What Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter does for Sony E-Mount Cameras

Published: March 28, 2016

Sigma-MC-11-lens-adapter

There are still lots of questions about what Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter ($249) can do for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras such as “How did Sigma find the ‘Secret Sauce’ that unlocks all native AF functions of Sony mirrorless cameras that other Smart Adapters can’t?”

Here’s an explanation of what MC-11 can – and cannot – do.

What the Sigma MC-11 CAN do

When tested with pre-release firmware and supported lenses the MC-11 adapter offers fast and accurate PDAF and provided full AF functions for stills including focus tracking and Eye-AF. It also enables video AF with Sony mirrorless cameras that offer PDAF – including Sony a7, a7II, a7RII, a6000 & a6300.

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.

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

This is very good news for Sony E-mount users (or potential users who’ve been on the fence) waiting for fast telephoto lenses like the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens, fast wide angle primes like Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens or Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens, fast APS-C zoom lenses like Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens or Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens or a telephoto super-zooms like Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports lens.

Sigma-120-300-MC-11-a7RII
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens + Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter + Sony a7RII.

It also opens up 15 additional lenses for filmmakers who need video AF that is impossible with most other lens adapters. (Sony’s LA-EA4 is the only other lens adapter that offers reliable video AF.)

What Sigma MC-11 CANNOT do

MC-11 is not compatible with teleconverters.

Don’t expect MC-11 to work with Canon EF lenses or other previously released Sigma lenses not on the above list. When I tested MC-11 with unsupported lenses, the LCD and EVF either went very dark (as in nearly black) or totally blown out (nearly white) making them totally unusable.

And if you’ve hoping for a MC-11 for Nikon F mount Sigma lenses don’t hold your breath. Sigma seems to be wisely avoiding that demon known “Nikon AF” that causes most lens adapter makers to run for the hills.

But…

Sigma can convert the current mount of your Sigma Global Vision lens to another of your choice. Sigma lenses currently from the Contemporary, Art or Sports line, in Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax mounts can be converted to Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony or Pentax. In the USA, the price for this conversion ranges from $80 to $250 plus shipping and handling between $25 to $100. Please note: this service must be performed in the country or region the lens was originally sold.Click Here for Details.

Why MC-11 Works Better Than Other Lens Adapters

The biggest question is: how did Sigma find the “Secret Sauce” that unlocks all these native functions when other Smart Adapters from Metabones and even Sony’s own LA-EA3 adapter can’t?

I have a theory on this. Unlike native Sony A-mount, Canon EF or Nikon F lenses, Sigma designs universal DSLR lenses and changes the mount and firmware depending on the camera they are designed for.

While other Smart adapters act like “translators” re-interpreting the AF commands of the lens, I believe that MC-11 firmware actually REPLACES the AF commands of the lens with AF commands for Sony E-mount lenses.

Please note this only my theory and I don’t expect Sigma to confirm or deny, but it would explain why it only works on the latest Sigma EF and SA lenses.

The Bottom Line

Will this adapter replace Metabones Smart Adapter IV for Canon EF lenses? Nope. Don’t buy it if you’re hoping it will work with unsupported lenses not listed above. But if MC-11 is compatible with lenses you already own (or plan to buy) it should be your best solution.

MC-11 Mount Converter allows Sigma can support E-mount without actually making E-mount lenses. Sigma keeps costs low by making single lens barrel for various DSLR lens mounts and simply swapping the mount and firmware.

This is fairly easy to do as the since all these mounts have nearly identical Flange Focal Distances, but E-mount versions of these 15 lenses would require a Sigma make new lens barrels that were 26mm longer than their existing lenses.

This is a rather brilliant way to get users to pay the cost of the mount converter rather than expecting the modification for free. Nicely played Sigma…nicely played…

Sigma-MC-11-lens-adapter

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• Save $200 on Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens
• Save $100 on Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens

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106 thoughts on “What Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter does for Sony E-Mount Cameras”

  1. Hi Brian

    It says in the Article that you have tested the adapter. Could you tell us which lenses you were able to test it on, and what are your initial thoughts.

    I am an A7R2 user (and getting an A6300 shortly) and am still trying to decide on a long telephoto setup.

    It’s down to Tamron 150-600 in A Mount with LA3 or one of the 2 Sigma’s in EF mount with MC-11.

    Any input / advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

      1. Hi, would this adapter work with Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro lens for the Sony a6000 if not what adapter would i need.

