Published: June 15, 2015
Metabones Smart Adapter IV | Fotodiox AF Canon to Sony E Adapter | Viltrox AF Canon to Sony E Adapter
I’ve received so many questions about lens compatibility of Canon EF Smart adapters on Sony E-Mount cameras including Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II, a6000, a5100, a5000 and NEX mirrorless cameras that I headed to B&H Photo where I knew I could find a huge selection of Canon EF lenses to put to the test. To compile this Guide to Canon Smart Adapter lens compatibility on Sony a7 Series E-Mount cameras, I tested every Canon EF lens I could get my hands on using these Canon Smart Adapters:
• Metabones Canon EF to Sony E-Mount Smart Adapter IV ($400)
• Fotodiox AF Adapter for Canon EF to Sony E-Mount ($100)
• Viltrox Auto-focus Canon EF to Sony E Mount Adapter II ($100)
UPDATE: SONY a7R II CANON SMART ADAPTER TESTS
Electronic Functions
Unless otherwise specified, these Smart Adapters provide electronic aperture control, record the lens metadata, and transmit focal length to SteadyShot.
Focus Speed
Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II and other existing Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras offer AF-S autofocus speed that’s acceptable at best – but never fast – with the Canon EF Smart Adapters tested in this review. AF speed is well suited for landscapes, architecture and portraits – but when it comes for fast moving action, fuggedaboutit!
Image Stabilization with Sony a7 Mark II Cameras
In addition to AF, I also wanted to see how Canon IS image-stabilized lenses would interact with the 5-Axis IBIS system found in the Sony a7II and a7RII. Unlike when Sony E-mount OSS lenses are mounted on a7 Mark II cameras and IBIS allows the lens to control Pitch + Yaw and the camera controls the other functions. In my initial tests, I found that Fotodiox, Viltrox and Metabones (firmware 0.40) over-compensated for image shake. Both the camera and lens appear to adjust Pitch + Yaw when Canon IS is switched On, but when IS on the lens is switched off neither the camera and lens apply image stabilization. Essentially you get double or nothing.
Metabones was aware of this issue and on June 1st,they released Metabones firmware update 0.41 for Smart Adapter IV to address this. With this update, users can use the lens IS switch to choose between using lens-based optical Image Stabilization and Sony a7II IBIS:
Firmware on the Fotodiox and Viltrox adapters is not user-updatable. (In fact, both appear to be running out-dated Metabones III firmware) As a result, I recommend that anyone who plans to use Canon IS lenses on Sony a7II or a7RII cameras stick to Metabones.
In the course of these tests I noticed that smart adapters occasionally don’t make proper electronic contact, so in cases they did not make contact on first try, I remounted the adapter at least two more times. Consider this fair warning that results may vary. Now without further ado is my ultimate guide to Canon lens compatibility using Metabones, Fotodiox and Viltrox Smart Adapters:
CANON EF PRIMES
Testing the $180,000 Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens on a Sony a7II camera
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens
Metabones: Repeatedly mis-focused in my tests.
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens
Metabones: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Lens
Metabones: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens
Metabones: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens
Metabones: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
PLEASE NOTE: By default Sony cameras display 1/3 stops but f/1.2 is a half stop, so when the next lens is wide open, f/1.3 is displayed even though you’re actually shooting at f/1.2, but if this bugs and you really NEED it to say ONE POINT TWO, do this:
1. Set the EV dial is set to Zero
2. Change this setting: Menu > Camera Settings > Exposure Step > 0.5 EV
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens
Metabones: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Manual Focus only with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens
Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual Focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens
Metabones: AF-S works sporatically – but not reliably
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual Focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 (version I)
Metabones: Manual Focus Only
Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only
Viltrox: Manual Focus Only
PLEASE NOTE: By default Sony cameras display 1/3 stops but f/1.2 is a half stop, so when the next lens is wide open, f/1.3 is displayed even though you’re actually shooting at f/1.2, but if this bugs and you really NEED it to say ONE POINT TWO, do this:
1. Set the EV dial is set to Zero
2. Change this setting: Menu > Camera Settings > Exposure Step > 0.5 EV
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 II
Metabones: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens
Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Lens
Metabones: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses
Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens
Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens
Metabones: Extremely Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Extremely Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Extremely Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L USM Lens (Version 1)
Metabones: AF-S hunts but won’t lock.
Fotodiox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
Metabones: Manual Focus only
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only
Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
Viltrox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L USM Lens (version 1)
Metabones: AF-S is nearly impossible
Fotodiox: Manual focus only
Viltrox: Manual focus only
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Metabones: AF-S is nearly impossible
Fotodiox: AF-S is nearly impossible
Viltrox: AF-S is nearly impossible
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: I was unable to make electronic contact or AF in my tests
Viltrox: I was unable to make electronic contact or AF in my tests
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Metabones: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
Viltrox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM Lens
Not Tested
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses
Viltrox: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses
Viltrox: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses
Viltrox: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only. Focus snaps in and out clearly with focus peaking
Viltrox: Manual Focus only. Focus snaps in and out clearly with focus peaking
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras – but are you really gonna handhold this 36-pound monster?
CANON TILT/SHIFT
Canon Tilt/Shift lenses are all designed for manual focus only and no AF adapter will change that. But electronic functions like aperture control are supported and lens data is recorded in metadata.
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift
Metabones: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control
CANON EF ZOOMS
Menashe Wodinsky of B&H Photo shot with Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Lens + Sony a7II.
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S from 24-50mm but misfocuses above 50mm.
Viltrox: Good AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
Metabones: Manual focus only
Fotodiox: Manual focus only
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Not Tested
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Lens
Metabones: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Metabones: Manual Focus only (AF-S misfocuses)
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S at most focal lengths but at 70mm it misfocuses at infinity
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S at most focal lengths but at 70mm it misfocuses at infinity
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens
Metabones: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens
Metabones: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens
Metabones: Acceptable AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens
Metabones: Slow AF-S up to about 290mm but misfocus at 300mm
Fotodiox: Manual Focus only – AF-S mis-focuses at all focal lengths
Viltrox: Slow AF-S up to about 290mm but misfocus at 300mm
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens
Metabones: Manual Focus Only
Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only
Viltrox: Manual Focus Only
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
Metabones: Accurate AF-S across the entire focal range
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S from 100-200mm but all misfocus beyond 200mm
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S from 100-200mm but all misfocus beyond 200mm
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender
Metabones: Accurate AF-S across native 200-400mm range, but misfocuses with built-in 1.4 TC enabled
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S across native 200-400mm range, but misfocuses with built-in 1.4 TC enabled
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S across native 200-400mm range, but misfocuses with built-in 1.4 TC enabled
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.
CANON EFS LENSES
Canon EFS lenses are APS format with a very hard vignette edge making them suitable for Sony APS cameras like a6000, a5100, a5000 and NEX – but will only cover APS-crop mode on a7-series cameras.
Fullframe crop shows a hard edge vignette with Canon EFS lenses.
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens (APS-C)
Metabones: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens (APS-C)
Metabones: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
CANON TELECONVERTERS
Canon EF Extenders transmit electronic functions with all three Smart Adapters but with the accompanying light loss you may also lose AF with certain lenses.
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Metabones: Offers the fastest AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III + Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
Metabones: Manual focus only
Fotodiox: Manual focus only
Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon Extender EF 2x III + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Metabones: Manual focus only
Fotodiox: Manual focus only
Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Canon Extender EF 2x III + Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
Metabones: Manual focus only
Fotodiox: Manual focus only
Viltrox: Manual focus only
NOTES: All adapters offer electronic functions using this Canon 2x teleconverter on this F4 lens but none will AF, likely because F8 is the max F-stop with this combination.
THIRD-PARTY CANON EF-MOUNT LENSES
Quoting from Metabones website: “Only Canon-branded lenses introduced in or after 2006 are officially supported. Autofocus may be disabled for older Canon lenses and most third-party lenses, including most Sigma, Tamron and Tokina lenses and all Contax N lenses modified by Conurus.”
