Sigma lens mount conversion service

[8bit]

I'm considering swapping from Nikon F-mount (currently D610) to one of their mirrorless bodies - Z6 or Z6 II if budget allows. I know I can get the FTZ adapter but gather I'll lose some of the advantages of the Z-mount and there's also the question of how well that works with third-party lenses.

I have three Sigmas (35mm f/1.4 Art, 85mm f/1.4 and 105mm f/2.8 Macro) and a Tamron 17-35mm. The Tamron I'm less concerned about, regards the Sigmas I know I can trade these or sell and replace with equivalents for Z-Mount but am also aware that Sigma offer a lens mount conversion service.

Has anyone used that service? I presume it's only available for lenses which are also available in the new mounting system? Is it as simple as that, i.e. you get back a lens that's exactly the same as if it was originally built in the new mount system, or are there drawbacks? Any idea on cost for each lens?

[DavidY]

Don't think Sigma offer any Z-mount lenses at the moment, so I doubt that they will do a conversion - there are no third party AF lenses using the Z mount at the moment (incidently Sigma don't offer any RF mount lenses yet for Canon mirrorless users)

So you've got two choices

1) Keep your existing lenses and use the FTZ converter

2) Sell your existing lenses, and replace with Nikon Z mount ones (not a cheap option!)

[toohuge]

You can't change out the lens mount to Z as there are no 3rd party Z-mount lenses atm.

Even if you did, the lenses would perform the same as using the ftz adapter....

It'd be easier to use the ftz adapter - my advice on a change like this - rent a z6/ii and the ftz from somewhere like wex and try it yourself and see how your lenses react.

I tried the z7ii with some of my f mount glass and it was great - not 3rd party, but adapted worked brilliantly.

[ch37]

Very generally speaking, £240 for the old DG Art/Contemporary lenses and the APS-C stuff, £390 for the newer DN lenses, the superteles and the newer DG Art lenses.

As mentioned above they can only convert to a mount that the lens already exists in, so Nikon F to Z would be a no go.

Most can be done in the UK within 3-4 weeks, they literally replace the mount, so you'll get your lens back with new electronics. Some lenses (such as the Sigma 85mm 1.4 DN) have to go back to the factory in Japan to be sorted, 6-7 week turnaround on those.

Generally, it's not worthwhile if you're willing to sell privately and buy used for the new mount as that will usually cost less. It worked for me as I scratched my Sigma 35mm 1.2 DN so the value plummeted (despite still working perfectly with no loss of sharpness), cheaper to convert it than sell the L mount and re-buy in E mount.

[8bit]

Thanks all. My bad - I was assuming that Sigma were doing Z-Mount versions of their current lenses at least...

I had read that the FTZ adapter can cause autofocus issues, which was one reason for wanting to swap. The other was that, isn't part of the benefit of Z-mount that native lenses have their rear element much closer to the sensor which transmits more light, hence using the adapter negates that benefit? I don't mind trading in/selling and replacing the main lenses with equivalents once there are some available but I like my Sigmas more than my Nikons and I know I have good copies of those, another reason for wondering about the conversion.

I might just try renting a Z body and adapter for a weekend and try it out. Thanks for the specifics on the conversions service, ch37. At those sort of prices though I agree, for the relatively common lenses I have that's too expensive really, I'll be better off selling and replacing.

Edited by 8bit on Thursday 13th January 12:16