Metabones Unveils Fifth Generation Smart Adapters

metabones-ef-e-t-cine-smart-adapter

Metabones has Announced Four New Adapters on the Fifth Anniversary of the Original Smart Adapter

The EF to E CINE Smart Adapter and EF to E CINE Speed Booster ULTRA, have positive”lock EF lens mount carried over from the critically acclaimed Metabones EF”FZ CINE Smart Adapter, a perfect companion to the positive”lock mount of the new Sony FS7 Mark II camera. ULTRA is a positive”lock EF lens mount carried over from the Metabones EF”FZ CINE Smart Adapter.

All four new products are equipped with a rubber gasket to protect the E-mount connection from dust and moisture. To promote ease-of-use, an LED indicates the adapter’s operation mode, optical image stabilization operation and communication status.

A dedicated switch controls in-body image stabilization (IBIS) on Sony cameras equipped with 5-Axis IBIS. EF to E CINE Speed Booster ULTRA and EF to E Speed Booster ULTRA II feature the same Speed Booster ULTRA optics by Caldwell Photographic and WB Designs that make lenses brighter and wider.

EF to E CINE Smart Adapter will be available in February 2017 for $449 USD plus applicable taxes, duties and shipping, and EF to E CINE Speed Booster ULTRA will be offered at the same time for $699 USD plus applicable taxes, duties and shipping. Availability and pricing of EF to E Smart Adapter V and EF to E Speed Booster ULTRA II are to be determined.

UPDATE: I have received confirmation from Metabones that Smart Adapter IV will continue to receive firmware updates. The differences between the Mark IV and V adapters are physical.

Metabones Smart Adapter Mark V (and Speed Booster ULTRA II) add:

    • Dedicated Steadyshot On/Off Switch
    • Basic/Advanced Mode Indicator Light
    • Rubber Gasket Weather Seals

Product Specifications

Canon EF-E mount T Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) | Price: $399 USD
Dimension / Weight (TBD)

Canon EF-E mount T CINE Smart Adapter (Fifth Generation) | Price: $449 USD
Dimension / Weight (H:91cm W:88cm D:31cm / 207g)

Canon EF-E mount T Speed Booster ULTRA (Fifth Generation) | Price: $649 USD
Dimension / Weight (TBD)

Canon EF-E mount T CINE Speed Booster ULTRA (Fifth Generation) | Price: $699 USD
Dimension / Weight (H:91cm W:88cm D:26.5cm / 242g)

Key New Features

• CINE models feature a new positive-lock EF lens mount. (Patent pending)
• Rubber gasket protects E-mount connection from dust and moisture.
• Compatible with Sony FS7 Mark II camera
• Status notification LED light
• Dedicated switch controls in-body image stabilization (IBIS)

Electronic Features

• Fast contrast-detect AF on all E-mount cameras.
• Phase-detect autofocus support on A7RII, A7II, A6300 and A6500.
• Smooth iris support with the latest Canon (2009+), Tamron (SP series 2013+) and Sigma
(2016+) lenses
• Supports 5-axis in-body image stabilization of A7II, A7RII and A7SII. (Distance
information from lens required; 3-axis IBIS if lens does not transmit distance information.)
• Powered by camera body. No external power source required.
• Aperture control from camera body.
• Custom function button assignable to more than 50 functions on A7 series and
A6300/A6500.
• High performance 32-bit processor and efficient switched-mode power supply.
• Supports image stabilization (IS) lenses.
• Supports electronic manual focusing (e.g. EF 85/1.2L II and discontinued EF 50/1.0L)
• EXIF support (focal length, aperture, zoom range)
• Distance and zoom display on VG and FS series camcorders, A7 series and
A6300/A6500 (lens with distance information support required).
• Auto magnify (lens with distance information support required)
• Auto “APS-C Size Capture” on full-frame cameras.

Optical (Speed Booster models only*) / Mechanical Features

• Increase maximum aperture by 1 stop.*
• Increase MTF.*
• Makes lens 0.71x wider.*
• Advanced 5-element/4-group optical design incorporating ultra-high index tantalumbased
optical glass by Caldwell Photographic in the USA (patent).*
• Felt material flocked inside the opening to reduce internal reflection.
• The tripod foot is detachable and compatible with Arca Swiss, Markins, and Photo Clam
ball heads.