SIGMA EF PRIMES
Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Manual focus only
Fotodiox: Manual focus only
Viltrox: Manual focus only
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF Macro for Canon EF
Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens.
Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF Macro for Canon EF
Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S hunts with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S hunts with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Not Tested
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Not Tested
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens For Canon EF
Metabones: Offers the Fastest AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro for Canon EF
Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO HSM Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only
Viltrox: Manual Focus Only
Sigma 800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO HSM Lens for Canon EF
Not Tested
SIGMA EF ZOOMS
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
Not tested
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Lens for Canon EF
Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens. Metabones and Viltrox offer AF across entire focal range. Fotodiox auto focuses accurately from 24-60mm but misfocuses at 70mm.
Sigma 24-105mm F/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S from 150-300mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Not Tested
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Canon EF
Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Very slow AF-S from 150-175mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S from 150-300mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: Not Tested
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary EF Lens
Metabones: Very slow AF-S from 150-250mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S from 150-250mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.
Viltrox: Not Tested
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports EF Lens
Not tested
Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Lens for Canon EF
Not tested
Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF Lens for Canon EF
Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens.
TAMRON EF ZOOMS
Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Acceptable AF-S from 24-35mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S from 24-35mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Viltrox: AF-S misfocuses across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens for Canon EF
Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens for Canon EF
Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens
TOKINA EF LENSES
Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 Pro FX Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Not Yet Tested
Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested
Viltrox: Not Yet Tested
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.
Tokina 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Not Yet Tested
Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested
Viltrox: Not Yet Tested
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.
Tokina AT-X 24-70mm f/2.8 PRO FX Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Not Yet Tested
Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested
Viltrox: Not Yet Tested
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.
Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro for Canon EF
Metabones: Not Yet Tested
Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested
Viltrox: Not Yet Tested
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.
TOKINA EF LENSES (APS)
Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens for Canon Mount
Metabones: Not Yet Tested
Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested
Viltrox: Not Yet Tested
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.
Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX Lens for Canon EF
Metabones: Not Yet Tested
Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested
Viltrox: Not Yet Tested
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.
Tokina 12-28mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro APS-C Lens for Canon
Metabones: Not Yet Tested
Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested
Viltrox: Not Yet Tested
NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.
ZEISS ZE LENSES
Zeiss ZE lenses are manual focus lenses and no AF adapter will change that. Lens adapters communicate electronic functions like aperture and lens metadata – but these lenses remain manual focus – just the way Zeiss designed them:
Zeiss ZE 15mm f/2.8 Distagon T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 18mm f/3.5 Distagon T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 25mm f/2.0 Distagon T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 35mm f/2 Distagon T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 50mm f/2 Makro-Planar T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 85mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss ZE 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar T* Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
ZEISS OTUS ZE LENSES
Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZE Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Apo Planar T* ZE Lens
Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control
Conclusion:
Each of the three adapters performed slightly better with certain lenses yet the overall performance was fairly comparable. The $100 adapters from Fotodiox and Viltrox look identical but the results while close were not identical so it’s possible they are idenical in construction but with different firmware. I had to tighten the lens mount screws on the Viltrox repeatedly over the course of testing. If this happens to you I suggest applying a dab of Loctite on the screw threads (clear nail polish will do in a pinch) then tightening down firmly with a jewelers Phillips head screw driver.
As I said in the introduction, Metabones Smart Adapter IV with (Firmware 0.41 and later) is the only adapter that allows you to use the lens IS switch to choose between using lens-based optical Image Stabilization and Sony a7II/a7RII IBIS. Firmware on the Fotodiox and Viltrox adapters is not user-updatable.
Because of this I recommend that anyone who plans to use Canon IS lenses on Sony a7II or a7RII cameras stick to Metabones. But if you never plan to use Canon IS lenses on Sony IBIS cameras such as a7II and a7RII you can save yourself a few hundred dollars with Fotodiox or Viltrox.
Acknowledgements:
Huge thanks to my friends at B&H Photo, Menashe Wodinsky, Jesica Bruzzi, Michael Hollender, Yosef Brown and all the nice folks behind the counter in the new and used departments at B&H for their assistance in compiling this report. You guys ROCK!
For more tips and tricks about getting the most out of your Sony a7 series camera, check out my book ‘Sony a7-Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots’. It’s your guide to all of the Sony a7 Series I & II cameras. While the camera manual explains what the camera can do, it doesn’t show how to use the camera to create great images! Starting with the Top Ten things users need to know about the cameras, author Brian Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery, carefully guides you through the operating features of Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II and a7RII and how to use them. Get practical advice from a pro on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and assignments at end of chapter to practice what you’ve just learned.
‘Sony A7 Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots’ is available NOW from Amazon
Thank you for supporting this website through purchases from our affiliate partners! We always strive to bring you the best deals and lowest prices.
227 thoughts on “Canon EF Smart Adapter Tests for Sony E-Mount Cameras”
Nice comparison. Any chance of adding the DEO-Tech adapter? It’d make a nice datapoint since it’s different from the viltrox/fotodiox adapters mechanically, not just firmware-wise, about halfway between them and the most expensive option in price, and also has upgradeable firmware like the Metabones.
I’ve stayed away from DEO-Tech because I received quite a few complaints from users that their adapters don’t fit on the all-metal lens mount used in the a7S, A7II and a7RII.
Hello Brian, thank you for the very informative article. I have a question regarding Metabones Canon EF to NEX Adapter (Mark IV) + Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens. According to Metabones website (http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB-EF-E-BM4) the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM supports manual focus only, but in your article you mentioned that Metabones offers AF across entire focal range. Do you know why Metabones listed this lens under Manual focus only? And also, is Metaboens has an upgradeable firmware? Thank you very much!
Why do you think I ran the tests?
Metabones Smart Adapter firmware is indeed upgradeable. The current version in FW 0.41 as described here.
I trust you! I don’t trust Metabones :). Thank you again.
i’m curious what about the smart adapters for m4/3
Thanks for the exhaustive testing you did! I was hoping you would of had a chance to test the 3 adapters with the a6000 on the Canon EF-S 10-22 lens as that is the one I want to adapt most for my super wide angle needs that I dont cover yet in my bag. Sadly you weren’t able to test that lens. But it looks like none of those performed very well on a lot of Canon lenses.
Have you considered the Sony SEL 10-18 F4 OSS
Brian yes Ive heard good thing about the 10-18 but right now Im unemployed and trying to make use of all the lenses I have from my Canon (6D and 60D setup) with my a6000 as much as I can. I already have too much gear (well we can never have enough right?)….. 😉 Maybe down the road I will but for now I love my 10-22 and I know many others who love that lens. It would be a great 16-35 for my a6000. I own the Sigma 19 f2.8, Sigma 30 f2.8, Sony 50 f1.8 kit 16-50 and kit 18-55 from my sons NEX-7 so far. I have some old 1980s Canon FD glass when I started in photography so I got an FD to NEX adapter for those. Also bought one of those CCTV lenses for fun to play around with a different look. Know anyone who can let you borrow the 10-22 and try it on the Commlite or other adapater? I dont want to have to go thru the “send it back” again. I already asked on Amazon but no one else has responded about this so….
I have limited time to test and can only test the lenses that are available when I do. I don’t test Commlite adapters any more because I believe FotodioX Adapter for Canon EF to Sony E-Mount is a better choice at that price point.
any ideas about the metabones III adapter? I still have that model, the AF Performance should be the same ?
It should improve AF performance on all adapters. Metabones has made some significant improvement in the firmware since the Smart Adapter III was release. The latest FW update 0.41 is really a must if you plan to use Canon IS lenses with a7RII. While Smart Adapter III is not user updatable, I believe that you can send them to Metabones service facility to have them update it for you.
