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Unfortunately not all older lenses will work on new Digital SLR camera bodies. In general, if you stick with the manufacturer’s own lenses you won’t have a problem. (See below for exceptions) However with independent lens manufacturers the story is much more complicated.
The biggest problems are with Sigma lenses, some of which are also sold as Quantary or Vivitar in the US, and the worst combinations seem to be Canon digital SLR cameras with older Sigma lenses. If there is a problem usually you’ll know, because it’s pretty obvious - You’ll get an error message and the camera will lock up. In this situation, especially with Nikon cameras, switch the camera off and then remove the lens. So far I’ve not seen or heard of a camera being damaged by this but Nikons are supposed to be switched off when changing lenses anyway and are far more sensitive to problems with changing lenses than other makers.
However, even if everything appears fine, take some sample pictures at full aperture and check the lens is focusing accurately. I’ve had problems with a Sigma 70-210 f2.8, a Sigma 300mm f4 and a Tokina 300mm f4 with Canon digital SLRs and with a Tokina 80-200 f2.8 and a Sony A100 DSLR where everything seemed fine until I actually looked at the photographs, and realised that every one was out of focus. So check in the best way to check any lens - take photographs. If possible take lots, especially with Canon cameras.
So if you’re buying, especially on Ebay, ask the seller which camera body they’ve used the lens with. If they’ve used the lens with the same, or a newer camera than yours you’ll probably be OK - But ask before you buy.
Manufacturer’s Own Lenses
“If you stick with manufacturers own lenses you’ll be fine” used to be the simple advice here. However, there are now exceptions to this golden rule appearing every week.
Nikon : The complication here is mostly with newer digital SLR cameras at the lower end of the Nikon range. At the moment that’s the Nikon D40, Nikon D60, Nikon D3000 and D5000. None of these cameras have the body internal autofocus drive motor that older Nikon and most independent lenses need. They will only work with Nikon AF-S or AF-I lenses which have a drive motor in the lens itself. Sigma HSM lenses will be OK and there are a couple of specific Tamron lenses that will work, but almost every other independent lens simply will not work with these cameras. Check - even with new lenses.
Canon : Almost all Canon digital SLR cameras except the Canon 1Ds, Canon 1D or Canon 5D series, will work with Canon EF-S lenses. These have a white dot, rather than a red one on the lens mount, and should not be used on any full frame Canon digital SLR camera body as they will foul the mirror and possibly damage your camera. Suitable cameras have a white dot on the camera just to the right of the usual red one on the camera’s lens mount.
Oh ...... I’ve bought a lens that won’t work with my camera. What do I do?
In the immortal words of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy “Don’t Panic”. I’d also add to that, don’t bin the lens. Believe it or not, there are still options. I’ve been in this position a few times, and so far have managed to find a way out. Some are obvious but others you may not have heard of. I hadn’t.
If you have an independent lens and it won’t work with your new camera - talk to the manufacturer. This has happened twice to me with Sigma lenses, and if they can’t re-chip the lens to make it work, they’ll make you an offer of a new lens at a price way below list. So call them and see what they say. I ended up smiling - twice !!
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