  2. Brian, this will not work with the newest versions of Sigma teleconverters at all? Would love to try the 50-100 f1.8 w/ a teleconverter on an A6300

      1. Hi,
        Sigma also states that the MC-11 adapter will only work with Sigma lens’ that are Canon mount. This is obviously incorrect as I use Canon EF 100mm F2.8 and EF 40MM f2.8 stm Lens’ with no apparent difficulty on my Sony A7RmkII.
        Have you tried using a Sigma teleconverter with an MC-11?

  3. If this acts like a native lens and doesn’t drain the battery while attached & powered off like other adapters do I’ll be a diehard Sigma fan and commit to their lens line. This adapter problem has had me hesitant to drop that kind of money for an imperfect solution.

    1. I’m not aware of other adapters draining battery powered when the camera is turned off but while in storage Sony mirrorless cameras typically drain so juice from the battery to maintain their settings.

      1. Thanks for the insight- web search revealed some other folks with similar problem, it may be an anomaly to a few, but a substantial disparity in battery drain between leaving adapter connected and regular lens/no lens. 100% to 15% after 2 days sitting with adapter. Same battery, full charge, much smaller loss over 2 days.
        Maybe I should be looking to replace my adapter 🙂

    2. I just bought a MC-11 with Sigma 18-35mm, the battery life of the A6300 seems way shorter than with native E mount lenses. Normally I can shoot all day, 100s of photos, but with the MC-11 the experience seems very different, Form 40% to 4% in an hour or 2 of shooting. I feel it drains the battery even if I am not taking photos. I need to do further testing, but I’d like to know if others noticed a battery drain problem.

      1. That’s not the adapter. It’s the lens. Sigma lenses utilize heavy lens elements – especially their fast glass.

        Sony E-mount lenses have much smaller AF elements which take much less power to move.

  4. Can you explain your article stating that canon EF will not be supported when a link to B&H and other retailers are advertising one that will?

  5. Pingback: Guide to Sony a7 a7R a7S a7II a7RII a7SII Lens Adapters

  6. Pingback: Guide to Canon EF Lens Adapters for Sony E-Mount Cameras

  7. Hi, what about the image quality ?

    I would love to buy sigma 18-35mm f1.8 art to sony a6000 but i adapters remove from the image quality, since the Flange Focal Distances is probably fixed, is the adapter will give the same quality as buying a native mount ?

    1. With any decent quality lens adapter such as this there is no loss in image quality. The adapter simply makes up the difference in focal flange distance so the lens mounts the correct distance from the sensor.

        1. From DAY ONE Sigma has stated that the MC-11 is designed specifically to support the Sigma EF-mount Art lenses listed in this post.

          Sigma NEVER claimed compatibility with Canon glass and I have repeatedly tried to point this out in every post I’ve written on MC-11.

  8. Its been out for a while now , have you had a chance to test it as a final product? This is such an exiting concept, since sigma makes so many lenses that no one else does.

  9. One huge area of concern is your comment that :

    “When tested with pre-release firmware and supported lenses the MC-11 adapter offers fast and accurate PDAF and provided full AF functions for stills including focus tracking and Eye-AF. It also enables video AF with Sony mirrorless cameras that offer PDAF – including Sony a7, a7II, a7RII, a6000 & a6300.”

    Yet, sigma (on their site) says it will not to AFC with any lens, Is focus tracking different?. What is the reality?

  10. Original Canon glass? I guess Sigma are overstating the case to avoid legal problems. I have a Canon 35mm f/2.0 IS paired up to a Sony a6300 via an MC-11, and it works very well! AF is great in all lighting conditions, and IQ at least as good as on a Canon T6í, if not better. No Eye Focus etc., but I didn’t expect it.

    MC-11 is my second EF to E-mount adapter. The other is the Commllite. I have massive battery drain problems with it, and AF performance with an a6000 is generally tacky. However, with the a6000 everything is far better. And since I have a number of EF-S lenses, which cannot even be mounted on the MC-11, I’ll be keeping my Commlite for now.

    However, Commlite supports neither Canon USM nor Sigma HSM focussing. In both cases, it’s MF or nothing. Naturally the MC-11 supports UMC, so I have a lens not sanctioned by Sigma — the 17-50 f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM — working beautifully on the a6300 (though, again, without Eye Focus or Focus Tracking).

    1. Unlike Metabones, Sigma does NOT test their adapter with Canon lenses and Sigma makes it very clear that since Canon lenses are not supported they are not liable for any damage that might occur to an un-supported lens (meaning Canon). My advice is to stick to Metabones Smart Adapter IV

  11. I know this question is late but I can’t find the answer anywhere else. Does the MC-11 adapter cause any light loss? is there any glass in the middle of the adapter?

