Question for the pros: Getting a new dSLR

[MCsommerreid]

So, my mom who is a photography buff (old school black and white), is going to be getting me a dSLR. Its probably going to be something akin to the Nikon D40 or Canon Digital Rebel XT.

The million dollar question comes down to the glass for it. She has a whole bunch of lenses using the OM bayonet mount, and I have a monster macro (150mm prime 1:3.5 macro manual focus) that uses the OM mount as well that I would love to use since some modern offerings can run in the $1700 range. Is it possible to use the OM mount natively with either of those cameras? If not, which I suspect, is there a mount adaptor to go from OM to mounts used on those cameras?

Thanks, folks!

[-Devil-]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lens-Adapter-Mount-Olympus-OM-to-Canon-EOS-New-!!!!!!_W0QQitemZ110208664790QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=T L0712260827a23527

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-OM-Lens-to-Canon-EOS-Camera-Adapter_W0QQitemZ330199989300QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp= TL0712270842a24480

there you go

this would let you use those lens on a Canon rebel XT or XTi .. or any of the other EOS body cameras

[neilxvx]

MC

As a photographer for about a year my general understanding of newer models from popular manufactuers (Canon, Olympus) is that their lenses are exclusive to their cameras. I'm pretty sure that Nikon is an exception, and it will fit different lenses.

You CAN get adapters, but be careful. If it's an adapter that simply connects the mounts then you should be ok. But some people get adapters that use one to two different series of glass in addition to the lens you want to use, and thus you use quality.

I'm an Olympus fan however and it's almost impossible to fit anything other than Zuiko lenses on the e volts.

[MCsommerreid]

Went the XT rout so I can use the adaptors. Managed to nab me a 55-200mm zoom for free too.

Thanks for the point out on the adaptors, -Devil-.

[-Devil-]

the adapters work on the XTi as well ... they are the same body .. and mount ... just with a few upgraded and refreshed features over the XT ...

but either way a nice camera ... if you haven't yet .. i would reccomend picking up a BG-E3 for it ... makes the weight of the camera a little more balancing .. esp with older glass hanging on the front of it .. plus the extended battery life (and option feature to use AA batteries) is nice to...

[mnealtx]

but either way a nice camera ... if you haven't yet .. i would reccomend picking up a BG-E3 for it ... makes the weight of the camera a little more balancing .. esp with older glass hanging on the front of it .. plus the extended battery life (and option feature to use AA batteries) is nice to...

I'll second that - it's definitely nice to have for balancing longer lenses, and the the second set of controls for portrait orientation is a plus!

[StGeorge]

I'm an Olympus fan however and it's almost impossible to fit anything other than Zuiko lenses on the e volts.

Not true, you can get different adapters that will allow the fitting of most lens. If you have lots of OM lens you can fit them to the E-volt series and get image stabilisation with the latest E series models. I have an E-510 which (with the latest firmware update) gives me image stabilisation on legacy lens. Neither Nikon or Canon can offer that kind of flexibility.

[Rei]

I started out using an OM series camera. I loved the thing, and still own it. However, I wouldn't really think to put the OM lenses on a modern body, because I like being able to adjust the aperture and focus point using the dial on the camera.

Beyond that, all of my OM lenses are full manual, and one of the things I like about the Canon Ring-type USM lenses is that you can leave it on autofocus and manually override the focus. Most lenses, you have to disengage the AF before you can go into manual mode, but on ring USM, you get the best of both worlds.

[StGeorge]

I started out using an OM series camera. I loved the thing, and still own it. However, I wouldn't really think to put the OM lenses on a modern body, because I like being able to adjust the aperture and focus point using the dial on the camera.

Beyond that, all of my OM lenses are full manual, and one of the things I like about the Canon Ring-type USM lenses is that you can leave it on autofocus and manually override the focus. Most lenses, you have to disengage the AF before you can go into manual mode, but on ring USM, you get the best of both worlds.

I guess it depends on needs and budget. I can't think of a cheaper way to save all those lens and get image stabilisation at the same time. Bearing in mind the cost of stabilised lens', "in body" stabilisation is the way to go for me. I actually like the manual focus on the OM lens, it works really well on my E-510 and means I can get decent, cheap glass with IS. Horses for courses as always.