Firmware update

Vancouver, Canada, June 23, 2016: Metabones® releases Metabones App 2.3, a major firmware update with the following additional features.

• Eye-AF (A6300/A7series).
• Fast contrast detect AF for all E-Mount cameras.
• DMF (direct manual focus) for E-Mount cameras, where the camera switches to MF as soon as AF completes. This is useful for checking AF accuracy when used with focus peaking.
• Smooth iris for Sony E-Mount and FZ-Mount cameras and Blackmagic, JVC and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds Mount cameras.

Metabones® has already added fast EF lens autofocus to its Micro Four Thirds Mount Speed Boosters® and Smart Adapters™ last year. With this speedy advantage now extended to E-Mount, EF-Mount lenses are now capable of focusing quickly across the widest variety of mirrorless cameras with trusted Metabones precision and reliability.

The smooth iris feature slows down the movement of the electromagnetic aperture diaphragm so that video footage transitions smoothly when the aperture changes, with reduced tick noise from the lens. The latest Canon and Tamron SP lenses have special support for this feature and Metabones® makes use of it if the lens supports it.

Limitations:

• E-Mount "native" autofocus features may not work with all lenses.
• "Native" autofocus may be lesser in performance and/or accuracy compared to the original "Green" mode phase-detect autofocus for A6300, A7 Mark II and A7R Mark II.
• AF-C and video autofocus may have unsatisfactory AF performance and/or accuracy. This is a limitation inherent in DSLR lenses, which lack the low latency required for making many fine movements in rapid succession during AF-C and video focusing.
• Excessive hunting may occur if a small aperture is used with AF-C, video or "Liveview Display Setting Effect" turned on.
• The first few autofocus attempts may result in false positives where the camera gives focus confirmation but the subject is not in focus. This issue goes away on its own after a few trials with most lenses.
• No support for in-camera correction such as peripheral shading, CA and distortion.
• Power consumption may increase compared to the original "Green" mode autofocus. We recommend turning off the "Pre-AF" option to conserve battery power. On A7 series cameras and A6300 the option is on page 3 under the "gear" tab.
• Actuations of the electromagnetic aperture diaphragm and/or the focus motor of the lens result in noises which may be picked up by the camera's internal microphone during video recording. Use of an appropriately placed external microphone is required for video work.
• The aperture moves in 1/3 stop steps with most Panasonic cameras and 1/8 stop steps with other cameras, which may be noticeable in video recordings. Programmed exposure mode and shutter priority exposure mode should not be used for video. Lenses supporting "smooth iris" smooth out the transition but do not increase iris resolution.

Yet

Phase-detect functionality appears to be limited to a very small central region. It means excessive hunting with off-center points, or Lock-on and Eye AF (both in AF-C) for non-central subjects. While AF in video is possible, it's slow with significant hunting. At this point, a7/R II and a6300 owners may find this update largely useless

Hi Sph1nxster,

I have the same issue with the speedbooster for the BMPCC x0.58, I wanted to use it with the BMMicroCC, but it don't fit and Idon't want to insert it with force. I read on other forums that we can ask to Metabones a new bottom mount, thiner wich will be ok. Ca you give me the mail adress to write to please?

Thanks.

Metabones Speed Booster XL Review

PR

Metabones App 2.7 (E-Mount Version 56) is released today, adding support for the Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S lens to Metabones EF mount Speed Boosters and Smart Adapters.

Servo zoom can now be controlled using the wide-tele zoom rocker on supported cameras (for example JVC GY-LS300), with a touch screen interface (most Panasonic cameras), or from PlayMemories Mobile App for Sony cameras.

For supported Sony cameras, the Record button on the grip of the Cinema EOS CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S lens can be assigned to one of more than 50 functions on the A7 series and other supported cameras. By assigning it to the MOVIE function, the user may start/stop recording and zoom with the lens’ hand grip which is handy for a small-form-factor camera like A7R Mark II.

