Adapting Nikkor lenses to EOS bodies

[mark_pierlot]

<p>I know that non-AI Nikkors are readily adaptable to EOS bodies, but I've heard that there can be issues with AI and AI-S lenses. Can anyone shed some light on this issue?</p>

[JohnMWright]

<p>What are the issues? If the lens in question has a rear element that protrudes out the back too far, it won't work.</p>

<p>I adapted my Nikkor AI-S 55mm micro with a simple Bower adapter. It works fine. Totally manual, so I prefer using it under studio conditions (or, at least with a tripod).</p>

<p>Here is another option for lenses with aperture rings: http://leitax.com/Nikon-lens-for-Canon-cameras.html</p>

<p>For G lenses (no aperture ring), you need this: http://www.16-9.net/nikon_g/</p>

 

[John Crowe]

<p>I had been under the impression that the AI, AIS lenses were easier, however I have had trouble with both non-AI and AIS, so I don't think there is any preferred version. The two I had problems with are extremely rare lenses, the Nikon 8mm f2.8 AIS, and the Nikon 20mm f3.5 UD (non-AI). In each case there was a metal chunk protruding from the rear of the lens that was hitting the mirror box of my 10D in one instance and my 1Ds in another. I sold the 20mm but with the 8/2.8 I simply filed off about 1/16 of an inch off the protrusion. It took less than 1 minute! Nikon afficiandos on this site do not even know what the protrusions are for.</p>

<p>I have had no problems with my Nikon 400/2.8 AIS, Nikon 14mm f2.8 AF ED, or Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AF-S ED, and now Nikon 8mm f2.8 on the Canon 1Ds or Canon 5D II.</p>

<p>There are some rare pre-AI superwide and fisheye lenses that do have protruding rear elements that cause problems. Even some of these could be used by taping the Canon mirror in the up position and using liveview for framing/focusing.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>No issues with the AI or AIS any more than with non-AI lenses. Many AF lenses do mount, but of course if there is no aperture ring.....<br>

I've personally used a brand-new Nikon 10.5mm fisheye on an APS-C Canon with the usual Nikon>EOS adapter, but this is obviously a special case.</p>

<p>The catch with some older MF Nikkors is that 35mm-sensor (FX in Nikon-speak) cameras , a few lenses project too far back to mount and clear the mirror. A list of known problems is to be found at http://www.panoramaplanet.de/comp/ (it says it's for M42 lenses, but it has grown considerably to include other mounts without the title being changed.)</p>

<p>Some Nikon lenses have a flange projecting back that could be removed, but I'd as soon not cut up my otherwise healthy Nikkors (e.g., http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00Tmzo )</p>

[Michael R Freeman]

<blockquote>

<p><em>"In each case there was a metal chunk protruding from the rear of the lens ... I simply filed off about 1/16 of an inch off the protrusion.It took less than 1 minute! <strong> Nikon afficiandos on this site do not even know what the protrusions are for</strong>."</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Sure they do. You're just not finding the right Nikon "afficiandos". ;-) :-)</p>

<p>The projections are rear element protectors (top) and a "lens speed post" (bottom).<br>

http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/MAIPposition.htm</p>

[Michael R Freeman]

<p>Incidentally, the lens speed post is not present on non-AI lenses, although a rear element protector usually is. The lens speed post at the bottom is present on all Ai/AiS lenses. On some lenses it is longer than others, and might cause interference issues on adapted lenses.</p>

<p>The lens speed post is not used on Nikon DSLR bodies, and only a very select few Nikon film bodies use it.</p>

<p> </p>

[mark_pierlot]

<p>Thanks for the link, JDM. I was looking for that site.</p>