RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Metabones’

Mount any Canon EF lens to Fujifilm’s GFX cameras with Metabones new EF-GFX Smart Expander adapters

19 Nov

Metabones has announced the release of the EF-GFX Smart Expander, a new adapter that makes it possible to use every Canon EF mount lens on Fujifilm GFX camera systems.

The adapter uses an optical design consisting of five elements in three groups to multiply the focal length and F-stop of Canon EF-mount lenses by 1.26x to match the image circle of EF lenses to Fujifilm’s GFX cameras while retaining the same diagonal field-of-view.

A front and back view of the EF-GFX 1.26x Smart Expander adapter.

The EF-GFX Smart Expander offers electronic integration, including support for phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), in-body image stabilization (IBIS), optical image stabilization on stabilized lenses and smooth iris on lenses that support it. The adapter features a physical toggle that can switch between auto aperture (for use with Program and shutter priority shooting modes) and manual aperture (for use with aperture priority or manual exposure). If an entirely manual lens is attached, the button will bring up the manual lens selection option on the GFX camera system being used so you can manually enter the focal length to account for IBIS operation and EXIF data.

As you would expect for such an all-encompassing adapter, there are some limitations in place. Below are a number of issues Metabones is aware of as of the initial release of the adapter:

  • In some rare cases lens hoods designed for 3:2 may need to be removed for 4:3 use with Smart Expander.
  • Each lens needs to go through a calibration procedure when first used. Refer to the online user manual on Metabones’ web site for instructions.
  • Autofocus may have unsatisfactory performance and may not work at all with some lenses
  • For video autofocus, increasing FOCUS SENSITIVITY and decreasing AF SPEED are required under the AF-C CUSTOM SETTING (MOVIE) menu.
  • AF+MF and lens aberration correction are not supported.
  • Some film-era lenses may not be able to achieve the sufficient AF accuracy required for digital cameras. Worn lenses with faulty sensors may lead to AF problems on a mirrorless camera even though the lens may appear to function normally on a DSLR.
  • Aperture diaphragm makes frequent noises with older lenses. Use aperture priority and manual exposure modes, or use a lens which supports smooth iris.
  • With IS/OS/VC lenses the IS MODE setting is ignored and both SHOOTING ONLY and CONTINUOUS modes behave in the same way which is similar to a Canon camera but different from what Fujifilm OIS lenses do. This is done to maximize IS effectiveness. A negative consequence of this is that there may be no OIS during focus check.
  • MF Distance Display does not work (although AF Distance Display does if the lens transmits distance information).

Metabones has included a Micro USB port on the adapter so future firmware updates, some of which may address the above issues, can be installed via its macOS and Windows Metabones app.

A front and back view of the optics-free version of the EF-GFX Smart Expander adapter.

The Metabones EF-GFX Smart Expander 1.26x is available now for $ 729 through its online shop and authorized Metabones retailers. An optics-free version of the EF-GFX Smart Adapter is also available for $ 439.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Mount any Canon EF lens to Fujifilm’s GFX cameras with Metabones new EF-GFX Smart Expander adapters

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Metabones’ new EF-RF Speed Booster reduces Canon EOS R 4K crop factor

27 Mar

Metabones has released a new Speed Booster that reduces the significant 4K video crop factor found on the Canon EOS R full-frame camera systems. With this adapter, photographers can use Canon EF full-frame lenses with the Canon RF mount, significantly reducing the 4K crop on the EOS R from 1.75x to 1.24x and the crop on the EOS RP from 1.63x to 1.15x.

As with the company’s existing Speed Boosters, it works by condensing the main lens’s field of view down into a smaller region: reducing the net focal length by 1.4x and hence lowering the F-number by one stop, compared with the adapted lens’s setting. A 50mm F2.0 combined with the adapter would become a 35mm F1.4.

The Metabones EF-RF Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x is constructed of 5 elements in 4 groups and features an ultra-high index tantalum-based optics, magnification of 0.71x and a max output aperture of F0.9. The Speed Booster supports dual-pixel autofocus, video AF, plus it has IS lens support, a built-in Control Wheel for accessing various functions like shutter speed and ISO, an LED indicator and automatic adjustment of the autofocus speed.

As far as construction is concerned, Metabones used a rubber gasket to help protect against moisture and dust, as well as flocking to cut down on internal reflections. The Speed Booster is made from brass and aluminum alloy with chromium plating and a satin finish. The tripod head is detachable and can be used with popular ball heads from Photo Clam, Arca Swiss and Markins.

The new ULTRA model wasn’t designed for still photography, Metabones explains, but it can be used as such if the camera is in APS-C mode. Lens compatibility is fairly extensive and includes:

  • Canon EF lenses
  • Canon EF extender
  • Carl Zeiss EF lenses
  • Sigma EF lenses
  • Tamron EF lenses
  • Tokina EF lenses
  • Contax N lenses modified to Canon EF by Conurus

The Speed Booster can also be used with the Contax 645 NAM-1 adapter that has been modified for Canon EF, but it can’t be used with Canon EF-S lenses nor with APS-C lenses. Metabones stresses that those latter lenses ‘DO NOT WORK AT ALL.’

