µ43 with Nikon lens via adaptor? Experiences?

<p>Anybody gotten one of the cheaper (or more expensive) adaptors for µ43 to use an old MF Nikon lens?</p>

<p>I'm thinking of getting the adapter to use my 55mm f3.5 micro with my incoming M5 (since I'm keeping most of my Nikon stuff).</p>

<p>For Mickey 43, nope. For the Nikon V1 and Fuji X-A1, yup. I got the inexpensive Fotodiox adapter for the V1 and the even cheaper Fotasy adapter for the Fudgie. Both appear to use the same manufacturer, although the Fotasy lacks the little but useful tripod foot on the Fotodiox.</p>

<p>Both are basically well made and fitting, but the little pull-to-release lever may turn out to be the weak spot. We'll see. So far, so good.</p>

<p>For a better quality adapter with tripod foot, check out the Metabones non-optical adapters. Pricey at just over $100, but the solid tripod foot may be a must with longer, heavier lenses. I try to avoid straining the plasticky Fuji X-A1 so I only use shorter lenses with the Fotasy adapter.</p>

<p>I've used both adapters mostly with my 55/3.5 AI'd Micro-Nikkor (excellent even with the higher resolution Fuji), Tamron Adaptall 24/2.5, 50/1.8D AF, 50/2 AI, 85/2 AIS and 105/2.5 AI Nikkors, as well as a Spiratone 100/4 Portragon soft focus lens. Great results with all of those. Not so great was the 180/2.8 pre-AI, non-ED Nikkor, which suffers from enough chromatic aberration to be useful only when I actually want CA as a special effect.</p>

<p>I bought a Fotodiox for my Olympus E-PL1. Here are two using my 50mm Nikkor f/2. Of course it acts like a 100mm due to the 2x crop factor.<br>

<img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5042/5344537571_c508f48f44_z.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></p>

<p><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5286/5345148224_de531c78f3_z.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>I've been using an inexpensive Chinese one for about a year and half now, it was a little tight in the beginning, but after use everything fits perfectly now, I've used it on all my Nikon lenses AF, AI, AIS and Pre AI - no problems whatsoever.</p>

All the m-4/3 adapters I've tried (including Voigtlander's offerings) let the lens focus past infinity. Not the

end of the world but something to remember if you're in the habit of spinning the lens to its end stop to

snap far-off subjects - and it also means that you can't rely on your lenses' distance markings.

 

Actually focussing lenses on a m-4/3 body, on the other hand, is a doddle. The combination of instant

magnification and brightness compensation makes for a very manual-focus-friendly platform.

<p>My first Nikon lens to micro 4/3 camera body adapter was a $30 Chinese version. It jammed on my lens. I had to use pliers to peel it off.</p>

<p>My second adapter was a $40 Fotolox version. I had no problems with it.</p>

<p>I bought a cheap 'imported' version years ago and have not had any issues with it. But I have also not used it a lot. I am so pleased with the m43 lenses that I have bought appropriate lenses so I don't have to use my Nikon lenses. The advantage to the m43 lenses over 'adapted' lenses is their size and weight. And of course AF.</p>

<p>I bought a cheapo adaptor when I first got the EM5. Supposedly it was one of those which enables aperture adjustment of G lenses. Crude doesn't even begin to describe it. A great way to damage expensive gear does.<br>

In any case after b*ggering about with AIS lenses for a while I bought a few native primes. The Oly 45, Panasonic 20 and even the Panasonic 14 just defeat any sense in using non-native lenses with an adaptor, no matter how well built. There are so many good MFT lenses available of ll kinds I just don't understand why anyone would hamper themselves with anything else (and believe me I have lots of non-native lenses of all kinds.)</p>

<p>Being 'young' and foolish I bought a Novoflex adapter for Nikon G lenses - works beautifully but probably not worth the money. Since then I've bought cheaper adapters and am very pleased with Kiwifotos for other lens types. Like Roy, I'm very impressed with the M43 primes and see little point in using adapted lenses for general photography. However, for macro and for getting unusual effects it's great fun to use a range of adapted lenses, some unbelievably cheap. I've used the Nikon 55/3.5 quite a bit with M43 and it is a great lens given a new and useful focal length and effectively more magnification. Also good is the Sigma 150/2.8 macro.</p>

<p>John,</p>

<p>The 55mm f3.5 that is the only Nikon lens I didn't sell when I sold my Nikon rig is the EXACT reason I am getting one of these (can't remember which). It should arrive in the next few days and I'm going to play around with it and maybe post some pics...</p>

<p>It's my favorite lens to shoot with ever. I just adore it.</p>

<p>My last Nikon piece except the flash (anybody want an SB-600 in great shape at a great price?) shipped out on Monday... I thought I'd be experiencing some remorse... nope...)</p>

<p>Peter - good luck! I'm still running a D800 based system alongside an Olympus M43 system. To simplify and perhaps distort a little - M43 is light, fun, with the right lenses capable of good results, and can be carried by my ageing frame on a long day in the mountains/woods/coast. FX - the IQ is definitely better, its gravity (in both senses) makes me slow down and be more careful, it feels rewarding to use. A higher percentage of the pics I take with FX are long-term favourites. I keep wondering whether to sell the Nikon kit and complete the M43 lens line-up but as yet I just haven't been able to make myself. But as I get older and feebler, and the next generation of M43 sensors is out, well!</p>

<p>My last piece of Nikon gear (except the 55mm micro that I'm using with the Novoflex adaptor. Just came, haven't had time to test it yet) ships out today.</p>

<p>bye bye Nikon I'll miss you... a little...</p>