    Thanks so much!
    -Matt

    1. I’m not certain about that particular lens. It’s not an Art, Contemporary or Sports lens, so it’s not officially supported and there is no way to update the lens for better performance, but the good new is that a6500 does allow PDAF with third-party lenses.

  12. Hi Brian,
    thanks for sharing all your insight! I plan to get the MC-11 for my A7R2 in order to get the Sigma 150-600 Sports or Contemporary (not decided yet) working with it. Since I read that the mc-11 would more or less override the firmware of the lens and replace it for the Sony-body: Do you know if the focus adjustments and focus-limits for the 150-600 you can set up via the USB-Adaptor are equally transmitted to the Sony-Body via the mc-11? Especially if I would end up dealing with back- or front-focussing issues.. will I be able to fix them and transmit the solution via the mc-11?

      1. this makes sense… ! 😉 thanks for your quick reply!
        On the other hand would customizations of focus-limits and -speeds in the lens be transmitted?

  13. Canon 400mm f5.6 ? I am looking for a lens that will work well taking surfing shots as well as wildlife and birds. I have the Sony A6000 and was wondering if you know anyone who has successfully coupled this lens with the Sigma MC 11 mount converter for Canon EF to Sony E adapter ?

    regards Michael

  14. 150-600mm. Tamron+ae3 or sigma+mc11
    Which one would you prefered, considering OS and AF speed ?
    It seems you praised both which would you choose to use for natura life photography.

  15. Dear Brian,

    the new Sigma 500mm f4 Sport says to be compatible with MC-11 on A7.

    Can you say something about the autofocus speed (is it sufficient compared with running this lens on a recent Canon/Nikon Body?) and if teleconverters are supported now?

    Thank you very much

    1. As far as I know, AF is not supported with Sigma Teleconverters. Unlike a7II and a7RII, Sony a7 cannot enable PDAF with third-party lenses, so a7 will struggle to AF with the lens

  16. i have a sigma 16-50mm f2.8 and i used it with my sony a6000 body with a third party lens adapter. I want to know what lens adapter works well with this lens. all function works but the auto focus does not work. can you please advice me which adapter works with this lens.

  17. I have Sigma APO 500mm F4.5 EX HSM prime lens for Nikon mount.
    I like to try it on Sony A6500. Can this adapter work?

    thanks

    Joe

      1. OK, is there other adapter that can make my Sigma (Nikon mount) work for Sony E-mount?

        Thanks again

        Joe

          1. OK, final question if you dont mind.
            does MC-11 works for Phase detection AF on A6300?

            Thanks

            Joe

  18. philippe dykmans

    Thank you for this useful post!

    When you say:

    “This is a rather brilliant way to get users to pay the cost of the mount converter rather than expecting the modification for free. Nicely played Sigma”¦nicely played”¦”

    This makes it feel as if the only advantage is for Sigma. However, I think there may also be a big upside for users here. Since, if you own a couple Sigma lenses with e.g. a Canon mount, you can still use them on your Canon as well. Top of that, with this converter you incur the penalty of an extra 26mm (+ its weight) only once in your camera bag.

    In fact, if you really want to save on space and weight, and provided that this converter works 100% like a native e-mount, you might be better off buying the Canon-mount Sigma lenses.

    Or not?

    1. Well, no…in most cases Sigma lenses are larger and heavier than Sony E-mount lenses and despite Sigma claims, their adapted lenses do not perform as well as native Sony E-mount glass.

  19. Since the Sony a7 and a6000 both have PDAF (as well as Contrast AF), why doesn’t Sony issue firmware updates (like they have with the other a series e-mount cameras) that makes it possible for the PDAF on the a7 and a6000 to support smart adapters including the MC-11? (PS: The Sony Nex 6 does have PDAF and Contrast AF just like the Sony a6000.)

  20. I am currently using the Sigma 18-300 EF mount with the MC11 on my A6000. Apart from the hunting on focus, it works great. I use it as a landscape and wildlife lens and am quite happy with the results. I am looking to buy another Sony either 6000 or 6300 and dedicate the 18-300 lens to the new camera. Would a 6300 reduce the hunting because it has better AF features. Your thoughts please.

      1. B&H has currently the A7 and A6300 on for the same price. Which would you suggest for landscape and wildlife with the Sigma 18-300 and the MC-11

  21. Hi Brian, your review blogs are awesome. Can you please tell me if AF while videoing with Canon EF-S 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 and MC-11 works?

  22. Hi Brian. I hope I can find answers here regarding my issue since I can’t find elsewhere. I have a Canon EF 50mm 1.4 and the MC 11 on my Sony a6000 and I have troubles regarding autofocus. It keeps hunting. Does this mean it’s not compatible with a6000? Are there any remedies for this rather than manual focusing? Your answer will mean a lot. Thanks

    1. Sony a6000 is limited to Contrast AF with third-party lenses so AF will not be as good with adapted glass as wit a6300, a6500, a7II, a7RII and a9.