The Metabones EF-RF Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x is available now for $ 479.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Metabones’ new EF-RF Speed Booster reduces Canon EOS R 4K crop factor

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Metabones releases Nikon F-mount to Fujifilm G-mount adapter with 1.26x magnifaction

24 Feb

Metabones has announced the release of the NF – GFX mount Expander 1.26x, a new adapter that allows Nikon G-mount lenses to be mounted to Fuji G-mount (GFX) camera systems while also magnifying the image circle by 1.26x, making it so the lenses retain their native diagonal field of view across formats.

The adapter, which is constructed of an aluminum alloy and chromium-plated brass, features a detachable Arca-Type tripod foot and is comprised of five optical elements in three groups, including elements made of ‘ultra-high index Lanthanum-based optical glass as well as one element made of fused silica.’ The adapter uses Metabones’ manual G aperture adjustment, which uses ‘the same angular throw distance as earlier Nikon Ai/AiS lenses, which features a linearized f-stop adjustment as a function of aperture ring adjustment angle.’ The mechanism is also clickless for convenience when using it for cinematography.

Using examples provided by Metabones, the NF – GFX mount Expander 1.26x would effectively turn a a 24–70mm F2.8 lens into a 30–88mm F3.5 lens, and a 70–200mm F2.8 lens into an 88–252mm F3.5 lens. Since this is only a focal extender and not a speedbooster, the lenses will lose 2/3 a stop of light, meaning F1.4 lenses drop to F1.8 and F2.8 drop to F3.5.

In addition to Nikkor DX lenses and third-party APS-C lenses will likely have strong vignetting with using them with the adapter and a number of other lenses have limitations, as noted by Metabones in the below graphic:

The NF – GFX mount Expander 1.26x is available now for $ 519. Metabones is also selling a straight NF — GFX adapter without the optical elements for $ 179.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Metabones releases Nikon F-mount to Fujifilm G-mount adapter with 1.26x magnifaction

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Metabones announces new Hasselblad V to Fujifilm GFX x0.71 Speed Booster

20 Aug

Metabones has announced its new Hasselblad V to Fuji G mount (GFX) x0.71 Speed Booster, the latest in its extensive Speed Booster Ultra 0.71x lineup.

The new Speed Booster uses a six-element design capable of ‘[achieving] excellent optical performance at apertures up to F1.4 when paired with the Hasselblad 110mm F2 lens.’ Metabones says it was able to achieve this performance by analyzing the exit pupil size and location of all Hasselblad V lenses and using the resulting data to develop its new Speed Booster Ultra.

As with Metabones’ other Speed Booster adapters, the Hasselblad V to GFX Speed Booster Ultra accounts for the camera’s filter stack atop the sensor, a key element, especially when using faster lenses with larger apertures.

The adapter features ‘an extremely robust cine-style’ positive locking mechanism to prevent lens movement when focusing as well as a 360-degree rotation collar and Arca Swiss style tripod mounting plate.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_6266629160″,”galleryId”:”6266629160″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

The 0.71x Speed Booster Ultra for adapting Hasselblad V lenses to Fuji GFX camera systems will be available starting August 16th, 2019 from Metabones’ website and authorized retailers for $ 899. The non-Speed Booster version will ship at the same time for $ 399.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Metabones announces new Hasselblad V to Fujifilm GFX x0.71 Speed Booster

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Metabones introduces Speed Booster series for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

06 Aug

Lens mount adapter specialist Metabones has launched a new series of Speed Booster lens adapters especially designed for the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K). The new adapters allow users to mount Nikon G, Canon EF, Canon EF Cine and Arri PL lenses onto the Micro Four Thirds camera.

The company says it has redesigned the adapters to take account of the filter stack construction that Blackmagic uses on the sensor of this camera to ensure users get the same performance as other MFT users. Blackmagic uses a thinner layer of filters over the sensor of the BMPCC4K, compared to other MFT cameras, that can alter the effectiveness of the standard MFT adapter at wide apertures, the company claims. This means the new models aren’t compatible with other Micro Four Thirds cameras.

The adapters come in Ultra 0.71x and XL 0.64x versions, which reduce the crop factor in 4096 x 2160 4K video to 1.35x and 1.22x respectively. The Arri PL version will only be available as an Ultra 0.71x, but the other mounts can accept either adapter, with the company claiming that many EF-S and DX lenses from Canon and Nikon can also be used.
The Metabones Ultra 0.71x and XL 0.64x adapters are available now. For more information see the Metabones website.

Ultra 0.71x

  • Canon EF – $ 649
  • Canon EF Cine – $ 699
  • Nikon G – $ 489
  • Arri PL – $ 719

XL 0.64x

  • Canon EF – $ 649
  • Canon EF Cine – $ 699
  • Nikon G – $ 489

Press release:

Metabones Introduces a New Series of Speed Booster® for BMPCC 4K Camera

Caldwell Photographic Inc. and Metabones are pleased to announce a new series of Speed Booster for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K).