PLEASE NOTE: Speed Boosters are Focal Reducers designed to use Fullframe lenses on APS-C cameras. They will NOT cover fullframe sensor Sony a7 Series cameras – except in crop mode.

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33 thoughts on “Metabones Unveils Fifth Generation Smart Adapters”

  1. What I want to have is Continuous Eye AF across the frame not just the small center area like the current IV .

  2. Can we assume that there are no issues with using Ef-S lenses on Sony E mount?
    Maybe they are not suitable for full frame E-mount cameras?
    Would there be any problem with using them on the A6300, crop sensor camera?

  3. I have received my A9 camera just last week. Have you tested this camera on Tamron 150-600 mm G2 lens with Metabones T IV smart adapter og Sigma mc-11 adapter? I cannot get following autofocus on other than my Sony 70-200mm G lens. My Tamron 70-600mm G2 lens does not function with following autofokus. I use Metabones T IV adapter in green mode. I have both the old Canon 70-300 F2.8 lens (old versjon), and Canon 500mm F4.0 versjon II, both function well with following focus both with Metabones and Sigma adapters on both Sony a6300 and Sony a7RII. I have tried to update my Metabones T IV adapter, but the updating failed. The app will not start. I have tried the latest app that I found on the home-page to Metabonbes. What can I do to get following autofocus on adapted lenses, and tips to get the latest firmware app from Metabones to start up? I am using Mack-book Pro with the Mack os Sierra and the version 10.12.4.

    1. Hello Alf, as I mentioned in my Sony a9 Review, Metabones Smart Adapters and Sigma MC-11 will firmware updates similar to the Sony LA-EA3 firmware update in order to AF properly up to 10 FPS. Neither Metabones or Sigma have released firmware updates yet.

      PLEASE NOTE: As I also explained in my a9 review, AF is NOT possible with adapted lenses at 20 FPS even with adapter firmware updates.

      1. Thanks, this information have I seen already, from you and others. For me as a nature photographer, is it not to understand that this information come after Sony have started to sell the camera. I have already sold my canon 5D mark IV, and my sony a6300 teken more than 300.000 photos and the picture quality i slowing down. And I was sure the new 100-400mm lens from Sony would arrive at the same time as the camera. My Sony a7RII is not an action camera. I am just now working with eagles and other birds, and my new sony a9 takes splendid still photos. That’s not enough. Normally I am using canon 500mm f4.0, canon 300mm with 2x converter, sigma 150-600mm C, and Tamron 150-600mm G2. All these lenses with canon EF mount. I am using both metabones T smart adapter IV and sigma mc-11 adapter. The best you kan do as a sony head-photographer is to contact both sony, metabones and sigma for info and set all those under press- other must sony upgrade the software som fast as possible, or metaboines and sigma must do it. The main problem: When taken the picture, following focus stop. It is not to believe doing so bad work with the software! Please, do something with this and give me and others in the same situation -feedback.

        1. First off, as I mentioned in my last reply – make certain the camera is not set to Continuous High (20 FPS). That will NEVER allow AF with adapted lenses. Period.

          As for Metabones and Sigma adapters – those are designed, sold and supported by their manufacturers – NOT Sony. I mentioned in my post of the day of the a9 camera anouncent that Metabones and Sigma would need to update their firmware for 10 FPS AF to function properly. Many people did not believe me at the time – but now realize what I said was true.

          Your best best will be the FE 100-400mm GM OSS lens once it begins shipping. The release date of the lens is different from the a9 and this time-table was laid out clearly in their announcement. Having used a pre-release lens I can say it will be worth the wait.

