topic Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body. in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

How to use nikon lens on canon body.

BestUps — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 23:36:07 GMT

Hello,
Got really hard time figuring this out, which adapter ring is needed in my case,
recentry bought Canon 200d body and wanted to use two lens with nikon F mount on it
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G DX
and
TAMRON AF 70-300MM F/4-5.6 DI LD MACRO (NIKON)
as I'm new to canon, would really prefer to use direct links, thank for all advices.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

Waddizzle — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 00:42:31 GMT

I think that is not going to work, because of the focusing distance between the lens and image sensor.

When you mount an adapter on a lens, it increases the distance between the lens and image sensor. As long as the mount on the camera has a distance between the lens and the sensor, that is longer than the mount of the lens that you are adapting, then everything is fine.

In other words, if the lens that you wish to adapt focuses longe than the what the lens mount on the camera needs, then the extra distance helps the lens that you are adapting, because you are moving it away from the sensor, giving it the extra distance that the lens needs.

Canon EF lenses require a longer distance between lens and image sensor than most other mounts. For example, inserting an adapter between a Sony body and a Canon lens, helps the lens to focus because the Sony mount is shorter. A Nikon mount is shorter than what a Canon lens needs, so the extra distance of an adapter doesn't impact the lens' ability to focus.

However, when you use a lens that focuses shorter than a Canon lens, then you have a major problem. The Nikon lens needs a shorter distance between lens and image sensor. Installing an adapter only increases that distance, instead of shortening it.

For this reason, you will not find a passive adapter for Nikon to Canon. If you do find an adapter, there will be lens elements in the adapter to compensate, and make the correction, for the Nikon lens having a shorter focusing distance to the image sensor.

Hope this helps.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

ebiggs1 — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 04:59:08 GMT

Forget it. It won't work and if it did it would not work well. It is possible to design an adapter but you will not be able to focus to infinity.

However, you can use Nikon lenses on a Canon. They must be the older F mount, though. Not the current G mount.

There is an adapter that fits between the lens and the camera and allows the two incompatible pieces to work together.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 11:20:02 GMT

It is possible to mount Nikkon lens to Canon EOS cameras. Adapters are available online and in most camera stores.

For older Nikon(nikkor) lenses with aperture ring, you absolutely have no problem using them on your 200D. Set the camera to AV and the camera will be able to meter properly. Focus to infinity is possible in most case even when you use a $10 adapter.

But remember, the use of nikon lens with adaper will not allow auto focus. Nikon lenses focus by wire is not useable for obvious reason. No aperture ring on your nikon lens ? you may have to choose an adapter with built in aperture control.

I have used a lot of vintage lenses on my Canon FF and APSC cameras with no problem. However, when you decide to use them on your FF bodies, check and make sure that the rear end will not hit the mirros. There are websites with info about this.

I played a lot with vintage lenses and it was fun. They may create some images with artistic effects. Buy in most cases, they are not vey sharp and have less contrast when compare to original Canon lenses.

A faster Nikkor 50mm f1.4 is not better than a Canon 50mm f1.8. (any version)

All in all, some older models of nikon lenses are useable on Canon bodies and if you have inherited them from your grandpa or acquired a few of them form garage sale, go ahead and have fun with them. They won't kill your camera. As a general rule here, I would stress that Canon lenses are the way to go. But, of course, not the only way.

Finally, your 2 nikon lenses may not work on Canon bodies.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 11:25:14 GMT

There are G(D type) adapter available. They exist for quite a long time.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

Waddizzle — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 00:23:56 GMT

@lly3988 wrote:
There are G(D type) adapter available. They exist for quite a long time.

Manual focus. No aperture setting info, much less control of aperture. Not robust enough for heavier, professional grade lenses.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars: source B&H.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 02:36:20 GMT

"But remember, the use of nikon lens with adaper will not allow auto focus." read my post.

EMF chip may be installed to record aperture setting.

Of course, automatic aperture diaphragm, auto-focusing will not operate while using this adapter. It is basically for manual focus lenses.

As for quality, if one is serious about using their F mount lenses on Canon DSLRs, there are always better quality adapters out there with higher price and much better rating.

BTW, just to clarify that there is no need to have correction element(s) on the adapter to make a Nikon F mount lens to be adapted. For a Canon FD lens adapted to EF, YES. But not a Nikon F mount.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 02:59:05 GMT

Just to post a pic taken with a Nikkor 55mm f3.5 micro mounted on a 30D. Aperture value was recorded.

The camera and lens has no resale value but there are funs to play with them. And this one too.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

Waddizzle — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 04:06:23 GMT

@lly3988 wrote:
Just to post a pic taken with a Nikkor 55mm f3.5 micro mounted on a 30D. Aperture value was recorded.

The camera and lens has no resale value but there are funs to play with them. And this one too.

Enjoy it. I’ll pass. As you said, there is no control of aperture.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

Waddizzle — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 04:14:36 GMT

@lly3988 wrote:
"But remember, the use of nikon lens with adaper will not allow auto focus." read my post.

