Picture this. You’re a Sony A7 series camera user that (for whatever reason) has decided to jump ship to Nikon’s Z series of cameras. Only you’ve got a handful of G Master primes and zoom lenses that now need to be listed on multiple classified sites to be sold off to buy the Z mount equivalents. The Megadap ETZ21 adapter can save you a lot of money and convenience by allowing you to use (almost) all those lenses on your new Z camera. At just 2 millimeters thick, the adapter is virtually unnoticed when mounted to your camera. My friend thought I’d somehow coupled his G Master lens directly to my Z6 II when I took pictures of him using this setup. The ETZ21 is the updated, improved version of their ETZ11 adapter, released just a year ago. Megadap hopes to address the many issues reported with the earlier version via their new and improved adapter. Why they have a “1” at the end of their adapter names is a mystery I’d like to crack.
Let me start this review by saying that when Megadap announced the first version of this adapter last year, the Megadap ETZ11, I didn’t think it would sell much. Why would someone heavily invested in Sony’s Alpha system switch to the younger Nikon Z lineup of cameras? Sony has led the mirrorless market for some years, and I’ve rarely read of their users being unhappy with the system (let’s leave aside menu layout and design concerns for now). But apparently, there was a market for it, as I saw on a few Facebook groups. There were quite a few folks who had Sony A7 series cameras and lenses who moved to Nikon’s Z6 and Z7 cameras. Understandably, they were apprehensive about giving up their prized G Master lenses and the like. While dumb/manual focus adapters were readily available, finding an adapter that would allow Sony lenses to auto-focus on Nikon Z cameras was tough.
Megadap To The Rescue
Here’s where Megadap stepped in and released the Megadap ETZ11 adapter, their first generation AF adapter for Sony E lenses on full frame and APS-C Nikon Z Cameras, a little over a year ago. It didn’t come without issues, though. I’d seen reports of slow, sometimes inaccurate autofocus and quality issues with finishing the ETZ11. Not surprising then that Megadap decided to launch an updated product just a year later. The Megadap ETZ21 Adapter allows you to use your FE and E mount lenses on Nikon Z cameras, with full autofocus capabilities. New software and chips have gone into the making of this new adapter.
We’ve only tested out the autofocus with respect to taking photos.
The Big Picture
Pros
- Incredibly thin at just 2 millimeters. Practically invisible when the lens is attached to it on your camera
- Firmware updates are easily possible with provided USB dock/adapter
- Not limited to just Sony branded lenses for autofocusing. Samyang AF lenses worked during our tests
- AF speeds are impressive, and focus locking is accurate for the most part
- Compatible with Nikon Z APS-C cameras too (the only such adapter, according to Megadap, at the time of writing this review)
Cons
- The adapter is a bit tight to mount and dismount from Z cameras
- No English manual was provided with the box. Took some weeks for Megadap to send one over via email
Autofocus speeds were pretty fast when using Sony G master lenses with the Megadap ETZ21 adapter. Think of it like using your Nikon F mount lenses with the FTZ adapter on your Z cameras. You get all the sharpness and retain the AF speeds of the F mount lenses with practically no visible IQ loss. The same is true for FE and E mount lenses when used with Z cameras with the ETZ21. But unlike the chunky Nikon FTZ and FTZII adapters, the Megadap ETZ21 is barely seen when you mount your lenses over it. It’s almost like a silver decorative ring at the base of your lens. That’s a fine feat of engineering that makes the most out of the super short 16mm flange focal distance (or 18mm when you use the ETZ21 adapter).
AF speeds (after updating the firmware to v2.1) seemed better. It came with firmware v1.2.0, and a Samyang AF lens I tried to test wasn’t autofocusing until I upgraded the firmware.
I’m giving the Megadap ETZ21 five out of five stars. It looks like a sizeable improvement over the original ETZ11 adapter when we look at AF speeds and build quality. While I haven’t tested out Tamron lenses with this adapter, Megadap says that aside from Viltrox and Yongnuo FE and E mount lenses, all other current brand lenses should work with it. It’s not just a question of moving lenses from one system to another. Often we develop a close attachment with a lens or two from our collection. And if you’re one such person who wants to make the most of Nikon’s Z cameras without giving up your Sony lenses, the Megadap ETZ21 is for you.
