole new class of tripods when you go much longer.
http://www.dpreview.com/ The dp review site will take you to a great photo site with many Forums divided for your camera. Can be a great source of information. It is run by Cnet. I like the Kodak forum. Questions can become model specific. I have a new Kodak Z612. For $299 it has 6mp & a 12x zoom, IS with some video. I've found it to be a great little camera. Found a trick to get macro down to 2". There may be deals on your XT-XTI cameras & lens. http://www.adorama.com/ I have heard good reports about Adorama. Good service & good prices.
I have purchased from them in the past with little problem... beware the phone operators of most organizations that want to "sell" you something extra :0
Canon Lenses I initially started out with a first one then a pair of Canon's AE-1's, I moved over to the Rebel TI with a pair of Sigma lenses the pair cost in the price range of $300. I then was loaned a Canon D30 with a 28-135mm IS USM lense. There's no compasion to good glass. When I finally purchased my first digital Canon 300D I still used Sigma kit lense. But finally purchased Canon 28-135mm IS USM lense and Canon 70-300 IS USM lense and then the Canon 20D. You can purchase cheaper glass even Canon, Canon has a 75-300mm lense for around $200. The Canon 18-55mm lense actually has some kick to it in certain photo examples, i've used it in timed exposures and certain close up work and it's has done nicely. But failed in most rail fan adventures except where the train is at a stand still Landscapes, building and even the snap shot type photo it has worked well. But I rarely use it otherwise. Costco if you are a member has reasonable prices on Canon and Nikon equipment. B&H warehouse does also. I recommend if you haven't all ready purchase a stabilzed lense of the 28-135mm cost in the neighborhood of $400-500. Good luck with your purchase and new camera..Ken
Thanks all for the responses, have not made the decision on what to get yet BTW, Ken, Welcome to TB, recognize you from both Railpictures.net and SoCalRailfan