      Also while MC-11 may work with certain Canon lenses, it’s not designed or tested with Canon glass – only Sigma Art, Contemporary or Sport lenses.

    1. Actually, Sony a7II will perform the same with firmware 2.00 or later (albeit with 30% PDAF coverage compared to 60% on a7RII.)

      Sony a7 does not have PDAF with adapted lenses so these results do not refer to a7, a7R, a7S or a7SII.

  23. The MC-11 works perfectly on my Sony A7rii with all my Canon lenses. It also focuses with the Canon 1.4 extender. Perhaps at the time you wrote this article, this wasn’t so, but it sure is now, and I’m very pleased about it!

  24. So….the adapter works with the DC 18-200 HSM and the DC 18-300 HSM, but not with the DC 18-250 Macro HSM? That I don’t get…..

  25. hi Brian,

    I’ve recently purchased a Sigma 100-400mm lens and MC-11 adapter. So far, I haven’t been able to get Eye-AF to work with a Sony A6500.

    Do you have any suggestions for what is needed in order to get Eye AF to work with this adapter & lens?

    1. After many trials, with the Sigma combination the A6500 is finding the eye maybe 1 out of 20 times.

      I’ve tried in the same conditions a native e-mount lens (the Ziess 16-70), and it finds the eye most of the time. The A6500 is configured in AF-S and AF wide.

  26. hi Brian, thanks for the reply.

    “What the Sigma MC-11 CAN do:
    .. provided full AF functions for stills including focus tracking and Eye-AF…”

    Not as responsive is one thing, however based on the above, I did expect eye-AF to work to some extent, so I was surprised…

    Fyi, the Sigma combination did get significantly better with the latest FW for the adapter, and with the A6500 in AF-C rather than AF-S. With the latest FW in the adapter and the camera in AF-C, the combination tracks eyes pretty well.

    Also, in case it helps anyone else, in AF-S mode, eye tracking only works on the first focus cycle after pressing the button to which Eye-AF is assigned. After that, the Eye-AF button must be released and pressed again. (Maybe that’s obvious, but perhaps not…)

    Thanks for the info – cheers.

      1. Hi Brian,
        Thanks for the good work. Owning an A6500, is there a prefered solution :
        – Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary EF mount + MC11 EF-E
        or
        – Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary AF mount + MC11 AF-E ?
        Thank you for the answer !

  27. Hi Brian, I have the a6300 and purchased the sigma 18-35mm f1.8 lens which is great for stills but the af has been awful when combined with the laea3 adapter. From my understanding the lens I bought from sigma is an a-mount based lens that works with the laea3 , will it work with the mc11 sa-mount ?

    From what i read sigma doesn’t offer a E-mount to a-mount adapter and that SA is a tottally different format.

    I appreciate your help.

  28. Hi Brian, recently I bought A7Riii along with native 24 -105 F4. i am really impressed with recently release Sigma 60 -600. Wish to know how this lens works on A7Rii with MC 11. would there be any loss of F stops due to the increased distance between the body and lens?

  29. Hi everyone,

    I’m planning to buy an used copy of Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM to use on my Sony A7ii body.

    Does anybody know if Sony A7ii can Eye AF with this lens via the Sigma MC-11 adapter?

    I greatly appreciate any information from you! 🙂

      1. Thanks a lot, Brian!

        The problem is the price of Sony FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS is out of my budget.

        My budget can buy only either an used Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM or an used Canon Macro 100mm f/2.8 USM (non L).

  30. Mustafa Mumcuoglu

    Hi I am using sony A7R2 and curious if MC-11 and sigma 60-600 will work smoothly ? have you had a chance to test ?

  31. Hi. I received a Sigma 50-500mm f / 4.5-6.3 DG APO OS HSM for Canon. I can nowhere read if it will work with the MC11 adapter. What do you think? I have a Sony a7rii. Thank you for your response.

    1. Hello Pedro, in my tests of both the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary & Sport, I definitely noticed better performance with Sigma MC-11 over Metabones Smart Adapter V. the good new is that there’s currently a deal for $50 Off Sigma MC-11

    1. That lens has an older generation AF system that is not supported by Sigma with this adapter. That’s not to say it “not compatible” – it simply means Sigma makes no claims toward performance.

  32. Hi there, I have the sigma 70 300 APO macro super lens ,and the sony a7ii, is the mc 11 the right adapter for me?

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