Hands-on Sigma MC-11 Mount Adapter Tests

Published: March 11, 2016

Sigma MC-11 Mount Adapter Display at WPPI 2016

I was able to get my hands on a Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter at WPPI 2016 in Las Vegas which at the time of these tests was loaded pre-release firmware that at the time of testing only supported the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art and Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM APS-C Art Lenses.

When tested with Sony a7RII and each of these lenses, the MC-11 adapter offered fast and accurate PDAF and provided full AF functions for stills including focus tracking and Eye-AF. I did not test video AF.

Sigma MC-11 Mount Adapter Tests at WPPI 201
Sony a7RII + Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter + Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

However, and I want to stress this was PRE-RELEASE FIRMWARE, the MC-11 that I tested was unusable with any of the other supported lenses on the list. The viewfinder either went very dark (as in nearly black) when tested with the Sigma Art 150-600mm F5.6-6.3 EF mount and totally blown out (nearly white) when tested with Sigma Art 35mm F 1.4 EF mount.

Sigma reps told me that the final release firmware for MC-11 will support all 15 Sigma Art, Contemporary and Sport lenses listed below when the adapter is released.

There is an USB port in the adapter that allows users update MC-11 when future Sigma Art, Contemporary or Sport lenses are released. Just don’t hold your breath for support of older Sigma lenses or Canon glass.

Sigma’s list of Sigma EF and SA lenses supported on MC-11:

FULLFRAME:
Sigma 24-35mm F2 DG HSM Art Lens
Sigma 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM Art Lens
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

APS-C
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art Lens
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art Lens
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Art Lens

Notes: MC-11 is not compatible with teleconverters.

Sigma-MC-11-lens-adapter

Order Sigma Mount Converter MC-11 for Sony E-mount (Canon EF | Sigma SA Mount)

ORDER NOW

Apply for B&H Photo Payboo Card

Thank you for supporting this website through purchases from our affiliate partners! We always strive to bring you the best deals and lowest prices.

Sony Releases More than 45 Updates for Alpha 1, a7S III, a7 IV & a9 III Cameras

Published: March 27, 2024 Sony releases more than 45 Firmware Updates for Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III & Alpha 7 IV cameras to improve Shooting

Read More »
Sony-a7R-V-Firmware-2-02

Sony Releases a7R V Firmware Update 2.02 with Multiple Bug Fixes

Published: March 27, 2024 Sony a7R V Firmware Update 2.02 adds multiple bug fixes via the memory card firmware update process. Benefits and Improvements •

Read More »
Sigma-50mm-F1-2-DG-DN-Art-Lens-E

Sigma Announces Ultra-Fast 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens

Published: March 26, 2024 Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens ($1,399) is the lightest in its class and the brightest in Sigma’s 50mm prime

Read More »

26 thoughts on “Hands-on Sigma MC-11 Mount Adapter Tests”

    1. The idea if this adapter is not to replace the Metabones which works with Canon glass. This adapter is so everyone who already has Sigma lenses in Canon mounts can now use them on Sony cams, to take advantage of the huge interest of the masses to switch from Canonikon to sony gear. Its for SIGMAs advantage not for Canons. You want the Metabones ver IV if you need legacy canon glass This is an EF to Emount adapter for SIGMA lenses with Canon mount.

      1. Yup. It also allows Sigma to avoid going to the expense of retooling all these lenses with longer lens barrels for E-mount. Plus they get a one-time $249 premium from E-mount users (which in my opinion is worth every penny for the R&D it must have taken…)

      2. Actually, it turns out that IS the idea. I am using this MC-11 with the latest firmware adapter with the Sony A7 II with ALL of my prime Canon lenses with STUNNING results. I’m finding it as fast or faster than the MetaBones adapter.

  1. Pingback: DP Review Confirms Video PDAF with Sigma MC-11 Adapter

  2. Pingback: How Good is Sigma's MC-11 Smart Adapter?

  3. I know you mentioned not testing video AF with the adapter. Do you know anyone who has or have you heard anything about its performance? This is a pretty big deal for a lot of us as the 18-35 and 50-100mm f1.8 Sigmas would be perfect on an a6300. Thanks.

    1. As I stated at the top of this review, the pre-production Firmware in the adapter I tested did not yet support the Sigma 50-100mm 1.8. My suggestion is to wait until a full-production version adapter is available before expecting any intelligent comments on how the adapter will perform with that lens.

      1. Sorry, I wasn’t asking specifically about the performance of the 50-100, just mentioning its future utility. I’m just looking for information on if Sigma’s plan is to support the video AF side of things as well as the photo side. And the good news is “yes”. I finally just contacted Sigma themselves who responded that yes, video AF is supported, “allowing them to function as Native Sony lenses on both cameras, you will have all the features of a Sony lens.”

      1. Does this mean the MC-11 will not provide video focus for the version 1 A7r, or does the A7rII offer a better means of AF for stills?

      1. I was actually under the impression that the point of the MC11 was that it would invoke “native” lens support rather than third party. In other words, cameras like the A7 and A6000 which only support PDAF for their native lenses, will somehow “think” they are using a native E-mount lens and invoke the internal PDAF.

        I don’t have one to test for myself, but I would think since the mark ii and A6300 models already support PDAF for adapted lenses, the experience would be pretty similar between this and the metabones. However on mark i and a6000 cameras, it might be a marked improvement since it can now use their PDAF sensors for these lenses. I’ve been trying to find confirmation of this theory one way or the other, but its hard to find anyone testing it with the previous generation of cameras (where I think this is the most needed).

        Meanwhile, I’m curious how it performs on the A7S series, since both the mark i and ii lack PDAF sensors at all (even with native glass).

        1. Sigma used the term “native” to refer to AF features like Eye AF and Lock-on AF.

          MC-11 performs best with a7RII, a7II and a6300 using the supported Sigma Art, Contemporary and Sport lenses.

  4. is the Sigma Mount Converter MC-11 for e mount better than the Sony LA-EA3 A-Mount Adapter for e mount in terms of auto focus? I boughta sigma 18-35 lens. I have a sony a6000 and want to know if i should return my Sony LA-EA3 A-Mount Adapter to get the MC-11? Thanks

    1. In my experience with the a6000 and a7, the MC-11 adapter is slow focus. You should return the LA-EA3 to get an LA-EA2 or LA-EA4 adapter if you want fast focus.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *