Megadap ETZ21 Pro Sony E to Nikon Z Adapter Review | Effective Autofocus!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Check out the FlexiSpot C7 ergonomic chair at bit.ly/4eLKFfQ and use my code ''24BFC7'' to get $50 off on the C7 ergonomic chair

[@SamTaylors]

Great review. I’ve been interested in this product since it came out. Having your detailed and rigorous review methodology applied to this adapter is brillliant - thank you

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andyqbui]

I absolutely love this adapter! It let me keep all my GM lenses without having to sell them, and it works pretty well with my Nikon cameras. That said, I do miss Sony's autofocus performance.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Fair enough.

[@waynerm002]

Great review. I've had the adapter for almost 2 years and planed to get the Pro version but, Megadap added an update to the ETZ21 to allow it to be updated via Nikon bodies like the ETZ21 Pro, passed on getting the Pro. I've communicated issues to Megadap support team when I had an issue with the Sony 16-35 F4 having low light focusing issues on the Z8 and they came out with an update a few weeks later to resolve the issue. After that update, the 16-35 experienced an issue where it wouldn't focus on a close subject at the 35mm end, the lens made a noise, zoomed to 16mm and all functions stopped working, couldn't even focus or zoom manually however, it worked fine on my Sony body. I went back to an earlier firmware and all was fine, messaged them on the new issue and they resolved in about a week, with an updated firmware. Being able to get Nikon to allow them to update via the camera body is a major step for them, being responsive to customer issues goes a long way in building confidence and growing their user base.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's very solid feedback.

[@coder543]

I would never have guessed that Sony would let anyone use their autofocus protocol in an adapter like this… which makes me wonder if it is reverse engineered?

[@stkuj]

Sony already opens support for 3rd party lens, I don't think this is any different.

[@coder543]

@stkuj the difference is that this gives people less of a reason to buy Sony’s cameras, whereas opening third party lens support on E mount helped Sony sell more cameras.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Fair point, but obviously the tech exists as there are a number of companies that make these type of adapters.

[@borisbelkania914]

@@coder543 but in this case, Sony will earn more on selling lenses! And often this is how it works

[@IanHobday]

The Sony license is very clear that it excludes camera-side mounts and only includes the lense-side mount. This info is on the public license page and is why there are no E mount TCs from Tamron or Sigma. So there is no way this is properly licensed, it must be reverse engineered.

[@alexlubinski7795]

Man, how I wish there was an adapter like this for Canon RF - it would totally break their artificial monopoly for full-frame lenses.

[@coder543]

@@alexlubinski7795 I mean… Canon has official EF->RF adapters? EF has lots of affordable glass. Sony E -> RF would not work because RF has a longer flange distance, but RF -> E would hypothetically work.

[@fotografalexandernikolis]

@@coder543 EF doesn't have lenses like Tamron 35-150, Sigma 14mm 1.4 etc. Canon are literally worse than Apple as this point.

[@coder543]

@ funny enough, the original Tamron 35-150 *was* made for EF. But it was nowhere near as good as the one for Sony E. It doesn’t change the physics that says Sony E -> RF is impossible, and not going to happen.

[@alexlubinski7795]

@@coder543 I wonder if L mount -> Canon RF would be possible, probably it would have to defy physics a little :D

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

...or Canon could just open their protocols!!!

[@jjsilver23]

I use multiple systems and have been happily using the zeiss 55 1.8 and 25 2 on a zfc with the pro adapter for stills. I do have some concerns with the customer service from megadap as I had some issues and reached out to them and never got any responses.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's probably a fair concern. It's hard for me to evaluate that, as they tend to be more responsive to influencers like myself.

[@esppics21]

From all the E mount lenses I have the zeiss 55mm 1.8 is the one I have the most issues with. All other work great.

