Define: Buying into the system

[krzkrzkrz]

Greetings,

I've been seeing this terminology a lot: "Buying into the system".

What does this all mean?
I am confused because, from my understanding, when you buy a DSLR of a specific brand (let's say Canon or Nikon), then its likely you will be using their lenses.

However, I also found out that their are lenses available of a different brand that can still be used with the camera's brand. FOR EXAMPLE: Lets assume I own a Pentax DSLR, I could use a lense that is not by Pentax.

I think this is also valid for Canon DSLR's using other lenses other than from the same manufacturer.

Is this correct?

Please elaborate, if appropriate.

Kind regards,
Chris

[Rhys]

If you buy into a system, you're buying into the lens mount. This means that if you have a Canon XT then you can only buy other Canon cameras if you wish to use the same lenses that you posess. You can't say "Now that D200 looks good. I'll buy that" because you'd have to buy all your lenses again in Nikon mount. Then you'd say "I like that SIgma SD10" and you'd have to buy all new lenses again just because you want to change camera.

[krzkrzkrz]

Can't you buy a Canon and use other lenses with the Canon camera? I thought some lenses are compatible with other brands?

[AlexMonro]

Some lens manufacturers are known as independents, because they don't just make lenses for their own cameras - indeed, all except Sigma don't make cameras at all. You can get their lenses that are adapted to fit most of the well known makes, such as Canon, Nikon, Minolta (now Sony), Olympus, Pentax etc.

The main independent lens makers are Sigma, Tamron & Tonika. I think Vivitar also used to make lenses, but I'm not sure if they currently do - I've only seen them advertised second hand, for old manual focus mounts.

All the main camera makers (Canon, Nikon etc.) only make lenses for their own cameras. apart from Sigma.

[coldrain]

Thanks Alex, to confuse the confused :p!

No, you can not just use a lens made for a Nikon camera on a Canon camera, or a lens for a Pentax camera on a Sony camera.

The way the lens connects to the camera is different for all camera manufacturers, it is called the "mount". So, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina make lenses for different camera brands, with a different mount for each make.

So... if you decide noiw on a Nikon, or a Canon, you will in a way choose for the camera system, because your future cameras will be able to use the lenses you buy now if the camera is of the same make. So... in a way it is a more important choice than just the current body, you choose a lens system.

[ReF]

sigma does make their own cameras - the SA and SD series.

Can't you buy a Canon and use other lenses with the Canon camera? I thought some lenses are compatible with other brands?

as alex said, some manufacturers make the same lenses in several different mounts. the problem is the electronics and contacts of lenses for each mount are different. so even if you could put a canon mount lens onto a nikon with an adapter you loose electronic functions such as autofocus and control over the aperture. with some lenses you can set the aperture manually but you still won't have autofocus.

[Warin]

No, you can not just use a lens made for a Nikon camera on a Canon camera, or a lens for a Pentax camera on a Sony camera.



To confuse the issue a little...

It is actually fairly straight forward to mount a Nikon F mount lens on a Canon EF body. Novoflex makes an adapter.

They used Nikon glass on the 1D Mark II to shoot Corpse Bride.

[some guy]

i feel that the posters seem to focus right on the lenses, but forget to think about the other accessories like flash units, sensors, TCs etc. For example if you buy a Canon, not only the Canon EF/S lens is designed for the Canon dSLR but also for it's sensors, memory, programming etc. Same goes with the flash. Everything works together cohesively (at least by design). Sure you can slap on 3rd party lens or God forbid use one of those independant lens makers on say a Sony or a Samsung. Does the Samsung technician even talk to the Schneider-whatever technician? Does the Sony CCD chip architect calls up Carl Zeiss/Corsina that it requires certain configuration of the lens so that it can be optimised for the CCD? Or get together in a lab with Sigma to talk about Flash units?
I find these type of cameras aren't harmonious with the rest of the system. Hence to me when buying into a system, it means a holistic approach to photography. All parts are designed together for one specific goal which is to enable the user maximum image quality.