Whereas a typical EF mount lens changes the iris at 1/8 stop granularity, a Cinema EOS lens permits much finer control. Metabones takes advantage of this improved precision resulting in footages in which auto iris movements are virtually imperceptible.

Autofocus is supported, but to set expectations properly, AF performance of a supported Cinema EOS lens on a non-Canon camera is significantly below that of a genuine Cinema EOS camera equipped with dual pixel AF technology.

Never has any cinema lens received such comprehensive electronic integration across disparate lens mounts and brands like Blackmagic, JVC, Panasonic, Sony and of course, Canon Cinema EOS natively.

Important notice: not every Cinema EOS lens supports every feature. At the time of writing only Canon CN-E 18-80 T4.4 L IS KAS S supports auto iris, autofocus and servo zoom.

Also added to the new firmware release is support for the new Panasonic GH5 camera, with the usual set of features: user selectable optical image stabilization/5-axis in-body image stabilization (no dual I.S.), fast contrast detection autofocus (no DFD), smooth iris (requires lens support) and detailed EXIF.

Metabones App 2.7 (E-Mount Version 56) is available immediately from Metabones’ web site. The same download upgrades every Metabones product with a micro USB port. See the accompanying release notes for compatibility and other important information.

New firmware

• Added autofocus support during high speed and medium speed continuous drive (up to 10fps) on Sony A9 (“Green” mode only). Experiment with the “Priority Set in AF-C” setting for the best compromise between hit rate and frame rate for your shooting style. Overall performance depends on lens used. The camera does not use hunting while tracking is in operation. If subject movement exceeds the measurement range of the OSPDAF sensor, autofocus pauses. This is by design. The measurement range of the OSPDAF sensor decreases as the focal length increases. Except for the original Mark I Smart Adapter this feature is available for all subsequent Speed Boosters and Smart Adapters.
• Enlarged PDAF area on supported cameras when adapter is in Advanced mode, with the advisory that AF performance may be unsatisfactory outside of the central portion of the frame.
• Enabled AF illuminator (Advanced mode only).
• There is an AF accuracy issue when using AF-S or DMF on Sony A9 and telephoto lenses with Metabones in “Advanced” mode, which affects this and all previous firmware versions. Green mode, which is set by default on Sony A9, is not affected (except for the original Smart Adapter Mark I, which does not support “Green” mode). A9 users are advised to not use “Advanced” mode but stick with the default “Green” mode. In addition, some telephoto lenses rarely exhibit this issue, such as EF 200/2.8L II USM, EF 400/5.6L USM and Tamron 150-600/5-6.3 VC USD A011. Investigation of this issue is still in progress.
• Fixed AF issue with EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM and EF-S 18-135/3.5-5.6 IS Nano USM lenses.
• Fixed smooth iris support for 40/2.8 STM, 50/1.8 STM and Sigma 50-100/1.8 DC HSM Art 016.
• Fixed CN-E 18-80 T4.4 L IS KAS S servo zoom used by the camera’s zoom rocker and the lens’ rocker in alternation.
• Fixed CN-E 18-80 T4.4 L IS KAS S auto iris when adapter is in Green mode, where extremely bright conditions no longer causes the iris to close completely.
• Fixed aperture display with Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM lens and Kenko Pro 300 teleconvertter.
• Corrected W-T zoom scale display in “Advanced” mode for Speed Booster and Kenko Pro 300 teleconverter (except Mark I/II/III and original Speed Booster).
• Faster aperture diaphragm for still photography in Advanced mode when Live Vide mode is set to Setting Effect OFF.
• LED (if available) now shows solid magenta when adapter is connected to USB waiting for Metabones App to run.

http://metabones.com/article/of/EF-E_Firmware_Win

@CFreak

Most probably it is theoretical MTF from optical design app.

If I remember right, the 'S' version was made specifically to work with some Olympus models which had thicker sensor assemblies that were in danger of being scratched by the standard speed booster. That might explain why some people were excited about it. I think I have an 'S' model somewhere and it works fine with other cameras too.

