Here’s a round-up of Auto Focus Nikon Smart Adapters and Manual Focus Nikon lens adapters for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras including Sony a7, a7R a7S, a7II, a7RII, a7SII, a7 III, a7R III, a9, a6300, a6000, a5100, a5000 and NEX mirrorless cameras.
Nikon Auto Focus Smart Lens Adapters for Sony E-Mount
There are three Nikon AF Smart adapters on the market. All three are produced by Commlite with different branding. When using a7II, a7 III, a7RII, a7R III, a9, a6300 & a6500, they work fairly well with many of the newer Nikon Type G or E lenses. With older Nikkor D-Types lenses – yet they will still control aperture but forget about AF. Nikon PC-E lenses are also incompatible.
Read how they perform on a7II, a7 III, a7RII, a7R III, a9, a6300, a6500
Commlite Nikon F to Sony E Autofocus Electronic Lens Adapter v06 ($350)
Commlite made the world’s first Nikon AF adapter as well as the re-branded adapters listed below. Commlite made physical changes to all adapters beginning with v05 that adds compatibility with several additional Nikon lenses that cannot be used with previous adapters. AF works best with a7II, a7RII, a7R III, a9, a6300 and E-type and G-type Nikon AF lenses – but not with many of the earlier D-Type lenses.
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FotodioX FUSION Smart Mark II Adapter v06 ($350)
This Second generation Fotodiox Fusion adapter is a re-badged Commlite adapter that also ships with fw 06. North American users may prefer for it’s USA warranty and support. AF works best with a7II, a7RII, a7 III, a7R III, a9, a6300, a6500 and E-type and G-type Nikon AF lenses – but not with many of the earlier D-Type lenses.
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Vello Nikon F to Sony E Autofocus Lens Adapter v06 ($399)
Vello’s Nikon AF Adapter (now shipping with fw 06) is another re-badged Commlite which North American users may prefer for it’s USA warranty and support. AF works best with a7II, a7RII, a7 III a7R III, a9, a6300, a6500 and E-type and G-type Nikon AF lenses – but not with many of the earlier D-Type lenses.
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Nikon G Manual Focus Lens Adapters for Sony E-Mount
Nikon G Adapters have a ring on the adapters that allows rough control of the aperture of Nikon G lenses – think of aperture control as opening or closing a faucet – rather than precise F-stops. They Cannot control the aperture of Nikkor E-Type or Nikkor PC-E Lenses. Nikon G adapters will also work with Nikon D-type and manual focus Nikkor lenses, so if you have both types of lenses – get a Nikon G adapter.
FotodioX Nikon F/G Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera DLX Series Adapter ($80)
Designed to support G-type lenses, this adapter has a de-clicked aperture control ring that allows for precise manual adjustment of the lens aperture. DLX series version also comes equipped with an improved spring mechanism that provides a more secure fit. It is also guaranteed to provide infinity focusing capabilities. Includes a built-in Arca-type compatible tripod foot that also has a standard 1/4″-20 thread.
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FotodioX Adapter for Nikon G to Sony E-Mount II ($60)
Allows you to attach a Nikon G lens to a Sony E-Mount camera body. Although the lens will fit physically, automatic diaphragm, auto-focusing, or other electronic functions will not operate correctly while using this adapter. Manual or aperture priority mode must be used when this adapter is attached. The adapter features a built-in aperture control ring for Nikon G lenses that can be clicked or de-clicked with the flip of a switch.
Vello Nikon G Lens to Sony E-Mount Adapter ($60)
This all-metal adapter allows you to mount a Nikon G lens onto a Sony E-mount camera. A tripod collar with a 1/4″-20 mount enables you to shift the center of gravity for easier handling with heavy lenses, and relieve strain on the camera lens assembly. There is no electrical communication between camera body and lens so you need to focus manually, and to set exposures manually or in aperture priority mode. The adapter has a manual aperture collar that provides approximate aperture control settings.
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Metabones Nikon G to Sony E-Mount Adapter ($139)
This Metabones adapter allows you to attach a Nikon F-mount G lens to Sony E-Mount, including full frame cameras. Metabones’ adapters are precision-machined with brass and plated with chromium on both sides of the adapter. It is also designed to allow lenses to reach infinity focus while maintaining the correct registration distance required to support CRC lenses or lenses with floating elements. It features a clickless 8-stop aperture ring with half-stop markings and a detachable tripod foot compatible with Arca Swiss quick release. Additionally, its matte black finish minimizes internal reflections so as to maintain image quality. Automatic lens functions, like autofocus, will not be retained when using this adapter.