Pingback: Field Test: Sony a7RII
Thanks for this extensive review!!! Coming from canon set up, 7d using 17-55 2.8, 70-200 2.8 is mark 1. I was using this back to back with Nex 6 with a kit lens and legacy lenses. And then, I finally gave up my canon and moved to Sony A7II. Loving it with the 16-35f4!!! Now comes my problem. I miss my 70-200 2.8 Canon L. (but not the weight!) I need another 70-200 to take photos of my kids performing on stage. So here’s my dilemma, Should I go for Sony 70-200 F4 e mount or just metabones with 70-200 (F4) is USM. Take note, not the 2.8 since I’ve sold it already, but a friend of mine is selling his F4 canon plus brand new metabones for less than the price of the sony 70-200 F4. I know its not a great comparison but Canon lenses are so easy to “buy and sell” compared to sony lenses (from where I’m from). Having the metabones will allow me to get more canon lenses on canon mount lenses. But my initial problem of owning another 70-200 for stage, moving, sometimes dark photographs of my kids performances is dilemma now. Will the metabones with canon 70-200 f4 is usm perform at par with the sony 70-200 f4 e mount?
Whenever there is a native E-mount version of the lens you want, go native! The Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS is a great lens.
I agree…. sure I would like the f2.8 but high ISO’s being as clean as they are now, I used the f4 70-200 in a high school gym (notorious for low light.. that I once shot film in) and the a6000 with the f4 zoom was astounding in AF speed and “keep rate” 8 out of 11 were keepers 4-11 razor sharp and perhaps 1-2 out of 11 too soft. These rates while “youngster” may not be impressed with to a seasoned shooter that used to shoot without AF then with infantile AF are astounding and at 11fps which was once unheard of.
Yup, I think it’s difficult for former film shooters to wrap their heads around F4 – but f4 zooms have smaller lens elements than 2.8 zooms and smaller lens elements move faster than big ones…
Have you tried out the Kipon EF-NEX autofocus adapter? I’m curious if this adapter performs better than the Metabones IV in terms of AF speed, especially for the upcoming A7rii. It appears the Kipon was announced back in Dec. 14 but it seems not as readily available in the US market. Any chance you may be reviewing this adapter?
Hi Willie, In the US, I’ve only seen the Kipon EF-NEX AF Lens Mount Adapter listed: HERE
It’s currently on back-order (though the site does not say so until you’ve placed an order) but I may add it to the next round of tests if it actually shows up.
Brian, I’ve heard with that with the Metabones you can get a Canon EF or Zeiss ZE to enable focus zooming automatically like a FE lenses in MF mode or Loxia lens. Are you able to confirm this by any chance?
If you mean automatic focus magnification when you turn the focus ring, please tell me how.
As far as I’ve know that’s only possible with native E-mount lenses (including Zeiss Batis and Loxia)
I program the C1 button for that.
Brian, the Metabones webpage for the Mark IV adapter lists the following information in the box Compatibility/Supported. I was assuming the Metabones adapter would do auto-magnify with Canon lenses based on that info? What Canon lenses would this apply to? Thanks
Auto magnify (see note 2)
2. Requires lenses supporting distance information.
I’m not aware that auto magnify works on anything but native E-mount lenses from Sony and Zeiss. That’s why most people using third-party lenses program Focus Magnify to the C1 button
Hi Brian ,
Read all your reviews and recommendations…
All excellent information and terrific photography…
I bought the FotodioX AF Canon to Sony E Adapter .
Manual focus was fine as i wanted to shoot with the 90mmm tilt shift lens.
This adaptor does not work with either the 90mm or the 100mm Canon macro lens .
Well it works but produces 4 white circles of light in, one in each corner .
Not from outside as i wrapped the camera/lens in black, so it is some weird diffraction on the inside . DO not feel like spending 400 on the metabones adaptor .
So not sure how you tested the Fotodiox adaptor and had success with it???
Is it possible i just got a lemon….?
Sounds either like lens flare or a reflection inside the adapter. I tested all four Canon T/S lenses with both tilt & shift using all three adapters, but there virtually infinite ways to combine tilt & shift under varied lighting conditions that can cause results to vary.
Thank you! The information provided on your site is clear and concise. You willingness to answer questions is also greatly appreciated, and it is clear that you are editing comments to only show those that provide others helpful information. Your approach is refreshing as compared to those sites with no responses or endless comments from Trolls. I am sure it has required a lot of effort. I really appreciate it and I am sure others do too. You have provided the key information that has convinced me to switch from my Canon body!
Thanks Pat!
Pingback: Breaking Down the A7RII Hype – Should A7/R/S Users Make the $3200 Upgrade? | ilovehatephotography
Impressive study. Do you know how the T/S range (vignetting) is with the TS-E 90?
I bent it like Beckham and it appeared to do fine with the Metabones Smart Adapter IV
Hi Brian,
I love your work, and appreciate your exhaustive testing.
Thank you.
Regards
John Roberts
Thank you John!
Thanks for your very informative and comprehensive tests.
Am on pre-order for the new SONY A7RII but I can see that the specific Canon lenses I was planning to use with my new camera are not very well suited for the current line-up of adapters (70-200 f/2.8 IS L II, 300 f/2.8 IS L II, 85L II and 135L). Its almost like the list of Canon lenses not to use with the new SONY according to your tests… 🙁
What’s your best guess: Is there hope that performance will improve for these lenses with the production A7RII or do you expect future Metabones upgrades to solve the issues (not sure what AF “impossible” implies)?
I’ll test as many lenses as I can once I get a production a7RII, but I will be posting those results in a separate post so as not to confuse the results.
Hi Brian, are there any differences in terms of tight fit of the adapter to the camera or the lenses to the adapter? I’ve notice significant differences in precision and tightness of adapters of different manufacturers but I have no experience with EF mount adapters yet.
Best regards,
Helge
Yes. Metabones are the “tightest” by far. Some people complain about this but I believe it’s much better than being wobbly. I do not recommend Viltrox any more. They simply don’t hold up over time…
Brian, is there any way you can get the Canon EF-S 10-22 ultra wide angle lens tested? I bought the Fotodiox to EF to NEX Pro Adapter because it said it would fit my EF-S and EF lenses but that was a lie. It didnt let me mount the EF-S lens at all. All the other EF lenses attached fine to the adapter but I really needed the 10-22 for my a6000 so… can you test one of the other adapters with the 10-22 to confirm it attaches to the adapter and it works.? The ultra wide range is the only thing I dont have for my a6000 and Id rather not spend on a Sony native lens if I dont have to. Also I have the SIgma 17-50 f2.8 which isnt listed on your reviews either. I use that and the 10-22 with my Canon 60D but would love to use them on my a6000 as well. Thanks so much.
I don’t really focus on Canon EF-S lenses because they are not a good match for a7-series cameras and I only have so much time to test. But I’ve never found an EF or EF-S lens that would not fit on a FotodioX Adapter for Canon EF to Sony E-Mount.
OK maybe I got a bad one as the Fotodiox EF to NEX Pro adapter I received would not let the EF-S 10-22 lens mount at all. It wouldnt turn one little bit. but all the others (non EFS) mounted fine.
Hello Brian, thank you for the detailed review!
I own few Canon EF mount lenses, which i’m normally using with my 2 cropped bodies of Canon 60D and T2i. I lately purchased a Sony FS700 (pre upgraded), and while I’m pretty sure that in one way or another, all of my lenses would work (fully or partially, due to Metabones known limitations) I still have some doubts about one of them: it is the Sigma 10mm 2.8 (fixed). I’m looking into buying a metabone (or equivalent) booster or adapter, but I’m not sure if it’ll be compatible and or how it will react/look. This lens is NOT in any of your listing here. So I decided to just send a questions here.
I understand that 3rd party lenses normally don’t have the AF function working when used with the metabones products, nor does the AF functionality in general when using with metabones for video on the Sony FS series (FS700). In this situation I’m having both “˜non functioning AF’ situation, but I’d like to know if you or anyone you know have tried using the Sigma 10mm 2.8 (fixed lens) with an FS700;
1. How was it with the speedbooster?
2. How was it with the smart adapter?
From reading online in different sources, it seems like anything below 14-15 is getting harsh vignette, or even showing a “˜hole in the middle of a black frame’ look. Yet none of the reviews or tests that I could find online included the that specific 10mm 2.8 FIXED lens. They were all for 11-16mm,10-20mm, some tamron, some sigma, etc”¦
It doesn’t HAVE to be some tested info; if based on someone’s tests – I’d love to get their results and or a link to it. If based just on your knowledge and understanding of the glasses – I’d love to get that too! Any info here would help”¦
Thanks!