The BMPCC4K Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x and XL 0.64x are similar to the standard m43 Speed Booster adapters, but the optics have been re-designed to optimize for the filter stack thickness of the Blackmagic cameras, which is substantially thinner than that of standard m43 cameras.

The thickness of the camera’s filter stack is an important component of the overall optical design, and the re-designed optics ensure that both versions can achieve the same high performance as the Speed Booster versions for standard m43. This is especially critical at the extremely large apertures made possible by Speed Booster technology.

In addition to the new optical designs, the new series of Speed Boosters also features a longer tripod mount to perfectly match the height of the BMPCC4K camera body. This way the camera and the Speed Booster can be mounted firmly on the same quick release plate.

Both versions – the Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x and XL 0.64x – are available with Nikon G lens mount, with Canon EF lens mount and with Canon EF CINE lens mount. The ARRI PL lens mount is available in ULTRA 0.71x version only. The Canon EF CINE lens mount creates a positive lock for a secure electronic connection, and together with the matching length of new the tripod mount, allows for a rock-solid mechanical setup, which is important when using follow focus attachments.

This new series of Metabones Speed Booster adapters is designed exclusively for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K). They cannot be attached to any other m43 cameras such as JVC, Olympus or Panasonic cameras.

Metabones Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x for BMPCC4K:
The new Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x for BMPCC4K uses an advanced 6-element 4-group optical design incorporating ultra-high index tantalum-based optical glass. The new design is specifically optimized to bring the same level of astonishing performance as the ULTRA Speed Boosters for Micro Four Thirds to users of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.

In particular, the Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x is optimized to correctly account for the BMPCC4K camera’s specific filter stack located near the sensor surface. This is especially critical at the extremely large apertures made possible by Speed Booster technology. As a result of this careful optimization, an enormous range of full-frame optics, ranging from vintage film lenses to the latest digital designs, will function flawlessly when adapted to BMPCC4K bodies.

The Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x reduces the crop factor of the BMPCC4K camera as shown in the above table. The new design for BMPCC4K makes very effective use of exotic materials at the furthest limit of glassmaking technology, and as a result is almost perfectly corrected for use with all full-frame SLR lenses regardless of aperture or exit pupil distance. The Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x will also work extremely well with many DX and APS-C format lenses, provided the image circle provided by the lens is large enough.

Optical performance of the new Speed Boosters is so good that the MTF of any lens attached to it will be improved. Even the latest generation of ultra-high performance SLR lenses such as the Zeiss Otus series can be improved by adding a Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x.

MTF at 10, 20, and 40 lp/mm as a function of image height for output apertures of f/0.9, f/1.0, and f/2.0, respectively1. At the maximum aperture of f/0.90 (i.e., with an f/1.2 master lens) the sharpness and contrast are extraordinary across the entire image circle. At just one-third stop down to f/1.0 the performance is equal to or better than the best photographic lenses used at their optimum apertures. An additional stop down to f/2.0 yields performance that is rarely encountered in photographic optics. In practice, what all of this means is that the new Speed Boosters will always enhance and never degrade the performance of the attached master lens.

And other aspects of optical performance haven’t been sacrificed in order to obtain high MTF, either. There is less than 1 stop of corner illumination falloff even wide-open at f/0.9. There is no vignetting at all after the output aperture reaches f/2.82. Rectilinear distortion added by the Speed Booster ULTRA is negligible at less than 0.7%.

Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x for BMPCC4K:
Also this Speed Booster XL 0.64x adapter has been designed exclusively for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, with a magnification of 0.64x. The Speed Booster XL 0.64x uses an advanced 7-element optical design to achieve extraordinary optical performance at apertures up to an incredible f/0.80.

The new Speed Booster XL 0.64x reduces the full-frame crop factor of the BMPCC4K as shown in the table further above. In addition, the speed of any attached lens is increased by 11/3 stops, with a maximum output aperture of f/0.80 when an f/1.2 lens is used. For example, a 50mm f/1.2 becomes a 32mm f/0.80, which is the fastest aperture available for Blackmagic cameras.

Perhaps most exciting of all, in addition to increasing lens speed and field of view, the Speed Booster XL 0.64x offers amazingly high image quality even at extremely large apertures. Figures 1 through 3 below show MTF at 10, 20, and 40 lp/mm as a function of image height for output apertures of f/0.8, f/1.1, and f/1.81. At f/0.80 (i.e., with an f/1.2 master lens) the sharpness and contrast are extraordinary out to an image height of 5.1 mm, which is the limiting image height of the BMPCC4K camera’s FHD video mode. Beyond 5.1 mm the performance drops gracefully, but remains very good even in the extreme corner of the full Blackmagic sensor. Note that as the master lens aperture is reduced to f/1.8 and then f/2.8 (corresponding to output apertures of f/1.1 and f/1.8, respectively) the performance improves everywhere, especially in the extreme corners.

