Can I adapt a Nikon F-mount Tamron 70-300mm lens to an Olympus OM-D E-M10?
Asked 11/30/2015
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I’m considering an Olympus OM-D E-M10 with the 14-42mm kit lens for travel because it’s lighter than my Nikon D7000. I already have a Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 for Nikon F mount and would like to know whether it makes practical sense to use that lens on the E-M10 with an adapter. If so, what limitations should I expect? Or would it be more sensible to buy a longer native zoom instead, such as a 14-150mm-type lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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My question is, is there any way ("which makes sense") to use my Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 lens for Nikon with this Olympus OM-D E-10?
Not really. While there are Nikon F → micro four-thirds adapter rings, the fact that your 70-300 doesn't have an aperture ring on it means that you have no way to control the aperture on the lens. You also lose autofocus capability, wide-open metering, and EXIF information from the lens. If you're planning on using this lens to shoot wildlife or sports, the lack of autofocus alone makes it a non-starter.
See also: Can I use lens brand X on interchangeable lens camera brand Y?
...Or should I better spend more money for a bigger standard lens like 14-150mm?
Superzoom lenses are great for focal length versatility, but often suffer from some form of image quality compromise to cover the large zoom range. I'd actually say that you might be better off pairing your 14-42 kit lens with a dedicated telephoto zoom (e.g., the Panasonic 45-200 or the Olympus 40-150). It'll cost less, and the image quality will probably be better, especially at the telephoto end of the range.
Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27440
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes, a Nikon F to Micro Four Thirds adapter exists, so the lens can be mounted physically. But in practical use, it usually does not make much sense for this Tamron zoom.
Based on the answers, you should expect to lose autofocus, aperture control on lenses without an aperture ring, lens EXIF data, and normal metering behavior. Even adapters that offer more features can have poor autofocus performance, and results depend heavily on the specific lens, camera, and adapter.
For a 70-300mm telephoto, losing autofocus is a major drawback, especially for wildlife, sports, or any moving subject. Manual focus on a long adapted DSLR zoom also reduces the travel-light advantage of the E-M10.
So: yes, it can be adapted, but it’s generally not a “good” solution unless you are happy with manual operation and its limitations. A native Micro Four Thirds telephoto or travel zoom will usually be the more practical choice for size, handling, and compatibility.
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