Metabones’ Native AF Update for Sony EF Adapters is ‘Largely Useless’

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The news that Metabones Sony E-Mount to EF adapters and speedboosters had just been updated with some of Sony’s native autofocus functionality was hailed with many shouts of joy, but those shouts may have been premature. It seems the results are… less than great.

First, the news: Metabones EF Smart Adapters and Speedboosters that let you use Canon lenses on your Sony E-Mount cameras recently got an exciting firmware update. The update lets you use Sony’s native AF modes—like continuous Eye-AF and Direct Manual Focus (DMF)—with the attached Canon lens.

This isn’t unique to Metabones, since the Sigma MC-11 adapter already implemented this functionality; however, the Sigma adapter’s AF performance was found to be lack-luster, so people were hopeful Metabones could do better.

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Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. After updating a Metabones Smart Adapter Mark IV, DPReview put the update to the test with a Canon 35mm f/1.4L II, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L II IS, and Sigma 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm f/1.4 Art. The verdict is pretty harsh.

To quote DPR directly: “At this point, with these lenses, we find this update largely useless.” The adapter limits phase-detect functionality to a small region in the center and resulted in “significant hunting” in pretty much all modes tested.

Of course, your traction may vary. So if you have one of Metabone’s Smart Adapters or Speed Boosters and want to find out more about the new firmware or give it a try for yourself, either download the update from the Metabones website or send your adapter (Mark I, II, and III adapters all have to be sent in) to the factory to be updated free of charge.


Image credits: Header photo by Not-Assigned

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