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Thread ID: 37559 2003-09-11 04:43:00 Converting Existing cameras to Digital Winston001 (3612) Press F1
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174510 2003-09-11 04:43:00 Has anyone come across digital camera bodies or a conversion kit to use with existing SLR cameras?
I would have thought it a simple matter for manufacturers to have built such bodies. Indeed there was a rumour that an aftermarket device existed that fitted in the back of your Canon and held digital images.
But the conspiracy theorists say the manufacturers bought it out and that was the end of that.
I have a couple of beautiful lenses that do not fit the new digital SLRs (or so I believe)
Winston001 (3612)
174511 2003-09-11 05:08:00 PC World (I think) did an article on "conversion kits" which fit inside an SLR camera where the film usually goes. Try and find that article - it may be from another computer magazine, but I can't remember for sure. somebody (208)
174512 2003-09-11 12:30:00 A year or so back I heard of a company that was going to produce a 35mm film cannister that was going to be digital. Sounded like a brilliant idea to me as I could use all the lenses I have now. mikebartnz (21)
174513 2003-09-11 20:45:00 There was in either Canon or Nikon, I am unsure exactly, there was available a digital back for one of there models but since then, both Canon and Nikon have produced dedicated professional digital 35mm equipment anyway. I have not seen anything for such a add on digital back for some time for 35mm though they are available in the Meduim Format market for some makes/models.

What model are the lens for, Canon, Nikon ? Not sure about Canon but the Nikon range of camera bodies from the early F2's and the trusty old F3 through to the F4s and the F5's and the D series, many of the lens are compatible in part or whole across the range. Not sure what Canon did between the older versions and the EOS and digital versions. Minolta was the let down as they changed between models.
Gordon. (2217)
174514 2003-09-11 23:32:00 I have EOS USM lenses for my Canon EOS 1000.
I suspect that there is more business to be done by introducing new digital SLRs than allowing retrofitting of existing bodies.
Winston001 (3612)
174515 2003-09-12 05:27:00 It was almost impossible for a long time. The sensors were too small to take a full 35mm frame. (So the SLR was not very effective because your viewfinder covered a lot more "picture" than the sensor). Now sensors are big enough to make it possible. But they are very expensive, and the camera manufacturers would (of course) prefer to sell a new camera designed ("engineered") as a unit, than to make an adapter for an old one. Apart from the money, there's the quality, and reputation to consider. A digital back put on a 35 mm SLR designed for film will always be a cobbled up affair. The focus is critical, and if the sensor is removable it will never be in exactly the right position.

Medium format cameras have always had exchangeable backs. Roll film, sheet film, Polaroid. And there's a bit more focus tolerance and a bit more room to make things fit right.
Graham L (2)
174516 2003-09-12 05:57:00 So like the rest of us,buy a digital camera.;)

Have a friend from down your way,Denis Waugh,a pro,look him up in google,still prefers film at this stage,but uses digi for less serious work.
Thomas (1820)
174517 2003-09-21 03:38:00 there are kodak digital backs availbel which support some nikon 35mm SLR cameras (though they are horribly expenseive (10k plus))

I don't think they will even try to make digital backs for 35mm compact cameras though
mikeymike76 (4408)
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