And other aspects of optical performance haven’t been sacrificed in order to obtain high MTF, either. There is only about 1 stop of corner illumination falloff even at f/0.8. There is no vignetting at all after the output aperture reaches f/3.42. Rectilinear distortion added by the Speed Booster XL 0.64x is negligible at less than 0.8%.

Just like the Metabones Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x for BMPCC4K, the Speed Booster XL 0.64x is optimized to correctly account for the BMPCC4K camera’s specific filter stack located near the sensor surface. This is especially critical at the extremely large apertures made possible by Speed Booster technology. As a result of this careful optimization, an enormous range of full-frame optics, ranging from vintage film lenses to the latest digital designs, will function flawlessly when adapted to BMPCC4K bodies. In fact, most lenses will have significantly improved MTF when used with the Speed Booster, compared to using them with a plain (i.e. “glassless”) adapter on Blackmagic cameras.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Metabones introduces Speed Booster series for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Select Metabones adapters can now shoot up to 10 fps AF-C on Sony a7 III cameras

26 Jun

In 2017, Metabones released a firmware update for its EF-E Speed Booster and EF-E Smart Adapter lines that added a 10 fps maximum continuous autofocus (AF-C) frame rate to the Sony A9. In an announcement today, the company revealed it’s brought that same functionality to the Sony a7 III model.

The latest update brings 10 fps AF-C to the a7 III via firmware version 62 for the EF-E Speed Booster Ultra I and II, EF-E CINE Speed Booster Ultra, EF-E CINE Smart Adapter and the EF-E Smart Adapter IV and V. These products can be updated over USB with firmware version 62 available to download in the Metabones app.

Metabones explains the 10 fps in the ‘Advanced Mode’ is the theoretical maximum, with both subject movement and the lens AF speed both impacting the actual shooting speed. The company recommends users set the in-camera ‘Priority Set in AF-C’ to ‘AF’ for the best accuracy and hit rate, but warns that it will come with a decrease in frame rate.

The company says older adapter models can be updated to firmware version 62, as well, including the original EF-E Smart Adapter I and II launched in 2012 and the EF-E Speed Booster launched in 2013. These older models don’t feature USB ports, however, so customers will require factory service to get the upgrade. As well, these models will only work in APS-C mode.

Owners of these discontinued products must contact Metabones customer service about upgrading. The company’s firmware downloads can be found here.

Press release:

Metabones® Firmware Pushes A7 Mark III Maximum AF-C Frame Rate up to 10 fps

Vancouver, Canada, June 24, 2019 – Two years ago, Metabones® added support for Sony A9 with a maximum continuous autofocus (AF-C) frame rate of 10 fps by firmware to its EF-E Speed Booster® and EF-E Smart Adapter™ lines of fully-electronic adapters. Today, the same feat is extended to A7 Mark III.

How to upgrade:

  • EF-E Speed Booster ULTRA I/II, EF-E CINE Speed Booster ULTRA, EF-E Smart Adapter IV/V and EF-E CINE Smart Adapter are equipped with USB ports and they can be upgraded to firmware v62 by downloading the latest Metabones App. Choose the “Advanced Mode” checkbox before clicking the “Update” button. To encourage new firmware adoption, the user is assured that the upgrade is reversible to any previous version released in the last 2 years.
  • New customers may set the adapter to “Advanced Mode” with Metabones App or by following the procedure in the online user manual.
  • Even the original EF-E Smart Adapter I/II from 2012 and the original EF-E Speed Booster from 2013 can be updated to v62 and benefit from 10 fps AF-C with A9 and A7 Mark III, but without any USB ports, factory service is required to upgrade the firmware of these discontinued products, and they work only in APS-C mode. EF-E Smart Adapter III (2013) can also be factory-serviced to v62 and is the earliest adapter with full-frame camera support. Please contact Metabones customer service for details.

To achieve the highest possible AF-C frame rate on A7 Mark III, the adapter is set to “Advanced Mode”. On the camera we recommend setting “Priority Set in AF-C” to “AF” for the best accuracy and the highest hit rate, even though that will decrease the frame rate. 10 fps is the theoretical maximum and just how close we get to that is highly dependent upon the AF speed of the lens used and the speed of subject movement.

The fastest frame rate is achieved when the subject is at or near the center where phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) is used. Unfortunately only the central PDAF points are effective, because using all of the PDAF points of the camera would have required metadata about the optical formula of the specific lens used, which we do not have. All the PDAF points can be used by setting the Speed Booster or Smart Adapter to “Green Mode”, although the periphery points will still not be as effective as the central ones.

Some older lenses may have reduced accuracy and/or speed in “Advanced Mode”, but they can still be used in “Green Mode” on A7 Mark III at a lower frame rate (3 fps). “Green Mode” is also faster at single autofocus (AF-S).

With Speed Boosters and Smart Adapters breaking down compatibility barriers, Metabones believes that the products themselves need to be continuously updated with new firmware to cope with new technologies, new cameras and new lenses. Patrons see value in Metabones products in the long term for compatibility with the broadest range of cameras and lenses and for the firmware updates. Leverage the 10 fps continuous autofocus feature of the best-selling full-frame mirrorless camera today using 32 years’ worth of EF Mount lenses.

