Will a DSLR use old lenses?

[BelchFire]

I have a Nikon 5005 that's probably 15 or 20 years old. I love the camera, but I haven't used it in a couple of years now because of digital technology.

Is it reasonable to think I could buy a Nikon DSLR that would use the same lenses I have on the 5005? 35-80mm and 70-210 at issue.

 

[jej]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BelchFire @ Oct 19 2007, 07:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I have a Nikon 5005 that's probably 15 or 20 years old. I love the camera, but I haven't used it in a couple of years now because of digital technology.

Is it reasonable to think I could buy a Nikon DSLR that would use the same lenses I have on the 5005? 35-80mm and 70-210 at issue.[/b]

Yes.

Ken Rockwell writes that any Nikon lens ever made will work on the new digital SLR bodies. He also says that unless the lens is full auto, you won't want to bother with it. Manual focus and exposure is not as much fun as full auto stuff. I fitted a buddy's manual lens to my D70 and it worked.

I expect that your local Nikon dealer would be happy to let you fit your lenses to their camera body if they think it will make a sale. I also expect that the online salesmen at the better shops will be able to give you definitive answers. Don't know if Nikon has a help line.

 

[BelchFire]

As an addendum, I'm interested in SD cards and AF, so it's looking like the D40 or D80. The lenses aren't Nikon lenses, but Sigma. I don't know the models beyond the focus ranges listed above.

What's the main difference(s) in the D40 and D80 besides resolution?

 

[jej]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BelchFire @ Oct 19 2007, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

As an addendum, I'm interested in SD cards and AF, so it's looking like the D40 or D80. The lenses aren't Nikon lenses, but Sigma. I don't know the models beyond the focus ranges listed above.

What's the main difference(s) in the D40 and D80 besides resolution?[/b]

Beats me. Here is Ken Rockwell's review and recommendation.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/2007-05-what-camera.htm

You can spend the rest of the week at his web site. I like it a lot.

I don't know anything about Sigma lenses.