FS5: Metabones Speedbooster Ultra Canon EF to Sony E - User Reviews

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xocomil

Well-known member
Hi wanted to hear from people who have this combo as to its reliability, functionality, and ease of use - before plopping down $1000 CAD on the adaptor. I would use principally with my Canon 24-105 f4 (the 17-55 2.8 is currently my alway on lens for my C100).

I'm waiting for stock of the FS5 to come arrive here and am trying to figure out whether to scoop up a body only or with kit lens. Apparently hardly any stock here in Canada. I'm going to go to camera store this weekend to try out the 18-105 paired with FS7 (no FS5 demos yet). I'm also hoping they'll have a metabones speedbooster in stock I can stick on the FS7 and try it out with my 24-105 L.

I shoot news and docs (so mostly run and gun in variable conditions). No assistant. Mostly developing countries (where camera stores are few and far between) and conditions can be hot, dusty, rainy, etc.

Headed back to Central America early Jan so trying to get myself sorted ...

Thanks in advance!
 
xocomil said:
Hi wanted to hear from people who have this combo as to its reliability, functionality, and ease of use - before plopping down $1000 CAD on the adaptor. I would use principally with my Canon 24-105 f4 (the 17-55 2.8 is currently my alway on lens for my C100).

I'm waiting for stock of the FS5 to come arrive here and am trying to figure out whether to scoop up a body only or with kit lens. Apparently hardly any stock here in Canada. I'm going to go to camera store this weekend to try out the 18-105 paired with FS7 (no FS5 demos yet). I'm also hoping they'll have a metabones speedbooster in stock I can stick on the FS7 and try it out with my 24-105 L.

I shoot news and docs (so mostly run and gun in variable conditions). No assistant. Mostly developing countries (where camera stores are few and far between) and conditions can be hot, dusty, rainy, etc.

Headed back to Central America early Jan so trying to get myself sorted ...

Thanks in advance!
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I've been reading that a lot of users have been having issues with the latest SBU and the FS7 around these parts. See video. https://vimeo.com/110747830
 
That Vimeo link is referring to firmware 0.36
The flicker issue was fixed in a firmware update
SBU and FS7 work great for me, although don't expect auto focus it doesnt work.
 
I've had great luck with the Speedbooster ultra on my FS7 , however the 24-105 is another story. Generally it has felt fine though not as sharp as some other lenses and more prone to flare but mostly its been fine. However last week with the speedbooster I saw bad blue/red chromatic aberration on the edges of an exterior with contrasty lines. Shocked me really and I remember seeing similar examples on this forum with the same combo. I think it may be that the weaknesses of that lens are exaggerated by the speedster , but I need to do some testing.
 
I had the Ultra fail on me. It started with me having to restart the camera with the unit of, then attach it to be able to control iris and after a while I lost the iris control completely. Not fun to be in a shoot trying to control the image with just ISO and shutter. Nobody noticed, but I returned it and got a refund.
So I would recommend having a cheaper adapter available as a back up if I was going to remote locations. I keep a commlite for that purpose
 
I've had no problems with either of my Metabones adapters but have heard enough stories like Yoak's that Iwould suggest always having at least 1 back-up . I keep a Mark IV and a Speedbooster.

lenny
 
I do not have SBU but heard a lot of stories from first hand as well. Basically expect that anything can happen- camera freezing from time to time, aperture not responding etc.
 
Lenilenapi said:
I've had no problems with either of my Metabones adapters but have heard enough stories like Yoak's that Iwould suggest always having at least 1 back-up . I keep a Mark IV and a Speedbooster.

lenny
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Same. Always had at least 2x Metabones handy.

Ive had some weird experiences.

Sometimes, the adapter just does not work, at all. Have to disconnect it, and reboot camera for it to work. Nothing else does.

Once, ive had the aperture go haywire during an interview recording. Suddenly it went from 7 to 1.4, and up to 22 again. Really destroyed the shot.
 
Osslund said:
I use Ultra on my FS7 with the 24-105 and it works great. To me this is a sweet combination as the lens have a good reach for wide to tele.
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Same, though I use the 24-70 2.8 II as my primary lens.

The 17-50 equivalent f2 makes for a great run'n gun as well as interview lens but it's nice having the 24-105 for extra reach and IS. Also, the Ultra makes the MUCH lighter 70-200 f4L IS a nice 2.8 long lens combo w/out having to lug around the large 2.8 II model.

I have a Mk IV as a backup but haven't used it much yet.
 
Yoak said:
I had the Ultra fail on me. It started with me having to restart the camera with the unit of, then attach it to be able to control iris and after a while I lost the iris control completely. Not fun to be in a shoot trying to control the image with just ISO and shutter. Nobody noticed, but I returned it and got a refund.
So I would recommend having a cheaper adapter available as a back up if I was going to remote locations. I keep a commlite for that purpose
Click to expand...

Yup. I've blogged about this issue quite awhile ago (I had FS100 with a regular Metabones smart adapter). This is the
exact issue that I had with two separate adapters. Started with intermittent loss of control of the iris....which was fixed by
reconnecting. Eventually had total failure on the adapters with several of my lenses. Strange thing was, it started out
not working with my Sigma lenses (but worked fine with my Tamron lenses) and after a firmware update, it worked with
the Sigma lenses, and the Tamron lenses had the issues. Finally it totally quit working with any of my Tamron lenses.
Just not sure what is going on, but please do note, to be fair to Metabones, in my case, all issues are with third party lenses.

http://www.alaskacameradude.blogspot.com/2015/07/metabonesare-we-friends-or-not.html
 
I have many times found that even with f2.8 zooms that being able to go to f2 is a real advantage. Also it gives you flexibility in image size. In a small room an f2 50-150 lens is way better for interviews than a 2.8 70-200. The extra width is often very handy on the long zooms even if you don't need the stop. Plus it makes your 24 - 70 or 24-105 wider so that it is very functional for run & gun. Frankly speedbooster is a real advantage of FS7 over C300, F5 , Red or even Arri for my workflow. One of the reasons I chose the camera.
BTW - 18-105 is a POS IMHO. 18-200 has its problems but its a functional run & gun lens.
 
alaskacameradude said:
Yup. I've blogged about this issue quite awhile ago (I had FS100 with a regular Metabones smart adapter). This is the
exact issue that I had with two separate adapters. Started with intermittent loss of control of the iris....which was fixed by
reconnecting. Eventually had total failure on the adapters with several of my lenses. Strange thing was, it started out
not working with my Sigma lenses (but worked fine with my Tamron lenses) and after a firmware update, it worked with
the Sigma lenses, and the Tamron lenses had the issues. Finally it totally quit working with any of my Tamron lenses.
Just not sure what is going on, but please do note, to be fair to Metabones, in my case, all issues are with third party lenses.

http://www.alaskacameradude.blogspot.com/2015/07/metabonesare-we-friends-or-not.html
Click to expand...

interesting. My issues were all with L glass. I bought a new Ultra T today. I believe it's a new version, as my old didn't have the T in the name. Not sure what the difference is though.
Worked well on its first shoot today at least;-)
 
Yoak said:
interesting. My issues were all with L glass. I bought a new Ultra T today. I believe it's a new version, as my old didn't have the T in the name. Not sure what the difference is though.
Click to expand...

The 'T' designation means it's interior has flocking applied to reduce reflections.
 
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