L Mount to Z Mount Adapters

[starman1]

Hi JJMPF,

I was wondering if it was possible to adapt L mount lenses to the Nikon Z mount? I haven't found anything concrete on the internet but to be honest I have only just researched on it for a few minutes. I wanted to check here if there is any information on the same.

Regards,
Udayan

[starman1]

After some digging, I found out that the difference between the flange distance of L Mount and Z mount is 4.00mm, which probably means it's pretty difficult to make an adapter. Still, it should be mechanically possible? Right now though, I don't see anything in the market.

[DeepakS]

Some clarity please  - Specifically what lenses are you intending to use on a Nikon Z mount ?
Panasonic , Leica or Sigma ?

[starman1]

Hi, I was intending to use Sigma L Mount lenses on the Z mount.

[DeepakS]

Hi, I was intending to use Sigma L Mount lenses on the Z mount.

Sigma L to F or Z mount are difficult to come by, mostly, I think, because they (Sigma) make lenses in so many mounts. Sony E, Canon EF, Nikon F & Z in addition to the L mount.
There are a couple of Leica L to Nikon Z mounts available from TechArt and Megadap, but have not come across any for Sigma L mounts.

[JessePinkmanYo]

I found out that the difference between the flange distance of L Mount and Z mount is 4.00mm, which probably means it's pretty difficult to make an adapter. Still, it should be mechanically possible? Right now though, I don't see anything in the market.

It not always about flange distance. Sometimes, as in this case, it is about flange diameter. We have had mount adapters for far less flange distance difference than the 4mm available in this case (F-EF with 2.5mm or E-Z with only 2mm!) but the difference in flange diameters for the Nikon Z and Leica L mounts is barely 3-3.4mm.

Now, the protruding rims on any bayonet mount that help lock it are typically of the order of ~1.5mm (~3mm taking both sides), probably more for Leica L by the looks of it. Which means its impossible to create a bayonet system with Nikon Z mount. This would require a difference of at least 5.5-6mm in bayonet diameter. This is why the adapter happy community has not done anything about it yet.

The other recourse is swapping the mount which is easier but unfortunately not user serviceable unless the screwing and thickness on all L lens bayonets is the same which I doubt it will be.

[starman1]

Thank you for that detailed elucidation. I understand the problem now. :D
I guess I will play the wait-game for Sigma to release something native to Nikon Z and jump on that whenever it rolls out, haha.

[starman1]

Hey all,

After doing some research, I am more or less convinced it is possible to build/create an adapter that will convert all L-mount alliance lenses to become mountable to the Nikon Z mount camera bodies. After doing some reading up on forums like DP Review, I realized that it is in theory easier to adapt L to Z because it has a greater flange distance difference compared to E (Sony) to Z; and, we have excellent ETZ adapters out in the market today like the ETZ21 Pro from Megadap.

Also, to answer one of the earlier questions here: which L mount? Well, L mount is pretty broad or wide-spread due to the L-mount alliance. So essentially, Leica-L, Panasonic-L and Sigma-L are the same exact mount.

It makes sense commercially also for there to be an LTZ adapter because a lot of people from these three ecosystems can benefit from it by being able to adapt their L mount lenses onto the new Nikon Z cameras.

For reference of flange distance differences and flange distances (F.D):
Sony E to Nikon Z has a 2.00mm difference; F.D of Sony E: 18.00mm, F.D of Nikon Z: 16.00mm
L-Mount Alliance to Nikon Z has a 4.00 mm difference; F.D of L-mount Alliance: 20.00mm, F.D of Nikon Z: 16.00mm

Megadap ETZ21 Pro has built on that 2.00mm flange distance difference giving the user full AF support, electronic contacts and aperture control (AFAIK). In theory, it should be easier to adapt L to Z. As per some DP Review members, it is indeed possible (after considering all parameters such as flange diameter, distance, etc,.) to make one, it's just that nobody has made it yet(?)

I am certainly a potential customer. :D

Cheers,
Udayan

[DeepakS]

1. Leica created the L mount in 2014 and the L Mount alliance was formed in 2018. Sony Canon & Nikon mounts predate them considerably.
The purpose of the mount was to create a unified mount where photographers can use lens from a variety of different partners regardless of what camera they used with the same level of performance.

It is significant that the "big three" did not join

2. Ease of adaptation : Of the three major mirrorless camera manufacturers Sony, Canon & Nikon only the Sony E mount has a throat diameter less than the L mount. The other two - the Z and the RF have throat diameters larger than the L mount. Using an adapted L mount lens has the same effect as using a DSLR mount lens with an adapter on a mirrorless camera body. Effectively with that lens the camera will have a smaller field of view than can be had with a full width lens. Only those who already have L mount lenses that they can't /won't sell will choose to use it.

How many such people are they - more accurately how big a segment of the regular buyers will they be?

Still think it makes "commercial sense"?

[WluhWluh]

I modeled a L to Z adapter and 3D printed it out. It works well for me. You can download it from the links below.
https://www.printables.com/model/1075076
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6833452