Viltrox lens adapters could be the answer for anyone looking for an affordable way to use Nikon or Canon lenses on your Sony E-mount or Micro Four Thirds cameras.
Metabones: you get what you pay for
Let’s not beat about the bush: Metabones make a great range of adapters but they aren’t what you’d call cheap. Viltrox, who already produce a range of budget lens adapters (and look to be available via Amazon and eBay in the UK), are producing three new options to compete with the industry standard. Viltrox are a new name to me, but could be worth a punt if you’re on a budget.
Nikon to Sony, Canon to MFT
The first new Viltrox adapter is the NF-E1 which allows you to use Nikon F-mount lenses on Sony E-mount cameras. The EF-M1 and EF-M2 will let you use Canon EF and EF-S lenses on Micro Four Thirds cameras. The Canon adapters are electronic, so should pass through AF and aperture information.
In addition, the EF-M2 functions like a Metabones speedbooster – it has four optical elements in four groups which increase the lens aperture by one stop and reduce focal length by 0.71x.
Upgradeability. Yes that’s a word.
All three adapters also feature a USB port to allow for firmware upgrades. This is a feature that means my Metabones (them again) EF to E-mount adapter now works brilliantly after a rocky start – and also meant I had to return a cheaper EF to MFT adapter when it didn’t work on the GH5 but didn’t have the ability to upgrade the firmware.
Viltrox lens adapters: Pricing and availability
No price or release date is available just yet, but if Viltrox can crack reliability and upgradeability as well they could have a winner on their hands. We’ll keep an eye out and try to get hold of a test sample to play with. Have you had any joy with cheaper branded lens adapters or do you stick to the tried and tested manufacturers? Let us know below…
