Yes, you can use some Nikon Lenses on some Canon cameras.
Specifically, as long as you use the right adapter you can use Nikon F-mount lenses on Canon DSLRs that have an EF/EF-S mount.
There is however one big caveat.
The caveat is that a lot of the normal features of the lens will be unavailable when you use an adapter (we go through them later in this post).
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Which Canon Cameras Can I Use with Nikon Lenses?
As mentioned above, the only Canon cameras you can use with Nikon lenses are those that have an EF/EF-S lens mount.
This means that you cannot use Nikon lenses on mirrorless Canon cameras which have either the EF-M mount or the RF mount.
Which Nikon Lenses Can I Use On Canon Cameras?
Only Nikon F mount lenses can be used on any EF/EF-S mount Canon camera if you use the right adapter.
The Nikon F mount lenses are all DSLR lenses that you would normally use on Nikon DSLRs.
This means that you cannot use Nikon lenses that are designed for mirrorless cameras as these lenses use the Nikon Z-mount.
Z-mount cameras include cameras like the Z50, Z6 and Z7 models.
How To Use Nikon Lenses on Canon cameras.
As mentioned before, you need to use an adapter so you’ll need the following:
- Your Canon DSLR that has an EF/EF-S mount
- Your Nikon F mount lens
- Your Nikon to Canon lens adapter
- First attach your adapter to your Nikon Lens
- Then attach the adapter and lens to your Canon DSLR
- Its as easy as that
Here’s a video showing you how to do this.
So What Adapter Do You Need?
You need to use a Nikon F mount to Canon EF/EF-S adapter and there are quite a few to choose from. Sometimes the adapter is called a Nikon F Mount to Canon EOS adapter.
The most popular lens adapter is by the brand Fotodiox:
What Are The Drawbacks Of Using An Adapter?
Even though you can technically fit a Nikon lens onto a Canon DSLR, there are some issues when using a Nikon to Canon adapter.
Most adapters don’t have any electronic chips which normally allow the camera body and lens to communicate.
This results in the either the complete lack or at least the limitation of features such as:
- Autofocus
- Vibration reduction
- Aperture control
- AE metering
Due to the issues above, you will be using only manual focus on the Nikon lens when you use it on a Canon DSLR.
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