Can you use a Canon EF macro lens on a Nikon F body as an extension tube for close-up work?
Asked 7/3/2012
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I know a Canon EF lens cannot normally be adapted to a Nikon F body and still keep full focusing range because of the flange-distance difference. But for macro use, could a simple adapter work like an extension tube and give usable close-focus performance?
I’m specifically interested in the Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x Macro, since Nikon doesn’t really have an equivalent. Would image quality be acceptable, and what limitations should I expect when adapting a Canon EF lens to a Nikon DSLR?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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It's possible, but not practical. Assuming someone somewhere makes an adaptor so you can actually mount the lens (or you do something low-fi like glue a Nikon body cap to a Canon rear lens cap) then you will be able to take photos, and focus at macro distances.
However, all Canon EF lenses have electronic aperture control which means you wont be able to stop down the lens, making your macro depth of field next to nothing at all!
Your only solution would be to stop down the lens on a Canon body (by holding DOF preview) and remove the lens (which usually leaves the aperture blades closed), or hacking one of the video lens adaptors that does electronic aperture control, such as the MetaBones EF to Sony NEX.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—physically adapting a Canon EF lens to a Nikon F body for macro is possible, and the adapter will effectively add extension, so losing infinity focus is not a problem for close-up work. A simple adapter without optics should not reduce image quality by itself.
The main issue is control, not optics. Canon EF lenses use electronic aperture control, so on a Nikon body you generally cannot stop the lens down unless the adapter provides electronic control. Without that, the lens stays wide open, which is especially limiting for macro because depth of field becomes extremely thin.
You should also expect manual focus and stop-down metering. Some Nikon bodies may not meter properly unless they detect a lens, so chipped adapters are sometimes used.
Avoid adapters with corrective glass if possible: they are meant to restore infinity focus and usually hurt image quality.
So: feasible for macro, but not very practical unless you have a way to control the aperture electronically or use a workaround to preset the aperture on a Canon body first.
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