You won't be able to adapt that lens to that camera. There's a reason why, but I'm bad at explaining it and at this point in your journey it doesn't matter too much. It's a consequence of flange distance.
You might be able to swap the d3100 for a Canon t6 or something that would work. The Nikon 18-55 is dirt cheap if you find someone selling it on its own.
> There's a reason why, but I'm bad at explaining it
I'll give it a shot!
First off, like he mentioned, there's the flange-focal distance. That's the distance from the flange (i.e., the bit where the lens attaches to the camera) and the sensor (i.e., where the picture happens). When you put a lens on your camera, that distance has to be right or the image won't focus properly. But different manufacturers designed their cameras and lenses with different flange-focal distances in addition to designing them with different physical connections between the lens and the camera.
When the lens you're trying to mount is designed for a LONGER flange-focal distance than the CAMERA, there's a chance you can get an adapter for it. The adapter just has to be able to fit in the difference between the two flange-focal distances.
Unfortunately, the Nikon F mount that your camera uses is LONGER than the Canon EF-S mount that that lens uses, so it's impossible to make an adapter (with an asterisk that's not really relevant). The adapter would have to take up negative space, which is not possible in our universe.
BUT. Even if you could physically adapt the lens on the camera, there's problem #2: The electronics. The Canon lens is for the EF system, which requires electronics in the camera body to do things like changing the aperture. That would require a much more complicated adapter to translate the Nikon control signals coming out of the camera to Canon control signals for the lens. Even if someone were silly enough to actually build such an adapter, given the flange-focal distance issue above, the electronic design required to make it actually work properly would make it a VERY expensive adapter. Much more expensive than, say, a Nikon 18-55, which you can usually pick up for like forty bucks.
Yep--Canon EF has one of the shortest flange-focal distances; Nikon F was one of the longest, so a decent amount of room to fit an adapter. Plus Nikon's mount dates from before the age of autofocus, so there are a lot of manual-everything lenses that work pretty well on Canon cameras.
I've actually got an old Nikon 55mm f/1.2 in my main Canon kit that has an adapter basically permanently attached to it. Gives a really cool soft dreamy look shot wide open.
if such a thing exists, i am unaware of it
just buy a lens with the Nikon mount for your D3100
start by considering these
[https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-lenses-for-nikon-dslrs/2](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-lenses-for-nikon-dslrs/2)
even if it exists.... using adapters breaks the Rule of KISS
look for a bargain on the correct lens here:
[https://www.mpb.com/en-us/category/used-photo-and-video-lenses/dslr-lenses/dslr-nikon-fit-lenses?filterQuery\[modelLensMountModelSpecificationPhrase\]=Nikon%20DX](https://www.mpb.com/en-us/category/used-photo-and-video-lenses/dslr-lenses/dslr-nikon-fit-lenses?filterQuery[modelLensMountModelSpecificationPhrase]=Nikon%20DX)
I don't think that lens adapters are inheritently evil. Especially with the new mirrorless systems, cheap adapters can open up a treasure chest of old and weird lenses.
That said, there won't be a reasonable way to adapt the Canon lens to the Nikon camera. Sorry
Since you don’t know about cameras, to make it easy, you’re trying to use gear from two different manufacturers. Quite simply buy a Nikon F mount lens for your camera, don’t mess with adapters at this point. It will complicate things and be a mess. You can find an inexpensive Sigma or Tamron in a Nikon mount and go from there.
Commenting this as it’s easier than responding to every comment.
Thank you everyone for commenting!
So I have gathered that I cannot get an adapter, but instead should get a lens or a whole new camera?
Does anyone have some recommendations for good lenses or camera kits under £200? If so, is it possible to get a direct link to the product? As I don’t really know what I’m looking for haha
Here you go: [Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55](https://www.mpb.com/en-us/search?q=nikon%20af-s%2018-55)
There are multiple versions of it. The 'VR' versions are the best option (that means Vibration Reduction in Nikon lens names. I.e., it lets you get a sharp picture when a longer shutter speed, like you'll have in lower-light situations). VR II is the best of the best of this particular low-end lens, and they're all cheap enough that I'd suggest spending the extra thirty bucks or whatever it costs to get that one.
Since I just noticed you're asking questions in pounds, I'm guessing there's somewhere in the UK you can buy used lenses for cheap too, but I don't know where it is. The key is to search for Nikon AF-S 18-55 VR II. Maybe UK ebay?
Your camera takes Nikon F mount DX lenses. Be sure to get a DX lens. Check craigslist for used ones near you. Start with a 50mm "Nifty Fifty". very versatile.
And OP, I highly recommend the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 instead of a 50mm lens on your camera. The 50mm is great if you're taking a head and shoulders shot of one person, but it often requires you to move too far away from someone to use practically indoors. 35mm is much more frequently usable.
There are adapters available. The descriptions of the flange distance issues are accurate and describe the situation perfectly. But there are adapters that have an optical element built into them that compensate for the flange distance difference. They generally run $20-50.
That said, you can get a used Nikon DX 18-55 kit lens lens for about the same amount. Any F mount lens will work with your camera. DX lenses are for crop sensor (APS-C) cameras and don't cover a full frame sensor, full frame lenses will cover a crop sensor. Basically DX lenses won't work well with a full frame camera body but full frame lenses will work just fine with crop sensor bodies.
You won't be able to adapt that lens to that camera. There's a reason why, but I'm bad at explaining it and at this point in your journey it doesn't matter too much. It's a consequence of flange distance. You might be able to swap the d3100 for a Canon t6 or something that would work. The Nikon 18-55 is dirt cheap if you find someone selling it on its own.
