*Using the Metabones mk 4 EF>Emount smart adapter on the A7II, a user review.

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Who doesn’t fantasy shop?  I certainly do, and while I have done a really good job over the years of tempering my cravings to buy a newer full frame camera, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been interested in the Sony Alpha 7 series.  Much like the NEX series (or “Axxxx”, or whatever it’s called now) I’ve always felt that Sony has spent their time and effort on camera bodies and sensor development, while largely ignoring the need to round out their optical offerings for either the APS-C or Full Frame mirrorless systems.  To be fair, and as a seeming act of nose thumbing in my direction, Sony released 4 brand new FE mount lenses a couple weeks ago.  This new set of lenses is certainly a step in the right direction as they’ve finally released more lenses than cameras for the FE mount.

Sony seems to be focused on leading the charge in sensor tech while slowly bringing new lenses to market, and other companies and systems have benefited from this sensor based model, namely Nikon and Olympus.  While researching my options in the world of Canon full frame land (I also shoot a Canon 5D2), I kept tabs on the A7 series, and when the A7II was announced with IBIS, and all the other bells and whistles for the same price as the aging 6D, I decided to dig deeper.

I’ve been looking to update my 5D2 for a little while.  It still does most of what I need it to, but I’ve been walking on thin ice after having sold and traded off my other Canon DSLR bodies leaving me with no backup.  

Most of the work I do with the Canon is in interior work, so I never saw it as a huge liability seeing that I could, in a pinch, shoot with my micro 4/3 setup to cover me.

Now, the Metabones adapters are well documented, and with the new mark 4, has seemingly remedied most of the gripes I’ve read about, namely the internal surface reflections by way of a series of matte bezels inside the adapter.  One problem I’d come across is that it was hard to find good info with use on this new A7II.  Well, here are my initial thoughts…

metabones ef-e mount smart adapter mark 4

AUTO FOCUS

The very first thing I wanted to know, was how does the AF operation with native EF mount Canon lenses work?  In a word?  Slow.  Painfully slow actually, and to be entirely fair, Metabones states on their website that this is the case.  I haven’t found specific information to back this up, but I believe that the hybrid on sensor PDAF, used in the A7II does not work with adapted lenses, or at least Canon lenses via this Metabones adapter which if true, is too bad.  If it does in fact work, I’ve not been able to engage it via the menus, and I hope that what I’ve seen as far as AF performance isn’t the result of the best the hybrid system can offer for adapted optics.  
That we get any AF performance is pretty interesting, but I can safely say that from my experience the AF operation is unusable for me when shooting anything that moves, or breathes, and even with static subjects often times the AF is inaccurate.  If you’re expecting to slap your 70-200 L lens on a Sony A7 series camera and shoot motor sports with the expectation that you’ll get quick and accurate tracking AF, you will not be happy, period.  See a quick and dirty video of the AF performance while shooting with the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM lens below:

While remarkably slow, if and when it hits, it does well.  See below for 100% crops from those shots captured on the video.

DSC01678 - Version 2 DSC01684 - Version 2

I expected the slow AF, and going into buying the A7II, I was more curious to see how the sensor performed.  That is a subject for a different article which will come in due time, but to put some fears at ease here, what I do find remarkable is how well integrated the MF assist features are in these cameras by way of the focus peaking, MF assist magnification, real time exposure display and IBIS (via the A7II) all adding up to a pretty streamlined MF experience in my opinion.  If you’re okay with manually focusing, I’ve not used a better camera for this task, (although the Panasonic GX7 comes close) I’d imagine that you’d be happy.  I know I am.

 

metabones ef-e mount smart adapter mark 4

PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTION

I cannot speak to the previous Alpha Full Frame E-mount cameras documented issues with the “weak” lens mount on the camera.  I’ve heard that the weight of larger lenses (either native or adapted) could possibly deform the light weight mount on the A7 series cameras, but the A7II has evidently remedied that by providing a more robust mount.  This has nothing to do directly with the Metabones adapters, but something that may be discussed and heard about. 

