UPDATED: October 21, 2022 / ORIGINAL: April 10, 2016
Here’s a round-up of AF Nikon Smart Adapters and Manual Focus Nikon lens adapters for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras.
Nikon Auto Focus Smart Lens Adapters for Sony E-Mount
Nikon AF lenses are more of a challenge to adapt than Canon, the most promising Nikon Auto Focus Smart Adapter is from Monster Adapter:
Monster Adapter Nikon F to Sony E Adapter ($329)
Monster Adapter supports AE / AF shooting with Nikon F mount CPU lenses with a built-in motor and aperture control with CPU lenses that don’t have a built-in motor. With Sony PDAF cameras, AF-C is possible for high-speed continuous shooting (up to approximately 10 frames per second) along with Face Detection and Eye AF support.
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The three most popular Nikon AF Smart adapters on the market are all produced by Commlite – just with different branding. When using a1, a7 II, a7 III, a7 IV, a7C, a7R II, a7R III, a7R IV, a7S III, a9, a9 II, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500 & a6600, they work fairly well for still photography with most of the newer Nikon Type G or E lenses. They will still control aperture with older Nikkor D-Types lenses – but forget about AF. Nikon PC-E lenses are also incompatible. Read how these three adapters perform on a1, a7 II, a7 III, a7 IV, a7C, a7R II, a7R III, a7R IV, a7S III, a9, a9 II, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500 & a6600:
Commlite Nikon F to Sony E Autofocus Electronic Lens Adapter v08 ($200)
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 Sony PDAF lenses 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 v08 ($369)
Vello’s Nikon AF Adapter (now shipping with fw 08) is another re-badged Commlite which North American users may prefer for it’s USA warranty and support. AF works best with a1, a7 II, a7 III, a7 IV, a7C, a7R II, a7R III, a7R IV, a7S III, a9, a9 II, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500 & a6600 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 Sony PDAF cameras and E-type and G-type Nikon AF lenses – but not with many of the earlier D-Type lenses.
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 F 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 F-Mount G Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Lens Adapter with Aperture Control ($25)
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.
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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 Arca Swiss-compatible quick-release tripod foot. Matte black finish minimizes internal reflections to maintain image quality.
FotodioX Vizelex Cine ND Throttle Nikon G-Type Lens to Sony E-Mount Adapter ($107) includes a built-in variable neutral density filter with an integrated control ring. The variable neutral density filter provides an exposure reduction of 2 to 8 stops so that adjustments to brightness can be made independently of the camera and lens, which enables more flexible exposure and depth-of-field control while recording video within a designated frame rate. Integrated control ring features a cogwheel design, allowing it to interface with separately available follow-focus accessories.
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Novoflex Adapter for Nikon Lens to Sony E-Mount ($239)
German-made 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. Why is this the most expensive? Like I said, “German-made.”
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 do not support lens functions that rely on electronic communication with the camera body and cannot control the aperture of Nikkor G-Type, E-Type or Nikkor PC-E Lenses.
FotodioX Mount Adapter for Nikon F-Mount Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera ($25)
FotodioX NIKF-SNYE Lens Mount Adapter allows you to use Nikkor F-mount lenses on your Sony E-mount camera. Precision-crafted out of hardened anodized aluminum, the adapter provides a secure and solid camera-to-lens connection and it supports infinity focus.
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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 Lens to Sony E-mount Camera T Adapter III ($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.
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Nikon F Manual Focus Lens Macro Adapters
KIPON Macro Lens Mount Adapter with Helicoid for Nikon F-Mount Lens to Sony-E Mount Camera ($200)
KIPON Macro Lens Mount Adapter with Helicoid uses an adjustable helicoid for macro close focus while retaining infinity focus with Nikon F lenses on fullframe Sony E-Mount cameras.
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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 including a5000, a5100, a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, FX-30 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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