Review – URTH Lens Adapters

INTRODUCTION

We’ve reviewed most of Urth’s products but never, until now, reviewed their range of Lens Adapters that have been around for a long time. Admittedly, we have owned only a few lens adapters over the years from brands such as Metabones, Fotodiox, and Fotga. These were used on a Minolta MD 50mm f/1.7 lens and both of our macro lenses – a Nikon 105mm f/2.8 and a Tamron 90mm f/2.8.

We recently acquired a Canon AE-1 film camera combined with the Canon MD 50mm f/1.4 lens from a neighbour and thought it might be interesting to adapt the lens to our Sony A7Riii cameras. At the same time, we thought it would also be a good opportunity to test and review an Urth lens adapter. So, we requested Urth’s Canon FD Lens Mount to Sony E Camera Mount Adapter, which they kindly sent to us.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LENS ADAPTERS

Early Beginnings (Mid-20th Century):
Camera lens adapters emerged alongside the proliferation of 35mm film cameras. Photographers sought flexibility as manufacturers like Leica (M-mount, 1954) and Nikon (F-mount, 1959) developed proprietary lens mounts. Simple mechanical adapters allowed cross-mount compatibility, albeit without electronic communication, enabling manual use of lenses across rangefinders and early SLRs.

SLR Era (1960s–1990s):
The rise of SLRs (e.g., Canon FD in 1971) intensified mount diversity. Adapters, often basic metal rings, bridged mechanical mounts but sacrificed autofocus and aperture control. Third-party manufacturers like Novoflex began specializing in precision adapters, catering to professionals and enthusiasts experimenting with vintage glass.

Digital Revolution (2000s–2010s):
The advent of digital mirrorless cameras (e.g., Micro Four Thirds in 2008, Sony E-mount in 2010) revolutionised adapters. Their shorter flange distances allowed adaptation of virtually any lens, including SLR systems. Companies like Metabones introduced “speed boosters” (2013), optimising focal length and aperture for smaller sensors. Electronic adapters emerged, translating signals for autofocus and EXIF data, preserving modern functionalities.

Modern Era (2020s):
Today’s adapters are sophisticated, supporting features like image stabilisation and electronic apertures. They enable cinematic workflows (e.g., PL to EF mounts) and revive vintage lenses for digital use. The market thrives on nostalgia and innovation, blending legacy optics with cutting-edge tech.

Impact:
Adapters democratized lens compatibility, fostering creative experimentation and preserving optical heritage. They remain vital in photography and videography, symbolising the seamless fusion of the analog and digital eras.

ARE ALL LENS ADAPTERS CREATED EQUAL?

In summary, most lens adapters, regardless of brand, are pretty much created equally. All the adapter does is connect a lens that wasn’t designed for the camera body. This has opened a whole world of possibilities for photographers who want to use a wide range of lens brands on their camera bodies.

The only caveat to using lens adapters is whether they are Manual Lens Adapters or Electronic Lens Adapters. The manual lens adapter is the most common, and there are a lot more combination choices as these are easier and cheaper to produce. The downside is that there is no connection to the camera, so you will not have AF (autofocus), and all exposure settings need to be adjusted manually. You will also not have any aperture or shutter speed settings recorded in your metadata when importing the images into post-processing software such as Adobe Lightroom.

Electronic Lens Adapters, on the other hand, are less common and far more expensive. There are fewer lens and body combinations available. However, these lens adapters will connect to the camera and give you AF options, as well as record all metadata information in the file.

At the time of writing, Urth ONLY produces Electronic Lens Adapters for Canon EF/EF-S lenses as follows –

• Canon (EF/EF-S) Lens Mount to Sony E Camera Mount (Electronic)
• Canon (EF / EF-S) Lens Mount to Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) Camera Mount (Electronic)
• Canon (EF / EF-S) Lens Mount to Leica L Camera Mount (Electronic)
• Canon (EF / EF-S) Lens Mount to Canon RF Camera Mount (Electronic)
• Canon (EF / EF-S) Lens Mount to Nikon Z Camera Mount (Electronic)

So, if you are happy to manually focus the lens and have limited metadata settings then there should be an Urth lens adapter suitable for your combination at a very reasonable price. The Canon FD Lens Mount to Sony E Camera Mount Adapter that was sent to us is listed for a mere USD$45, however, if we wanted to mount a Canon EF or EF-S lens on our Sony camera with an Electronic Lens Adapter, then it would cost USD$239.

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THE ADAPTOR

As with most of Urth’s products, it arrives in recyclable packaging. The circular box is lined with foam that makes the adapter fit quite snugly. Although the packaging is robust, we’re not sure you would want to carry this with you in the field due to its size and bulk.

The adapter is all metal with a generously sized, smooth-rotating locking ring. To attach this particular adapter to the Canon FD lens is a bit fiddly at first, but once mastered is a breeze. Both the silver rotating locking ring on the lens and the locking ring on the adapter MUST be rotated clockwise before attaching. Then, once the red dots on the lens and the adapter are aligned properly, the rotating lock on the lens will move slightly counter-clockwise. You can then lock both rings counter-clockwise to secure the attachment. To remove the adapter, rotate the locking ring on the lens and separate. We would assume that other adapters without a locking ring will attach more intuitively.

THE FINAL WORD

After thoroughly testing Urth’s Canon FD Lens Mount to Sony E Camera Mount Adapter, it’s clear that they offer a compelling balance of quality, affordability, and functionality while ensuring minimal loss in optical performance. The precision-machined metal construction inspires confidence, and the snug fit eliminates any concerns about wobbling or misalignment—a common issue with cheaper alternatives.

While this adaptor may not offer electronic communication for autofocus or aperture control, its manual adaptability is reliable for photographers comfortable with shooting in manual mode.

Where Urth truly stands out is in its value proposition. Compared to premium brands, Urth provides a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential durability or optical integrity. They may not cater to professionals needing advanced electronic features, but for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and even working photographers on a budget, these adapters are an excellent choice.

Urth’s lens adapters are a smart investment for anyone looking to expand their lens compatibility without breaking the bank. They deliver where it counts—build quality, optical performance, and ease of use—making them a strong contender in a crowded adapter market. If you need a reliable, no-frills adapter for adapting vintage or manual lenses to modern mirrorless systems, Urth’s offerings are well worth considering.

If you want to check out all the Urth adapters available, click on the BUY HERE button below. This will take you to Urth’s Amazon shop. 

RATED: RECOMMENDED

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Disclaimer:  This review is totally unbiased. As Professional Photographers we would never recommend the use of any product unless we have used the product ourselves. We always strive to give you our honest opinion in order to help you make the best choice. We did receive the product with compliments of URTH but were not paid for this review. We may also receive commissions on other links in this post.