FS7: To Speedbooster or not to Speedbooster

AdamNF

AdamNF

New member
I'm shooting a short film in a few weeks on the FS7 and I have a question regarding the Metabones Speedbooster. I will be using a set of Canon CN-E cine lenses and we will have both the normal EF adapter and Speedbooster to choose from.

I know the published benefits of the speed booster are:
- Shallower depth of field
- Wider field of view
- Extra stop of light

But does this come with a trade off in optical quality? The wide field of view and extra stop of light doesn't temp me (with CN-E lenses being t1.3 and FS7 iso 2000, we will have plenty of light) but the shallower depth of field has me intrigued.

Also, I'm use to the field of view from a super35/APS-C sensor so I know what I'm getting when I go for a 35mm or 85mm lens. All the FS7 owners are really trying to sell me on using the Speedbooster but id really like a 2nd and 3rd opinion for making this decision.

Thanks in advance
Adam
 
I used a set of Rokinon lenses with a speedbooster. The combination seemed sharp to me. Having both a speedbooster and a regular adapter gave me some in-between focal lengths. For example, 85 mm plus speed booster = 50 mm (roughly), a lens I don’t have in the Rokinon line. As Ben says, get both. So yes, I like speedboosters.
 
To me the lure would be to be able to have the lenses double as two different looks, just like Jim said.
Also being able to get some more shallow depth of field on wider shots in tight spaces.

I wish there was a dumb speedbooster though (or is there?) as I have no intention of buying any canon glass. So I would only use it with manual lenses such as the Samyangs...
 
I have both. For run and gun I mainly use the Speed Booster with the Canon 24-105 f4 which makes it a 17-75 f2.8 which is quite ideal for Run/gun.

For anything narrative, I use the Regular Metabones because it's a true Super 35mm format, which is what a huge majority of movies are shot on and what most crews understand. Plus, I like the way Super 35mm makes talent look. It gives a bit more of a compressed look which tends to make people look better. I like long focal lengths and I think Super 35mm is kind of the best of both worlds, you get a decent wide and a good compressed look.

For the look I like, Full Frame 5D / Speed Booster is a bit too wide for talent. Something like the GH4 / Micro 43 is too compressed for a decent wide, so Super 35mm is kind of the best overall, at least for me.
 
+1 on Speedbooster.

Despite all the negative comments, I still have no issues with my Kipon Baveyes for slightly less money than the Metabones. Of course your other option is a PL adapter and rent faster PL glass.

Ned Soltz
 
Just to add I've been using a 'dumb' Camdiox EF to E Mount adapter for over a year with no issues and they are super duper cheap.
 
Ivor C said:
The Nikon to e-mount is dumb.
Click to expand...
Interesting. That would take the price down from €737 to €520. Which is still a lot. Problem is that canon mount lenses are way more common in the video world so getting Nikon glass and adapters doesn't really make sense either...
 
Ben Scott said:
Just to add I've been using a 'dumb' Camdiox EF to E Mount adapter for over a year with no issues and they are super duper cheap.
Click to expand...
But that's not a speedbooster typ adapter, is it?
I'm probably going to buy any new lenses in canon mount and get the cheap dumb adapters until I can also afford the speedbooster.
 
The only downside to the speedbooster is sometimes I notice chromatic aberration from certain lenses. Other than that it looks great with my Canon L lenses.
 
Yeah i see a fair bit of CA on all of my Sigma Arts with the Speedbooster. I guess this also was mentioned in the reviews.

You can definetly see it in the interview parts of this video here: https://vimeo.com/150415562 Look at the windows where the sky meets window. 1:35
 
We will have both adapters on set and there will of course be prep so ill take a closer look. There will be a lot of windows and practical lights in frame so chromatic aberration could be an issue with the speed booster. We will be working in some fairly tight spaces, and while we do have the CN-E 14mm, its not easy to filter that lens as its to wide for out matte box. We have taped filters directly to that lens before though.


 
As everyone say the best is to have two normal and speed boster. If i have to choose only one? Speedbooster ultra because you have more options with him.
 
Something to keep in mind- the CN-E primes cover a full frame censor, the CN-E zooms do not. We can't use the speedbooster on our FS7 with the CN-E 30-105mm (get bad vignetting on the wide end).
 
One tip: don't forget to remove the Hood of lense, sometime that could help. for ex on tokina 11-16mm
 
Martin.G said:
Yeah i see a fair bit of CA on all of my Sigma Arts with the Speedbooster. I guess this also was mentioned in the reviews.

You can definetly see it in the interview parts of this video here: https://vimeo.com/150415562 Look at the windows where the sky meets window. 1:35
Click to expand...

1st of all: if you have time to peep for CA the story did not catch you. Same with rolling shutter. :-)

I don't think that it's CA on the window edges. I guess it could be a refraction at the edge of the insulated glass by itself. If CA would be that strong you probably should see it also on the silver photo frame or on the edge of the cup or on the edge of the candlestick.
 
Thats just an example Clermond. Ive seen it plenty of other places too. Green and magenta color edges where subjects are exposed to a bright background. Its very present.

For that interview in that film the CA didnt destroy it. But for certain shots where there are no story, just the true beauty of the shot intended to be a breathing space in the film, simple CA can be destructive. Think big mountain landscapes and such.
 
Osslund said:
The only downside to the speedbooster is sometimes I notice chromatic aberration from certain lenses. Other than that it looks great with my Canon L lenses.
Click to expand...

+1. Significant CA on the Canon 24-105 - the reason I returned my speedbooster for a refund.
 
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