Folks I have "dumb question". Are SLR lens from film camera compatible with the new Digital SLR cameras? thanks tom.

Some.... my Minolta 35mm SLR lenses work on my Konica/Minolta DSLR, including all the auto-focus, metering, etc.

Keep this in mind though:  

18mm - 70 mm digital SLR =
27mm - 105 mm 35mm SLR

or:

digital SLR x 1.5 = 35mm film SLR

the magnification is different.

Older Nikon lens will fit most Nikon digital slr's. Though a few exceptions with the cheaper Nikon slr. as auto focus etc.

It really depends...

All the Pentax SLRs i.e. k200, k20d, k10d, are backward compatible to their Film SLR lenses. The k20d and k10d are both great SLRs that don't mind the weather. I have the k10d. Check the reviews of the Pentax SLRs on photo.net or dpreview.com

Yea thats why I bought a digatal pentax, I have many older pentax lenses, Like the takumar scew mounts, which made the decison easy, like sambeaux said pentax made there digatal's backward compatible, wich is a big plus.

My older nikon lens will work on my new D60 Nikon but the auto focus will not work you will have to use manual focus.

It's my understanding that Sony bought the patents/rights on the older Minolta cameras.  I know the older Minolta and compatible lenses will work on Sony DSLRs.

I have a Sigma 70-300mm zoom lens from the late 80s that works great on my '08 model Sony Alpha.