There’s no doubt that the newer styled mirrorless cameras are alluring. But are you really going to spend all your money on new glass? If you have a collection of DSLR lenses and you’re wondering if they’re compatible with your potential new mirrorless camera body.
DSLR lenses will work on mirrorless camera bodies with adapters, but there may be some slight problems. Autofocus, for example, does not work with adapters on some older models of lenses. Mirrorless cameras are starting to replace DSLR models. However, old lenses still give stunning results.
While this might sound straightforward, several essential factors must be considered. So, read on if you want to make the right decision!
The Difference Between Mirrorless and DSLR Cameras
DSLR cameras or digital single-lens reflex cameras replaced SLRs, which required film. However, they were soon replaced by mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. These, as the name suggests, do not work with reflex mirrors.
There are other differences between the DSLR and the mirrorless camera. For example, lens mounts have been made bigger in newer cameras, and the mount connection has changed. Rear lens elements have also moved to be closer to the image sensor.
DSLR lenses do indeed work on mirrorless cameras for the most part, but an adapter is needed. In addition, EXIF information and autofocus will not be featured on all older DSLR lenses.
Furthermore, in mirrorless cameras, there is no optical viewfinder and no mirror. Mirrorless cameras instead use an electronic viewfinder. This constitutes a small screen where you can see what the picture would look like if you took it.
The electronic viewfinder shows you the exposure before you shoot the picture and is much easier and faster to work with. Mirrorless cameras also have a higher shooting speed because of their improved focusing capabilities.
Setting up a shot in the dark with DSLRs may be challenging. DSLRs use the shutter button to cause the mirror to flip up, and that’s what makes that characteristic photo-taking sound.
Initially, DSLRs had larger sensors than mirrorless cameras, but the technology behind mirrorless cameras has evolved rapidly. However, mirrorless cameras also come with reduced battery life. Therefore, it would be advisable to keep a second battery on hand.
Mirrorless cameras have a few advantages over DSLRs: they are smaller, lighter, more portable, and also have a silent shutter. This is handy when trying to stealthily take a picture of an animal or photograph a philharmonic orchestra performance.
Mirrorless cameras also have focus peaking, indicating the area of focus with a different color. Both mirrorless cameras and DSLRs can shoot fantastic photos, but the mirrorless has many advantages. So, should you use DSLR lenses in your new mirrorless camera? Let’s find out!
Pros of Using DSLR Lenses on Mirrorless Cameras
The main benefit of using DSLR lenses in mirrorless cameras is the cost-saving aspect. If you upgrade from a DSLR to a mirrorless camera and don’t want to buy new lenses, getting an adapter instead would save you a lot of money.
This is also great as it gives you many options to buy cheaper DSLR lenses. Some of these will be cheaper because they’re secondhand, or others simply because they’re older technology. You’ll be able to access a much more extensive choice of lenses.
Canon
Canon mirrorless lenses use an RF mount, so you need an EF-to-RF adapter. Although it is possibly annoying to have to use adapters, Canon EF-mount cameras are even better on mirrorless cameras than on their native DSLR cameras.
Canon’s RF-mount adapter utilizes a variable ND filter inside the adapter. This is much easier than using the native lens and fiddling with settings.
Moreover, cameras with EF mounts include Canon SLR film and DSLR cameras. These cameras have a much more comprehensive array of lenses available for purchase. The RF equivalents still need to be made for all EF lenses.
Many mirrorless cameras can take RF, EF, and EF-S lenses. EF-S lenses are derivatives of EF lenses, but they have a smaller sensor and, thus, a smaller image circle. Your EF DSLR lens will adapt very well to being used on a mirrorless camera in terms of optical quality.
Nikon
An FTZ adapter is required when using a DSLR F-mount lens to a Z-mount mirrorless camera. No autofocus is available when using an older AF-D lens on a mirrorless camera. AF-S G lenses will allow for autofocus, and manual focus won’t have to be resorted to.
This FTZ mount bulks the camera substantially as it has a tripod mount.
Sony
Sony uses an A-mount to E-mount adapter to use DSLR lenses in mirrorless cameras. Many of the older DSLR lenses can be used on your new Sony mirrorless camera.
Cross-brand Adapters
It is also possible to switch, for example, from a Canon EF-mount lens to a Sony E-mount mirrorless camera. These adapters are brilliant if you want to change from one brand to another because you can still use your lenses! There may, however, be a problem with autofocus in video mode.
Canon, for instance, offers adapters for both of its mirrorless systems, which include the full-frame EOS R and the APS-C EOS M. This means you can use adapters with third-party lenses from brands like Tamron and Sigma.
Sigma also sells adapters that work with camera brands like Leica and Panasonic.
Cons of Using DSLR Lenses on Mirrorless Cameras
One problem with using DSLR lenses in mirrorless cameras is that it adds bulk to your camera. Adapters can weigh anything from four ounces, which may seem like little, but the inch or so added to your camera can be annoying.
The lens adapter is yet another thing to remember, without which you won’t be able to shoot any photos.
As mentioned previously, some older lenses don’t have automatic aperture control. Therefore, no EXIF data is available, neither automatic exposure modes nor electronic metering.
Compatibility issues can be problematic when using older DSLR lenses without a firmware update. So, ensure you update your firmware before using an adapter for a mirrorless camera.
Other Things To Consider
Native mirrorless camera lenses are great because more features and capabilities are available. However, because of how close the sensor is to the lens, or, otherwise phrased, because of the flange distance, mirrorless camera lenses probably won’t be able to be used on future cameras.
Adapters can be used to make use of film-era lenses in creative projects. Some industries, like the film industry, still use DSLR lenses.
Turn off the digital lens optimizer, peripheral illumination correction, distortion correction, chromatic aberration correction, and diffraction correction before you use DSLR glass.
Another thing to consider is the aesthetics of the camera. Suppose you are picky about the camera’s look. In that case, you might avoid mixing and matching the mirrorless cameras with DSLR lenses because they may be different colors.
Lens adapters are also much cheaper if you can live without autofocus support. You can also forego the full-size image for an adapter that reduces the lens’ image circle size, but this may not be worth your while.
Lastly, there have been announcements by various leading camera brands like Canon and Nikon that new DSLR cameras will not be designed and produced, and some lenses have been discontinued. In addition, some brands like Sony sell only mirrorless cameras now.
So, unless you buy secondhand, you’ll have a problem getting your hands on DSLR lenses at some point. However, the leading brands have announced that some DSLR lenses and cameras will continue to be manufactured – read in: for the time being…
How to Find The Right Adapter for Your DSLR Lens?
You can use 35mcc and Camera-Wiki to help you figure out which adapter will work best to connect your new mirrorless camera with your old DSLR lenses.
Two broad types of lens adapters exist, namely passive and active adapters. Passive adapters are usually cheaper and require you to manually adjust the aperture and focus.
On the other hand, active adapters allow you to use autofocus and record much more regarding aperture. If you’re using an old camera without these features, you may as well buy a passive lens adapter. However, if your DSLR lens is more modern, it may be worth investing in an active one.
The lens should be able to cover the sensor, or else there will be vignetting. Thus, DSLR camera lenses are perfect for mirrorless camera bodies because they are typically bigger than the small body of a mirrorless camera.
Conclusion
The optical quality of the DSLR lens is fantastic. You will most likely eventually tire of using an adapter and succumb to the pressures and temptations of buying a mirrorless camera lens. However, until then, you can be perfectly happy using an adapter and a DSLR lens on a mirrorless camera.
