Is there a Digital SLR camera that will take my old SLR Lenses?

Question

I have an old Minolta SRT 202 SLR camera, with many lenses from telephoto to macro and lots of filters. I was wondering if there is a digital camera that will accept my lenses.

Answer 1

Probably not.....

All digital Minolta cameras have a different mount.

You may look around for an SR adapter....but some cameras will not take manual lenses.....

There is no problem with old nikon lenses on new nikon dslrs...

Answer 2

Unfortunately, the Minolta MC lens mount that the great old SRT series used, was replace by the MD mount, and then by a newer mount before Konica/Minolta abandoned the SLR market.  Currently, Sony DSLR's take recent Konica/Minolta autofocus lenses, but not the ones from the SRT era.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, no. At least not without limitations. There is an adapter to use the older MD/MC lenses on the Sony "Alpha" series DSLR cameras and there are adapters to use them on the Canon EOS DSLRs and the Olympus DSLRs.

The main limitation will be having to use "stop-down metering". Since you're accustomed to using manual focus I don't consider that a limitation. You would also have to be in Manual Mode on the DSLR since you'll have to manually set the shutter speed and f-stop - just as you do with your 202.

With "stop-down metering" you meter with the lens set at the f-stop you want to use. In a "meter coupled" situation, which is what you have when you mount a lens to your 202, the lens remains "wide open" regardless of the f-stop you choose. Circuitry in the meter system calculates exposure based on the f-stop chosen (f5.6, f8, etc.) and a mechanical connection closes the diaphgram in the lens to the actual f-stop you set when you release the shutter. With no connection, electrical or mechanical, between lens and camera, you have to meter at f5.6 or f8 or whatever f-stop you set. The problem is that the viewfinder gets darker as you use smaller f-stops - just as it does when you use the Depth of Field preview on your 202. So you have to compose wide open (f1.7, f2.8) and then set the f-stop you want to shoot at to meter. One way to streamline this process is to use a hand-held spot meter like the Minolta Spot Meter M to determine exposure. Then all you have to do is set your shutter speed, compose, and then stop the lens down to your chosen taking f-stop.

EDIT: Minolta lenses designated "MC" were meter coupled. This designation was to differentiate them from the previous non-meter coupled lenses. "MD" was the designation given to lenses designed for the Minolta X-700 (MPS- Minolta Program System) camera which featured a Program Mode. The "MD" meant "meter dedicated" and the lenses featured an f-stop lock. The idea was to set the MD lens to its minimum aperture (usually f16) and lock it there when using the Program Mode. MD lenses have the minimum f-stop in bright green while the others are in white.