Novoflex Adapter for Nikon Lens to Sony E-Mount ($293)
This Novoflex Adapter makes it possible to mount a Nikon lens to Sony E-Mount cameras with a precision mechanical adapter. It does not transfer functions from the camera to the lens, such as auto focus, but automatic exposure metering (stop-down metering/aperture priority) is possible.
Nikon F Manual Focus Lens Adapters for Sony E-Mount
Nikon F adapters are made for Nikon D-Type and Manual Focus Nikkor lenses which have a physical aperture ring. They Cannot control the aperture of Nikkor G-Type, E-Type or Nikkor PC-E Lenses.
Vello Nikon F Mount Lens to Sony E-Mount Adapter ($45)
This adapter allows you to mount a Nikon F lens onto a Sony E-mount (NEX or full-frame) camera body. The all-metal adapter is designed to fit the lens securely, yet can still be removed easily when not needed. Autofocus, automatic aperture and AE metering will be disabled by the lens adapter as there will be no electrical communication between camera body and lens. You will need to focus manually, and to set exposures manually or meter in aperture priority mode. The lens will retain its ability to focus to infinity.
Metabones Nikon F to Sony E-Mount Adapter II ($99)
This Metabones adapter allows a Nikon F mount lens to be attached to a Sony E-mount including full frame cameras. Metabones adapters are quality made, using precision-machined brass with chromium plating on both the camera-body and the lens sides of the adapter in order to ensure smooth mounting, quality aesthetic, and durability. It has a detachable tripod foot that is compatible with Arca Swiss ball heads. Although the lens will fit physically, automatic diaphragm (AE metering), or other auto functions are not retained using this adapter.
Voigtlander Nikon F to Sony E Lens Mount Adapter ($179)
Voigtlander’s Adapter for Sony E Mount Cameras–Nikon F Mount Lens (Black) allows you to mount a Nikon F mount lens to a Sony E mount camera. Adapter does not provide electronic communication between the camera and the lens–works with manual focus and exposure.
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FotodioX Vizelex Pro ND Throttle Lens Adapter for Nikon F-Mount Lens to Sony E-Mount ($100) features a built-in, variable neutral-density filter. This filter has a 2 to 1,000x filter factor that provides a 1 to 10 stop exposure reduction. The adapter’s variable neutral-density filter can help maintain proper exposure by compensating for increased light levels after widening an installed camera lens’s iris to obtain a narrower depth-of-field.
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APS-C Speed Booster Nikon F Manual Focus Lens Adapters
Speed Boosters are 0.71x focal converters that reduce a full-frame image to APS-C. They’re compatible with Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras like a6300, a6000, a5100, a5000 and NEX. They can also be used in APS-C or Super 35 Crop Mode with a7 Series cameras – but they will NOT cover fullframe. This adapter cannot control the aperture of Nikkor E-Type or Nikkor PC-E Lenses.
Metabones Nikon F-Mount Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Speed Booster ULTRA ($479). With a 5 element/4 group optical design it allows a full frame Nikon F-Mount lens to be mounted to an APS-C format E-Mount camera and in doing so, increases the angle of view and increases the maximum aperture by approximately one f/stop. It is compatible with Nikkor F mount and F Mount G lenses including AI and non-AI mounts.
Tilt/Shift Adapters for Nikon G to Sony E-Mount
Kipon Tilt- Shift Lens Mount Adapter from Nikon G to Sony Nex ($360)
Aperture control on the adapter allows manual aperture adjustment. The adapter also providea 360 degree free rotation and a 12 degree tilt and 15mm shift function. This provides the adapter with the flexibility to be adjusted accordingly to meet the needs of every situation. The tilt function enables you to highlight specific subjects in a photo while the shift function minimize an size distortions that may result from objects being seen at an angle.
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Tilt Adapters for Nikon F to Sony E-Mount
Lensbaby Tilt Transformer for Sony NEX ($349)
One more quite interesting choice for Nikon lenses is the Lensbaby Tilt Transformer for Sony NEX. It allows you to turn any Nikon lens from 8mm to 800mm into a tilt lens. This can come in handy for adjusting the focus plane when shooting landscapes or product photography. Since Nikon manual focus glass is available with fast apertures, this adapter works great for selective focus enabling users to to limit focus to just a small part of the frame. This adapter features easily adjustable metal swivel ball for smooth, fluid tilt with/metal locking ring and it tilts twice as far as normal Tilt/Shift lenses for extreme results.
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Camera: Sony a7R | Adapter: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer | Lens: Nikkor 55 f/1.2 AI-S
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Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Brian Smith photographs portraits of Hollywood A-List and Fortune's 500 for magazines, corporations and advertising. He's a Sony Artisan of Imagery, Profoto Legend of Light, Adobe Influencer and X-Rite Master Coloratti.