[@amermeleitor]

Thanks for the great review. Very informative. I'm in the same process of ditching DSLR adapters because the bulk, mostly with small portrait lenses. The DSLR adapters are worth for long telephoto lenses, because the few centimeters more are not a big concern, but today we have good modern relatively cheap alternatives in Sony mount. A pair of questions: - Did you tried APSC Sony lenses on full frame Nikon body? It will force the crop or gives you the option to use FX or DX crop? - Do you know something about the Boryoza adapter? To use Fuji X lenses on Nikon Z bodies. - I hope Megadap takes the idea from Boryoza and make one Fuji to Nikon adapter, and even one from Canon EF-M to Nikon Z, the Canon AF firmware is known, it could be like the EF to Z.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't have answers to your subsequent questions, but I can verify that I threw the Viltrox Pro AF 75mm F1.2 on there and it worked fine - it allowed me to choose FX or DX corp.

[@eeviewonders]

Don't know about canon ef-m but megadap definitely do canon ef to nikon z, BTW megadap is owned by laowa.

[@longingbydesign]

Still the most trusted source of reviews for me! I've dared to try the experiment - coming from full SONY, I've found there is a brutal gap if you want to really upgrade from an a7 IV. Either you spend 7500 $ on an a1 II, or you're stuck with slow sensors or low resolutions. The Nikon Z8 perfectly fills that spot. So far all my lenses have been working perfectly fine on the Nikon using the ETZ21 Pro: 135mm 1.8 GM, Sigma 85mm 1.4, Sony 35mm 1.8, Sony 100-400mm GM, Sony 24-105mm f/4, Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 Gen. 1 GM. The only notable losses: Weather sealing is compromised for all lenses (I wish they would add that, that's a tough limitation!), and lens stabilization doesn't work.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Z8 is definitely a sweet spot camera.

[@filmweshoot]

Would you say (if i have no sony lenses) but a Z8, it's a bad idea to pick up the 50mm 1.2 and 85 1.4 given how much lighter and smaller than the Nikon versions?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not sure it's a bad idea, but it would certainly be an unconventional one. I might recommend starting with one (if you can get it at a good price) and determining if you're content with the results before going all in.

[@travislucas7483]

I got a too good to pass up deal on the Sigma 14 f1.4 for Sony and as a Nikon Z8 shooter I bought this adapter to make use of this lens. Everything is workings very well. I was surprised to see focus peaking and button customization as well as metadata working perfectly through this adapter.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's great.

[@PixelzRon]

That's awesome - I was thinking of the new Sigma 50 1.2 Sony-E for my Nikon Z cameras...its amazing that even the button functions work!

[@alaintran84]

I was shooting canon and I switched to Nikon for this particular combo (Z8 + sigma 14/1.4) :D

[@Magnetron692]

Hi Dustin, many thanks! There are the Techart Pro versions M mount to Nikon Z, the Megadap counterpart which enables you to turn vintage lenses such as the Minolta MD lenses into autofocus lenses! I have a Finger adapter from Canon EF mount to Nikon Z and it works astonishingly well! Best wishes from Germany, Ralf

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I've used the Techart adapters on Sony E, and they work well.

[@RG-rm9jt]

Thank you very much for this review! I've been wondering about picking up a Nikon body just for some of their awesome wildlife glass, but ideally I would want to keep my wonderful e-mount glass (particularly the 3rd party options that I've already purchased). This appears to be a very legitimate option. For example, I would love to get a Z8 with a 500mm PF (that's not framerate limited, and can accept TCs), which is something I can't do easily with e-mount (their competitor A1 is very expensive, and they artificially limit the framerates and TC use on the Sigma 500mm f/5.6).

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Definitely the Megadap makes owning the Nikon more attractive.

[@Kevon420]

Perfect for using unique E mount lenses like the 20-70mm f4 G or Sigma 28-45/1.8 as well as just better alternatives on E mount like the 50/1.2 GM on a Nikon body. You even get lenses with proper aperture rings with this adapter, bravo Megadap!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Exactly.

[@gaga9421]

Great review! Do you know if the OSS of Sony lenses works with Nikon's IBIS? Or does it just use OSS and turn off IBIS? Would be great for handheld video if it worked together.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I doubt it is fully cooperating. That would probably be asking too much.

[@michaeldoyle5242]

What an incredibly detailed review, I own a Nikon Zf and have been looking at the Sigma 28-105mm/f2.8 lens, which is not available in Z mount, my thought was to purchase the lens in Sony E mount, using the megadap ETZ21 Pro to allow me to use it on my Nikon, however I would be more reassured if anyone has experience of this combination before I take the plunge and spend all that money.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I think that is a fair approach, though I wouldn't be surprised to start seeing Z-mounts of the Sigma lenses in the near future.

[@michaeldoyle5242]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks for the reassuring and quick response, I will sit on the fence for a while in the hope that Nikon will rethink its policy and allow Sigma to release some of their remarkable lenses in the Z mount, truthfully I really think that Nikon themselves have missed a trick with the Sigma 28-108/f2.8 as well as allowing Tamron to produce a Z mount 35-150/f2. - 2.8 lens, just my personal opinion.

[@marquinhoboy]

Hi Dustin good afternoon, with all your testing, by chance have you encountered banding / striping on photos with adapted lenses?. I found in a Nikon z6iii with tamron g2 lenses horizontal and vertical purple lines within all the photos. Mechanical Shutter does not matter if its natural available light or flash

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven’t run into that. That’s a strange issue.

[@anulearntech]

Great review, i am curious about this one. Seems a lot practical common lens solution than the mc 11. One way to invest in lenses in future is to have both nikon and Sony bodies and buy the sony equipment for stills and action lens for either nikon or sony. This way lenses like 135mm and below could all be for sony Mount and the higher ones, as per the best lens available.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Agreed.

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

I haven't sold any e-mount lenses when I got Nikon, because the adapter works well on one hand, on the other what if I buy another Sony body in the future -- I don't want selling and buying lenses all the time.

[@chirsd666]

I was put off on trying my Sony E-mount lenses on Nikon Z bodies by reports from a number of users of blurry edges and corners with the adapted lens, particularly when shooting wide angle focal lengths. The theory is that Sony lenses are designed to accommodate a thicker sensor filter stack on the sony camera, which impacts the image quality on wide angles near the edge of the image circle. It would be nice to see a comparison using the same wide angle Sony lens on both Sony and Nikon camera sensors (with similar MP of course).

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Well, I did demonstrate both a Z-mount and adapted E-mount version of the same lens, but I didn't see that issue.

[@chirsd666]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Yes, that was an interesting result. I wonder if Viltrox has adjusted the Sony mount of that lens for the thicker sensor filter stack to compensate.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I doubt it. I suspect (like with most things Sony), that this "issue" has been almost exclusively concocted on KZbin.

[@NickErickson]

Hey Dustin. Any chance we could get a comparison of the Tamron 28-200mm vs Nikon 24-200mm now that they can both be used effectively on a Nikon body?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My ongoing challenge remains getting Nikkor loaners. Nikon Canada has no loaner program, so I'm left with trying to scrounge loaners from retailers, and it is completely dependent on what they have available. I obviously can't make any promises.

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

I tested both lenses on Nikon Z6ii. Optically they are very similar, but there is a sample variation, so the findings of different people may be contradictory. Both lenses are equally slow to focus, both work reasonably well even at 200mm in low light. Tamron I think is better in hand, but it also shows zoom creep that Nikon doesn't. The other issue I had with Tamron is sudden loss of AF which required turning the camera off and on.

[@kkim9669]

What a review again! 😃

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you very much!

[@chennytango9298]

I am wondering if the Nikon 3D focus mode works well with this adapter on using Sony GM lens. I am a nikon shooter but really love the GM lens and thinking to get the 34 50 and 85 GM 1.4 lens which Nikon Z does not mostly have. Also is this one better than the Neewer version?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Megadap is the most consistently good in my experience.

[@J.R.Y.]

Hi Dustin, thanks for another great review. I'd read something about this adapter needing to be removed from the lens and body in a particular order (e.g. remove lens with adapter on it, and then remove adapter from the lens.) Have you had any issues with order of operations swapping out different lenses? (e.g. leaving the adapter on the body and swapping out lenses).

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I personally haven't had that issue. I'm not sure if it has been solved via firmware, perhaps.

[@J.R.Y.]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks for the reply. Cheers mate!

