Vello Nikon F to Sony E-Mount AF Lens Adapter ($399 from B&H Photo) finally offers an autofocus solution to use Nikon lenses on Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras – but with a few major caveats.

To test how well this adapter performs, I headed to B&H Photo in New York to test EVERY lens I could get my hands on. HUGE THANKS to Abe Curland who once again helped me out during a very long day of testing! These tests would not be possible without support of Abe and the great folks at B&H Photo, so show them some love!!!

If you think you’ve seen this adapter by another name, you’re probably right. The Vello Nikon to Sony E adapter appears to be a licensed re-badge of the Commlite CM-ENF-E Nikon F Lens to Sony E-Mount AF lens adapters (from $199 on eBay). It is worth noting that Gradus Group products (Vello’s parent company) rarely re-brand straight off-the-rack without input into the design process and North American buyers may prefer to purchase Vello since it’s sold and supported by B&H Photo in New York.

Nikon lenses are enormously complicated to adapt. Unlike Canon, which switched to EF-mount when they introduced AF, Nikon remained committed to F-mount. But that commitment came at a price. Nikon AF lenses have more variations than wardrobe changes at a Lady Gaga concert. For that reason, results vary greatly – but a pattern begins to emerge.

What Works?

Please Note: These tests were using Firmware v3 before updated fw v4 was available so it’s possible that certain lenses perform better with the updated adapter firmware.

• Sony a7II (with FW 2.00 and later)

• Sony a7 III

• Sony a7RII

• Sony a7R III

• Sony a9

• Sony a6300

• Sony a6400

• Sony a6500

• Nikkor E-Type lenses

• Nikkor G-Type lenses

What Doesn’t Work?

• Nikkor D-Type lenses: Forget about AF with Nikkor D-Types lenses.

• Sony a7/a7R/a7S/a7SII/a6000/a5100/a5000 & NEX cameras – any Sony E-mount camera other than a7RII, a7II or a6300 will struggle with AF (or have none at all) since those are the only Sony cameras that provide Phase Detection AF with third-party lenses.

Firmware Used in Testing:

• Vello Nikon F to Sony E-Mount AF Lens Adapter (Firmware 3.00)

• Sony a7R (Firmware 3.10)

• Sony a7RII (Firmware 3.20)

• Sony a6300 (Firmware 1.00)

Adapter Firmware is Upgradeable

Vello adapter firmware is upgradeable, While there is no USB port in the adapter, you simply mount the adapter with a Nikoor lens on a Sony mirrorless camera body and connect camera to a computer via the Sony USB cord to run updates.

PLEASE NOTE: This adapter is now shipping with firmware version 6 installed.

EXIF Data

In my tests using firmware 3.0, EXIF data was accurately recorded to the images.

Image Stabilization

Sony a7 Mark II camera users please note that camera menu SteadyShot settings will be “grayed-out” when using a Nikkor VR lens with a physical VR On/Off switch. That is normal. It simply means that menu settings cannot override a physical switch. The switch on the lens will control SteadyShot. In my tests using FW 3.0, SteadyShot appeared to function correctly with lenses with and without VR.

THE TESTS:

• a7RII/a6300 results should be indicative of performance of a7II (running FW 2.00 and later)

• a7R results should be indicative of performance with a7, a7S, a7SII, a6000, a5100, a5000 and NEX

My focus speed ratings make sense to me, but if I had to rate them on a scale of 1-5 with native Sony E-mount glass as a 5, “Fast” is anything 4 or above; “Moderately Fast” is a 3; “Moderate Speed” is a 2; “Sloooow” is a 1; and “Painfully Sloooow” is less than 1.

E-Type Nikkor Lenses

Similar to Canon EF glass, the latest Nikkor lenses feature an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel to provide electronic diaphragm or aperture blade control when using auto exposure during continuous shooting – unlike conventional D/G type lenses where the diaphragm blades are operated by mechanical linkage levers.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: Slooooooow AF-S for stills. No Video AF.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Painfully slooooow AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot for stills. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

Nikkor E APS-C Lenses:

APS-C lenses will NOT cover fullframe a7 Series sensors but they can be used in crop mode.

NOT TESTED

PC-E Nikkor Tilt-Shift Lenses

Nikkor PC-E Tilt-Shift lenses are the most confusing subset of lenses. Technically they are D-type (notice the “D” in their name after the aperture). First off, these are manual focus lenses and nothing change that. Like other D-type lenses, PC-E lenses have a working aperture ring – BUT the aperture ring transmits aperture settings to the body electronically like an E-Type lens.