 The Metabones adapter itself is very solid.  I have a few EF mount, third party lenses that are a very tight fit when fixing them onto the adapter.  Getting them on and off is a bit tough, and I hope to see this start to relax a little bit, but I’d rather them be too tight than loose.  The native Canon EF lenses are all snug and secure, and are not overly tight to get on and off.

I will say that the lens release button on the Metabones feels weak, and doesn’t quite fit in with the overall quality of the construction otherwise.  It is the outlier on an otherwise solidly built adapter.  Will it prove to be a problem at all?  Time will tell, but it is the only criticism I can offer of an otherwise quality feeling adapter.

metabones ef-e mount smart adapter mark 4

Also, be warned that while this adapter states (via Metabones) that it works with Arca Swiss style quick release system, the dovetail “AS” style plate attached on mine is too small to be gripped properly by my AS style mount on my Oben tripod head.  (It does however, properly grip on my compact Sirui head).  Luckily for me I had the ball head slightly facing downward as it caught the camera as this included piece on the adapter slipped through the grip as it was tightened as much as it could.  The dovetail piece on the adapter is removable, but I like that it adds a little support when laying the camera on a flat surface.  Just be aware, as depending on your AS style head, it may not properly grip it as it didn’t on one of mine.

 

metabones ef-e mount smart adapter mark 4

EXIF and Lens Support

The Metabones v.4 EF>E mount Smart Adapter transmits all EXIF data, supports Canon’s lens based IS (certainly handy for non A7II cameras in the Alpha lineup) and while severely hindered, it will support AF on most Canon EF lenses from my experience.  If your EF mount lens transmits EXIF data to your Canon camera, it should do the same through this adapter.  If you have a third party lens that does not support electronic EXIF data transmission to a Canon EOS body, then it will operate the same way via this adapter.  The adapter allows for USB connection to update it’s internal firmware which is handy, and hopefully evidence that any shortcomings in operation, or lens support may be addressed as time goes on.

These are the lenses I’ve used, and can confirm are fully supported via this smart adapter:

  • EF 17-40 f/4 L USM (slow AF, full EXIF)
  • EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM (slow AF, full EXIF)
  • Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2 (manual focus lens, full EXIF)
  • EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM (very slow AF, full EXIF and IS)
  • Extender EF 1.4x II teleconverter (w/70-200)
  • EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro L IS USM (very slow AF, full EXIF and IS)

I also use a modified FD 55mm f/1.2 lens and a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 EF mount lens via this adapter.  The lenses do not have any electronic connection to begin with, and are entirely manual, but the adapter works just as well as any other non “smart” adapter I’ve used when adapting these lenses to other mirrorless cameras.

To use the adapted, third party Canon EF mount lenses (or any adapted lenses that aren’t supported electronically), you need to set the “Release w/o Lens” in the Gear Menu (submenu 4) to “Enable” so that the camera will allow you to shoot with lenses that don’t provide proper electronic connection via this or any other adapter, and you’ll need to shoot in either Aperture Priority (which for non electronic lenses will meter based on whatever aperture you have your lens adjusted to) or in Manual which will allow you to adjust any exposure compensation by way of your shutter speed.  

I have shot these adapted lenses while using Aperture Priority, 99% of the time and all has worked wonderfully.

For the native EF mount Canon lenses, and those third party EF mount lenses that are supported electronically via a Canon body, you can shoot them in any mode on the A7II as you would an EF mount lens on a Canon body, or an FE mount Sony lens on a Sony body (P A S M or auto modes, etc).  The Metabones smart adapter does all the translation for you.

 

metabones ef-e mount smart adapter mark 4

Overall, I’m very happy regarding the adapter so far.  Do I wish that it would enable better auto focus results?  Yes, sure I do, but I knew coming into this what to expect, and hopefully you do too now, if you’re looking to start using Canon EF or EF-s Lenses via this adapter.  The move from a native Canon body to an adapted Sony A7 series (or Sony APS-C mirrorless body) will certainly not make sense for those requiring quick and accurate AF operation when using EF lenses via this smart adapter.  For those looking to the Sony cameras for landscape, posed portraiture or studio work, interior or static subject photography applications or any video work when using Canon EF mount lenses, this Metabones adapter works as advertised, and I’m loving getting to use my nice Canon glass on a new, feature rich Sony camera.

