Just received my metabones EF to NEX smart adapter for my Nex 5n. "version 5" of the adapter firmware or production revision makes for a much refined firmware and hardware fixes. This smart adapter in my opinion is superior to any other EF to NEX dumb adapter as it allows for full apeture control plus image stabilization if the EF lens supports it. The only thing missing is AF, as most EF lens are AF, you will have none of that with this adapter, or any adapter currently in manufacture.
The period from ordering, payment via paypal and receiving the product took just over a week. This is considerably quicker than that estimated max waiting time of 14 weeks!
Was it worth the money.... I think yes, absolutely, especially if you already have a collection of EF Lens. The build quality is simply brilliant. I cannot fault it. The attachment of the mount from both the adapter to the Nex and EF to the adapter are smooth and feels as if you are mounting a factory designed E mount lens onto the NEx. EF lens too attach to the adapter in a similar way, and the EF mount has a feel of quality in smooth mounting and no play what so ever.
Most other reviews I read about this smart adapter have this mounted on FS100 Nex mount video cameras, but not many mount theirs on their nex 5's for still photography.
Now I mention this adapter is version 5, and I believe its the right time now as most of any bugs have been completely eliminated. Firstly the adapter works on the 5n, which in past reviews was not the case with the initial release of the adapter. Next lens IS sometimes not engaging unless the depth inverse preview button was pressed. This is not the case with version 5, and IS can be engaged at any time with confidence. Further, one can switch EF lens with the adapter still plugged in and it registers correctly the last apeture used plus maximum apetures register correct. Lastly users of the older revisions of the adapter found that internal flaring caused by the adapter has now been fixed with some sort of soft felt glued inside the adapter housing.
Using lens with this adapter is slightly different from using plain legacy lens with essentially dumb adapters on the NEX. The main difference is the electronic controls for the apeture, and not having to use a manual apeture ring on the lens. This also means other shooting modes previously not applicable for legacy lens is now possible, like Shutter priority, etc. Interestingly the way the apeture works on EVIL cameras is completely different from EOS DSLR. In Canon DSLR and most DSLRs, when one sets the apeture the viewfinder does not show the actual depth of field from closing the apeture until the picture is taken or the depth of field preview button is pressed. On NEX the apeture will stop down and meter real time in the viewfinder, and with every apeture adjustment, the apeture in the EF lens can be audibly heard clicking into position. This noise is definitely not silent compared compared to changing apeture on a E mount Sony Lens, so for those who were wanting to use EF lens for video recording, be aware either use a separate recording device or just use a set apeture for that recording sequence. Now for still there is a option for an inverse depth of preview, by pressing a button on the lens adapter, the apeture will temporarily fully open for fine focusing prior to taking the shot, will mention more about this later.
Another interesting thing about the apeture system is how the NEX works. The adapter is clever and mimicks true emount lens by closing the apeture to its minimum position when in standby or powered off position. This too is opposite of Canon EF on EF, where apeture is at maximum when off. I believe the NEX method is due to the EVIL system shutter being left open when the camera is in standby or off in order to protect the exposed sensor should the camera be exposed to harsh light sources can could damage the sensor.
With respect to the inverse apeture button on the adapter, although quite useful to have for fine focusing, alot of EF lens put the focus ring way too far from the rear end of the lens, and trying to juggle focusing and pressing tghe button with my left hand can be hard to impossible in some cases. I also tried holding down the button while taking an exposure, surprisingly, the apeture will shut down prior to taking the exposure, and hence a correct apeture setting for the image, even though I have pressed the button to open apeture fully. So essentially holding down the button can simulate a DSLR with full open apeture until exposure taken. There is a reason though for having true apeture during preview on EVIL cameras though and this is for metering exposure. Holding down the button although acquiring correct apeture, did not work the same for exposure and images will tend to be under exposed.
The switches on the lens all have a function too when using on NEX. For instance switching the AF to MF, if the Manual assist zoom is activated in the setup menu, rotating the lens focus barrel will automatically engage the zoom aid.
Switching back to AF on the lens will disable this automatic feature and focus peaking will be used instead, although focusing zoom aids can be still used by presetting a button. The IS button on EF lens work correctly but powering on and off image stabilization. I must stress though Canon's IS can be noisy and in a quiet environment the IS may be audible in video recording.
Lens tested with this EF converter is as follows
Canon 50mm f1.2L USM
Apeture works correctly, only small fault is the apeture goes from 1.2 to 1.3 with not actual apeture change till it hits 1.4. From the apeture settings are perfect to 1/3 stop increments. There is no option for changing to 1/2 stop increments as found when using EF lens on Canon DSLR.
Canon 100-400L f4-5.6 IS USM
Apeture works perfectly. IS works a treat but is very audible, again 1/3 stops.
