Metabones Mark IV 0.5 update. Much faster auto focus.

[Demistate]

Metabones just released a new firmware update that really overhauls the autofocus in their adapters.

http://www.metabones.com/article/of/EF-E_Firmware_Win

http://www.metabones.com/article/of/EF-E_Firmware_Mac

I have a Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 (gold ring) which use to take 5+ seconds to auto focus, and now it's under a second.

Video auto focus isn't still something I would use due to poor performance, but it does function now.

Tested on A7s body.

• Name: Firmware update V0.50 for EF-E Smart Adapter[SUP]TM[/SUP] MARK IV and EF-E Speed Booster[SUP]TM[/SUP] ULTRA
• Release date: 23 Jun 2016
• Benefits and improvements:
  • Wide open button functionality is removed on A7 series and A6300. The button of the adapter is now dedicated to the function of the customizable Focus Hold button on the A7 series and A6300.
  • "Advanced" mode is now the default operating mode. (Note: you may permanently change the default to "Green" mode, by holding down the button on the adapter while attaching to an already-on camera, and then, without ever releasing the button, turn off the camera's power. Changing the default back to "Advanced" mode using the same procedure.)
  • "Native" autofocus features including DMF, Eye-AF and fast CDAF on all E-mount cameras (see Press Releasefor details).
  • Support for smooth iris feature of the latest Canon and Tamron SP lenses.
  • PDAF improvement for Canon EF 50/1.4 USM and some other large aperture fixed focal length lenses.
  • Descriptive lens name on EXIF LensModel tag (except on older cameras and Metabones Mark I, Mark II, Mark III and the original Speed Booster). A complaint utility such as exiftool is required. Sony Image Data Converter does NOT display the LensModel tag.
  • Fixed a focus parking issue after an exposure with some older Canon lenses.

The following lenses have been tested for "native" AF. Refer to Metabones' web site for the most up-to-date list. Lenses equipped with smooth iris support are marked with asterisks. APS-C lenses are not compatible with Speed Booster®.

• Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye*
• Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
• Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II*
• Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
• Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II
• Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM*
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM*
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM (non-IS)
• Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM*
• Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro*
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM (I)
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM*
• Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
• Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
• Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art 013
• Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art 013
• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM
• Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD A007
• Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD F013*
• Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD A009*
• Incompatible lenses: ("Green" mode PDAF is still supported on A6300, A7 Mark II and A7R Mark II.)
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro
• Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
• Contax N lenses modified to EF mount by Conurus Canada
• Sigma 18-125mm DC OS HSM
• Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II VC B005
• Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 (IF) Macro A20

 

[unadog]

I installed it. Tested it with my Sony A6300. The AF performance seems worse on both my Canon 24-105 4.0 and 40 2.8 STM. Both are on the the list.

The 24-105 seemed to rack and stop out of focus, then rack and stop in focus. Back and forth, with each shutter press/ AF start. One out of focus, one in focus.

The 40 mm focused more often, but it seemed slower. It used to focus quickly in a dark room (single 60 watt bulb.) Now it wouldn't grab focus. Then I turned on a 1,000 watt tungsten. Then it would lock focus, but it seemed slower.

Is it possible to downgrade the firmware? I was on .47, now on .50. I have the latest Metabones IV Ultra or whatever. I like the extra AF modes, but not the performance on Wide, Zone, Center, or Movable.

Others may want to wait for more reports before upgrading to usr on an A6300.

 

[unadog]

Here is an update from a post about this on DP Review:


"UPDATE: We've tried out the new firmware on a Smart Adapter IV paired with a few lenses (Canon 35mm F1.4L II, 70-200 F2.8L II IS, Sigma 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm F1.4 Art) on the Sony a7R II. Phase-detect functionality appears to be limited to a very small central regions, which means lots of hunting if using off-center points, or Lock-on AF and Eye AF (both in AF-C) for non-central subjects. While AF in video is possible, it's slow with significant hunting. At this point, with these lenses, we find this update largely useless, and found ourselves reverting to the 'Green' mode that was default prior to this update for best performance."
http://www.dpreview.com/news/814163...ive-sony-focus-modes-for-canon-mount-adapters


People might want to wait for a few days until this gets sorted before upgrading.

 

[Demistate]

• "Native" autofocus may be lesser in performance and/or accuracy compared to the original "Green" mode phase-detect autofocus for A6300, A7 Mark II and A7R Mark II.

