Beginner Lens Question :?

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iDenTiTy

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Ok, 'scuse the seemingly stupid question...

Let's say I bought a Nikon/Canon/Sony/Minolta camera... (at the moment, only looking at DSLRs)

If I wanted to buy a lens for the camera, do I have to buy the lens for the respective camera, or do majority (if not all) third party lenses fit?

Like say a Nikon with a Sigma 120-400mm?

Can all of the manufacturers listed above fit the Sigma, and if I get a tripod, will any of the above makes fit?

:o

:)
 
The third party lenses make fittings (mounts) for each of the different camera makes, so you would have to buy one specifically for your camera make.

As for the tripods, I think they have a little screw in thing that is the same for all camera's.
 
Cool.

So if I understand correctly, third party lenses fit most (if not all) cameras, but due to individually different mountings on diff. manufacturer's cameras, a specific attachment will have to be bought in addition to the lens..

:confused:

Thanks.

;)
 
Well if I understand your question...Sigma for eg makes lenses that fit almost all cameras however you would have to order the correct lens for the correct camera - the mounts.

Sony and Nikon, Canon, make lenses that only fit their cameras.
 
iDenTiTy_CRiSiS said:
Cool.

So if I understand correctly, third party lenses fit most (if not all) cameras, but due to individually different mountings on diff. manufacturer's cameras, a specific attachment will have to be bought in addition to the lens..

:confused:

Thanks.

;)
Click to expand...

No, the mount is built with the lens, it is one unit. You only buy the lens. You can buy adaptors for putting say a Canon lens on a Nikon camera, but I think you sacrifice image quality.
 
Pooky said:
No, the mount is built with the lens, it is one unit. You only buy the lens. You can buy adaptors for putting say a Canon lens on a Nikon camera, but I think you sacrifice image quality.
Click to expand...

So a specific Sigma lens will have one model that has many versions for the various cameras?

:confused:
 
iDenTiTy_CRiSiS said:
So a specific Sigma lens will have one model that has many versions for the various cameras?

:confused:
Click to expand...
Correct, a lens will have many MOUNTS, these mounts make it for all other cameras. Same lens, same features but different mounts to make it compatible with the said camera body.
You would have to order the lens for the camera you have. All mounts are different except for Sony/Minolta as Sony now ownh them.
 
marine1 said:
Correct, a lens will have many MOUNTS, these mounts make it for all other cameras. Same lens, same features but different mounts to make it compatible with the said camera body.
You would have to order the lens for the camera you have. All mounts are different except for Sony/Minolta as Sony now ownh them.
Click to expand...

Ya I have an old Minolta lens that works with my Sony perfectly.:)
 
marine1 said:
Correct, a lens will have many MOUNTS, these mounts make it for all other cameras. Same lens, same features but different mounts to make it compatible with the said camera body.
You would have to order the lens for the camera you have. All mounts are different except for Sony/Minolta as Sony now ownh them.
Click to expand...
Dont forget the four thirds system of dSLRs where all the lenses are compatible with the various bodies regardless of manufacturer.

Since we're discussing lens availability its a good time to mention the 100+ canon lenses available over the years since they started using the EF mount back in the 80's - afaik all compatible with their consumer dSLR range.
 
bwana said:
Dont forget the four thirds system of dSLRs where all the lenses are compatible with the various bodies regardless of manufacturer.
Click to expand...
I didnt know that. :eek:
bwana said:
Since we're discussing lens availability its a good time to mention the 100+ canon lenses available over the years since they started using the EF mount back in the 80's - afaik all compatible with their consumer dSLR range.
Click to expand...

I would agree
 
bwana said:
It's easy not to - not much seems to be said about that system.
Click to expand...

Ok, me now being thoroughly confused, will say this....

When I get a camera, I will ask you guys which lens would be appropriate for which activity...

Sorry, but there's way too much to learn for a mere beginner...

:o
 
iDenTiTy_CRiSiS said:
Ok, me now being thoroughly confused, will say this....

When I get a camera, I will ask you guys which lens would be appropriate for which activity...

Sorry, but there's way too much to learn for a mere beginner...

:o
Click to expand...
Bud it does sounds daunting but you have to start somewhere. Start leaning about aperture, ISO etc.
Get an understanding about what these things do.
 
One question, though....

If I would like to take pictures of the night sky, can I do it with the lens the camera comes with?

Or do I need to buy a wider-angle lens (:o), or something like that?

:)
 
iDenTiTy_CRiSiS said:
Ok, me now being thoroughly confused, will say this....

When I get a camera, I will ask you guys which lens would be appropriate for which activity...

Sorry, but there's way too much to learn for a mere beginner...

:o
Click to expand...
just remember a body might last 5 years before its outdated but a lens could last decades so it might be an idea to keep that in mind.
 
iDenTiTy_CRiSiS said:
So a specific Sigma lens will have one model that has many versions for the various cameras?
Click to expand...

They make a model, say the 10-20mm I have. They make several "versions" of it - one to fit Canon, one to fit Nikon, one to fit Pentax, etc. So it's not one lens that's able to fit bodies of several makers.

bwana said:
Dont forget the four thirds system of dSLRs where all the lenses are compatible with the various bodies regardless of manufacturer.
Click to expand...

Who else uses it other than Oly and Panasonic? The thing I don't like about the ever smaller lenses is the ever bigger DOF. From what I read you need a f/2 lens to get the same DOF as f/4 at 1.5/1.6x crop (or was that FF?).

And of course, being smaller, they let through even less light.

Pooky said:
No, the mount is built with the lens, it is one unit. You only buy the lens. You can buy adaptors for putting say a Canon lens on a Nikon camera, but I think you sacrifice image quality.
Click to expand...

What makes you think you'll lose image quality?
 
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