Ori.
Speed Booster’s reduce the image of a full frame lens down to APS, but the Sigma 10mm 2.8 is an APS lens so you can’t use it with a Speed Booster adapter. I’m not a fan of Speed Boosters because there’s always image degradation because of the glass elements used in speed boosters or other focal reducers.
Hi Brian & Ori.
First of all, thanks for testing and writing this review Brian!
I just bought the Sony a7s II with Metabones E mount T for Canon lenses. I tested it with the Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II DG HSM and got a full vignette circle filming in 4k mode and still a bit of vignette in HD crop mode. Couldn’t really get any wider than 17 without getting any vignette. I know this doesn’t answer your question Ori, but I was hoping you maybe would have found some more reviews you can share since your last post about using full-frame lenses with Metabones?
I am trying to find the widest lens I can fit on this camera without losing half of my image.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
kind regards,
Charles
Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II DG is listed as a fullframe lens and it certainly appeared that way when I tested it. Is it possible you’re using a filter that vignettes?
Of course if you want the widest non-fisheye fullframe lens possible, that would be the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM.
Can you please test the single A7RII with all three adapters and Canon lenses? I would be very appreciate that. This new camera supports both phase detection and contrast detection with non-native lenses, but not all of them work well. I’ve just bought this camera and a Viltrox EF-E II adapter and rent a 135mm f2L, but phase detection doesn’t work, it keep hunting forever, switch to contrast detection make it better, about 90% hit but sometime it stop working.
There are a LOT of Canon lenses to test, but I’ve removed Viltrox from my list of recommended adapters because it doesn’t perform as well on a7RII. Metabones Smart Adapter IV and Fotodiox perform much better with all the lenses I’ve tested so far.
Thank you, sir. I have to ask, on the A7RII, does the 135mm f2L work well with Fotodiox adapter? I’m going to sell the Viltrox right now and looking for replacement.
Hi Thanh, I just tested the Canon 135mm F2. The problem is not the adapter – it’s the lens. It’s one of those pre-2006 lens designs that won’t lock-in AF with any adapter. Works quite well with MF though due to the bright aperture.
Actually, the problem is the adapter. I have a FOTGA adapter and the adapter allows for AF-S lock on both the A6000 and A7R.
Sadly, I like this lens so much. Anw, thanks for your help, Brian.
Hi Tranh, I dug in a but deeper with the Canon EF 135 F2 and discovered that while none of the adapters will work with PDAF, it is possible to achieve slowish Contrast AF-S using both Metabones Smart Adapter IV and Fotodiox AF Adapter – but not with Viltrox.
Should have read further down the line!
Pingback: Sony a7RII Canon EF Smart Adapter Tests
Brian great job here. Do you happen to have experience with the new Techart Canon adapter Version 3….. user here who owns both Metabones IV and Techart 3 http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1379624/18 suggest that it worked with at least one lens that Metabones and others refuse to autofocus in Phase Detection Mode – Canon 200L 2.8 II. I wonder if this new magic adapter would also work other lenses others don’t: 85 1.8, 135L (that one is truly the one i care about). Anything you know about that new adapter?
Techart has horrible customer service that has not responded to problems that readers have had with the fit of their adapters. I’ll be testing their Contax G adapter again simply because it’s the only AF option, but at this time I do not recommend their Canon adapter.
So would you recommend the Fotodiox adapter to someone who is just planning to use canon lenses with manual focus for video? I am trying to decide which adapter for my upcoming a7sii preorder. I am mostly concerned about build quality and don’t want to cheap out. Thanks Brian this is all very helpful.
Yes, Fotodiox is well built. It will work fine with manual focus video.
Hello Brian,
Congratulations for the excelent review.
For the Sony A7 (and having a Canon body), do you recomend to buy the:
1- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM + Fotodiox or Viltrox adapter; or
2- Sony FE 70-200mm f/4.0 G OSS?
Thanks!
If you don’t already own the Canon zoom – go with the Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS.
Hello Brian,
What a great job !
I am wondering if there is a major AF performance decrease if we use a Contrast detection camera (a5000) instead of Phase detection one (A6000) with these kinds of adapters?
Thanks !
There is not. Sony a6000 is only able to access Contrast AF with Smart Adapters. The only camera that uses on-chip phase detection with third-party lenses using Smart Adapters is Sony a7RII. All the rest will only use contrast AF. (Please Note that LA-EA4 uses it own PDAF focus system – separate from the camera.)
Answer short, complete and clear. What can we expect more ? Thanks a lot !!
From your experience, what option would be best to benefit from both good AF (for photography) and 5 axis in body stabilization (for video) as a fast wide angle prime/zoom from these 2 available options:
1) Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art lens in A-mount with LA-EA3
2) Sigma 24-35mm f2.0 Art lens in Canon EF mount with metabones (unfortunately this lens is not available in A-mount)…
??
For video you’ll get much better AF if you stick with native FE lenses like the FE 35 1.4
Let me explain myself a litle bit better.
I am doing both video and stills.
I would like to have:
1) good autofocus for stills (which is better on the native lenses and the A-mount lenses, hit or miss with the Canons)
2) good mechanical manual focus for video (the fly by wire implementation of manual focus on the native FE lenses is ridiculous, because it is non linear and you cannot do repetitive focus pulls).
3) the best possible implementation for image stabilization when doing handheld video.
I understand that native lenses cover points 1 and 3 the best, but point 2 is a no go for me (in fact I have the FE 55 1.8 lens and never use it for video as it drives me crazy for manual focusing).
So, for the wide end, I have narrowed my research down to A-mount lenses and Canon lenses. I tend to believe that the A-mount Sigma lens will have better AF and better IBIS implementation rather than the Canon Sigma art lens, but I don’t know how much worse are these 2 points in the Canon version.
So I was wondering if it was worth to prefer the Canon wide zoom lens 24-35 f2.0 (is it going to give good AF for stills and 5 axis IBIS for video?), or to sacrifice the ability to zoom, and go “safer” with the 35mm f1.4 A-mount lens.
Maybe my question boils down to:
if you have the same lens in Canon and Sony A-mount mount and use adapters, does one mount have significantly faster AF (for stills) and almost native IBIS function for handheld video on the Sony body?
Thanks again for your time.
When you say “if you have the same lens in Canon and Sony A-mount mount” do you mean Canon EF and Sony A lenses or third-party EF-mount and A-mount glass?
I refer to third party EF and A-mount lenses (Sigma, Tamron etc), which would be the only possibility of having the same exact lens in two different mounts that can both be adapted to Sony e-mount.
In my specific case I am looking at the Sigma art series lenses.
On the A7s it is clear that A-mount with the LA-EA4 would be “the winner”, because Canon lenses autofocus is very slow. But how is the situation on the A7rii?
To thanks for putting in all the hardwork. It seems ridiculous we can’t just turn off the lens IS and use the in body IS on the a7rii and a7sii. Anyone know any adapters other than the ridiculously expensive metabones which will allow this. Seems like it would just be a simple firmware trick to resolve this.
That’s part of why Metabones costs more – they’re working on software improvements all the time.
Pingback: Why Sony E-Mount is becoming the Universal Lens Mount
After the latest metabones firmware update 1.9, several of my Canon lenses, which didn’t work before, now function great. The canon 85mm f1.8 and Sigma art 50mm 1.4 are fully usable for event work. Since I have been waiting forever for the Batis 85mm and the Sigma art was previously my favorite lens, this is huge for me.
Really interesting thread Brian. I have a very specific requirement and I suspect my question is unanswerable. I use a housed A6000 and Canon Mount Tokina AF 10-17mm F3.5 – 4.5 Fisheye Lens (the only zoom fisheye lens AFAIK) for underwater photography. The Commlite adapter I use works fine for aperture control but autofocus is ineffective. Manual focus with peaking generally works well especially with the large DOF (I need to use a minimum of f8 to f11 underwater for optical reasons) but there are occasions when shooting large fast moving creatures such as dolphins and sharks when autofocus would be an advantage.