Try holding the button on the adapter when you attach it to your camera, then turn off the camera without letting go of the button.

Advanced" mode is now the default operating mode. (Note: you may permanently change the default to "Green" mode, by holding down the button on the adapter while attaching to an already-on camera, and then, without ever releasing the button, turn off the camera's power. Changing the default back to "Advanced" mode using the same procedure.)

You'll want to put it back in the old mode for newer cameras that have phase detect auto focus. The older models like the A7s, A7 and A7R will perform better with the advanced mode.

 

[unadog]

Thanks!

That kind of sucks for us though. Back to the same old limited modes as before on the A6300. Hopefully they will fix this soon.

+++

In the meantime, I am probably going to test a Sigma MC-11 with a Sigma 18-35 or similar, to see about getting all modes on the A6300. I don't want too many Sony proprietary lenses, only the $200 50 1.8 and cheaper, as it is a "3rd tier" camera for me. I still need my Canon 7DII and 5D3 for wildlife and events, and my Panasonic for 4K video.

I am using Canon mount lenses on all 3 cameras. It has saved me at least $6,000 from my previous investments in Sony & Panasonic native lenses.

Cheers!

 

[Demistate]

Adapting lenses is OK when you're on a budget or can find used equipment, but I found myself selling all my canon gear and getting Sony lenses. The auto focus abilities in Video are just too good to pass up.

But having a $200 50mm f/1.4 that just got decent auto focus is nice

 

[Geoff Gilson]

I decided to update my SB T Ultra with v.50 for the hell of it.
Here are the results with my FS100 +
35mm f2 IS
24-105 f4 L
70-200 f2.8 L II

Autofocus actually attempts to work now, which really surprised me.
But it's total train wreck! Just about always misses the mark and makes disturbing grinding noises on all lenses. Need to keep the focus set to manual!

The only interesting update for me is that the default operating mode can be set between advanced and green, which is potentially useful if you want to start it up with zoom/focus displays and auto iris - without having to remember to hold the button down when it powers up.

I have no other E Mount cameras or lenses to test it with at this time.

Anyone have similar experiences with the FS700?

 

[unadog]

Adapting lenses is OK when you're on a budget or can find used equipment, but I found myself selling all my canon gear and getting Sony lenses. The auto focus abilities in Video are just too good to pass up.

Well, I shoot multiple cameras at events. I shoot 2 for stills, with a 24-70 2.8 & 70-200 2.8 II. Plus 2-3 for video for multicam video. So I use up to 5 cameras at a time. There is no way I can cost justify multiple A7RII at $2,800-$3,200. Plus only DSLR's really work for me for wildlife so far, with a Sigma 150-600, Canon 100-400 II and adapters, or a Nikon 200-500 or similar. Only adapted lenses are available on Sony for long glass, unlike Canon & Nikon.

As a substitute for the A7RII, the Sony A6300 fails because it overheats when shooting 4K video in 20-35 minutes. I had a Sony FE 28 2.0, Sony 16-70, and Sony 70-200 4.0 until May. I sold them all after the A6300 showed the overheating, because the only way I can cost justify keeping the A6300 is by keeping the cost low. I kept a 20 mm 2.8 ($175), 50 1.8 ($175), and an 18-55 kit lens ($75.)

The Panasonic G7, GX85, and GH4 just work without overheating, recording internal 4K video at events with no problem. The GX85 also has 5 Axis stabilization, Dual IS, no time limit, ans teh auto focus is as good as my A6300.

I also have a Nikon D810 & D5500 for stills that I need to sell. I would prefer to keep the Nikon, but the ability to re-purpose the Canon lenses on both the Sony & Panasonic tilt the equation to keeping the Canon 7DII and 5DIII.

Obviously, YMMV. But Sony only fills a very small, peripheral niche for me.

Canon has become my primary stills system for events & wildlife, along with some 1080 video and RAW video. I have 12-14 Canon lenses already in my kit. Panasonic is my primary 4K video system. Sony are a bit of a fill-in, for casual stills, and some limited video use, for as long as I can justify having 3 systems. Maybe if teh Sony A73 can do 4K without overheating and teh cost comes down to $1,000-$1,500 I can come back to Sony. I have been shooting Nikon, Canon, and Sony side-by-side for 8 years. But Panasonic is a much better for for my needs right now.