Mirrorless cameras have taken the photography world by storm in recent years. Their compact size and impressive technological capabilities have won over many enthusiasts looking to upgrade from their bulky DSLR kits. But for those invested in DSLR lenses, a key question arises – can you use DSLR lenses on mirrorless camera bodies?
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can use DSLR lenses on mirrorless cameras with the proper adapter. This guide will cover everything you need to know, from compatibility factors to performance considerations. We’ll look at using both DSLR lenses from major manufacturers like Canon, Nikon and Sony as well as third-party lenses. Whether you want to save money by buying used DSLR lenses or utilize the glass you already own, read on for the complete low-down.
An Introduction to Using DSLR Lenses on Mirrorless Cameras
Before delving into the specifics, let’s clarify what exactly DSLR and mirrorless cameras are and how their lenses differ:
- DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras have been the standard for decades. They use a mirror mechanism to reflect light from the lens to the optical viewfinder.
- Mirrorless cameras do away with the mirror and show a digital live view on the rear display. This allows for a slimmer, lighter camera body design.
- DSLR lenses are designed to work with the specific lens mount of each brand – Canon’s EF/EF-S mount, Nikon’s F mount and so on.
- Mirrorless cameras also have proprietary mounts – Canon’s RF, Nikon’s Z mount, Sony’s E mount etc.
So in order to use DSLR lenses on mirrorless bodies, you need an adapter to connect the incompatible mounts. Let’s look at which lenses work and potential limitations.
Can You Use Any DSLR Lens with Mirrorless Cameras?
The first key factor is compatibility – not every DSLR lens will work flawlessly on every mirrorless camera. Here are some guidelines:
- Most Canon DSLR lenses using the EF mount will work on Canon mirrorless cameras like the EOS R series with the proper EF to RF adapter.
- Nikon DSLR lenses with the F mount will mount on Nikon mirrorless cameras like the Z50 and Z6 with the FTZ adapter.
- For Sony, using an A-mount to E-mount adapter allows you to use A-mount DSLR lenses on E-mount mirrorless cameras.
- Many third-party DSLR lenses from Tamron, Sigma, Tokina etc. are also compatible via adapters. Always check manufacturer guidance for specific lenses.
However, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- You may lose autofocus functionality or performance may be reduced.
- Lens stabilization, aperture control and other features may not work correctly.
- Adapted DSLR lenses lack electronic contacts so EXIF data will not be recorded.
With these caveats in mind, let’s look at how to use DSLR lenses on specific mirrorless camera systems.
Mounting DSLR Lenses on Popular Mirrorless Brands
Here is guidance for getting your Canon, Nikon or Sony DSLR lenses up and running on the respective mirrorless camera systems:
Using Canon EF/EF-S Lenses on EOS R Mirrorless Bodies
- Canon offers the EF to RF adapter to connect EF/EF-S lenses to EOS R cameras like the EOS R5.
- The control ring adapter allows aperture adjustment from the adapter.
- With the adapter, EF lenses will mount securely but lose autofocus and stabilization.
Using Nikon F Mount Lenses on Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras
- The Nikon FTZ adapter allows F mount DSLR lenses to work on Z mirrorless bodies.
- Autofocus and aperture control does work with the FTZ but performance is limited.
- Older Nikon D lenses will mount but have more autofocus limitations.
Sony A-Mount Lenses on E-Mount Mirrorless Bodies
- Sony offers adapters to use A-mount DSLR lenses on E-mount mirrorless cameras like the A7 IV.
- The LA-EA3 adapter provides full autofocus while the cheaper LA-EA4 has limited AF.
- Adapters must exactly match lens mount type – A mount or screw drive A-mount lenses.
Using Third-Party DSLR Lenses on Mirrorless Cameras
Beyond the first-party lenses, there are many third-party DSLR lens options:
- Popular manufacturers include Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, Rokinon/Samyang and Zeiss.
- These lenses are made for Canon EF, Nikon F or Sony A mounts.
- Adapters will enable using these lenses on mirrorless bodies with varying results.
Benefits of third-party DSLR lenses:
- Often more affordable than first-party lenses.
- Offer alternatives like macros, wide angles, quality fast primes.
- Solid build quality with durable metal constructions.
Make sure to research the best specific third-party lens adapters to ensure compatibility.
Understanding Lens Performance Factors
While most DSLR lenses will physically mount, there are some performance considerations:
- Autofocus – Adapters may not transmit AF signals, so only manual focus is possible. Active adapters like Canon’s control ring EF adapter retain AF.
- Aperture control – You may need to control aperture manually if not transmitted through the adapter.
- Optical stabilization will likely be disabled since adapters don’t communicate with mirrorless bodies.
- On mirrorless focus aids like focus peaking will be very useful for manual focus DSLR lenses.
- With a crop sensor mirrorless body, the effective focal length of full frame DSLR lenses will change.
Overall image quality is unlikely to be compromised too much, but features may be limited depending on adapter capabilities.
Recommended DSLR Lenses for Mirrorless
Based on popularity and performance when adapted, here are some of the best DSLR lenses to use:
All-around zoom lenses:
- Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
- Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S
- Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (A032)
Prime lenses:
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
- Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G
- Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM
Telephoto zoom and prime:
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
- Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
- Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
Wide angle/ultra-wide:
- Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX
- Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III
- Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF
Vintage lenses:
- Pentax Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 MF
- Nikon AI-S Nikkor 35mm 2.8 MF
- Canon FD 85mm 1.2 L MF
Try out different well-regarded DSLR lenses – both modern and vintage – to find your favorites adapted to mirrorless.
Tips for Adapting DSLR Lenses to Mirrorless Cameras
To get the optimal performance from putting your DSLR lenses on mirrorless bodies, keep these tips in mind:
- Update lens firmware to potentially improve compatibility.
- Use in-camera lens correction profiles to offset flaws like distortion.
- Try lenses with an active adapter for autofocus capability.
- Lean into manual vintage lenses for creative lens effects.
- Factor in crop sensor size and effective focal length changes.
- Use small focus-throw lenses which are easier to manual focus.
- Maximize native mirrorless lens benefits like optical stabilization.
With the right adapter and some trial and error, you can absolutely use your DSLR lenses creatively on mirrorless cameras.
Conclusion
While DSLR lenses will have some limitations and compromises when adapted to mirrorless cameras, the ability to utilize the lenses you already own makes it worthwhile in many cases. Carefully selecting compatible lenses, the right adapters, and lenses that mitigate limitations like lack of AF can allow you to produce fantastic images without needing to invest in all new native mirrorless lenses.