Metabones updates their AF Smart Adapter for Canon EOS to Sony E-mount
Metabones Canon EF to Sony E-Mount Smart Adapter IV (Amazon | B&H Photo) has a larger interior opening for improved performance with tilt-shift lenses and better anti-reflection interior coatings to better tame internal reflections than the previous version Metabones Smart Adapter III.
“Smart Adapters” retain electronic communication between the camera and lens to provide automatic aperture control, EXIF data, image stabilization and autofocus. The adapter is powered by the camera body, so no external power source is required. The Mark IV provides the same functions as the Mark III but provides optimized performance and an improved internal structure.
The Smart Adapter IV offers two distinct operation modes: Green and Advanced modes. Each mode supports a different set of features and is selected when you mount the lens. Green mode is the default mode and it is designed to conserve battery power by limiting aperture diaphragm movements and image stabilization. Certain other functions are not available in Green Mode including Auto-Magnify MF Assist and DOF preview.
Only Canon-branded lenses introduced in or after 2006 are officially supported. Autofocus may be disabled for older Canon non-SSM lenses and most third-party lenses, including most Sigma, Tamron and Tokina lenses and all Contax N lenses modified by Conurus. This Smart Adapter is also compatible with fully manual lenses which have no electrical contacts. For a list of reported compatibility with specific lenses please see the Metabones website.
Order Metabones Canon EF to Sony E-Mount Smart Adapter IV from Amazon | B&H Photo
• True electronic integration of aperture diaphragm; lets camera automatically choose aperture in Program or Shutter Priority exposure modes, or set it manually on the camera body in Aperture Priority or Manual modes.The adapter is powered by the camera body, so no external power source is required.
• Two distinct operational modes are supported by the Smart Adapter IV: Green mode and Advanced mode. Green mode limits certain features and disables others in order to conserve the camera’s battery power.
• Wide-Open button enables aperture to remain open for clear manual focusing.
• Auto-Magnify/AF Assist enlarges the image in the viewfinder for easier manual focusing. This feature requires the AF/MF switch of the Canon EF mount lens to be set to the MF position and also requires a Canon EF mount lens that supports distance information. Auto-Magnify/AF Assist is disabled in Green mode.
• High performance 32-bit processor and efficient switched-mode power supply.
• Compatible with Sony E-mount full frame cameras such as the Sony A7, A7R and A7S. The Mark IV adapter supports auto “APS-C Size Capture” with EF-S lenses as well.
• Supports distance and zoom display on VG and FS series camcorders and auto magnify on lenses that support distance information
• Compatible with select fully manual lenses which have no electrical contacts.
• Both camera-side and lens-side of the adapter are made of brass, precision-machined and plated with chromium.
• Precise fit and solid connection – lens has no play, gap or wiggling when mounted on adapter and no adjustments are required to fit your lens.
• Designed to reach infinity focus while maintaining the correct registration distance required to maintain optical quality of CRC lenses or lenses with floating elements.
• Metabones uses matte-black treatment to keep internal reflection to a minimum in order to maintain the maximum optical quality possible with the lens.
• Satin surface finish matches lens and camera mounts.
• A third party zoom lens may need to be registered with the Smart Adapter first in order to detect its maximum aperture. Autofocus is disabled for most third-party lenses.
• 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.
• The adapter’s tripod foot is detachable and compatible with Arca Swiss-style Quick-release heads.
Read my Guide to the Best lens Mount Adapters for Sony E-Mount Cameras:
Sony A7/A7R/A7S Lens Mount Adapters – Part 1: Sony, Leica M, Canon EOS & Nikon lens mount adapters
Sony A7/A7R/A7S Lens Mount Adapters – Part 2: Legacy lens mount adapters for Contax, Canon FD, Hasselblad V, Leica R, Minolta MD and others
Order Metabones Canon EF to Sony E-Mount Smart Adapter IV from Amazon | B&H Photo
43 thoughts on “Metabones Smart Adapter IV for Sony A7 / A7R / A7S / A7II”
It’s hard to understand just how bad the opening design and and anti-reflection treatment is in the III, given the price it sells for. Taking an indoor shot with a window a little out-of-frame even on on a dull, overcast day? Forget it – you’ve got a wash of light across half your frame. Any word on the possibility of sending the III back for conversion to the IV opening?
Hello Edward. You should explain the issue to Metabones to see if they offer a solution. Metabones Contact page: click here
I don’t see any good until they don’t make the mirror for face detection sorry but viltrox adapter is only $ 110 and make every thing they claim in this bad adapter.
It would seem Metabones has created the LeBron of lens mount adapters.
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Any idea on the focusing speed? Will it be much better than the 2 sec average time that I’ve been hearing about on the net?
Hi David, as far as I know the only updates are to the interior design of the adapter – wider opening to avoid vignetting with tilt/shift lenses and anti-reflective coatings to reduce flare. I see no mention of improved focus speed so it’s best to assume that is the same.
useless until they get open aperture metering, I’m not going to push a button everytime I need to manually focus [90% of the time) – I’d gladly swap for AF which I wouldn’t use.