  4. Jorge Vasconcelos

    Does anyone know, when one can order the new – Canon EF-E mount T Speed Booster ULTRA (Fifth Generation) | Price: $649 USD – BH in NYC has no shipping date. I tried to email both pre-sales and support at Metabones but over a week and no answer. I got my new A9 still inside the box waiting for the adapter to become available so I can order it and use my Canon lens.
    HELP

      1. Jorge Vasconcelos

        Hi Brian I was told was a much better option than the – Metabones EF to E Smart Adapter Fifth Generation – what is the difference between both Smart and Ultra Fifth Gen)? I want to spend money once (do it right) so I can use both my Canon EF 27-300mm and EF 17-40mm. Moving forward I will buy Sony G for the A9

        1. Not for fullframe cameras, it’s not. Speed Boosters, Focal Reducers or Turbo adapters are made for using Fullframe lenses on APS-C cameras. To use it in a9, you’d need to shoot in crop mode which drops a9 resolution to 10 mp.

          While I’m not familiar with the Canon EF 27-300mm, you want Metabones Smart Adapter V for Sony a9.

          1. Jorge Vasconcelos

            And that it why you’re the PRO – VERY LARGE CAPS 😉
            Heading to Portugal in couple weeks and this was holding me from taking the shiny new toy, walking to BH this week to pick the – Metabones EF to E Smart Adapter Fifth Generation.
            THANK YOU Brian

          2. Jorge Vasconcelos

            Will do 🙂 the difference between the Cine and Standard is just the locking mechanism correct?

  5. Hi, does this new gen of the EF to E Mount speedbooster will have good AF functionality on the A6500 when shooting video? Thanks

    1. Fifth Generation Metabones Smart Adapters use the same firmware as the fourth generation however it’s easier to put Fifth Generation adapters into advanced mode as required for video AF since there is a physical switch to change between modes. Sony a6500 does have PDAF but how well it works depends somewhat on the lens.

  6. How does this perform on the A7r/A7s/A7sII? (CDAF). I haven’t really seen anyone testing the Mk V that much, is it the same as the Mk IV if the firmware is up to date?

  7. Hi Brian,

    Have you had a chance to use the Smart Adapter IV or V on the new A7Riii? Will Metabones need to issue a new firmware update to be compatible with this new camera?

  8. Hi Brian,

    If I understood correctly, the speed booster is only a good choice on an APS-C camera, if I have a full frame like the A7SII I need to purchase the smart adapter. Is that correct ?

    1. Sony 100-400mm is pretty good used on Sony a9 or Sony atRII! I am waiting for Sony 400mm F2.8 lens! My hope is than Sony can give us a lens as light as Sony 100-400mm 5.6 lens! Ad metabones T IV adapter: Function well with my old canon lenes Canon 300mm f2.8 old version and Canon 500mm f4.0 used on Sony aRIII and Sony a9 cameras. I ill say that autofocus speed is pretty fast on both these lenses.

      The autofocus settings are very complicated on Sony a7RIII, and they are more advanced than others camera I have used. I cannot find usable info about autofocus settings and uses for Sony a7RIII in internet- could you tips me on a description for using autofocus possibilities shooting fast action/birds on Sony a7RIII?

  9. Hi Brian,

    I’m grabbing an a6500 soon to replace my a6000. (I shoot a lot of old legacy lenses, as well as the sigma art f2.8 19mm, 30mm, and 60mm, and the ibis will be nice for those) I’ve been researching(no….scouring) the forums everywhere to try and nail down which XX-400mm telephoto zoom to purchase for wildlife. (primarily large mammals….think Yellowstone/Grand Teteon) I’m between the sony 70-400mm (silver version) and the canon 100-400mm usm v.1. I’m gathering that from a sharpness perspective they’re close, but from a bokeh persective the Canon is a bit better out at 400mm. Can you advise? I will be purchasing either the la-ea3 or the metabones version V based on which lens i go with. I had been looking at some of the sigma offerings, but they don’t seem to be quite up to par in the sharpness department. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!!

    Regards,

    Brian

      1. Believe me, I wish I could! Unfortunately, my budget is in the $1000-$1500 range. Is there anything you would recommend (other than the canon 100-400 or Sony 70-400) In at that price range?? I thank you tremendously for your feedback !

  10. Hi, I use the Canon EF 400mm/5.6 with the Metabones IV (fw 0.58) on my Sony a6500, great low weight and picture quality.

  11. Hi Brian – do you know if the Metabones IV will also work with the Sony FS7 Mk II or does only the Metabones V work with the FS mk II? Are their actually any real functional differences between the two?

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