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

Perhaps that was the thing with an old adapter, not with this one. I always leave adapter on the body when changing lenses.

[@J.R.Y.]

@@ElementaryWatson-123 Very handy! Thanks for this info.

[@JapaneseLegend888]

Great review! It'd be cool to see some of the native Z mount 1.2 / 1.8 S primes compared to adapted Sony 1.4 GM primes! In particular the 35 & 50mm GMs vs the 50mm 1.2 and 35 and 50 1.8 S primes. This would give an idea of what you potentially give up adapting E mount lenses vs selling and buying the native Z mount versions. Thanks for the great work!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome.

[@PixelzRon]

This is what I am waiting for! I really want the new Sigma Sony-E 50mm 1.2 since its much smaller and less heavy than the native Z 50mm 1.2 Nikon has! I really love all of the native S glass but that 1.2 is just way too big so I am thinking to go Sigma.

[@EoraTed]

Eagerly awaiting your review on the Neewer as I have one and haven't used much. Lens fogging with a Neewer adapter when changing lens in humid climates is annoying... but it did get some good pics. Pl let us also know the firmware version on Neewer when you review

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I've updated the Neewer to the most recent firmware - V2.8.0

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

Have you measured the thickness of the adapter? I suspect my copy has uneven thickness producing slightly slanted lens mount resulting in edge softness which I don't see on a Sony body. I also found underexposure with some lenses, the Sony 24-50/2.8 was extreme, underexposing by 1-2 stops, probably because of vignetting, or because the adapter reports wrong lens to the body. The third issue I had is a lens sometimes stops focusing, requiring turning camera off and on. Other than that every e-mount lens I have works just fine, including buttons and switches.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Tolerances with these adapters are huge. I found that when testing EF to FE adapters.

[@ronnykramer3412]

Hi Dustin, is there a reliable adaptor to use nikon f lenses on sony withe aperture transmission and control?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't know the answer to that. I'm pretty new to Z-mount in general.

[@noenken]

The minimal difference in sharpness between the E and Z version could also be a result of differences in sensor filter thickness. I would not expect a company like Viltrox to compensate for that for each mount. But most likely it is just sample variation, like you said. I have the Sigma EF adapter for L-Mount for a bunch of Zeiss lenses and to me the adapter is just part of the camera now instead of part of the lenses. But that changes of course if you have lenses for different mounts in use at the same time. (I do have that problem on the Z system myself.) Great video as always. It seems like this adapter is the quickest and easiest way to dramatically increase the amount of options for Z cameras, especially looking at manual options like the Voigtländers as well.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Agreed on all points.

[@rhodriwilliams2891]

@@DustinAbbottTWI be interesting to see how E-mount voigtlanders behave on a Z camera (and compared to Z native voigtlanders)…

[@matej.mlakar]

Those adapters are great, I would like to add this: there have been cases when adapter stopped working if the camera was on and the person tried to replace the lens. And I'd suggest that one would buy such an adapter where the seller will honor the warranty. Some even have two adapters and one serves as a backup, because it can happen that the adapter will stop working.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hmmm, I've not had any problem thus far, but that's where a firmware update should, in theory, solve that problem.

[@waynerm002]

I use the ETZ21 adapter and the manual states to not change lens with the camera powered on, that move will damage the adapter.

[@hugomouteira7015]

Review the fringer adapter EF to Z mount next please

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I can't make any promises. It really comes down to whether or not I have an opportunity to connect with the company and get a loaner.

[@Jwitherow1964]

I have the adapter works great. It’s pretty cool using Sony lenses on a Nikon camera.thanks good review Brother but mine adapter is the 1st generation

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's a cool product.

[@estherdeborah638]

The two ETZ21 adapters have similar performance but Tamron lenses cannot be mounted onto the old adapter

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Correct...and there are a few other redesigns, too, including the firmware update process and the lens release button.

[@borisbelkania914]

It would be nice if Megadap made an adapter from Canon R to NikonZ

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

They do have an EF to Z adapter: bhpho.to/4fHQGLL

[@maneeshvenkat3154]

Can you make a review of the Yongnuo YN 33mm f/1.4 DA DSM WL Pro Lens

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's filmed and scheduled for release on December 6th.