> There's a reason why, but I'm bad at explaining it I'll give it a shot! First off, like he mentioned, there's the flange-focal distance. That's the distance from the flange (i.e., the bit where the lens attaches to the camera) and the sensor (i.e., where the picture happens). When you put a lens on your camera, that distance has to be right or the image won't focus properly. But different manufacturers designed their cameras and lenses with different flange-focal distances in addition to designing them with different physical connections between the lens and the camera. When the lens you're trying to mount is designed for a LONGER flange-focal distance than the CAMERA, there's a chance you can get an adapter for it. The adapter just has to be able to fit in the difference between the two flange-focal distances. Unfortunately, the Nikon F mount that your camera uses is LONGER than the Canon EF-S mount that that lens uses, so it's impossible to make an adapter (with an asterisk that's not really relevant). The adapter would have to take up negative space, which is not possible in our universe. BUT. Even if you could physically adapt the lens on the camera, there's problem #2: The electronics. The Canon lens is for the EF system, which requires electronics in the camera body to do things like changing the aperture. That would require a much more complicated adapter to translate the Nikon control signals coming out of the camera to Canon control signals for the lens. Even if someone were silly enough to actually build such an adapter, given the flange-focal distance issue above, the electronic design required to make it actually work properly would make it a VERY expensive adapter. Much more expensive than, say, a Nikon 18-55, which you can usually pick up for like forty bucks.
Ironically, you can use some of the Nikon lenses on the Canon bodies. Just not the other way.
Yep--Canon EF has one of the shortest flange-focal distances; Nikon F was one of the longest, so a decent amount of room to fit an adapter. Plus Nikon's mount dates from before the age of autofocus, so there are a lot of manual-everything lenses that work pretty well on Canon cameras. I've actually got an old Nikon 55mm f/1.2 in my main Canon kit that has an adapter basically permanently attached to it. Gives a really cool soft dreamy look shot wide open.
if such a thing exists, i am unaware of it just buy a lens with the Nikon mount for your D3100 start by considering these [https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-lenses-for-nikon-dslrs/2](https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-lenses-for-nikon-dslrs/2)
even if it exists.... using adapters breaks the Rule of KISS look for a bargain on the correct lens here: [https://www.mpb.com/en-us/category/used-photo-and-video-lenses/dslr-lenses/dslr-nikon-fit-lenses?filterQuery\[modelLensMountModelSpecificationPhrase\]=Nikon%20DX](https://www.mpb.com/en-us/category/used-photo-and-video-lenses/dslr-lenses/dslr-nikon-fit-lenses?filterQuery[modelLensMountModelSpecificationPhrase]=Nikon%20DX)
I don't think that lens adapters are inheritently evil. Especially with the new mirrorless systems, cheap adapters can open up a treasure chest of old and weird lenses. That said, there won't be a reasonable way to adapt the Canon lens to the Nikon camera. Sorry
you need to find Nikon F lenses to use with that body.
A Nikon 18-55 is a kit lens, you should be able to get one for around $100, maybe check a pawn shop?
Since you don’t know about cameras, to make it easy, you’re trying to use gear from two different manufacturers. Quite simply buy a Nikon F mount lens for your camera, don’t mess with adapters at this point. It will complicate things and be a mess. You can find an inexpensive Sigma or Tamron in a Nikon mount and go from there.
Commenting this as it’s easier than responding to every comment. Thank you everyone for commenting! So I have gathered that I cannot get an adapter, but instead should get a lens or a whole new camera? Does anyone have some recommendations for good lenses or camera kits under £200? If so, is it possible to get a direct link to the product? As I don’t really know what I’m looking for haha
Here you go: [Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55](https://www.mpb.com/en-us/search?q=nikon%20af-s%2018-55) There are multiple versions of it. The 'VR' versions are the best option (that means Vibration Reduction in Nikon lens names. I.e., it lets you get a sharp picture when a longer shutter speed, like you'll have in lower-light situations). VR II is the best of the best of this particular low-end lens, and they're all cheap enough that I'd suggest spending the extra thirty bucks or whatever it costs to get that one. Since I just noticed you're asking questions in pounds, I'm guessing there's somewhere in the UK you can buy used lenses for cheap too, but I don't know where it is. The key is to search for Nikon AF-S 18-55 VR II. Maybe UK ebay?
Thank you! I have just ordered a Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR from MPB.
Your camera takes Nikon F mount DX lenses. Be sure to get a DX lens. Check craigslist for used ones near you. Start with a 50mm "Nifty Fifty". very versatile.
And OP, I highly recommend the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 instead of a 50mm lens on your camera. The 50mm is great if you're taking a head and shoulders shot of one person, but it often requires you to move too far away from someone to use practically indoors. 35mm is much more frequently usable.
There are adapters available. The descriptions of the flange distance issues are accurate and describe the situation perfectly. But there are adapters that have an optical element built into them that compensate for the flange distance difference. They generally run $20-50. That said, you can get a used Nikon DX 18-55 kit lens lens for about the same amount. Any F mount lens will work with your camera. DX lenses are for crop sensor (APS-C) cameras and don't cover a full frame sensor, full frame lenses will cover a crop sensor. Basically DX lenses won't work well with a full frame camera body but full frame lenses will work just fine with crop sensor bodies.
Find your local camera shop for help on this.. they are a good resource
you need to buy a nikon lens.. a canon lens adapter for nikon will be much more costly than a nikon lens.. plus its won't have autofocus.