Lens adapter compatibility

M42 screw mount lenses on Micro Four Thirds cameras

Can you use M42 screw mount lenses on Micro Four Thirds cameras? Yes, with a simple mechanical adapter (manual focus). The M42 screw mount flange distance is 45.46 mm and Micro Four Thirds is 19.25 mm, a difference of +26.21 mm.

+26.21 mm

Space for the adapter

45.46 mm

M42 screw mount flange

19.25 mm

Micro Four Thirds flange

Verdict: Yes — a simple 26.2 mm adapter keeps infinity focus.

What to expect#

Aperture control: these are mechanical lenses with aperture rings — set the aperture on the lens and shoot in aperture-priority or manual.

Focus: use focus peaking and magnification in the viewfinder. Exposure metering works normally because the camera meters through the lens at working aperture.

Crop factor: on a 2.0× crop Micro Four Thirds body a 50 mm M42 screw mount lens frames like 100 mm. A focal reducer (“speed booster”) can bring back some width and gain about a stop of light.

M42 screw mount lenses you could adapt#

Micro Four Thirds cameras#

Other systems for M42 screw mount lenses#

Sony E-mount Canon RF Nikon Z Fujifilm X-mount L-Mount Canon EF-M Fujifilm G-mount Hasselblad XCD Nikon 1 (CX)Pentax Q

Frequently asked questions#

Will M42 screw mount lenses autofocus on Micro Four Thirds?

No — adapted lenses are manual focus on this combination.

Does a M42 screw mount to Micro Four Thirds adapter affect image quality?

A glass-free adapter is just a precisely machined spacer, so image quality is unchanged when it is built to the right thickness. Cheap adapters can be slightly too thin or thick, which shifts the infinity mark.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources