Lens Compatibility


weeloong

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Jan 4, 2011
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Hi all,

sorry if this is a question that I should have read up on but I figured the seniors could probably give advice that's more consumer-friendly..

Are all / most lenses compatible with most camera bodies if certain specs are the same?

Ive read that Cannon bodies can use Nikon lenses but not vice versa..?

Thanks
 

Nope. Canon bodies can only use nikon lenses with an adapter, and even then with limitations, like MF only. Almost all brands will have their own lens mount, with the exception of the 4/3 group.
 

Hi all,

sorry if this is a question that I should have read up on but I figured the seniors could probably give advice that's more consumer-friendly..

Are all / most lenses compatible with most camera bodies if certain specs are the same?

Ive read that Cannon bodies can use Nikon lenses but not vice versa..?

Thanks
There are a very limited number of instances where doing something like that would be beneficial.

In general, I would say that any brand would have lenses that can achieve your intended result. Add in the 3rd party manufacturers (eg. Tokina, Tamron, Sigma, etc) and you're pretty much covered.
 

Even you have purchase a particular third party lens (eg. Tamron 17-50 f2.8) that says it supports Canon, Sony and Nikon, you have to take note of the mount you are buying cause it will not fit to another brand.
 

most brands have specific mounts made for their cameras (i.e. nikon F-mount) that is different from other brands. this is good business sense for them as you will only be able to use their own brand of lenses (not counting 3rd party lenses and adaptors).

and even then, some brands have mounts specific for certain types of bodies and lenses, even though they are from the same brand (i.e canon's EF and EF-S mounts).

if you're not sure, just get your own brand's lenses first. just my 2 cents
 

Hi all,

thanks for the advice...

Have a great weekend..
 

Basically, no brand wants to share the lens market with other brands. E.g. why should Nikon consider anything about Canon? That's why officially no maker will support mounting other lenses than their own. Then there are 3rd party makers (Tamron, Sigma, others) who adapt their lenses to the specific mounts. If you buy one make sure to get the correct mount version (for Nikon: do also check about AF motor).
Under certain conditions and using adapters lenses can be mounted on other camera systems. But usually this will result in a loss of all electrical functions, the lens is operated fully manual (aperture, focus). If the lens is an old manual lens anyway then no big issue. But many recent lenses cannot be operated fully manual, e.g. aperture is set by camera.
And then there is the costly way of changing the mount of a lens (usually by sacrificing another lens)...
 


Key points to note in "adopting" lenses to your camera body:

1. Flange registration distance of Lens > Flange of the camera body to allow focus to infinity. Otherwise you can only get macro function with the lens
2. Lens mount must be compactable or
3. Need to get an appropriate adapter to mount the lens to the camera body
4. Invariably you will be left with manual focus (some adpter come with AF chip)
5. Old manual lens has one big advantage - The aperture control is on the lens
6. Newer lenses do not have aperture control. So "adopting" the other party lens you could only shoot with aperture wide open (or closed down).