Worth it trying to use these lenses?

Photography has been a hobby for a while but in 2000, I mostly switched from 35mm SLR to digital P&S. Time to go back to a SLR later this year, and I'm looking hard at the 30D.

Now the question...
I have a couple OLD (mid-late 80's) EF lenses, a 35-105 f/3.5-4.5 and a 70-210 f/4. I know they are loud and slow (at least on my EOS 620). Is it even worth it to try and use them on a 30D until I can afford better glass, or would it be better to use a kit lens or something cheap like a current Canon 28-105, 28-200, Sigma 18-200, etc. until I can afford something better? Hopefully someone is familiar with the old EF lenses. Thanks in advance. I haven't been here long, but have already learned a lot.

It's always worth it to try them... Since you have them now, it won't be any loss if they don't work well for you, and if you are lucky they might work alright so that you don't have to spend a whole lot more right away. If you get the 30D, you will want to make sure you get a wide lens, such as the kit lens, because with the crop factor you will probably find the 35mm wide end WAY too long.

Try them out and see how you like them. If you don't like them, get a cheap, used EOS film camera to use them with from time to time as a toy. They are quite cheap.

Thanks Brad. I already have a cheap EOS file camera, my 620. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these old lenses. I'll probably get the kit for wide, and the 50 f1.8 for low light to start. Digital has spoiled me, and I don't see the old EOS getting any more use than it does now...maybe once or twice a year. Thanks for the response.

P.S. I'm really annoyed that I won't be able to use my old 420 EZ.

qwalls wrote:
P.S. I'm really annoyed that I won't be able to use my old 420 EZ.

I *THINK* you can still use it, but it won't be compatible with E-TTL and some of the other features. There is a site somewhere that will tell you which flashes are safe to use with your camera. I've seen it before, but I have no idea what it was.

The kit lens will be a good place to start. I'm mad at mine right now. I was trying to take some shots to demonstrate CA, and my pictures came out too well to use as an example. I hate it when my stuff isn't as crappy as people say it is... Makes it harder to justify upgrading.

LOL, I saw that post. I was reading on that flash site earlier today (probably couldn't find it again). Anyway, I can only use the flash in manual mode on any of the digital SLRs.

I used my 35-105 on my 300D till I got some better glass. It was alright, just keep it out of bright backgrounds. The CA was horrid =) I don't know about the 70-210/4... but I'm sure stopped down a bit it shouldn't be that bad!

Thanks KevC. That's what I was looking for...real world experience.