Canon 24-105L f4 IS USM
Apeture works perfectly, IS works great, 1/3 stops
Tamron 90 SP 2.8
Apeture works perfectly from f2.8 to f32 in 1/3 increments! This lens has no FTM (full time manual) so there is no ability for Auto focus zoom aids when the focus ring is rotated, only manual button activating, similar to legacy lens "dumb" adapters.
The period from ordering, payment via paypal and receiving the product took just over a week. This is considerably quicker than that estimated max waiting time of 14 weeks!
Was it worth the money.... I think yes, absolutely, especially if you already have a collection of EF Lens. The build quality is simply brilliant. I cannot fault it. The attachment of the mount from both the adapter to the Nex and EF to the adapter are smooth and feels as if you are mounting a factory designed E mount lens onto the NEx. EF lens too attach to the adapter in a similar way, and the EF mount has a feel of quality in smooth mounting and no play what so ever.
Most other reviews I read about this smart adapter have this mounted on FS100 Nex mount video cameras, but not many mount theirs on their nex 5's for still photography.
Now I mention this adapter is version 5, and I believe its the right time now as most of any bugs have been completely eliminated. Firstly the adapter works on the 5n, which in past reviews was not the case with the initial release of the adapter. Next lens IS sometimes not engaging unless the depth inverse preview button was pressed. This is not the case with version 5, and IS can be engaged at any time with confidence. Further, one can switch EF lens with the adapter still plugged in and it registers correctly the last apeture used plus maximum apetures register correct. Lastly users of the older revisions of the adapter found that internal flaring caused by the adapter has now been fixed with some sort of soft felt glued inside the adapter housing.
Using lens with this adapter is slightly different from using plain legacy lens with essentially dumb adapters on the NEX. The main difference is the electronic controls for the apeture, and not having to use a manual apeture ring on the lens. This also means other shooting modes previously not applicable for legacy lens is now possible, like Shutter priority, etc. Interestingly the way the apeture works on EVIL cameras is completely different from EOS DSLR. In Canon DSLR and most DSLRs, when one sets the apeture the viewfinder does not show the actual depth of field from closing the apeture until the picture is taken or the depth of field preview button is pressed. On NEX the apeture will stop down and meter real time in the viewfinder, and with every apeture adjustment, the apeture in the EF lens can be audibly heard clicking into position. This noise is definitely not silent compared compared to changing apeture on a E mount Sony Lens, so for those who were wanting to use EF lens for video recording, be aware either use a separate recording device or just use a set apeture for that recording sequence. Now for still there is a option for an inverse depth of preview, by pressing a button on the lens adapter, the apeture will temporarily fully open for fine focusing prior to taking the shot, will mention more about this later.
Another interesting thing about the apeture system is how the NEX works. The adapter is clever and mimicks true emount lens by closing the apeture to its minimum position when in standby or powered off position. This too is opposite of Canon EF on EF, where apeture is at maximum when off. I believe the NEX method is due to the EVIL system shutter being left open when the camera is in standby or off in order to protect the exposed sensor should the camera be exposed to harsh light sources can could damage the sensor.
With respect to the inverse apeture button on the adapter, although quite useful to have for fine focusing, alot of EF lens put the focus ring way too far from the rear end of the lens, and trying to juggle focusing and pressing tghe button with my left hand can be hard to impossible in some cases. I also tried holding down the button while taking an exposure, surprisingly, the apeture will shut down prior to taking the exposure, and hence a correct apeture setting for the image, even though I have pressed the button to open apeture fully. So essentially holding down the button can simulate a DSLR with full open apeture until exposure taken. There is a reason though for having true apeture during preview on EVIL cameras though and this is for metering exposure. Holding down the button although acquiring correct apeture, did not work the same for exposure and images will tend to be under exposed.
The switches on the lens all have a function too when using on NEX. For instance switching the AF to MF, if the Manual assist zoom is activated in the setup menu, rotating the lens focus barrel will automatically engage the zoom aid.
Switching back to AF on the lens will disable this automatic feature and focus peaking will be used instead, although focusing zoom aids can be still used by presetting a button. The IS button on EF lens work correctly but powering on and off image stabilization. I must stress though Canon's IS can be noisy and in a quiet environment the IS may be audible in video recording.
Lens tested with this EF converter is as follows
Canon 50mm f1.2L USM
Apeture works correctly, only small fault is the apeture goes from 1.2 to 1.3 with not actual apeture change till it hits 1.4. From the apeture settings are perfect to 1/3 stop increments. There is no option for changing to 1/2 stop increments as found when using EF lens on Canon DSLR.
Canon 100-400L f4-5.6 IS USM
Apeture works perfectly. IS works a treat but is very audible, again 1/3 stops.
Canon 24-105L f4 IS USM
Apeture works perfectly, IS works great, 1/3 stops
Tamron 90 SP 2.8
Apeture works perfectly from f2.8 to f32 in 1/3 increments! This lens has no FTM (full time manual) so there is no ability for Auto focus zoom aids when the focus ring is rotated, only manual button activating, similar to legacy lens "dumb" adapters.