Want one? Check them out on Amazon.
Gear Used
I tested the Megadap ETZ21 adapter with firmware 1.2.0 and 2.1 on the:
Innovations
New chip and new software protocols are in this adapter, claims Megadap. One could very well argue that these were necessary to fix the issues that plagued the gen 1 adapter. By their own admission, it has “much less compatibility problem when compared to ETZ11”. Megadap states in their press release that the ETZ21 “simulates almost all the functions offered by the Nikon FTZ adapter.”
Ergonomics
The protrusion of the Megadap ETZ21 adapter outside your Nikon Z camera body will be approximately 2 millimeters. If your FE mount lens is silver in color, you probably won’t notice the adapter at all.
During my tests, I often found it tough to mount and dismount the Megadap ETZ21 adapter. It seemed stiff to twist, and I would wonder if I’d screwed it on tight or wrongly even. Maybe it was just me being too careful to avoid damaging my Z mount.
The rear of the Megadap ETZ21 adapter has electronic contact points and contact points for the USB adapter that comes in the box (to upgrade the firmware).
Two red dots signify the camera mounting and lens mounting points that need to be aligned to their respective counterparts on your Nikon Z camera and Sony mount lens. There’s also a lens release button on one side which needs to be engaged to take your lens off the adapter.
Build Quality
I didn’t get an opportunity to test the ETZ11 adapter last year, but from what I’ve read and seen, the ETZ21 has a higher finishing quality. Comparisons aside, it didn’t bend or feel flimsy during my tests and held up pretty well during my tests. There’s a lot of tough metal in there to reassure you.
When they finally sent over the English version of the user manual, Megadap noted in there that any lenses weighing over 800 grams (28.2 oz) need to be supported by your hands. There are the usual warnings about dry storage and not touching the contact points. They also specifically mention that the ETZ21 adapter shouldn’t be stored with naphthalene and mothballs.
Ease of Use
First, mount the Megadap ETZ21 adapter to your camera, says the instruction manual they provided me. Align the camera installation mark on the mount with the one on your Z camera, then turn counterclockwise. Pretty standard stuff, just like how you’d mount a Z lens on your camera. Then locate the lens alignment mark on the mount and mount your Sony lens to the adapter. Only this time, you need to rotate the lens clockwise, just like you would on your Sony camera. Not entirely confusing, but you might mix up the rotation directions the first few times. For both mounting motions, remember to turn until the satisfying click lock is heard.
Once you’ve mounted the lens, it’s pretty smooth sailing. Use it just like you would use any Sony FE mount autofocus lens on a Sony A7 camera. You get full use of all of the below Nikon AF modes without noticeable AF speed loss.
- Pinpoint
- Single-Point
- Dynamic-area AF
- Wide-area AF (S)
- Wide-area AF (L)
- Wide-area AF (L-people)
- Wide-area AF (L-animals)
- Auto-area AF
- Auto-area AF (people)
- Auto-area AF (animals)
Accurate And Fast AutoFocus
It was surprising to see how fast the Nikon eye and face detection system picked up on people’s faces with the Megadap ETZ21 adapter on my Z6 II. And by fast, I’m referring to the AF tracking accuracy. Whether it was a native Sony lens or the Samyang, the AF speeds when using the adapter almost matched using a native Z mount lens. You can argue for ages over whether using Z vs. FE mount lenses on a Nikon body make a massive difference in sharpness and image quality. But without touching on that hardly debated subject, I’d just like to say that using the Megadap ETZ21 adapter was a more pleasant and interesting experience than I ever imagined it to be.
Lenses Tested With The Megadap ETZ21 Adapter
Two native Sony FE mount lenses and two 3rd party ones were used for this review. I dearly wished I had access to a Tamron FE mount lens as well, but no one I knew here has one. All lenses used during this test were borrowed from my friend Croydon.
