Are there plans to build a digital camera that will use the lenses from my regular 35mm film camera?

I have a Minolta camera with about $2500 worth of accessories that I would like to use

already exist.....check with different manufacturers (i.e. Nikon, etc) and you can see which ones will use your lenses....OR go to the lenses website and see which digital camberas will support your lenses.

Such digital cameras are already in existence and are called Digital SLRs. All the digital SLRs take lenses from 35mm camera provided these lenses are autofocus. But pentax is the only digital camera which takes even the manual lenses.

Now in most of the Digital SLRs the sensor size is smaller than 35mm so whichever lens you use, you have to multiply the lens by 1.6, so for example 18mm - 55mm lens when used on digital SLR, will be approx 28mm to 75mm. (You lose wide angle but gain on telephoto).

There are some Digital SLRs which have full size 35mm sensor so there is no magnification on the lenses.

Also remember, if your camera make is Nikon, you cannot use Canon lenses but yes you can use Sigma or Tamron lenses because they are the independent companies who makes lenses that would fit almost any camera.

I hope this helps.

What brand do you have? Canon's EOS line of bodies, both film and digital can be used with their entire series of EF lenses.

I'm not sure about Nikon, but I think they also have a line like that.

You can already use Canon EF and Nikon F-Mount lenses on their DSLR bodies. I believe the pentax lenses are also compatible including some of their manual ones.

It looks like Sony could be answering your prayers. Konica-Minolta just got out of the camera business. Sony is now going to be offering the Minolta line. There has been rumors that Sony wanted to tap into the Minolta Auto focus customer base with a D-SLR. KM could not afford to build a CCD or CMOS sensor with the size and resolution to compete with Canon or Nikon. Sony can but did not have the SLR customer base to draw on. This is a good fit for both companies, with the consumer the winner.

dude they've had digital slrs for like the last 5 years.

Digital SLRs are the answer to your problem. I can use my old film SLR lenses on digital now! Check with a camera store to see if all your accessories will work with a new, digital one. If the lenses are old, the contacts may have changed since they were introduced.