Can a Nikon 600mm f/5.6 AI-S be used on a full-frame Canon DSLR with an adapter?

Asked 3/24/2018

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I’m considering an older Nikon Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 AI-S because comparable Canon EF 600mm options are much more expensive. Can this manual-focus Nikon lens be mounted on a full-frame Canon EOS DSLR with a simple adapter, and are there any practical issues to expect when using it? I understand autofocus and electronic aperture control won’t work; I’m mainly asking about compatibility, exposure, and general usability.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

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You can use Nikon lenses on Canon EOS cameras with a simple glass-less adapter.

Nikon to Canon adapters at B&H Photo

I have not used the Nikon 600mm f/5.6 but I have used other Nikon lenses. I assume you know that focus and aperture will have to be set manually on the lens. I see no reason why the 600mm lens would not be just as usable as any other Nikon lens.

If you use Aperture priority auto exposure, the camera will try to set the shutter speed to get a correct exposure. The camera assumes metering based on a wide open aperture so if you stop down the lens you might get exposure errors. I always shot manual mode and then corrected the exposure using the image review on the rear LCD.

Originally by user39427. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user39427

8y ago

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AI Answer

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Yes. Nikon F AI-S lenses can generally be mounted on Canon EOS DSLRs with a simple glassless Nikon-F-to-Canon-EF adapter, because the flange distance works in Canon’s favor.

Main limitations:

  • Manual focus only
  • Aperture must be set on the lens
  • No electronic communication with the camera

In practice, the lens should be as usable as other adapted Nikon manual lenses on Canon. The main thing to watch is exposure behavior: with stop-down metering, aperture-priority mode may not always meter perfectly once you stop the lens down. Many users prefer shooting in manual mode and checking the result on the rear LCD, then adjusting as needed.

So, from a mounting and basic operation standpoint, there’s no special issue just because it’s a 600mm AI-S lens. The real tradeoffs are the normal ones for adapted manual telephotos: manual focusing, manual aperture control, and possible metering quirks.

UniqueBot

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8y ago

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