This is a Manual Focus lens and the adapter does not change that but it does provide electronic aperture control and EXIF data not possible with non-electronic lens adapters. HOWEVER…as of firmware version 4.0, while it’s possible to control the aperture using this adapter, you can only shoot wide open.

PLEASE NOTE: This combination is NOT RECOMMENDED. I suggest adapting Canon TS-E lenses instead.

This is a Manual Focus lens and the adapter does not change that but it does provide electronic aperture control and EXIF data not possible with non-electronic lens adapters. HOWEVER…as of firmware version 4.0, while it’s possible to control the aperture using this adapter, you can only shoot wide open.

PLEASE NOTE: This combination is NOT RECOMMENDED. I suggest adapting Canon TS-E lenses instead.

This is a Manual Focus lens and the adapter does not change that but it does provide electronic aperture control and EXIF data not possible with non-electronic lens adapters. HOWEVER…as of firmware version 4.0, while it’s possible to control the aperture using this adapter, you can only shoot wide open.

PLEASE NOTE: This combination is NOT RECOMMENDED. I suggest adapting Canon TS-E lenses instead.

G-Type Nikkor Lenses

Nikkor G-type lenses do not have an aperture control ring and are intended for use on Nikon DSLRs that allow the lens aperture to be adjusted via the camera’s command dial. G-type lenses relay subject-to-camera-distance information to the camera, where it is used to help determine ambient and flash exposure. Like E-type lenses listed above, G-Type Nikkor lenses lack an aperture control ring. However the F-Type lens aperture is controlled manually – not electronically – using a mechanical coupling on the lens mount.

Nikkor G Fullframe Lenses:

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Slow-Good and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: Slow AF-S for stills. No Video AF.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot for stills. No Video AF.

a7R + others: Slooooooow AF-S for stills. No Video AF.

NOT TESTED

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: Slooooooow AF-S for stills. No Video AF.

NOT TESTED

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Painfully slow to non-existent AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderate Speed and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

NOT TESTED

a7RII: AF-S & AF-C never lock in. No Video AF.

a6300: Very Slooooow AF-S & AF-C for stills. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Painfully slow AF-S & AF-C. Works better when set to Wide Focus Area than to Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot for stills. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII: Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a6300: No AF for stills or video – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

NOT TESTED

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot for stills. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

NOT TESTED

a7RII: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF

a6300: This Lens and adapter could not make an electronic connection with this camera.

a7R + others: This Lens and adapter could not make an electronic connection with this camera.

NOT TESTED

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: Slow AF-S for stills. No video AF. Adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderate Speed and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: Good AF-S for stills. No Video AF.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot is good in bright, high-contrast light but painfully slow in flat light. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

Nikkor G APS-C Lenses:

APS-C lenses will NOT cover fullframe a7 Series sensors but they can be used in crop mode.

NOT TESTED

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

NOT TESTED

a7RII: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a6300: Lens and adapter failed to communicate when mounted on camera.

a7R + others: Lens and adapter failed to communicate when mounted on camera.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderate Speed and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderate Speed and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderately Fast and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: AF-S & AF-C nearly impossible for stills. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderate Speed and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

D-Type Nikkor Lenses

Nikkor D-type lenses relay subject-to-camera-distance information to Nikon DSLRs that feature 3D Color Matrix Metering (all versions), 3D Matrix Metering, 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash. Many D-Type lenses have an aperture control ring and can be used on older Nikon SLR cameras that allow for manual control of the aperture, as well as on DSLRsâ€”especially useful for adjusting aperture while recording D-Movies on higher end models.

When used on Smart Adapters, the aperture control ring needs to be locked at the smallest possible aperture (generally designated in orange) so that the aperture can be controlled by the camera.

NOT TESTED

NOT TESTED

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data. Max aperture: F4.5

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data. Max aperture: F4.5

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Very Sloooooow AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

a7RII/a7II/a6300: Moderate Speed and accurate AF-S & AF-C Wide, Center, Flexible Spot. No Video AF.

a7R + others: No AF for stills or video â€“ but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF data.

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data. Max aperture: F3.2

Manual Focus Only – but adapter can control aperture and transmit EXIF Data.

Manual Focus Nikkor Lenses

You can use Nikkor Manual focus lenses with this Vello adapter, but it’s overkill since it will still be manual focus, manual aperture and with no EXIF transmission. Unless you are using manual focus lenses in combination with AF lenses, save yourself some money and pick up a basic Nikon F to E-Mount manual lens adapter.

The Bottom Line:

Vello Nikon F to Sony E-Mount AF Lens Adapter finally adds AutoFocus for most Nikon G-Type and E-Type lenses when used on Sony a7 II, a7 III, a7R II , a7R III, a9, a6300, a6400 & a6500. For other E-mount cameras – not so much…

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