PR

To better support the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Metabones® is making 3 changes: new firmware to enable autofocus, new optics optimized for the new sensor, and a new name for the existing BMPCC Speed Booster®.

Metabones® releases firmware version 3.1 today, adding autofocus support to Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. The intent is not to replace, but to supplement focus-pulling in cinematography. There is no continuous autofocus, but one-shot AF is activated by pressing the focus button on the back of the camera. It may take a couple of seconds or more to lock and if used during filming will cause visible disruption in the footage. Use it before recording commences and we recommend manual focus during recording.

While most lenses can be powered by the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K camera body, certain lenses such as Canon EF 85/1.2L II USM, Tamron lenses and Tokina Opera 50/1.4 (this is not an exhaustive list) may require an external 5V power source supplied via the micro USB port of the adapter because the camera body is unable to supply enough power to these lenses. When you shop for a power solution for your camera we recommend getting one with an auxiliary 5V output to supply the lens.

There will be new Pocket 4k Speed Boosters® with new optics specifically optimized for the unique characteristics of the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. We will disclose details in a separate announcement. Each Speed Booster® is designed specifically for the filter stack of the sensor. The existing Speed Booster® XL 0.64x and Speed Booster® ULTRA 0.71x have excellent optical properties on JVC, Olympus and Panasonic cameras but the forthcoming Pocket 4K Speed Boosters will work only on Blackmagic cameras. Our existing EF-BMPCC Speed Booster®, designed specifically for the smaller image circle of the original (FHD) Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, will continued to be sold, albeit under a new name, EF-MFT Speed Booster® SUPER16 0.58x, in order to avoid confusion with the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K which has a much larger full-size Micro Four Thirds sensor. A rubber gasket is added to protect the connection between the adapter and the camera from dust and moisture. EF-MFT Speed Booster® SUPER16 0.58x works with all Blackmagic Design cameras with Super 16mm sensor size.

Product Details: http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB_SPEF-m43-BT7

Speed Booster for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

Caldwell Photographic Inc. and Metabones are pleased to announce a new series of Speed Booster for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K).

The BMPCC4K Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x and XL 0.64x are similar to the standard m43 Speed Booster adapters, but the optics have been re-designed to optimize for the filter stack thickness of the Blackmagic cameras, which is substantially thinner than that of standard m43 cameras.

The thickness of the camera's filter stack is an important component of the overall optical design, and the re-designed optics ensure that both versions can achieve the same high performance as the Speed Booster versions for standard m43. This is especially critical at the extremely large apertures made possible by Speed Booster technology.

In addition to the new optical designs, the new series of Speed Boosters also features a longer tripod mount to perfectly match the height of the BMPCC4K camera body. This way the camera and the Speed Booster can be mounted firmly on the same quick release plate.

Both versions -- the Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x and XL 0.64x -- are available with Nikon G lens mount, with Canon EF lens mount and with Canon EF CINE lens mount. The ARRI PL lens mount is available in ULTRA 0.71x version only. The Canon EF CINE lens mount creates a positive lock for a secure electronic connection, and together with the matching length of new the tripod mount, allows for a rock-solid mechanical setup, which is important when using follow focus attachments.

This new series of Metabones Speed Booster adapters is designed exclusively for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K). They cannot be attached to any other m43 cameras such as JVC, Olympus or Panasonic cameras.

Metabones Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x for BMPCC4K:

The new Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x for BMPCC4K uses an advanced 6-element 4-group optical design incorporating ultra-high index tantalum-based optical glass. The new design is specifically optimized to bring the same level of astonishing performance as the ULTRA Speed Boosters for Micro Four Thirds to users of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.

In particular, the Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x is optimized to correctly account for the BMPCC4K camera's specific filter stack located near the sensor surface. This is especially critical at the extremely large apertures made possible by Speed Booster technology. As a result of this careful optimization, an enormous range of full-frame optics, ranging from vintage film lenses to the latest digital designs, will function flawlessly when adapted to BMPCC4K bodies.

The Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x reduces the crop factor of the BMPCC4K camera as shown in the above table. The new design for BMPCC4K makes very effective use of exotic materials at the furthest limit of glassmaking technology, and as a result is almost perfectly corrected for use with all full-frame SLR lenses regardless of aperture or exit pupil distance. The Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x will also work extremely well with many DX and APS-C format lenses, provided the image circle provided by the lens is large enough.

Optical performance of the new Speed Boosters is so good that the MTF of any lens attached to it will be improved. Even the latest generation of ultra-high performance SLR lenses such as the Zeiss Otus series can be improved by adding a Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x.

MTF at 10, 20, and 40 lp/mm as a function of image height for output apertures of f/0.9, f/1.0, and f/2.0, respectively1. At the maximum aperture of f/0.90 (i.e., with an f/1.2 master lens) the sharpness and contrast are extraordinary across the entire image circle. At just one-third stop down to f/1.0 the performance is equal to or better than the best photographic lenses used at their optimum apertures. An additional stop down to f/2.0 yields performance that is rarely encountered in photographic optics. In practice, what all of this means is that the new Speed Boosters will always enhance and never degrade the performance of the attached master lens.

And other aspects of optical performance haven't been sacrificed in order to obtain high MTF, either. There is less than 1 stop of corner illumination falloff even wide-open at f/0.9. There is no vignetting at all after the output aperture reaches f/2.82. Rectilinear distortion added by the Speed Booster ULTRA is negligible at less than 0.7%.

Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x for BMPCC4K:

Also this Speed Booster XL 0.64x adapter has been designed exclusively for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, with a magnification of 0.64x. The Speed Booster XL 0.64x uses an advanced 7-element optical design to achieve extraordinary optical performance at apertures up to an incredible f/0.80.

The new Speed Booster XL 0.64x reduces the full-frame crop factor of the BMPCC4K as shown in the table further above. In addition, the speed of any attached lens is increased by 11/3 stops, with a maximum output aperture of f/0.80 when an f/1.2 lens is used. For example, a 50mm f/1.2 becomes a 32mm f/0.80, which is the fastest aperture available for Blackmagic cameras.

Perhaps most exciting of all, in addition to increasing lens speed and field of view, the Speed Booster XL 0.64x offers amazingly high image quality even at extremely large apertures. Figures 1 through 3 below show MTF at 10, 20, and 40 lp/mm as a function of image height for output apertures of f/0.8, f/1.1, and f/1.81. At f/0.80 (i.e., with an f/1.2 master lens) the sharpness and contrast are extraordinary out to an image height of 5.1 mm, which is the limiting image height of the BMPCC4K camera's FHD video mode. Beyond 5.1 mm the performance drops gracefully, but remains very good even in the extreme corner of the full Blackmagic sensor. Note that as the master lens aperture is reduced to f/1.8 and then f/2.8 (corresponding to output apertures of f/1.1 and f/1.8, respectively) the performance improves everywhere, especially in the extreme corners.

And other aspects of optical performance haven't been sacrificed in order to obtain high MTF, either. There is only about 1 stop of corner illumination falloff even at f/0.8. There is no vignetting at all after the output aperture reaches f/3.42. Rectilinear distortion added by the Speed Booster XL 0.64x is negligible at less than 0.8%.

Just like the Metabones Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x for BMPCC4K, the Speed Booster XL 0.64x is optimized to correctly account for the BMPCC4K camera's specific filter stack located near the sensor surface. This is especially critical at the extremely large apertures made possible by Speed Booster technology. As a result of this careful optimization, an enormous range of full-frame optics, ranging from vintage film lenses to the latest digital designs, will function flawlessly when adapted to BMPCC4K bodies. In fact, most lenses will have significantly improved MTF when used with the Speed Booster, compared to using them with a plain (i.e. "glassless") adapter on Blackmagic cameras.