Metabones has announced something that has rocked the industry today; but there is conflicting information on what the adapter actually does. First off, it’s called the Speed Booster. So far it works for Fuji X series and Sony NEX series cameras. Hang tight Micro Four Thirds users, they promise that compatibility will come soon. Their product pages list the stats, which you’ll see after the jump. But something doesn’t add up here.
Tech Specs
Specs pulled from the Metabones page for the Canon EF to Sony NEX listing
Features:
- Increase maximum aperture by 1 stop.
- Increase MTF.
- Makes lens 0.71x wider.
- Optics designed by Caldwell Photographic in the USA (patent pending).
- Electronic integration of aperture diaphragm, controlled by or from the camera body.
- Partial autofocus support for late-model (post-2006) Canon-brand lenses.
- Powered by camera body. No external power source required.
- The tripod foot is detachable and compatible with Arca Swiss, Markins, Photo cam ball heads.
- High performance 32-bit processor and efficient switched-mode power supply.
Now Here’s the Weird Part
Andrew over at EOSHD is saying that the adapter will make a 24mm f1.4 lens adapted to Sony NEX act like a 24mm but gain an extra stop of performance: making it nearly an F1 lens. This means that you’ll get full frame performance on an APS-C sized sensor.
We’ve also ready on Phillip Bloom’s website that it turns a 50mm lens full frame lens into a 35mm equivalent.
Personally, the latter doesn’t make sense as that means that it’s designing a totally new imaging circle whereas Andrew’s explanation basically takes what’s there are projects it onto the APS-C sensor.
We tried sending an email to Metabones with no luck; but hopefully someone will clear up the confusion.
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