Metabones say that their Mk IV adapter and latest FW will support slow CD autofocus with this lens. I expect that this won’t be fast enough for the application above.
I hear what you say about customer service and fit of the Techart III (or identical DEO Saker Falcon Lite) adapters, but with their latest FW release these seem to be the only adapters claiming to provide fast PD autofocus with the A6000. I had a quick response to an enquiry to DEO that they did not know if their adapter would work with the Tokina lens as they only test with Canon’s own lenses. Short focal length lenses are less challenging to autofocus than longer ones so I was wondering whether there might be a reasonable chance of this adapter working in this application. I can’t find a shopfront supplier to allow testing nor a local sale or return source for the adapter. What is your best guess concerning this adapter’s apparently unique PD focussing capabilities on the A6000? It seems I would have to purchase speculatively to find out for sure.
Thanks, Mark
Techart might be overstating their claim. Metabones has an advanced mode designed to do the same thing, so it’s not quite the breakthrough Techart claims.
Have you considered the Sony SEL 10-17 F4 OSS???
Thanks Brian. Do you mean the Sony SEL 10-18 F4 OSS?
If so, yes I have it and it’s a good and useful lens underwater, but it’s rectilinear so doesn’t have the ~180 degree angle of view of the Tokina Fisheye and therefore doesn’t allow quite the same exaggerated perspective for close-focus subjects. Also it requires a larger dome port for underwater use else edges go very fuzzy.
From their website, the Metabones advanced mode supporting PDAF only seems to be supported on A7II and A7RII bodies? while Techart appear to claim PDAF support for the A6000 as well. But as you say, they may be overstating their claim, and don’t even make the claim for 3rd party lenses. I don’t seem able to find out without taking the plunge.
Mark
…Testing the $180,000 Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens on a Sony a7II camera…
I am curious what you found in the store to take a picture of with that extremely ‘short’ focal length. You should add that pic to the review as well.
Just pictures of signs in the store – not worth the space it they’d take up. One day I might get it out of the store – but I’ve always got a lot on my plate the days that I test.
I have a Metabones E Mount T Mark IV on a Sony a7rii, and I noticed significantly increased vignetting on full frame photos when zooming out wider than 30 mm. It is very unnatural and pronounced at the corners. I tried17-35 f4 and 24-105 f4. When I zoom in, the vignetting is decreased. I compared the photos with the same exposure setting with my 5DMiii, and the vinetting is much less. When I post process in lightroom, I would hae to double the lens correction vignetting setting to eliminate th vignetting at 24mm. I also noticed a cold cast on the vignetting. Maybe the velvet coating in the metabones is affecting the color at the edges. At least some of the vignetting is cut off when shooting video because of the wider aspect ratio.
It’s quite possible that Canon is applying in-camera lens corrections. These can easily be applied in post if you shoot Raw and process in Lightroom or Capture One Pro
Hello Brain. First I like to say thank you for making this list for all the lenses that work with different adapters. I have recently purchased the Sigma 35mm 1 .4 art and I am saddened to say that it does not work with the fotodiox adapter. Manual or automatic does not work. When the lens is attached and I hit the button for the shutter nothing seems to happen…any ideas?
Is the AF/MF switch on the lens set to AF?
I have tried both AF and MF set on and off on it. When I hit the button for the shutter it just stays open until I twist the lens adapter or turn off the camera. And I have test the lens with a Canon camera and it works just fine and the adapter works with every other ones I have but this one
I was able to get slow but accurate AF with that combination with the lens that I tested. Sigma AF is reverse-engineered for Canon EF mount so most Sigma lenses do not preform as well as native EF lenses on smart adapters.
Hi Brian- Thank you for your excellent reviews and information. I have a new Sony a7 with a Fotodiox smart adapter and with my Canon 75-300 IS lens there is no aperture control, focus or IS control. The lens is functionally dead. Is this a documented issue or is there something wrong. I get full functionality with all my other Canon lenses, 28-105, 85mm, 20mm, 50mm (except no auto focus with the 50). Thanks for your help.
Additionally, the camera won’t even allow me to trip the shutter when the lens is mounted. I cleaned the contacts, so I think it must be an incompatibility issue with this older lens.
That’s exactly what these tests show.
Your test does show that the 75-300 USM III doesn’t autofocus, but does it retain aperture control? I am thinking of swapping my old IS lens for a newer USM III. I can’t quite scratch up the funds for the Sony 70-300 yet. Thanks again for all your excellent information and the painstaking research.
Hi, I hope someone can help. I have just bought a A7sii and fit it with Commlite EF lens adapter. I have lenses EF Tamron 15-30mm 2.8 and EF Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art …..
The AF seems working ok, tho I don’t really need it. But my problem is with aperture… On both of the lenses, when I change aperture, image in the camera’s lcd display has same shallow depth of field through the entire range.. No matter what I do… But when I take a photograph, the picture comes in a right depth of field
… But, If want to record video, it always records in the maximum aperture .. (no matter what aperture is set on the camera) ….
Has anyone experience this problem… ? Is it my camera? the lenses? or the adapter?
Thanks for any help or comment!
Cheers
Karel
That’s correct. Canon EF lenses focus wide open and stop down to shoot when used on Smart Adapters. This is actually a huge plus in many situations but if you wish to preview the shooting aperture you can assign ‘Aperture Preview’ to a custom button.
Hello Brian, Thank you for your reply. I have an update on this issue. I have found out it’s not only Sigma or Tamron lenses problem but Canon lenses too. However I have played around with the camera and discovered that everything works perfectly in Video mode. On my camera, it’s only this one mode.. however a friend’s camera also work with Custom Mode 1. So assume there must be some way how to set this up. Any thoughts?
Awesome work Brian, and thanks for taking the time to do this!
Thanks Jason.
Brian, do you know if the Ef 70-200 F2.8 NON IS works with the Fotodiox or better yet with the Commlite?
I posted all the lenses I tested.
I decided to go with the LAEA3 and play it safe since you mentioned it has fast and accurate AF with the Tamron 70-200 VC and 150-600mm which are viable alternatives to the Canon EF 70-200 anyways.
Thanks
Hi Brian,
Is it possible to shoot on the A7S II in 4k with an EF lens? I had no issues using Canon lenses (24-70L)with Metabones in 1080 but switching to 4k lead to an enormous vignette. I am assuming the EF to e-mount adapters take full frame lenses make them aps-c ?
Thanks,
James
Metabones III and IV are fullframe adapters.
Is it possible you’re using a Metabones Speed Booster?
Thank you so much for doing all these tests! Such helpful information. Really appreciate it!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for the tests! You saved me a lot of time and money returning things as I was going to get the EF adapters for Canon 70-200 2.8 then Tamron 70-200mm to possibly add the 150-600 in the future but thanks to you, I made a smarter decision getting the LA-EA3 instead for my A7ii. 🙂
awesome comparison. thanks so much for sharing this. really helped me make uo my mind on which lese to buy next
Hi Brian, thank you for the outstanding review. Can I use the Megabones adapter on my crop sensor NEX 7? I would like to buy the Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM prime lens to use with it. I’ve read about the new Megabones speed booster, but I don’t want to shorten the effective focal length of the lens, which is what I think it would do (I’m shooting images of birds and can use all the length and speed I can get!).
You can use that combination by NEX-7 will only offer Contrast AF which is too slow for moving subjects. The newly announced Sony a6300 will offer MUCH better AF since it’s able to use PDAF with third party lenses on Smart Adapters.
I notice that when using the a7s ii with the MetaBones EF-E and Canon 28-105 L USM lens I can’t turn off SteadyShot (it’s on and greyed out) and I can’t use the TimeLapse app when SteadyShot is enabled so basically can’t use that lens for TimeLapses.
I’m having trouble finding a listing for a Canon 28-105 L USM…any chance you mean the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens
If so, that switch on the side the of the lens marked “Stabilizer” is what turns Image Stabilization On/Off.
Steadyshot is grayed out in the Menu when using any lens with a IS/VR switch on the lens because the Menu setting can not override a physical switch.
If your Metabones adapter is FW 0.41 or later (and I highly recommend FW 0.47) here’s how you control OSS when using Metabones Smart Adapter IV.
