Interchangeable Lense question?

[Gil Verwey]

My son gave me his old EOS but it uses film. I want to get a digital camera. He has several lenses for the camera. Do SLR cameras have a standard interface for the lenses or are each unique to each camera or manufaturer. I want to get either the Cannon EOS or Nikon D40. Will these lenses fit either camera?

Thanks
Gil

[rastaman]

Your Canon EOS lenses won't work with the Nikon.
Your Canon 35mm lenses (if autofocus) should work with the Canon digital.  The bold text was copied off one of the Canon camera forums on google and pasted here.    the third generation lens, however, came with the advent of autofocus, and the mechanical linkage was replaced with electronic controls.  non-autofocus lenses cannot be used on an autofocus body, and vise versa.
The best advice would be to write down which lenses you have with the model numbers & post them here so some of the experts can answer, or call B & H photo and ask one of their experts if you don't have a local camera shop you can go to.

[Gil Verwey]

Thanks Randy.

Gil

[Ralphie]

Generally digital interchangeable lenses are constructed differently than analog lenses. The optics are designed to cast their image on to the film sensor. Film lenses are designed to cast their image on to a 24x36 film plane. The image may be not complete, as the image area may be cut off.
Digital lenses are for the most part lighter than film lenses.
Some general differences you may want to investigate.