Download and support page: https://www.metabones.com/article/of/contact-us

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Select Metabones adapters can now shoot up to 10 fps AF-C on Sony a7 III cameras

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Review of Metabones Adapter Mark V – Canon EF to Sony E-Mount

25 Apr

For Canon shooters thinking about switching to Sony mirrorless cameras, the Metabones adapter is often suggested to help with the transition. Lens mount adapters are often frowned upon as they historically have had limited functionality, such as no autofocus and simply not working well or consistently.

But this latest generation of lens adapters is pretty impressive, offering nearly all of the same features that you would get with a native Sony lens. Here’s my take on the Metabones Adapter Mark V, as used with select Canon EF lenses and a Sony A7rIII and Sony a6300.

Review of Metabones Adapter Mark V - Canon EF to Sony E-Mount

Product Specifications

The Metabones Canon EF to Sony E Mount Smart Adapter Mark V officially debuted in July 2017. It’s all black and made of metal. Compared to previous generation adapters, the Mark V adds three key features:

  1. A dedicated on/off switch for SteadyShot (IBIS)
  2. Rubber gasket weather seals to protect the E-mount connection
  3. An indicator light for basic/advanced modes

Other features offered by the Metabones V include:

  • Fast contrast-detection and phase-detect autofocus
  • Eye autofocus (!!)
  • Powered by camera body (no external power source needed)
  • Support of image stabilization lenses
  • Auto “APS-C Size Capture” on full-frame cameras

Currently, theMetabones Adapter Mark V can be purchased for $ 399 USD.

Review of Metabones Adapter Mark V - Canon EF to Sony E-Mount

Here you see the adapter mounting a Canon EF lens onto a Sony body.

Metabones V Compatibility

Since there are lots of different cameras and lenses out there, so it’s difficult to verify that the Metabones V adapter will work in every case. The Metabones website has a long list of cameras and lenses that should be compatible with this adapter. In this case, the Metabones V adapter worked with the following setups:

  • Sony A7rIII and Sony A6300 camera bodies
  • Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 II
  • Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II
  • Canon 16-35mm f/1.8 II
  • Canon 50mm f/1.8
  • Canon 35mm f/1.4
  • Canon 85mm f/1.8
  • Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro

Metabones V Canon EF Sony E-Mount adapter

What works well

It works as advertised

I tested the Metabones V adapter primarily with the Sony A7rIII and Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II, as this is my preferred shooting setup. For comparison with how autofocus would function on a native Sony lens, I also shot with the Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 and Sony 24-240mm lenses.

While testing the adapter, I was blown away by the autofocus system’s speed and accuracy when using my Canon 24-70mm. Not only could I use most of the autofocus settings on the camera (with the exception of Zone area focus), but eye autofocus also worked extremely well. Even when shooting in continuous burst mode at 10 frames per second, there was no lag when using a Canon lens and the adapter.

Metabones V Canon EF Sony E-Mount adapter - 70-200mm lens mounted

Generally speaking, it felt nearly the same as using a native Sony lens on the A7rIII. The same can’t be said for the cheaper FotodioX lens adapter that I was using previously. This other adapter worked with only half of my lenses and had inconsistent and slow autofocus. In that sense, you truly get what you pay for when it comes to camera gear (the FotodioX is $ 99 compared to the Metabones at $ 399).

Small and compact

Weighing in at 5.3 ounces (150g) and measuring 2.6 x 1.4 x 3 inches (6.6 x 3.6 x 7.6 cm), this slick adapter is compact and easy to stash in a camera bag. It feels about equivalent in size to the Canon 1.4X EF Extender. The Metabones V adapter comes in a plastic box that can you use for long-term storage, but unfortunately, there is no carrying case.

Metabones V Adapter

You can easily receive firmware updates

Besides a couple of buttons and indicator lights, there’s also a micro-USB port that can connect the adapter to a computer for firmware upgrades.

Metabones V Canon EF Sony E-Mount adapter

What needs improving

For all of the excellent qualities of the Metabones V adapter, there are two shortcomings worth mentioning.

First is the occasional freezing of the camera screen while trying to autofocus. You can fix the problem by simply turning the camera off and on. However, this lag slows down your workflow and makes you question reliability. This problem happens sporadically, mostly with my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II, but it never happens when using native Sony lenses.

Another shortcoming is the loss of touchscreen autofocus when using a Canon lens and the Metabones V adapter. One of the biggest selling points of new Sony cameras such as the A7rIII is touchscreen autofocus. While it’s a bit laggy and imperfect even when using Sony lenses, touchscreen autofocus seems to disappear altogether when using adapted lenses. Hopefully, this will be fixed with future a firmware update.

In conclusion

If you’re transitioning from Canon to Sony, the Metabones Adapter Mark V is a must-have addition to your photography kit. It’s not perfect, but it is a solution that seems to get better over time. At $ 399, the Metabones V adapter isn’t cheap, but it seems to work more consistently than cheaper options such as the Sigma MC-11.

Have you tried the Metabones lens adapter before? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below!