Hi Brian,
I bought the Metabones IV Adapter to mount my Canon EF 85mm 1.2 II USM to my Sony A7.
But somehow the lens is not connecting. F is shown as blank and any every modification in settings regarding the lens is stating that lens is not properly attached or connected.
Are you aware of a solution or the problem ? (You are my only hope:)
Cheers,
Philipp
Yup. Just remount the lens. If that doesn’t do the trick clean the contacts with a cotton swab moistened in alcohol.
How the viltrox perform with video auto focus with sigma 18-35
It won’t. None of these adapters will provide Video AF. Your best bet for that with the particular lens is to pre-order Sigma MC-11 (which ships next month). Please note that it will only support 15 Sigma Art, Contemporary and Sport lenses – not Canon glass.
If I understand correctly, the Sigma adapter will not officially support Canon glass because of the continuous shooting/reboot bug, but in all other shooting modes, the combo works great, better then the Metabones adapter.
Sigma has clearly stated that it is untested and unsupported with Canon lenses and warn that were it to cause any damage to a Canon lens they are not responsible. Based on how I’ve seen it perform on supported Sigma lenses, I still recommend Metabones Smart Adapter IV for stills. Just be certain the firmware is up to date.
Hi, I have an old 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Lens, which of course has no stabilizer, and would like to know whether you really need to go for the Metabones adapter to benefit from the A7RII’s stabilizer.
Not only does a7RII 5-Axis IBIS work best with Metabones Smart Adapter IV (FW 0.47) – you’ll also get much better AF with 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Lens (ver 1) using Metabones than any other smart adapters.
Hi Brian,
First of all thanks for the great review.
Do you know if Image Stabilization would work using a Fotodiox adapter with an A7II with the new Firmware (3.1) and a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens?
The problem with Image Stabilization and Fotodiox adapters is that the adapter itself can’t get firmware updates so it appears to give double or no image stabilization. This is one of the many reasons I recommend Metabones.
Thanks. Will go with the Metabones one.
Did not see the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens in the list. Any updated comments for that lens?
Nope. I’m finished testing.
Hi Brian,
thanks for the wonderful resource you have compiled here. I recently picked up a Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 ZE and am using it in conjunction with my Sony A7II (firmware 3.0) and a Commlite adaptor. I am however unable to get the camera to recognise any f stop lower then 3.2. That means I cannot open up fully with it. Any ideas?
I notice that occasionally with adapters and 3rd party lenses.
Having trouble with muscles and joints, I am looking for a more compact setup for bird photo than my Canon 70D / 100-400mm lens combo.
I was thinking about the Nex-7 with Canon 400mm F5,6 – and if possible – with a 1.4 extender that doesn’t work with my current setup.
A6300 would be a MUCH better choice than NEX-7 since only a6300, a7II, a7RII offer Phase Detection AF with smart adapters.
Hi Brian,
I just received a second hand Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens, but AF-S and image stabilization don’t seem to be working on my A7 I with Fotodiox Pro adapter (bought a year ago).
I bought it because my budget doesn’t allow for a Sony 70-300 G OSS and in your list above it says that AF-S is accurate. Could I be doing something wrong?
AF works on an old Canon 400D camera. And yes, the AF switch on the lens is enabled 🙂
Try turning off IS. Third-party in-lens image stabilization often sucks up the power the camera needs for AF.
Adding to that, with my 70-200 f2.8 ii I tested with the lens IS and then with my A7Rii doing IBIS and every time the camera did a much better job not sure why. I mean, the differences were so dramatic that with the lens IS , the image was visible weaker than my Tamron 70-200 F2.8. I was getting disappointed by the Canon lens not being nearly as sharp then I turned of the IS and boom, images became razor sharp.
Thanks for your quick reply, Brian.
I did as you suggested, disabled â«IS on the lens, and also “steady hot” in the camera menu.
AF still doesn’t work. Focus Mode in the camera menu is greyed out and set to Manual Focus. When I try to adjust it, it says: invalid with this lens.
Gabriel, my camera is an ‘original’ A7, so I don’t have the option of IBIS. Which adapter do you use? Fotodiox, too?
If you are not getting the option of AF-S in the menu, the lens, adapter, and/or camera is not making proper contact.
It worked for the lens and adapter I tested – but I cannot speak to the quality of every lens Canon has ever made – only to the ones I tested.
Many thanks for sharing such a comprehensive and useful information. I’m starting to use my arsenal of Nikkors on a A7 II and I’ve just added a Canon 17 TS-E to the collection, so your wide experience is pure gold for me. I’ve also bought the Fotodiox smart adapter (for Canon, for Nikon I chose the Metabones one), so, if I’ve understood you well, as the TS-E lens is not stabilized, the camera IBIS should work without trouble with it, shouldn’t it?
IBIS should work fine with that lens using a Smart Adapter. Though to be honest, whenever I use Tilt/Shift I normally lock the camera down on a tripod.
Thanks again!
Hi Brian, thanks for writing such a comprehensive article!
I bought the Viltrox adapter for my Sony A7ii, and have been using the Canon 17-40 with great success! However, I just rented the Canon 35mm f1.4 and the AF does not work at all. I was going off your test results where you noted that the AF was “Acceptable” with the Viltrox adapter.
Could you have been using the mark 2 version of this lens? I’m hoping it’s not a defect with my adapter or something. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this lens/adapter combo!
Thanks
I tested version 1 of that lens – not the new one. It’s possible there is a problem with your lens or adapter, but bear in mind that “Acceptable” is not a rave review.
I see. I’m hesitant to think my adapter has a defect (since it works perfectly with the Canon 17-40), but I do have a small sample-size, so that could still be the issue.
And the functionality I’m getting with the 35mm is definitely not acceptable. The lens is completely unable to find focus. It just hunts forever.
Thanks for your quick response!
I only test one copy of each lens. Not every lens ever made. Viltrox is definitely not my favorite EF Smart Adapter, but AF was functional with the lens I tested.
Hi
For Tamron 70-200 2.8 lense which converter best plz suggest me
My first choice is Metabones Smart Adapter IV
Would you recommend using the canon 24-105 with sony a6500? I need a versatile and sharp lens that can autofocus? Will it work with the metabone or any other adapters?
The best adapter for that lens (along with all the Canon EF lenses I’ve tested) is Metabones Canon Smart Adapter IV
thanks
Hi Brian, thanks for this very comprehensive article. I have an A7ii and a 50mm f/1.2L. I just tried the Fotodiox and it just hunts, never focused. Before I return the Fotodiox and try the other adapters (Viltrox or Metabones), are there specific settings I should set on my A7ii? Am I missing something or maybe just got a bad copy of the Fotodiox? Firmware on my A7ii was v3.1, could not focus. I updated to v3.3 and still not focusing. Tested indoors, I’d say more than adequate indoor lighting. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!
Those are the results I got shooting AF-S in stills mode for each adapter.
Thanks for your quick reply. I’ve since tried the Commlite, and it too was hunting, then I tried the Viltrox and works like a charm. Maybe it’s luck of the draw. Cheers!
Interesting…earlier you mentioned that FotodioX AF Adapter for Canon EF didn’t work – but it’s the exact same adapter as Viltrox Auto-focus Canon EF Lens Adapter – both appear to be clones of the discontinued Metabones Smart adapter III. (Commlite is different).
My best recommendation currently is Metabones Smart Adapter IV – though Metabones just announced a new Smart Adapter Mark V today.
Hi Brian, great post!
I’ve got a question: Which of these two lenses would you prefer Canon 300mm F4 or the 400mm F5.6 with the Metabones IV?
And which would you prefer If I would add a tc 1.4x to the 300mm?
Thanks in advance
If you ultimately need a 400mm, the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens is a great lens and a sharper option than the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4 TC
I’m not sure I understand the implications of your update: UPDATE: My tests with Sony a7RII, a7II (fw 2.00 and later), a6300 & a6500 show they allow AF-C continuous auto-focus in still mode plus much faster AF with the Canon lenses that I’ve tested. Does this mean that with the currently available firmware updates for the Sony A711, the AF now works with all the adapters and lenses that you’ve tested? (I’m interested in a lens you didn’t test–Tamron 28-75, but if all the ones you tested now work, that would be a good indicator that the Tamron would also work.