Not sure what you mean by “open aperture metering” – the default mode for the Metabones EF-to-E-Mount III and I assume IV is to leave the aperture open until you fire the shutter.
I’m confused about that one too. It’s not an issue with the III and the only differences with the IV that I know of are larger interio opening and anti-relective coating.
mY ASSUMPTION, BASED ON WHAT i’VE READ AND SEEN IS THAT THE ADAPTER CAN CONTROL THE APERTURE, BUT WAS STOP DOWN. ELSE WHY HAVE A BUTTON TO OPEN THE APERTURE? MOST VIDEOS I’VE SEEN SHOW PEOPLE USING THIS WIDE OPEN TO TEST AF. IF IT REALLY DOES LEAVE THE APERTURE OPEN UNTIL YOU SHOOT, THEN I STAND CORRECTED, BUT THATS NOT WHAT I’VE BEEN TOLD.
I never touch that button.
OK, so just to be clear – if I set the aperture, in manual mode, or aperture priority, the lens stays wide open until I hit the shutter button?
I have no idea. I just know it works.
http://www.metabones.com/article/of/wide-open-button
Dude. One of the great things about an EVF is you can “see” depth of field in real time – not after the fact without the viewfinder going dark. If YOU want to it wide open press the button and it closes down when you shoot. Simple as that. Much easier than manually opening a Leica lens to focus and stopping back down to shoot. You simply push the button if you want the lens wide open for focus or don’t press it if you don’t.
You have no idea? I shoot principally macro @ f/8 – I’m not going to try to focus at that aperture or push a button to open it up. If you can’t answer (or check) this simple question, of what value is your review?
See above. It is incredibly easy. Some people want to see DOF in real time. If you don’t – simply press the button and it stops down when you shoot.
All good points (I have an Olympus OMD, which I like alot and would love to use my 65mm mp-e on a camera with EVF and MF assist – but its a tough lens to use as is and there is no way I’m going to try to track a jumping spider while pushing a button. Yes, easier than using other MF lenses (e.g. Leica), but those adapters aren’t $400! So, since you seem to be confirming what I’ve been told, this is useless for me – fine for others – I get it.
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Hello,
Thanks for your reviews, very informative.
Before I order the new Metabones adapter ver IV, I want to be sure that it is working with the fresch A7 II, can you confirm me this.
Thanks again for your help.
Pat
Yes, the Metabones Smart Adapter IV works fine with the new Sony A7II. I’d advise running firmware update when you receive it to be certain it had the latest firmware. Read this.
Thanks Brian for the info.
Pat
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Hi Brian….Which Metabones will work AF for Sigma 150-600mm DG OS HSM f/5-6.3 on my Sony a7s?
Best choice would be Metabones Smart Adapter IV – though I haven’t tested AF on that combination.
Hi Brian. Thanks for your reply. I tried it with my commlite adapter but AF does not work. Manual is fine. That’s the reason I ask if Metabones IV will work or not before I will buy. Anyway, thanks for your information.
Is it possible to focus the Zeiss 135mm APO ZE wide open regardless of the chosen aperture?
Yes, you can either turn Off LiveView on the camera or set the Metabones Smart Adapter to Green mode to turn off DOF preview.
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Just how fast is the focussing on the new Sony A7r II using the Metabones option. DPR reports ‘very fast’ focussing.
The only Canon lens I tested was the 24-70mm F2.8 II and I’d agree with DPR’s statement. It was indeed very fast and AF-C is finally an option. It looks very promising, I plan to run more tests when I get a production camera.
Hello
I have asked this question before but since I am going to pull the trigger for the Zeiss 135mm APO ZE, I am going to ask the question once more. I know that the native Canon EF lenses can be mounted on the Sony A7R in green mode. My question is can I mount the Zeiss 135mm on the camera in green mode as well? I want the lens to remain wide open up to the moment that the shutter is pressed down.
Please may I ask a question since you are so on top of all Sony knowledge, at least from my perspective. I have just sold A7R and A7S in anticipation of ordering A7R Mk II. I have a collection of EOS glass and used such with my A7R via Metabones III. It is with high hopes of autofocus with Canon lenses that I order the A7R successor. My question is if there is to be any advantage in using the Metabones Speedbooster over the Metabones IV when coupling Canon lenses to the A7R Mk II. Thank you very much for your opinion.
God no – not Speedbooster. Metabones Smart Adapter IV is the way to go. Be sure to update to FW 0.41
Noted thanks…..and my current Metabones III of any value except to ebay away?
You should check with Metabones to see if they’ve install fw update 0.41 if you send it in. That would increase the value if you did. I just doubt you’ll want to do that every time there’s an update but this one is a biggie.
Came back to say thanks for the advice.
Hello, just got the new SONY A7R II and the metabones adaptor and it doesn’t seem to allow aperture control when using with our lens. Any suggestions?
We tried it with the SONY A7S that we own and it works with that. Would that mean it has a glitch? Or is it something with the SONY A7R II?
Thanks!
It’s working with my Metabones Smart Adapter IV
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