Sample Photos Taken with Sony A7rIII, Metabones V adapter, and Canon lenses:

Metabones V Canon EF Sony E-Mount adapter

Metabones V Canon EF Sony E-Mount adapter

Metabones V Canon EF Sony E-Mount adapter

Metabones V Canon EF Sony E-Mount adapter

Metabones V Canon EF Sony E-Mount adapter

The post Review of Metabones Adapter Mark V – Canon EF to Sony E-Mount appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Review of Metabones Adapter Mark V – Canon EF to Sony E-Mount

Posted in Photography

 

Metabones’ Devil’s Speed Booster turns Pentax Q cameras into ‘monster low-light machines’

10 Oct

Metabones—the company known for its lens adapters and focal reducing Speed Boosters—has released a new Speed Booster that ought to have Pentax Q users salivating a bit. It’s called the Q666 0.5x ‘Devils Speed Booster’, because it allows Pentax Q owners to mount Nikon F and G lenses and produce a working aperture of f/0.666 when a lens with an f/1.2 aperture is used wide open.

The booster has a magnification of 0.5x and produces a 2.8x crop factor when used with the Q and Q10, and a 2.3x factor with the Q7 and Q-S1.

Metabones has used six elements in four groups inside this new Speed Booster, and has incorporated what it calls a ‘long-throw clickless aperture ring’ for G lenses that has eight marked positions. The adapter is compatible with all Nikkor and Nikon-mount lenses except the Nikkor 2.1cm f/4 and the 20mm f/2.8 AI-S.

The idea for the adapter was launched in August, but this is the first version to emerge. Metabones promises one in a Pentax K mount as well.

The Metabones Nikon G to Pentax Q Speed Booster Q666 0.50x costs $ 490. For more information, visit the Metabones website.

Press Release

Metabones Devil’s Speed Booster Q666 0.50x

Caldwell Photographic Inc. and Metabones® is pleased to announce the Speed Booster Q666, a.k.a. “The Devil’s Speed Booster”, exclusively for Pentax Q series cameras. With its 0.5x magnification and world-record f/0.666 maximum speed it is crazy wicked fast. So make a deal with the devil today and turn your Pentax Q with its back-illuminated sensor into a monster low-light machine unlike anything ever seen in photography. Attach an f/1.2 lens and stop down a little to see how Stanley Kubrick made do with f/0.7 for filming those famous candle-lit scenes in “Barry Lyndon”. Or open up all the way to f/0.666 and probe the darkness in a way that no photographer has ever been able to do until now.

With an advanced 6-element optical design, the Q666 packs lots of optical horsepower in a small package. Sharpness is excellent even at f/0.666, and is downright superb if you stop down to f/1.0. Distortion is very low, with a maximum value of, naturally, 0.666%. And thanks to the back-illuminated sensor used in Pentax Q cameras, the full f/0.666 maximum aperture can be utilized with minimal pixel vignetting effects commonly seen in other cameras used with high-speed lenses.

Figures 2 through 4 below show MTF at 10, 20, and 40 lp/mm as a function of image height for output apertures of f/0.666, f/1.0, and f/2.01. At f/0.666 (i.e., with an f/1.2 master lens) the MTF is high near the axis, and only falls off gradually toward the corners. As the aperture is reduced to f/1.0 and then f/2.0 the MTF becomes very high and more even across the field. Figure 5 shows that there is less than 1 stop of corner illumination falloff even at f/0.666. And guess what – there is no vignetting at all after the output aperture reaches f/1.82. Figure 6 shows that rectilinear distortion added by the Speed Booster Q666 is negligible at less than 0.666%.

Like all Metabones Speed Boosters, the Speed Booster Q666 is optimized to fully account for the camera’s filter stack located near the sensor surface. This is especially critical at the record-setting f/0.666 aperture now possible with the Q666. As a result, an enormous range of optics, from vintage film lenses to the latest digital designs, will function flawlessly when adapted to any Pentax Q camera. Planned lens mounts for the Speed Booster Q666 include a Pentax-K version and a Nikon F/G version with the most advanced Nikon G aperture adjustment mechanism in the industry.

The Speed Booster Q666 will be available starting in Aug 2017 from the Metabones website (http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB_SPNFG-Q-BM1) and its worldwide dealer network for US $ 489.00, plus shipping and applicable taxes and duties.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Metabones’ Devil’s Speed Booster turns Pentax Q cameras into ‘monster low-light machines’

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Metabones enables 10 fps shooting with AF for Canon glass on Sony a9

28 Jun

If you were disappointed by reports that the Sony a9 struggles with long adapted Canon lenses, you might be able to take some comfort from Metabones’ latest firmware update. The update for EF-E Smart Adapter Mark IV/V and EF-E Speed Booster Ultra adds autofocus support for medium and high burst modes on the Sony a9. However, since adapted lens support maxes out at 10 fps with AF, high burst mode simply runs at medium speeds (10 fps electronic, 5 fps mechanical).