Four Sony cameras provide PDAF with third-party lenses on Smart Adapters: a7RII, a7II (fw 2.00 and later), a6300 & a6500. Their AF performance is quite similar using Smart Adapters but their PDAF coverage varies:
a7II PDAF coverage is the smallest at 30% of the sensor
a7RII PDAF covers 60% of the sensor
a6300 & a6500 PDAF covers nearly the full sensor
As for which lenses I test, I have limited time to test so I start with Canon fullframe lenses, then Canon APS-C and finally hit the best third-party lenses that are available in the time I have to test.
Your testing and willingness to answer questions is a tremendous service to the camera community. I am looking into buying the viltrox since it is the only adapter you tested that worked the AF on the Canon 70-200 f4. Amazon and Ebay now have 2 versions, VILTROX EF-NEX II and version III. Which of these versions did you test or did you test an earlier version which I would need to track down used?
Oops. I reread you article and answered my own question. It looks like you tested the Viltrox II version. Thank you so much for all the testing. You’ve saved untold amount of hours and adapter returns!
Thank you for the brilliant review. I’m looking for a budget ultra wide for my NEX 5T and considering the EFS 10-18 or the Sigma 10-20 4.5 with one of these adapters. But I’ve heard some say that there is vignetting at 10-12mm with these adapters and they have to use a less wide zoom setting. I’m also considering the Sony 16 with the VCL-ECU1 adapter. Suggestions?
I’m not wowed by any of those options since there are much better native options of either the Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS (Currently on sale for $100 off in the USA) or Zeiss Touit 12mm/2.8 lens.
Time has passed …
Do you still recommend the Metabones T Smart Adapter Mark IV for Canon EF lenses? Or a newer Metabones or the Sigma MC-11?
Intention is to use it with an a6300 or a6500 and Canon 70-200 f/4 IS L now, possibly the Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary in the future.
Yes, Metabones T Smart Adapter IV is still my adapter of choice. Or if you are in no rush you can pre-order Metabones T Smart Adapter V – coming later this year. The differences between the two are physical. Both will receive the same firmware updates.
Never used it with those lenses but with Tamron 15-30mm 2.8,EF 70-200mm 2.8 IS ii, EF 35mm 1.4 L ii and Sigma 135mm 1.8 Art, the MC-11 is my favorite. I sold the MB IV after that.
The only lens I had that did not work was Tamron 90mm Macro 2nd version as it wouldn’t AF but since I do not AF with macro lenses, it was not a problem.
This site is incredible. Thanks a lot for putting it the time to test all this lenses and for sharing the information. Cheers!!
You’re very welcome!
Brian, … awesome detail. Would you please clarify something for me. If the adapters allow Canon EF lenses to operate on the Sony line up, can I assume that the Sigma Art Series with EF mounts should also work. Or are you saying something different?
In general, most of the newer Sigma lenses, including the Art series, tend to adapt well.
Here’s how they performed when I tested on a7RII: https://briansmith.com/sony-a7rii-canon-ef-smart-adapter-tests/
Hi Brian,
I have Several new(ish) canon lenses and looking at getting the a6500 for sports. Will the autofocus be quick enough with the latest metabones adapter for fast moving sports using BBF?
This post will give you a better idea how Canon EF lenses perform on a6500: Sony a7RII Canon EF Smart Adapter Tests
Hi Brain, Did you test at all with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Lens NOT the second version but the first version?
I generally only have access to current lenses.
Have you heard of the adapter by K&F Concept? It only has a few bad ratings on amazon.com but on German amazon people sure seem to love it. Unless the reviews are fake…
https://www.amazon.de/Objektivadapter-Auto-Blende-Elektronische-Adapterring-Blendeeinstellung/dp/B01I9CVGQ2/ref=sr_1_2?s=ce-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1497736687&sr=1-2&keywords=viltrox+canon+sony
https://www.amazon.com/Mount-Adapter-Concept-Focus-Electronic/dp/B01I9CVGQ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497736865&sr=8-1&keywords=k%26f+canon+sony+adapter+autofocus
I do not recommend K&F adapters. Note the 2 Star rating in the second link.
Brian. Amazing work. I really appreciate the time you have taken to do this. I have just picked up a used a6000 and already have the canon 400mm 5.6. If I get the fotodiox adaptor would I be able to get autofocus and aperture control? I realize the af wouldn’t be really fast but would it be useable? Thank you in advance!
Richard
You don’t get PDAF with adapted lenses on a6000 but Contrast AF will perform similar to the results of these tests of a7/a7R.
Thanks so much. I will give it a go and get the fotodiox. I have got rid of all my Canon stuff but am reluctant to let that lens go. If it can work fairly well then I will definitely try it. Thanks again.
Seriously this is the bible of lens tests for Sony shooters. Thank you so much for the time and effort. I have a EF 500mm F4 IS II and wasn’t sure if the cheaper Viltrox would work for my Sony A7m2. Glad to see it did from your testing, and that there was no obvious speed advantage or operational difference from the more expensive Metabones. I just received the Viltrox and sure enough, works great! I only use this combo once in a while so this was money well saved with your help.
I forgot to add though, movie mode locks up my A7m2 when using the Viltrox EF-NEXIII adapter. Not sure if this is the same or not for the other two adapters.
As stated in the post, these tests are for still photography. For video, stick to Metabones Smart Adapter V (or IV).
I have a Sony A7II with the original Canon 35mm EF F2 (non USM, non IS) and the fotodiox adapter. The lens does not autofocus with this combination, aperture control does however work. Has anyone else had this issue?
Sorry John, I only test lenses that are available on days when I test – which basically means the current lens lineup
Thanks Brian. I think it’s a safe bet that this lens is not supported anyway.
Hi Brian, I would like to ask about Canon 70-200 F4L USM.
Your review is for Viltrox II adapter and various sony A7 series, If you know about AF function with Sony A7 + Viltrox III Adapter with this lens, could you tell me how is it??
Thanks
No idea. I’ve stopped testing Viltrox as there are better options.
When you were testing Viltrox II, Accurate AF is about the quality, but how about the speed? Is it acceptable?
Hi Brian, I would like to ask about Canon 70-200 F4L USM.
Your review is for Viltrox II adapter and various sony A7 series, If you know about AF function on Sony A7 + Viltrox III Adapter with this lens, could you tell me how is it??
Thanks
1. congratulations. what trust that canon(?), allowed you to mount that 1200 on a non-native aadapter AND camera.
2.thanks your advice got my old windows 8 laptop to work, got sony V4.0 FW. took just 15 minutes oof-peak time on USA site. yippee! sony don’t make it clear if you start downoad to camera, by opening FW file or loader.still no Mac version.
3. can recommend fringer adapter for contax n, upgradeable AFtype. tthere is a fringer website, explains all. bautifully made, works on myA72. not all adapters are equal 🙂
LOL, Canon had nothing to do with it, B&H Photo had one for sale.
Hi . I am suvo Bera in India.
I used the sony a3500j. can I used the canon Len’s ? And which lens i can used . please help me and kind of adaptor I can use
It wouldn’t work very well. a3500 does not have Phase Detection AF so I don’t recommend that camera for adapting Canon lenses
Hi there.
Just a quick note RE: IS function on IBIS cameras. In my setup, details below, IS does not work with the IS set to Auto in the camera. Put it on Manual and set the focal length according to what’s on the lens and bingo! This is with a non-IS lens. However, what if you switch IS off on an IS lens and do the same? Just a thought on a workaround – if you desperate 😉
Good work Brian!
Tad
Camera: a6500
Lens: Sigma 70-300 mm F4-5.6 DG
Adapter: Kooka
PS.
I am not recommending this setup. Merely making an observation based testing its behaviour. The AF function is unreliable with this lens/adapter combination. It seems to work in good light conditions. It fails to focous in poorer lighting completely when my SEL18135 still works briliantly.