Utilizing the wonderful features in the Sony A7II, like focus peaking and manual focus assist magnification, it has shown me just how unnecessary AF is for much of my day to day shooting too.  Even chasing my kids around while getting used to this new setup has proven to be very usable with manual focus along with focus peaking.  I’d even go so far to say that I have defaulted to manually focusing for most everything as it is quicker, easier and more reliable from my experience the last few weeks. 

You can find the Metabones EF-E mount mark 4 Smart Adapter via B&H HERE or Adorama HERE. Currently running $399.00, it isn’t cheap, but it’s cheaper than reinvesting in all new lenses if the siren song of the Alpha 7 series cameras are calling, and of course your needs can handle very slow AF operation.  If you shoot with manual focus EF mount lenses for still or video shooting, and see the value in using focus peaking, IBIS, zebra stripes and all that, the Metabones Smart adapter provides a very compelling option.  

Canon is going to have to do some work to get me back into their camp and I feel there are quite a few shooters like me that are seeing the value in the full frame Alpha lineup as well.  

If you’re on the fence, as I was, looking at the pricing of the aging Canon Full Frame cameras like the 6D or 5D3 still well north of the Sony A7II + Metabones adapter (the 6D is coming down to be fair), all I can say is that I am personally happy that I chose this route.  The new features, the tilting LCD, IBIS, the weather sealing, WiFi, solid sensor, and smaller form factor at what should be seen as a reasonable price, especially compared to other Full Frame options currently, it shows what can be offered.  People may rightly point to the soon to be 5DS/5DSr, but for the price of that, you could buy an A7II and I’m sure an A7rII (coming soon) if you want the extra resolution.  I’m just seeing more value in what Sony’s bringing to the table for me personally from a camera body angle, and that I have the choice as someone who has a decent amount of money invested in EF lenses to use these cameras via an adapter like the Metabones is pretty cool.

Stay tuned for articles showing how this adapter translates to results with these lenses on the Sony A7II camera by checking back soon, or adding your email address above to get alerts when articles post.  You can read my user review on the a7II HERE if interested, and I have a lens by lens review in the works as well as an IBIS comparison that will be posted soon.

You can connect with me on the socials via Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or Instagram.  I will be going through and posting examples with every EF mount lens on this Sony A7II that I have at my disposal to show how well the combination of Canon lenses, this Metabones adapter and the Sony body do together.  I’m really enjoying it.

Thanks for the read and happy shooting,
Tyson

 

31 thoughts on “*Using the Metabones mk 4 EF>Emount smart adapter on the A7II, a user review.”

  1. Thanks for writing about this. I’ve been thinking about the Metabones micro Four-Thirds adapter for use with the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 but can’t decide whether I want to dedicate the effort to skate park video making.

    I’m surprised that the Canon lenses worked with auto focus at all. Canon has been so secretive that third parties have had trouble giving their lenses full functionality with Canon bodies that it seems almost hit or miss below the 5D series.

    I’ve been thinking that the Sony A7 Mk II was a perfect introduction to their new series of camera bodies. They should have skipped the earlier versions. It seems as though they have been more enthusiastic about 135 Format bodies than the NEX bodies. Target had their low end APS-C body on clearance for $228 and I almost bought it but that money will go to a lens.

    I hope that Sony pushes everyone else to greatness.

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  2. Pingback: *Sony a7II, a game changer? My take on Sony’s newest FF cam, a user review. | Tyson Robichaud Photo-blography

  3. Thanks again for the informative review. A question though, maybe silly, maybe not, but since I also use an adapter on a Canon M that someone graciously gave me, along with the adapter later, I wonder if these also function sort of like an extension ring, allowing closer focusing than would otherwise be possible.

    I would/should conduct my own experiments, but laziness prevents, or at least delays, and you are somewhat of a master experimenter with photo stuff, of which the rest of us constantly benefit, so I’m counting on your subjective/objective observations.

