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Don’t throw away your old DSLR lenses! Here’s how I use my Nikon lenses on my mirrorless Fujifilm
I’ve been using cameras since I was a young teenager, and photography has always been one of my hobbies. I’m very lucky that I, then, get to test all the best cameras here at Tom’s Guide. But cameras don’t always come cheap, and neither do lenses. You can do with just one camera body for decades but investing in glass to accompany that body can burn a hole in your pocket.
Best cameras
Whether you’re looking for the best snapper for wildlife, a drone, or an instant camera, we’ve rounded up the best cameras to help make the purchasing decision easier for you! We’ve also ranked the best mirrorless cameras.
The good news, though, is that you can re-use your old lenses on your new camera. “But what if I have a Canon camera and a bunch of Sony lenses?” I hear you ask, you can still use those lenses on your camera, even though they’re from rival brands.
“And what if I have a bunch of DSLR lenses and a mirrorless camera? Should I throw them away or sell them?” No, you don’t have to. There’s a quick and easy fix for using DSLR lenses with mirrorless camera bodies — all you need is the right lens adapter. If this is your first time hearing that term, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Let me take you through what you need and how to use DSLR lenses with mirrorless camera bodies.
What you need
There isn’t a lot you need to get started: two of the three things you need you probably already own (which why you’re reading this article!). You’ll need to buy a compatible lens adapter but fret not, these usually aren’t very expensive.
Websites like K&F Concept have an array of lens adapters — just make sure you get the right one, and for that, you’ll need to double-check your lens mount and camera mount. Skip to the next section for a rundown of what those terms mean.
So, in a nutshell, you need the following:
- A lens adapter (from K&F Concept, Urth, or any other camera accessories retailer)
- A mirrorless camera (I used my Fujifilm X-T50)
- A lens designed for DSLR cameras (I used my Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G lens)
Quick tech rundown
Image 1 of 3
You can usually tell the camera mount type by looking at the area where a lens is mounted. More often than not, there are visual indications for quick identification. For instance, Fujifilm’s X mount cameras have a red dot in the lens area, Canon’s RF mount cameras have a small red stripe, Sony’s E mount cameras have “E mount” engraved on the mount itself, and so on. You can see a few examples in the gallery above.
Similarly, lenses will have a mount type too, so you’ll need to either consult your user manual or search online to find out what exactly it is. Some lenses mention the mount type on the rear lens cap. As an example, a Fujinon XC or XF lens is compatible with Fujifilm X mount cameras.
Think of a lens adapter as a bridge. I’ll give you an example of how I did it. My Fujifilm X-T50 is an X mount camera while my Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G is a Nikon F mount lens, so I bought a lens that could mount the Nikkor lens onto it and attach to my Fuji camera.
There are different types of lens adapters too, some which can electronically communicate with the camera and ensure the lens continues utilizing the camera’s autofocus. Cheaper ones usually feature manual adjustments, so it really depends on your budget and shooting requirements.
How to use DSLR lenses with mirrorless cameras
Once you’ve got your lens adapter, lens and camera, it’s time to assemble your weapon. First, remove your camera’s lens cap or existing lens. Don’t forget to screw on the rear cap onto the lens you’ve just removed to protect it from scratches and dust.
Next, attach your lens adapter to your camera by lining up the red dots (or other visual aid) and twisting it on. If done properly, you’ll hear a click, indicating that it has been attached properly.
For the third and final step, align the red dot on the lens adapter with your lens and twist it. Again, if done properly, you’ll hear a click. Yep, it’s really that easy! Both the lens adapter and lens should mount easily but if they don’t, double-check to ensure they’re compatible.
Don’t force it if it doesn’t screw on smoothly as you don’t want to risk damaging your camera mount or lens.
Once you have your lens mounted onto your camera via a lens adapter, there’s one very important thing you need to do. Dig into your camera’s settings and enable the Shoot Without Lens setting. For example, I did this on my Fujifilm X-T50 because the camera wasn’t electronically communicating with the Nikkor lens as it does with first-party lenses.
Are there any limitations?
While using old DSLR lenses with mirrorless cameras is great for beginners and enthusiasts, it does come with some limitations. After all, you’re using two different systems and technology. You may experience a loss in resolution and image sharpness as the lens won’t always be able to resolve the megapixel count.
Depending on the lens and the adapter, you may lose autofocus too, and you may need to rely solely on manual focus and aperture control — which, to be honest, might make you a better photographer! Some older DSLR lenses may be heavy for your mirrorless camera too, but that comes down to personal preference. I don’t really mind the added weight of my Nikkor lens on my Fujifilm X-T50 as I have a lighter kit lens that I can carry everywhere and swap as needed.
Using a lens adapter is simple and easy to do, and you can use mirrorless lens on mirrorless cameras too — as I said, just make sure you’ve got the right adapter!