Metabones Smart Adapters are the only adapter that lent you choose whether the lens or camera controls Image Stabilization
Perhaps I was not clear. So again, my lens was non-IS. By definition, I was relying on the camera to provide image stabilisation. It would work only with Steady Shot in the camera set to Manual and Steady Shot Focal Length set there to match the actual focal length on the lens. Steady Shot in the camera on Auto would not provide good IS at 300mm. It seemed to work at 70mm. Conclusion: when on Auto, the camera Steady Shot does not respond to a change of focal length of the lens. Corollary: turn off IS on the lens and use Manual Steady Shot setting on the camera if the two don’t agree with one another.
Cheers,
Tad
If a lens is non-IS then you cannot turn off IS on the lens.
Correct Brian! A non-IS lens cannot have a switch to turn IS off, can it?! I thought it was rather obvious to see.
Based on my non-IS lens experience I am trying to suggest what one could try to do if an IS lens/adapter/camera combo don’t talk to one another properly in terms of IS. My original idea was only “theoretical”. Now I’ve tested it using a Canon 18-200mm IS lens @ 200mm behaving as I thought it would: lens IS Off, camera SS Auto = no good; lens IS Off, camera SS Manual 200mm = OK.
My best,
Tad
Hi
I currently have an EF mount Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM ART lens, an MC-11 adapter, and an A6000. Bought this lens, another lens, and this adapter in a bundle.
However, I am currently waiting for this adapter in the mail:
https://www.amazon.com/Metabones-Mount-Booster-Adapter-Generation/dp/B073X5XRX4/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1533352086&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=metabones+ef+to+e+mount+turbo+adapter
I wanted to try out a turbo adapter on this lens and camera. Since it’s a full frame lens on an APS-C body, I figured I could get much better performance out of it by using it on a turbo. This should effectively convert the lens into a 17-50mm F2 lens.
But, I’m not used to using smart adapters. Do you foresee any issues with this combination?
That should be a good combination on a6000. My only warning with Speed Boosters is they won’t cover full frame, but I think you’ve figured that out.
That should be a good combination on a6000. My only warning with Speed Boosters is they won’t cover full frame, but I think you’ve figured that out.
Correct. It’s also not compatible with APS-C EF-S lenses.
Hey Brian,
Isn’t there a risk in using an adaptor to mount heavier lenses (for eg. Canon 16-35 f2.8 or the Tamron 24-70 G2) on a Sony body?
Neither the Canon EF 16-35 2.8 or Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 would not be considered a “heavy lens.” If a lens has a tripod collar you should use it, otherwise it doesn’t need one.
Hi Brian –
Just bought a (new), a7R II.
I have a bunch of Canon stuff, this includes my favorite lens, the 35-350L. I like it better than my 28-300L (on my 50D IV).
This lens is non-stabilized.
Do you have any experience with this combination ?
Hoping that the in-camera stabilization will work with my 35-350L.
Thank you for any info.
Mike
Yes. You’ll get 3-Axis Image Stabilization.
That is incorrect.
He will get 5 axis stabilization! The only time you get 3 axis stabilization is using manual lenses as they do not transmit the necessary information for the camera to do 5 axis, Brian.
Nope. 5 Axis for native glass. 3 Axis for all adapted glass including Canon
No Brian, you are wrong. Please research this as your a misinforming your readers or feel free to keep repeating the same wrong thing as I noticed you have done at DPreview forums. Your choice.
I’ll take the word of Mark Weir and Sony engineers over you.
Hey Brian –
One more question.
Do you know if the “continuous focus” camera mode will work with the 35-350L and the Metabones V adapter.
Seems to be still a bit of a question mark from other people comments.
Again, thank you.
Mike
Generally depends on the camera and Shooting Mode. Adapted lens Continuous AF is only possible for stills with a7 II, a7R II, a7 III, a7R III, a9, a6300 & a6500.
Great, that’s what I need to know.
I only take still photos. So my Canon 35-350L as attached to my Sony a7R II will both work as designed for still photography.
Off to buy an adapter.
Thank you for your time.
Mike
Hello everyone
I just bought a canon ef 400mm f5.6 lens to mount it on an A7II via a ring fotodiox pro ef-sny, my problem is that the mini aperture is 11, I can not go down to f5. 6: shock:
I tried a 200mm f4 gun and it works fine!
the version of the firmware is 4!
thank you kindly tell me if I missed something or it’s normal
Hello brian
I just bought a canon ef 400mm f5.6 lens to mount it on an A7II via a ring fotodiox pro ef-sny, my problem is that the mini aperture is 11, I can not go down to f5. 6: shock:
I tried a 200mm f4 gun and it works fine!
the version of the firmware is 4!
thank you kindly tell me if I missed something or it’s normal
I’m not sure what you mean by “ring” fotodiox pro ef-sny.
HI BRIAN
thanks for youyr answer; it’s about the adpater fotodiox pro ef-sny
https://fotodioxpro.com/products/eos-snye-p-fusion
regards
Hi Brian,
Many thanks for all the good photographic info. I’m considering using a Sigma 150 macro with Mitutoyo Infinite microscope objectives. There are many ways to use such objectives but I like the idea of using the Sigma 150 on my Sony A7Rlll than a bellows and tube lens lens set-up, because than I have a great 150 macro for other subjects. Before purchasing, I wondering how the lens will work with my Metabones Mark V and what firmware to use. I’ve read your tests on the Metabones and one says the MB Mark IV has only MF on the Sigma 150, the other with FW 47 says it works fast and accurate in AF. It would be nice to know if the lens worked reasonably wellmin AF, maybe not for sports, but on fairly static and slow moving subjects. Also, would getting a Sony LA-EA3 A-Mount Adapter AF better on a Sigma Sony A mount or a MB Mark V on the Sigma Canon mount?
Thank you again for such great blogs and info.
Metabones keeps updating their firmware and since it takes me a full day just to test all the current fullframe Canon lenses alone I’m done testing.
Hi Brian, I have Tamron 150-600mm for Canon I use to capture at my daughter’s softball game. I recently bought Sony a6300 for traveling purpose. Will this Metabones works well with telephoto lens? Specially I will be using it for action shots for sports photography.
That combination works “ok” but not great at longer focal lengths. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM EF-Mount Lenses + Sigma MC-11 perform better…
Hi Brian,
Have you ever tested Canon lenses with A7R III body using Metabones Speedbooster? I am wonder if this combo will work well.
In a word, DON’T!
Not a good combination with full frame since it drops the camera to crop mode and reduces resolution 2.36x.
Stick to Metabones Smart Adapter V
Wow! What an amazing list. Thank you.
Btw, you misspelled Metabones once. It says “Meatbones”. 🙂
Sorry about that. It’s fixed.
Thanks for the great review. Do you know if Metabone 5th gen works with Tamron 18-400 APS-C Cannon LE for Sony a6500?
I don’t recall ever testing that lens, but if it’s a fairly new lens, chances are good you’ll get AF-C for stills.
Hi Brian,
I want to buy a Sigma APO Macro 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM (Canon EF) and use it with an adapter on a Sony A7 III or A7 R III
The most important for me would be the Exif-data transmission.
Will a 3 tested adapters transmit the exif-information?
As the AF-function is not important for me (with Macro-work) I am interested in the VILTROX EF-NEX IV.
Thankyou for your help.
Christian
All Smart Adapters transfer EXIF
thankyou!
I’m interested to know if I’m in danger of getting vignetting when using the Laowa 12mm F2.8 with any of these adaptors on an A7Rii?
Fullframe lens.
Fullframe adapters.
No vignetting.
Thanks Brian. Appreciate the quick reply.
Has anyone tried the Tamron SP AF28-75mm f2.8 XRDi A09e Canon EF mount on Sony E-Mount body? Which adapter best suits it for better autofocus?
Thank you for posting this Brian. It’s a great comparison and definitely helpful!
Thanks for sharing this! What a detailed comparison of lenses
Great comparison, thank you for sharing. It’s definitely helped me think about what lens to buy for my business
great work you did ! thanks to have shared it, very useful
Thanks for sharing Brian, always a pleasure viewing your photos and reading your books.
Thanks for the kind words, Jonathon!