Hi all!

Yes, I'm another new member in the forums, and would appreciate any help. I might continue posting here, as all in all I'm quite a newbie to the "more advanced" Digital photography. a little about my experience: been using a Nikon CoolPix 5400 for about 2.5-3 years now (my first camera in fact), and would like to advance to a DSLR. didn't have any experience with it before, but read quite abit about DSLR photography in general, and would like to move to a Nikon D80 in a month or so.

Ok, now for my actual question/interest:
I'd like to know if there is a good method of mounting C-Mount lenses (different kinds) on the Nikon camera? (I heard the Nikon mount is called an F Mount, right?)
The method and adaptor set I heard of so far is to use 2 adapters: Nikon to M42, and M42 to C-mount.

All in all I know the results of mounting C-Mount lenses on the Nikon won't produce such a good and versatile configuration, but still I would like to play around and see what I can acheive as I have access to some lenses, including a nice range surveillance lens that was at one time used for border security! (which I would really like to try for i's telephoto capabilities, hope it'll work somehow)

Anyway, I think this first post of mine got quite long, so as I said, I would appreciate any help/advice.

Thanks,

CRØW -Max.

hi Max,
Unfortunately, you'll end up with some nice close up lenses, but not much else.
C-mount lenses are designed with a flange focal distance (distance between the mount and the film/sensor plane) of less than 20mm. Any SLR mount has a much greater FFD. In particular, Nikon's F mount has a FFD of 46.5mm. Therefore, it will be impossible to mount a C-mount lens on a nikon SLR and maintain infinity focusing, or even focus at any respectable distance. It is possible that if these are adjustable focus lenses, at some focus distances you might end up bringing focus *inside* the lens!

If you still want to try it, it would work if you get the aforementioned F-mount to m42 adapter and an M42-C-mount adapter. Just be sure not to screw it in too far, so that you still clear your mirror.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the quick reply
Well, that's what I was afraid of, that there would be an optical incompatibility...
Are there no other adapters out there that may allow the C-Mount lenses to be installed and used like it was meant to? I mean there's supposed to be something out there, doesn't it?

If there would be, it would be an adapter with additional optics that would probably compromise image quality and/or impact the effective f/stop.

Naturally more optics = more money.

Also, CCTV lenses would be optimized for the probably smaller, lower resolution sensors of CCTV cameras and might not necessarily do so well on a DSLR.

Nope, unless you want a nice macro lens you're going to need to invest in some optics. If you don't want to spend much buy the 50mm f/1.8 (you can pick up one for around $100 if you look around) and it is one of the sharpest lenses you can get and incredibly cheap too.

Hi,

I was trying to figure out a similar issue just yesterday. A couple days ago I acquired a Canon Zoom Lens TV-16 25-100mm f1.8. It was in good shape (and free), so I grabbed it. However, I haven't found out much about it.

The lens is a C-mount and I'm currently using a Nikon D40x. From what I've read, it seems (technically speaking) I could use a T-mount adapter on my camera, and then a C-to-T adapter to connect the lens. I guess I could also do as Crow has suggested with an M42 adapter.

I have no idea what a C-to-T-to-F mount connection would produce, so I'm hoping someone can help. I'm not expecting great photographs, but would I get anything with a decent amount of clarity? Or would I just be wasting my time and money trying it out?

Thanks.