Sony FE 50mm F1.8 lens
The first of the handful of lenses that I tested was the nifty Sony FE 50mm F1.8 lens. Tiny, noisy, but incredibly handy, I was full of apprehension when testing this out on the Megadap ETZ21. I went out for a photo walk with just this lens attached to my Z6 II, with no expectations whatsoever. When I look back at that now, I think it was pretty brave of me to turn up to that Photowalk with no backup lenses. Truth be told, apart from the noisy AF of that lens, it was an eye-opening experience. The Sony FE 50mm F1.8 lens performed much better than I initially gave it credit. AF didn’t hunt much while doing outdoor portraits, and the sharpness was almost on par with my Nikon 50mm f1.8 Z S lens.
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Edited
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM (version 1)
Croydon’s workhorse lens for his daily photography, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM was one of Sony’s most popular lenses until it was usurped by the even better GM II. While using the 24-70 GM V1, I occasionally noticed some AF hunting when focusing from close to infinity, even in daylight. Nothing that I’d call worrisome, but not as fast as you’d expect it to be. This was only when moving the focus from one extreme to another end of the focal range. Otherwise, regular usage of the lens, even in low light, wasn’t problematic with the adapter.
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ZEISS Batis 85mm f1.8 Lens for Sony
It had been a while since I used an 85mm on this camera, and the Zeiss Batis 85mm was such a dream to use. Even with the Megadap ETZ21, it maintained its ultra-silent autofocusing as it swiftly locked onto my subject’s eyes while utilizing the Nikon Eye-AF mode. I don’t have an 85mm in my collection now, and I want to do more street portraits using this lens on my Z6 II now.
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Samyang AF 14mm f2.8 FE Lens
This was more of a “can it work or not” kind of test than anything else. I’m pleased to report that the Megadap ETZ21 adapter does work with Samyang AF lenses made for Sony. Autofocus was silent, instantaneously locking to the subject in the AF box.
Things To Take Note Of
When mounting the lens and adapter, it will be confusing for you at first. Simply because the direction of twist for the adapter to the camera and the lens to the adapter are opposite. Also, the mounts themselves are stiff (on both sides of the adapter).
EXIF data for the ZEISS Batis 85mm f/1.8 Lens is listing the focal length as 86mm in Capture One Pro. That’s kind of odd when the focal length shown in the image exposure EXIF tab is 85mm. Oddly enough, the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 lens has the right lens EXIF data focal length in the image files, but the focal length EXIF data is marked as 52mm in there,
Who Should Buy The Megadap ETZ21 Adapter?
If you’re moving or have moved camera systems from Sony to Nikon but want to keep all your Sony mount lenses, this is the perfect solution for you. If, like me, you have a friend with some really cool Sony mount lenses that you want to use with your Nikon Z cameras, yea you’ll love this. It lets you use the various Nikon AF modes as long as you’ve updated the firmware on the adapter. Focus speeds are breakneck and very accurate. It’s pretty much like using native Z mount lenses and looks like it too, since the protrusion of the adapter outside the camera body is just 2mm. It lives up to Megadap’s claims of improved performance. Top marks to them for acknowledging the issues with the previous version of this adapter and coming out with a new model soon.
Moving to a new camera system is expensive when you factor in the depreciation of your existing lens prices as compared to the new ones of the brand you’re moving to. At least for those moving from Sony to Nikon mirrorless cameras, the Megadap ETZ21 adapter can make this transition a little more easier
Tech Specs
Taken from the Megadap ETZ21 adapter product page:
- Nikon Z9 and Zfc compatible!
- Turn SONY E lenses Autofocus on Nikon Z cameras (Full frame and APS-C)
- the only adapter in the market that also supports Nikon Z APS-C cameras
- Support E mount third party lenses, e.g. Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss, Voigtlander, Samyang
- Viltrox and Yougnuo lenses are not supported
- 2mm thin
- Support AF-S, AF-C, AF-F, Eye-AF, pinpoint focusing and Face detection
- Smooth focusing performance during video shooting
- Support auto aperture
- Support the use of manual lenses
- Support AF/MF button on the lens body
- Firmware upgradable via micro-USB port and a gifted clip
- Suitable for Nikon ZFC, Z50, Nikon Z5, Nikon Z6, Nikon Z6 ii, Nikon Z7, Nikon Z7 ii, Z9 cameras
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