    Thanks again.

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    • Hey Dan,

      Actually, the adapters merely replicate the proper register distance for the given mount as it was designed for its original mount to properly enable focus through infinity, and as such don’t provide any extension beyond that. Because mirrorless cameras are built with such a short register/flange distance, these adapters need to add quite a bit of depth to match the distance that the lenses would be sitting at on a DSLR (or film SLR) for instance. This shorter register enables these mirrorless cams the ability to use any lens that was designed to achieve focus from further away which is one of the really cool features of these new systems, and with the addition of a smart adapter, it takes it even further allowing electronic control for aperture or auto focus by the camera which is even cooler 🙂

      t

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  5. I own 2 A7II cameras, one that was converted by Lifepixel to IR. I tried my Canon lenses on my 1st A7II and as you found, the performance simply sucks. So I sold off my lovely Canon f4 L trinity and replaced it with the Sony f4 set. yes I think the 24-70mm is not as good as it should be, but in 95% of the cases it is perfectly fine. All in all, the gain in using so many older MF lenses more than made up for the loss.

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    • I’d clarify to say that the AF performance sucks, but otherwise, using L lenses via the Metabones adapter produce amazing results on the a7II to my eye, and because I have the lenses I do, I can shoot stuff that I wouldn’t be able to if I were to purchase the available Sony FE lenses. (various fast primes, TS lenses, ultra wide, etc) Sony is doing well to fill out their lens catalog, it’s just still not quite there yet.

      Thanks Michael, and good luck with the new system!

      Cheers,

      t

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  6. Pingback: *Lens by lens on the Sony a7II… | Tyson Robichaud Photo-blography

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  8. Hello Tyson,
    Thanks for this informative article!
    One small question: do the adapter reduce light transmission?
    For exemple, I own a sigma art 50mm f1.4 with Canon mount.
    Will it remain1.4?
    Thanks in advance.

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    • Hi Jacob, no light loss. Because it is a straight mount adapter, it’s simply adjusting the register/flange distance for the EF lenses as if those lenses were focusing light onto a sensor in an EOS cam.

      Thanks for the read and comment,

      T

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  9. Hi Tyson
    Very useful review. Thinking of purchasing the recently released A7RII. Is there likely to be any improvement in autofocus speed with the Metabones Canon EF to Sony E (Mk IV) adapter compared to to the A7II?
    Thanks
    Tony

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  11. Thanks for writting on this. I was wondering if the smart adapter actually reduces the quality of the image? I want to get 3rd party lens, but not sure if its better to buy a E mount lens or go thru metabones on a EF lens for my a7s.

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    • Hi Zach.

      Overall, no. I don’t see any degradation, outside of the extreme corners on a couple lenses. If you’re shooting something that will be aiming for relatively deep depth of field shots, and needing them to be as sharp as they can be in the corners, then you may see a little bit of a falloff, but honestly, I don’t know if many of the native E mount lenses will do much better outside a couple of the high end offerings currently.

      I’m not bothered at all, personally, and I’d even say that the lenses on my 5DII vs the same lenses via the Metabones adapter on the a7II, often perform better in the corners on the a7II, so I’d not really be gaining anything by shooting them natively on the EOS bodies.

      If you already have EF lenses, I’d say that the Metabones adapter is a no brainer. If you don’t, and are looking to buy lenses, I’d research the options available at the given focal length(s) you’re looking to buy, and see which system offers a better option. Sony is growing it’s lens catalog, but at the rate that they’re doing it, it is going to take a decade or more to catch up to the EF lineup, and from they’re current offerings, I’m not totally convinced that any future lenses will be as good or better than many options on the canon side anyway.

      The main benefit, I feel, to buying into a mirrorless full frame system like the alpha series, is the ability to adapt quite literally any lens made to date. Any lens made for a format smaller than a 36x24mm capture medium will be hindered, not being able to cover the sensor, (and why we don’t see many if any adapters for those) any film era lens for the 135 format is adaptable, along with most medium and large format lenses.

      Pretty cool, really.

      Thanks for the read and comment.