EMF chip may be installed to record aperture setting.

Of course, automatic aperture diaphragm, auto-focusing will not operate while using this adapter. It is basically for manual focus lenses.
.

Manual lenses do not provide EXIF data. You have to program the adapter to provide the information. Nobody’s fooled.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 04:35:54 GMT

Emf chip attached to the adapter is programmable. But not all af confirmation chips are emf version.

Also even emf chips have different generations. Those designed for 5d2 will not necessarily work on 5d3. Check before you order.

Of course you can shoot in live view mode and chip isn't necessary but then you have no record of the data.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 04:39:37 GMT

Btw. Programming the chips is quite easy. You can even configurate the focus +- confirm etc

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

Waddizzle — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 11:16:58 GMT

@lly3988 wrote:
Emf chip attached to the adapter is programmable. But not all af confirmation chips are emf version.

Also even emf chips have different generations. Those designed for 5d2 will not necessarily work on 5d3. Check before you order.

Of course you can shoot in live view mode and chip isn't necessary but then you have no record of the data.

In other words, the 2 out of 5 star rating is well earned.

The readings come from the adapter, which you have to program, and will always provide the same aperture and focal length data, no matter which lens you use it with. Thanks, for the heads up.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 23:25:42 GMT

Different links have different rating scales. It's quite subjective.

More money = better quality but sometimes not quite so.

Dishonest sellers may bring bad experience. Years ago, I paid $80 for an adapter ( via amazon) but they gave me a lower end product. I rated them lowest despite they refunded me fully. It was wasting my time. After two years I bought the same one from eBay and paid only $25. I still have it on my lens very secure.

BTW, adapters are very cheap (each around $20 with chip) nowadays and their quality is usually very good, so why bother switch them over.

Final word, adapted lens is not the mainstream. For those who cannot afford a Zeiss, there are options out there with a lot less.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

ebiggs1 — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 16:01:27 GMT

"Final word, adapted lens is not the mainstream."

Add to the fact no Nikon lens out performs its Canon counterpart enough to justify using adapters. Giving up all the features like AF and aperture control, EXIF reporting isn't worth the trouble. Now add the fact that some cheap adapters can damage the camera. IMHO, it is dumb but that's just me.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

BestUps — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 16:46:51 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Final word, adapted lens is not the mainstream."

Add to the fact no Nikon lens out performs its Canon counterpart enough to justify using adapters. Giving up all the features like AF and aperture control, EXIF reporting isn't worth the trouble. Now add the fact that some cheap adapters can damage the camera. IMHO, it is dumb but that's just me.

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-35-mm-f-1.8G-mounted-on-Nikon-D3300__928

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Canon/Canon-EF-35mm-F2-IS-USM-mounted-on-Canon-EOS-100D__871

I have Nikon 35mm f1.8 atm so that is why I look for options with canon body.
Also Canon lack 35mm as canon's equivalent to nikon, is four times more expensive, step darker and canon lack auto/manual mode, that let user to adjust focus on top of autofocus with shutter buton half pressed.

Wanted also to thank everyone who spend there time and responce in this topic.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 00:27:47 GMT

Spend a few bucks and try one if you have the len. But it looks like that your lenses have no aperture ring and you can't control the aperture as well.

Youtube has a lot of resources about this subject. There are people with experience and they will show you how.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

Waddizzle — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 00:59:41 GMT

@lly3988 wrote:
Btw. Programming the chips is quite easy. You can even configurate the focus +- confirm etc

The programming is akin to transmitting a paragraph of Morse code. If you get one character wrong, then you start the message over from the absolute beginning. No, thank-you.

The adapters are not for everyone, and I agree that they are not mainstream. Yes, you can get widely varying reviews on the same gear from different sites. But, I tend to give more credence to a place llike B&H, where many professionals shop, than a place like Best Buy, which rates an entry level Rebel as perhaps the best camera ever made.

Don’t let me stop you from enjoying your fun. Just don’t make misleading posts about it, because using that type of adapter is not the best thing since they invented beer with bubbles in it. They can, and do, break with heavier lenses.

——————————————————-

The only manual lens that I use for general photography is an ultra wide angle 14mm lens, which I can use to dial in the hyperfocal distance. Once I my focus is dialed in, everything beyond a few feet is in razor sharp focus. All I need to do is check every so often that I haven’t bumped the focus ring, throwing the focus off.

I use other manual focus lenses, but only when mounted on a tripod: i.e.; a tilt-shift lens.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

ebiggs1 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 02:59:10 GMT

" Nikon 35mm f1.8 atm"

Well I have no idea what lens that is. I do own and shoot Nikon. But, I have the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S ED NIKKOR Lens. I will still tell you it is no better than my Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens. Actually it isn't as good.

Re: How to use nikon lens on canon body.

lly3988 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 03:39:27 GMT

To the OP : when you wanna know anything about non Canon, go elsewhere.

This place is for Canon only.

Good luck.