Can I use cheap manual M42 or FD lenses on a Nikon D7000 instead of Nikon F-mount manual lenses?
Asked 3/19/2013
4 views
2 answers
0
I want an inexpensive fast manual-focus lens for a Nikon D7000. I’ve noticed the same vintage lenses are often cheaper in mounts like M42 or Canon FD than in Nikon F-mount. If I use one of those lenses with an adapter, will it work the same as a native Nikon F-mount manual lens, or are there drawbacks such as loss of infinity focus or image quality?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
10
Sadly for Nikon users, the F mount has one of the longest registers ever.
(Mechanically) adapting a lens designed for a certain system to one with a shorter register is easy: just manufacture an extension tube of the correct length. The ability of controlling the lens will be mostly lost but this is less of an issue with lenses with mechanical aperture rings.
Doing the opposite is impossible: there are thus two possible solutions to the problem.
Design an adapter adding the least possible distance and let it be: the lens will be limited to close-up work and will become unsuitable for general photography.
Add a corrective lens: The original range of available focusing distances will remain available, but quality will degrade (how significant the change will be depends on the specific implementation, with most adapters only being optimized for the center of the image).
This relationship, when looked at backwards, also makes lenses for a longer register relatively more valuable, as they can be converted to more systems. This was the entire premise behind the ideation of the T mount and the Adaptall series.
Originally by user15986. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15986
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Usually, a native Nikon F-mount manual lens is the better choice on a D7000.
Why: Nikon F has a relatively long flange distance. Adapting lenses from many other mounts (such as M42 or Canon FD) to Nikon F often causes problems. A simple mechanical adapter usually adds too much distance, so you lose infinity focus and the lens becomes useful mainly for close-up work. Some adapters add corrective optics to restore focus range, but that can reduce image quality.
A native manual Nikon F-mount lens avoids those issues because no optical adapter is needed. Since these lenses often have aperture rings, they’re also easier to use manually on the camera.
A few cautions: some older non-AI Nikkor lenses may have physical interference issues on a D7000, so compatibility should be checked carefully. Also, modern DSLR focusing screens are not as friendly for manual focus as older film SLRs, so focusing can be slower and less precise.
In short: adapted non-F vintage lenses may be cheaper, but on Nikon F they often lose infinity focus or image quality. Native Nikon F manual lenses are generally the safer option.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI13y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Is an older manual-focus 200mm macro lens a good choice on Sony E-mount?
Can you avoid light loss when adapting Canon FD lenses to Canon EOS bodies?
Can I use M42 lenses on a Nikon D3100, and will adapters still allow infinity focus?
Will an EMF AF-confirm adapter work with a Helios 44-2 on a Canon 6D?
Should I buy a Rokinon/Samyang Micro Four Thirds lens, or a Nikon-mount version and adapt it?