      Cheers,
      t

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      • Wow. Thank you T for such a detailed reply. I agree with you on adaptability Mirror-less Age and the lack of E lenses.

        I actually have a A7s. I am thinking of getting the Samyang VDSLR Lens Kit ( set of 5 ) – Which actually comes in E mount or EF mount to choose from.

        The reason why I asked is because, I am not sure where Sony is going, and if I get the EF mount option, If Canon comes out with a better camera, I can use My Samyang Lens kit on the new Canon Camera e.g. 5D IV.

        But In theory if using the Same lens just different mount, ( etc. Samyang 35mm T1.5 Lens ) one is a direct E mount to the A7s the other is a EF mount that goes through smart adapter. I wonder if there would actually be a difference in quality.

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      • I wish I had better insight into video performance, as I’m not much of a video guy. I would say however, that I’m aware of a lot of folks who have heavily invested in Canon glass (EF and PL mount cine stuff) that adapt to the alpha cams, so I can’t imagine that the adaptation produces a horrible result by any stretch. There’s always going to be benefits to native mount stuff, but with the metabones smart adapter (and perhaps even other brands) some of those benefits are being erased to an extent. I really like the new mirrorless landscape for this reason as we can more easily shop for sensors and lenses separately, not entirely brand tied to one or the other.

        Always good for us consumers when companies have to work harder to convince us to buy their stuff 🙂

        I wouldn’t disagree with your rationale about buying the EF mount to maintain the ability to move to an Eos body in the future if you see that as a possibility. You can always adapt the EF mount lenses to a mirrorless camera (any mirrorless cam) but couldn’t adapt the E mount lens to a DSLR, unless they offer a service to convert the mount and adjust the register distance to properly focus on the canon or nikon bodies, for instance.

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  12. As I am hoping to get good results from my Sony (original) A7 & the Canon 24-105 F4 lens, I am not left with a lot of choices. My long term goal is to later purchase an A7R II.
    What are some feelings and/or opinions?

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  14. The OBEN arca head is the problem. I have several arca mounts from many manufactures and the OBEN head is sized “just” a little off so you are forced to buy only OBEN gear. I will never buy another piece of gear from OBEN.

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      • Hi Tyson, thanks for the reply, I’ve already fought this battle with OBEN. If you take a micrometer to the OBEN base plate you can see it’s a few thousandths under sized, not enough to prevent it from being used by other manufactures’, but the real problem is in their head design that will not allow it to tightly close on the others plates, including Joby.

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      • It’s a bummer, but surely not unique I’d guess. The AS style plates do vary in width, and I can see Oben setting a fixed width for their heads to try to establish some kind of proprietary standard. A pain in the ass for those of us who are unaware, so I wish they’d state that their heads may not fit other AS style quick release plates. To be honest, I’m not completely sold on the quality of their tripods either. Had to send my first carbon tripod back due to it missing a crucial bushing, and lock pin. Got it on a substantial sale though, so have excused it, myself.

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      • Glad I’ve come across the site, I’ve just switched to a Sony Ar7II and have all EF glass. Coming from a Canon 6d I’m amazed at the IQ from the Sony and the dynamic range is breath taking. Currently using the meta bones adapter wondering if Native FE glass would have any advantages. Also wondering about the Metabones Speed adapter, does it have a glass element in it (to increase the speed?) and might this be an effective dust protector for the Sony sensor, while changing lenses. Living in the Reno, NV area dust is a constant threat.

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      • I’ve not personally shot with any of the Speed Adapters, but my understanding on those is they’re more geared for smaller formats (APS-C, micro 4/3) to bring the focal length multiplier back to a true angle of view in 135mm format terms. The downside to another piece of glass in front of the sensor though is it is also subject to scratching, fogging, etc. I’ve not personally had issues with dust on the a7 series myself, but I also live in a pretty wet place. As for the native FE lenses, there are a few real gems, but as long as you’re getting the AF speed and accuracy with the EF glass that you need, I see little reason. Corners will perform better on native lenses (some adapted lenses are better or worse than others), as will any optical correction via in camera processing, but for most stuff, I find my EF lenses are great.

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