We’ve have had a chance to give this update a go with a number of Canon mount lenses (including Sigma lenses), and are impressed with the results: with wider lenses (85mm and wider), you get phase-detect AF over most of the frame at 10 fps in Wide and Flexible Spot modes. With longer lenses (70-200/2.8, 100-400/4.5-5.6), focus starts to falter outside of the central region – something that doesn’t happen with native E-mount lenses. In L drive mode (3 fps), the camera opens up the aperture in between shots – both for adapted and E-mount lenses, allowing the camera to continue focusing beyond F11 (at frame rates higher than 3 fps, the camera reverts to manual focus at apertures smaller than F11 – with both adapted and native lenses).

In manual focus mode, you can shoot up to 20 fps with adapted lenses. This is quite an impressive update for the Metabones adapter, and we’ve confirmed it to function significantly better with the a9 than the Sigma adapter (which has yet to issue a firmware update for the a9).

The firmware is available for download now from Metabones.

Firmware upgrade for EF-E Smart AdapterTM MARK IV/V and EF-E Speed BoosterTM ULTRA

RELEVANT PRODUCTS

This information is for the following models:

  • EF-E Smart AdapterTM MARK IV/V (model number MB_EF-E-BM4 / MB_EF-E-BT4 / MB_EF-E-BT5)
  • EF-E Speed BoosterTM ULTRA (model number MB_SPEF-E-BM2 / MB_SPEF-E-BT2 / MB_SPEF-E-BT3)

ABOUT THIS DOWNLOAD

  • Name: Firmware update V0.57 for EF-E Smart AdapterTM MARK IV/V and EF-E Speed BoosterTM ULTRA
  • Release date: 26 Jun 2017
  • Benefits and improvements:
    – Added autofocus support during high speed and medium speed continuous drive (up to 10fps) on Sony A9 (“Green” mode only). Experiment with the “Priority Set in AF-C” setting for the best compromise between hit rate and frame rate for your shooting style. Overall performance depends on lens used. The camera does not use hunting while tracking is in operation. If subject movement exceeds the measurement range of the OSPDAF sensor, autofocus pauses. This is by design. The measurement range of the OSPDAF sensor decreases as the focal length increases. Except for the original Mark I Smart Adapter this feature is available for all subsequent Speed Boosters and Smart Adapters.
    – Enlarged PDAF area on supported cameras when adapter is in Advanced mode, with the advisory that AF performance may be unsatisfactory outside of the central portion of the frame.
    – Enabled AF illuminator (Advanced mode only).
    – There is an AF accuracy issue when using AF-S or DMF on Sony A9 and telephoto lenses with Metabones in “Advanced” mode, which affects this and all previous firmware versions. Green mode, which is set by default on Sony A9, is not affected (except for the original Smart Adapter Mark I, which does not support “Green” mode). A9 users are advised to not use “Advanced” mode but stick with the default “Green” mode. In addition, some telephoto lenses rarely exhibit this issue, such as EF 200/2.8L II USM, EF 400/5.6L USM and Tamron 150-600/5-6.3 VC USD A011. Investigation of this issue is still in progress.
    – Fixed AF issue with EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM and EF-S 18-135/3.5-5.6 IS Nano USM lenses.
    – Fixed smooth iris support for 40/2.8 STM, 50/1.8 STM and Sigma 50-100/1.8 DC HSM Art 016.
    – Fixed CN-E 18-80 T4.4 L IS KAS S servo zoom used by the camera’s zoom rocker and the lens’ rocker in alternation.
    – Fixed CN-E 18-80 T4.4 L IS KAS S auto iris when adapter is in Green mode, where extremely bright conditions no longer causes the iris to close completely.
    – Fixed aperture display with Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM lens and Kenko Pro 300 teleconvertter.
    – Corrected W-T zoom scale display in “Advanced” mode for Speed Booster and Kenko Pro 300 teleconverter (except Mark I/II/III and original Speed Booster).
    – Faster aperture diaphragm for still photography in Advanced mode when Live Vide mode is set to Setting Effect OFF.
    – LED (if available) now shows solid magenta when adapter is connected to USB waiting for Metabones App to run.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Metabones enables 10 fps shooting with AF for Canon glass on Sony a9

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Metabones unlocks native Sony focus modes for Canon-mount adapters

24 Jun

Updated firmware allows Sony users to use all their AF modes when shooting Canon EF-mount lenses with Metabones adapters. It does so by emulating a native Sony lens, much like the recent Sigma MC-11 adapter. This update to the Metabones line of Smart Adapters and Speed Boosters enables the use of modes such as continuous Eye-AF and Direct Manual Focus. Updated firmware also brings smoother aperture control to most of Metabones’ adapters. And though the company doesn’t make any claims as to video focusing, if the adapters do truly emulate native E-mount lenses, we’d expect full phase-detect AF functionality during video.

The Metabones is only the second E-mount adapter to offer ‘native’ lens functionality with adapted lenses, with the Sigma being the first.* However, in practice the Sigma MC-11 has had many issues, too often reverting to contrast-detect AF off-center, and constantly hunting back and forth in minute increments in AF-C.

