GH4 GH4 with Metabones Speedbooster XL resolution/sharpness

[FUBARFilms]

Canon shooter here looking to pick up a GH4 with a Speedboster XL to take advantage of using L series glass with the camera (for both still and video) instead of investing in MFT glass. My only concern is that the optical elements of the Speedbooster will degrade the sharpness and resolution to a noticeable point. Low light improvements aside, has anyone here done a comparison of the sharpness of a lens with the Metabones to a native MFT lens?

 

[Bruce Foreman]

I wouldn't worry about the Metabones Speedbooster "degrading" lens performance. Should there be any "faults" in the lens performance, those may show up but "L" series glass should have few if any problems. My RJ focal reducer does show (and emphasises) the distortions, flare, and abberations present in my 1950's vintage Nikkor 50mm f1.4 wide open, but I also have a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 series E lens that is nowhere as bad with the focal reducer (speedbooster alternative).

I would advise you give MFT glass a serious consideration. With the sharpness and detail I get with the primes I have (12mm f2.0, 20mm f1.7, 25mm f1.4, 45mm f1.8, and 75mm f1.8) I feel I have lost nothing by selling off my Canon 7D, 60D, T3i, 2 "L" series zooms, and 3 EF primes (24mm f2.8, 28mm f1.8, & 50mm f1.8).

The MFT lenses are much smaller, lighter, and quite sharp even wide open.

Good luck, you'll love the GH4 - 4K is amazing edited on a 4K timeline and rendered to 1080p. Smoothest sharpest looking 1080p I've seen.

 

[brianc1959]

Canon shooter here looking to pick up a GH4 with a Speedboster XL to take advantage of using L series glass with the camera (for both still and video) instead of investing in MFT glass. My only concern is that the optical elements of the Speedbooster will degrade the sharpness and resolution to a noticeable point. Low light improvements aside, has anyone here done a comparison of the sharpness of a lens with the Metabones to a native MFT lens?

The Speed Booster XL will improve, not degrade, the sharpness of your Canon lenses attached to it.