[@jtes1442]

Nikon does have a Native 50 1.4 for the Z mount.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Yes, I just reviewed it. But it is nothing like the Sony G-Master in quality, features, or performance.

[@Ben_Stewart]

@@DustinAbbottTWIto be more specific it has character. The 1.8S is affordable and superior but the Nikon Z 50 1.2 outperforms the Sony 1.2.

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

Sony GM lenses are the best I've tried, not selling them.

[@saibhargavamanda1062]

U mean to say GM is faster than 50 1.4 on Z8 but slower than GM on the sony?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The GM is as fast a focusing 50mm lens as I've ever seen, period. What's exceptional here is that it can focus faster than the native mount Nikkor 50mm F1.4.

[@rkeantube]

Get a sigma mc 11, and stack the adapter, get EF on Z!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Even better - how about Megadap's EF to Z -mount adapter bhpho.to/4fHQGLL

[@robbie154]

If only there was a weather sealing gasket. Would cost pennies for them to add. Major bummer

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's one advantage that Neewer has - they have a version of their adapter with a gasket.

[@Jwitherow1964]

I wish Nikon had a z mount to E mount.

[@rhodriwilliams2891]

Not really possible unless it also included corrective glass to achieve infinity focus….

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's much tougher in that direction.

[@PASquared]

Flange distance and the existence of AF adapters like these was literally the reason I went with Z mount. Canon will never be able to adapt Sony or Nikon mirrorless lenses, and Sony cannot adapt Nikon Z. Nikon can use Sony, and there is no physical reason why not Canon RF. The only limitation is software. No need to bounce back and forth between systems if a spectacular lens comes out for Sony but not for Nikon.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would agree that Z mount probably has the biggest advantage at the moment.

[@rumbolzpunktde]

the best solution to use Sigma Lenses on Nikon Z.

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

I had mixed results with Sigma lenses in the past, perhaps the new adapter solved the AF issues. With an old adapter some lenses like Sigma 24-70/2.8 and 28-70/2.8 worked very well. But Sigma 35/2 was focusing slowly and only wide open. And Sigma 16-28/2.8 wouldn't focus at all.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Sigma lens I tested did work well.

[@ArturoBandiniWannabe]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Hi Dustin. Could you elaborate on that please? Which sigma lenses? Sigma I series with this adapter could be perfect to overcome the issue of poor lens selection for Nikon ZF. But I’me reading some complaints on slow AF and significant distortion.. Thanks.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

@@ArturoBandiniWannabe I mostly used the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DN with very good success.

[@ArturoBandiniWannabe]

@@DustinAbbottTWI clear, thanks!

[@johnnyr-518]

In photography, a bit of sony autofocus and nikon colors is OP. Does leica l mount have this? 😂

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

LOL

[@StandardYoutuberExcellent]

Maybe a color science comparison.🤔🤔🤔

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You'll have to be more specific as to what you're asking. The Megadap itself shouldn't change any color science, as it has no optics.

[@pmc7105]

Just my two cents, but it seems to be about double the price that it should be.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hmmm, that's an interesting take, as the price isn't out of line with what previous generation adapters have been. That's always the challenge when something is so small - it seems like it should cost less.

[@Ben_Stewart]

It's too bad Sony handicaps 3rd party lenses. Go Nikon.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I find it hard to be too critical on Sony when they were years ahead of everyone else in allowing third party development.

[@saibhargavamanda1062]

There isnt any equalent of 1.4GMs in nikon . thats. A bigg problem in nikon and why im here watching

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's true. Both the 35 and 50mm F1.4 GM lenses are gems.

[@stefan_becker]

Indeed. And the Nikon 50mm f1.2 S is unnecessarily large and heavy for what it is. It also focuses much slower than the Sony 50 mm f1.2 GM. The currently overall best 50mm lens for Nikon is in my opinion the 50mm f1.8 S.

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

and also my night time favorite 24/1.4 GM lens has no equivalent in z-mount