It’s not surprising, then, that Metabones lists a series of caveats and exceptions, most of which reflect the range and diversity of EF lenses that people might use. There are also warnings of increased battery usage and of poor continuous AF performance from lenses that aren’t designed to be driven in the pattern required for fast contrast-detection AF. Finally, Metabones mentions potential problems when shooting stopped down, undoubtedly a result of Sony’s ‘stop-down focusing’ that cripples the AF system if you shoot at smaller apertures by depriving the AF system of light, and literally shutting off phase-detection altogether at apertures smaller than F8.

Firmware for the latest adapters can be downloaded from the Metabones website. Owners of Mark I, II or III Smart Adapters and original Speed Boosters will need to return their adapters to the factory, where they will be updated free-of-charge. We’ll keep you apprised of actual performance once we’ve had an opportunity to try out the new firmware with a variety of lenses.

Press Release:

Metabones® Adds “Native” AF and Smooth Iris to EF Mount Speed Boosters® and Smart Adapters™ by Firmware Upgrade

Vancouver, Canada, June 23, 2016: Metabones® releases Metabones App 2.3, a major firmware update with the following additional features.

  • Eye-AF (A6300/A7series).
  • Fast contrast detect AF for all E-Mount cameras.
  • DMF (direct manual focus) for E-Mount cameras, where the camera switches to MF as soon as AF completes. This is useful for checking AF accuracy when used with focus peaking.
  • Smooth iris for Sony E-Mount and FZ-Mount cameras and Blackmagic, JVC and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds Mount cameras.

Metabones® has already added fast EF lens autofocus to its Micro Four Thirds Mount Speed Boosters® and Smart Adapters™ last year. With this speedy advantage now extended to E-Mount, EF-Mount lenses are now capable of focusing quickly across the widest variety of mirrorless cameras with trusted Metabones precision and reliability.

The smooth iris feature slows down the movement of the electromagnetic aperture diaphragm so that video footage transitions smoothly when the aperture changes, with reduced tick noise from the lens. The latest Canon and Tamron SP lenses have special support for this feature and Metabones® makes use of it if the lens supports it.

Limitations:

  • E-Mount “native” autofocus features may not work with all lenses.
  • “Native” autofocus may be lesser in performance and/or accuracy compared to the original “Green” mode phase-detect autofocus for A6300, A7 Mark II and A7R Mark II.
  • AF-C and video autofocus may have unsatisfactory AF performance and/or accuracy. This is a limitation inherent in DSLR lenses, which lack the low latency required for making many fine movements in rapid succession during AF-C and video focusing.
  • Excessive hunting may occur if a small aperture is used with AF-C, video or “Liveview Display Setting Effect” turned on.
  • The first few autofocus attempts may result in false positives where the camera gives focus confirmation but the subject is not in focus. This issue goes away on its own after a few trials with most lenses.
  • No support for in-camera correction such as peripheral shading, CA and distortion.
  • Power consumption may increase compared to the original “Green” mode autofocus. We recommend turning off the “Pre-AF” option to conserve battery power. On A7 series cameras and A6300 the option is on page 3 under the “gear” tab.
  • Actuations of the electromagnetic aperture diaphragm and/or the focus motor of the lens result in noises which may be picked up by the camera’s internal microphone during video recording. Use of an appropriately placed external microphone is required for video work.
  • The aperture moves in 1/3 stop steps with most Panasonic cameras and 1/8 stop steps with other cameras, which may be noticeable in video recordings. Programmed exposure mode and shutter priority exposure mode should not be used for video. Lenses supporting “smooth iris” smooth out the transition but do not increase iris resolution.

The following lenses have been tested for “native” AF. Refer to Metabones’ web site for the most up-to-date list. Lenses equipped with smooth iris support are marked with asterisks. APS-C lenses are not compatible with Speed Booster®.

  • Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye*
  • Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
  • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II*
  • Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
  • Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II
  • Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM*
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM*
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM (non-IS)
  • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM*
  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
  • Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro*
  • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM (I)
  • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM*
  • Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
  • Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
  • Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art 013
  • Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art 013
  • Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM
  • Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD A007
  • Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD F013*
  • Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD A009*

Incompatible lenses: (“Green” mode PDAF is still supported on A6300, A7 Mark II and A7R Mark II.)

  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
  • Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro
  • Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
  • Contax N lenses modified to EF mount by Conurus Canada
  • Sigma 18-125mm DC OS HSM
  • Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II VC B005
  • Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 (IF) Macro A20

OSX and Windows versions of the firmware updater are available for download from Metabones’ web site. The same download updates Speed Booster® ULTRA, Smart Adapter™ Mark IV, EF to FZ Mount Smart Adapter and all EF Mount to Micro Four Third mount products. Updates to earlier Smart Adapters™ (I, II and III) and the original Speed Booster® are by factory only and are free of charge except for shipping.

* A TechArt adapter was technically the first to offer native lens functionality, but it was so highly unreliable that we never considered it a viable option.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Metabones unlocks native Sony focus modes for Canon-mount adapters

Posted in Uncategorized

 
« Older Entries