Sure, but with a lens adaptor. You may use any Canon DSLR with any Nikon F mount lens, including the newest “G” type lenses, without needing an aperture ring. For this purpose, you’ll use a Nikon lens to Canon lens adapter.
In this guide, we will show you how to utilize a Nikon lens to a Canon lens adapter. Along with comparing the many models available on the market, we’ll also look at the drawbacks of employing one of these tools.
Therefore, there’s no need to explore further if you want to combine your favorite Nikon lens camera with a Canon DSLR.
Table of Contents
1. Verify the Mounts on Your Nikon To Canon Lens Adapters
The lens mount is the mechanical link between the camera and the lens in photography. Every manufacturer has a different mounting system. As a result, a lens won’t attach to a camera body made by another company.There are a few instances where this rule does not apply, though.
For Nikon and Canon, third-party producers, including Tamron, Sigma, and Zeiss, create lenses (and many more). If you’re not utilizing a third-party lens, the makers must agree. Lens adapters play a role in this. We must first determine the mounts on each end to discover the suitable adaptor. Thus, let’s begin with the lens.
a): Nikon Lens Mounts
First, let’s examine Nikon lens mounts. F-mount and Z-Mount are the two lens mounts that Nikon makes.
● F-mount:
For Nikon SLR cameras, F-mount lenses are produced. Any Nikon SLR may use lenses with this kind of mount. When coupled with an adaptor, they also work with Canon SLR cameras.
● Z-mount:
Nikon mirrorless cameras are compatible with Z-mount lenses. Nikon DSLRs are incompatible with these lenses. Similarly, using an adapter won’t allow you to utilize Z-mount lenses with a Canon DSLR.
- You should also consider the particular lens type you own within Nikon’s F-mount lineup.
- This is because some lens types work with adapters better than others.
- The lens’s exterior can often provide information about your lens type.
- Aperture rings are on vintage Nikon F-mount lenses (D-Type, AI-S Type, and AI-Type).
- Even with an adaptor, controlling the aperture is simple.
● G-Type and E-Type:
The aperture ring is absent from the G-type and E-type modern Nikon F-mount lenses. The camera’s internal settings electronically regulate these lenses’ aperture values.
- Although this function is perfect for contemporary Nikon DSLRs, employing an adapter presents a challenge.
- An adapter with an integrated aperture control feature is required to utilize a G-Type or E-Type lens on a Canon DSLR.
- An aperture ring on this adapter allows you to adjust it manually with your finger.
2. Choose the Correct Adaptor
A Nikon (F-mount) to Canon (EF/EF-S) adapter should typically be used. The price, quality, and functionality of adapters vary, nevertheless. The most affordable alternatives are available from K&F for as little as 18.99€. On the other end of the spectrum, a premium adaptor from Novoflex can cost up to 170€. Finding a solid adapter to connect your camera and lens would be helpful regardless of cost.
A Piece Of Advice:
I strongly advise using an adapter with metal components to prevent easy breakage. It should be able to endure the occasional bump.
3. To prevent damaging your equipment, connect the dots.
Before utilizing an adapter, it’s essential to mount it to the lens. By doing this, we avoid having a component fail and cause harm to the lens or camera. Avoid taking the chance of dropping your pricey equipment.
a): Connect the Adaptor to the Lens
➔ Step 1.
Remove the cap from the back lens first.
➔ Step 2.
Next, align the lens’s and the adapter’s red indicators.
➔ Step 3.
The adapter should then be rotated anticlockwise until a click is heard.
➔ Step 4.
Locate and squeeze the lens release catch, then turn the adapter out via clockwise rotation.
b): Camera lens attached
Our adapter is now securely fastened to the lens, and we can connect it to the camera.
➔ Step 1.
Then, turn the camera off. By depressing the lens release button, you can remove the current lens. Turn to remove it if the camera body has the mount protection cap and no lens.
➔ Step 2.
The adapter’s red dots and the camera mount’s red dots must then line up. Turn the camera on after rotating anticlockwise until you hear the sound of a click.
➔ Step 3.
Make sure the lens is attached, says the notice you will see. You can dismiss or ignore this warning by utilizing the camera’s settings.
4. Certain Functionality Are Limited While Shooting Using an Adaptor
After connecting your lens, adapter, and camera, you are now prepared to take pictures. The use of an adapter has some restrictions, though, so be aware of them before you take your first pictures.
The connections that allow for Autofocus do not function amongst various manufacturers. This is so that Autofocus depends on exact electronic communication between the lens and the camera. This is disturbed while using an adapter.
a): Modern Nikon lenses
When attached to a Nikon camera, contemporary Nikon lenses instantly open to the largest aperture. When demounted, the lens then shuts to its smallest gap. The purpose of this function is to let the maximum light possible into the lens to assist in focusing.
Manual focusing is more challenging because an adaptor bypasses this capability. Set the aperture to the widest setting to manually focus your photographs. Finally, to snap the shot, you must zoom in until your desired f-stop is reached.
➢ What is Vibration Reduction?
Vibration Reduction is the name given to image stabilization on Nikon lenses. These functions, frequently present on telephoto lenses, won’t work. If stabilization is essential to you, consider this.
For instance, this can be seen when photographing nature or wildlife. Light metering will function but may not be accurate. For more precise metering, we advise using a portable light meter.
Moreover, automatic aperture control won’t function. This is because the lens and the camera are not in electronic communication. You will consequently need to manually adjust your aperture settings.
Reasons To Use A Nikon Lens On A Canon Camera
Nikon and Canon lenses are made to work with specific DSLR models, while Nikon lenses are made to operate with Nikon DSLRs. That may be necessary for some circumstances. Below are some reasons that are all as follows:
❖ Reason No 1.
One reason is that you could want to use both and have excellent Nikon lenses that you prefer to employ with your Canon camera. An adapter may be more cost-effective to avoid purchasing additional Canon lenses.
❖ Reason No 2.
You should be able to utilize the adapter to covertly modify the lens aperture if you use a Canon to film movies. You could do this rather than turning the camera’s dial or the aperture ring. You should use your favorite Nikon lens with your Canon.
Even if you went from Nikon to Canon, you might still wish to keep some of your old Nikkor lenses. These can replace an adaptor when used with Canon cameras.
❖ Reason No 3.
You adore the Nikon (14-24mm f/2.8G) and want to utilize it with your 5D Mark III. You converted from Nikon to Canon but still have some vintage Nikkor lenses you wish to avoid parting with. It seems possible to use an adapter on a Canon DSLR.
❖ Reason No 4.
Because of the different mount types and sizes, it is typically simpler to attach a lens from one manufacturer to cameras from another manufacturer if the lens was explicitly made for that mount by a third-party company.
➢ For Instance:
Zeiss, Sigma, and Tamron produce lenses for numerous camera mounts. A lens through one manufacturer can only be mounted on a camera from some other manufacturer via an adapter if you’re not employing a third-party lens.
What Are The Drawbacks Of Using An Adapter?
Although technically possible, utilizing a Nikon to Canon adaptor has some drawbacks. Most adapters lack the electrical chips necessary for communication between the camera body and lens.
This leads to either a complete lack of features or at least a limitation of features like:
- Aperture control
- Vibration reduction
- Autofocus
- AE metering
You will only be able to focus the Nikon lens manually while using a Canon DSLR due to the problems above.
Can a Canon lens be used with a Nikon camera?
No, Canon lenses cannot be put on a Nikon camera since they are incompatible with Nikon DSLRs. There is additional room (2.5mm) for an adapter since the flange distance in Nikon cameras is greater than in Canon cameras. By doing this, you can use Nikon lenses’ infinity focus.
Nevertheless, attaching a Canon lens to a Nikon SLR is impossible since a negative 2.5mm adapter is not compatible. You can build such an adaptor, but you cannot focus indefinitely. Canon lenses behave as extension tubes on Nikon DSLRs because of the greater separation between the sensor and the lens flange (focal plane).
How Can I Determine If a Lens Would Work With My Camera?
Checking the index of the lens mount on the front of your EOS camera is the simplest way to determine which lenses are compatible with your camera. Press the lens release button on your camera, then turn the lens anticlockwise to remove the lens. Canon has four different mount options.
➢ In Further Detail:
Almost any lens from a system with a more extended flange can be used on cameras with a short focal distance. Contrarily, lenses from a system with a more extended flange can be used with practically all cameras with expanded flange focal lengths.
The longer flanged lenses from Nikon can be used with Canon’s EF mount because it has a 44mm depth. Unfortunately, Nikon bodies will not accommodate Canon lenses, certainly not without the help of corrective lenses.
FAQs
Why can’t Nikon lenses be implemented without an adapter on canon cameras?
It is simpler to adapt lenses from other mounts to Canon EOS since Canon has one of the smallest flange-to-focal-plane distances (despite having the adapter in place, the lens is still near the film/sensor to focus on infinity).
Nikon lenses are frequently converted to work with Canon cameras. For instance, many Canon photographers use adapters with the renowned Nikon wide-angle lenses.
What are Nikon lenses compatible with Canon cameras?
Only Nikon (F mount) lenses can be used with EF/EF-S mount Canon cameras if the proper adapter is used. For Nikon DSLRs, you exclusively utilize lenses with the F mount. Due to the Nikon Z-mount used by these lenses, you cannot use Nikon lenses made for mirrorless cameras. The Z6, Z50, and Z7 cameras have a Z-mount.
Conclusion:
Although using Nikon lenses on Canon systems would be amazing, adapting the other way is far more practical due to the differences in flange focal distance. In contrast to G-type lenses, Nikon F lenses can be easily converted using cheap metal mounting rings. But both will produce superb results when used with a Canon EOS camera.
Since not all lenses will fit when merging different camera equipment brands, a compatibility study is necessary. If you want to protect your camera from damage, use additional caution when using another brand of lens. Otherwise, the error can come back to haunt you.