Evaluating The MetaBones Nikon G mount to Sony NEX Adapter

Over the summer of 2014 I  started to use a blended camera kit.  I Replaced my Nikon D90 with a Sony A7. However my system change was not the one normally done. I kept using my Nikon lenses with my Sony A7. To do this I purchased a Metabones Nikon G mount to Sony NEX adapter. It has actually become one of the most important parts of my daily kit. Over time a few photographers have asked for a evaluation of this adapter, they had questions on it’s performance. Many of the Metabones adapters are similar to this one. They have the same build quality. This review will give you a general idea of the quality of most Metabones adapters. You do lose some funtionality  shooting with adapter so this is not for everyone but if you are curious this review is for you. After a good amount of time and use here is my evaluation.

Features from Amazon

• Both camera-side and lens-side of the adapter are made of brass, precision-machined and plated with chromium.
• Satin surface finish – just like your OEM lens and camera mounts.
• Precise fit and solid connection – lens has no play, gap or wiggling when mounted on adapter and no adjustments are required to fit your lens.
• Designed to reach infinity focus while maintaining the correct registration distance required to maintain optical quality of CRC lenses or lenses with floating elements.

I use this adapter on my Sony A7 with a majority of my Nikon lenses. I have used this adapter on my Sony A7 with my Nitz Strap.  With its tripod foot I have mounted the The A7 to  Brian Evolution 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod and my Manfrotto 682b.

I have two favorite lenses I like to use with the MetaBones Nikon G mount to Sony NEX Adapter. One is the  Nikon 50mm 1.2 . The other is the Helios 85mm 1.5. They both make great use of the ISO 50 setting on the A7 An extra E Mount rear lens cap to keep the dust of the lens when not in use.

The meta bones is put together very well. everything is solid. After a lot of use everything works well and every lens attaches securely. Both sides of the adapter are made from brass. The finish on the body feels like a lens finish as advertised. The Metabones adapter does not add that much weight to the lens. When it’s on the Sony A7 with a Nikon 50mm 1.2 prime lens it feels good, and better than the Sony kit lens . The basic operation of this adapter is simple.  You place the lens on it,lock it in and go. If you are shooting with a Nikon G lens you set the adapter to 7 before you put it on this allows it to catch the aperture control correctly. For any other lens you set it to f . The tripod foot is detachable and compatible with Arca Swiss. If you put the grip on the A7 its better to use the tripod mount of the grip. The mounts are clean and fit the lens and the camera well. There is no play, it’s a solid fit. The lens release is firm and not easily hit. (That’s a good thing) there is no mistakenly taking off the lens.

There is a sort of aperture ring marked from 7 t0 1 then f. This is how you control Nikon G lenses. Because all lens have different apertures 1 starts for wide open with 7 standing for closed.

There is no glass between the lens and the camera body. The image quality is fantastic its just the sensor being the lens glass.  Here are some comparison images. I took one lens, the Nikon 50mm 1.8 G and put it on a Nikon D700 and the A7. When the pictures were taken the were on a 3legged thing tripod which did not move facing the same subject. The settings on both camera was ISO 200 f1.8 1/100 second. There was no editing of the images just resizing and metadata.

The Nikon 50mm 1.8g is not a native lens for the Sony a7. There is some slight variation. With the D700 you have the actual field of view. The Nikon 50mm 1.8 G was In a slightly different position. Due to camera construction differences. Over all the lens on the A7 performs quite well.

Final Thoughts

What I like

• The adapter works with every Nikon f mount lens from Non Ai to G
• The adapter has a removable archa Swiss compatible tripod mount with a tripod screw
• The MetaBones adapter is extremely well-built
• You can mount a black rapid strap to the tripod mount for a better balance.
• Image quality is consistent and I can use all my Nikon lenses.

Cons

• There are no electronics. So you can at least track your aperture
• You lose all your metadata as it pertains to the lens
• The adapter comes uncliked so you have to make sure your lens is set where you want it to be.

I have used this almost everyday since I purchased it. So far I have no regrets. The Metabones adapter is a solid piece of gear. Metabones has a fine reputation for building lens adapters. These adapter allows for added flexibility for the Sony A7 by allowing  the use lenses built by other camera companies. Through Metabones products almost any lens can be adapted to almost any camera. I tried another mount for my A7 when a purchased an M Mount lens and it did not work so I ended up buying a Metabones Leica M Lens to Sony NEX E-Mount Adapter,which worked flawlessly.

Sample Images