Sony E-Mount Lens Guide Here >>

Sony A7II, Metabones Mark IV, Canon EF Lens Focus Testing

In this article I will be covering the Sony A7II and the Metabones IV T Smart electronic lens adapter, to try out how well the on sensor phase detection auto focus works with my Canon EF Lenses. I used the lab scene lit with only one light to keep things fairly dark for testing.
I used the latest firmware for the Metabones IV lens adapter (currently at V0.47), and you can get that Here >>

The Sony A7II firmware is at V2.00 and can be found Here >> I also wrote an article with a video tutorial on how to update your camera firmware if you need Here >>

For this testing however, I used the Center AF area and Auto ISO on the Sony A7II. I shot wide open with all the lenses to see how well they worked at the fastest aperture.

The Canon EF lenses tested were my 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS, 135mm f/2 L, and 24-105mm f/4 IS. I love these lenses and have been holding off on selling them for so many years. Take a look at this video below and see exactly how they performed from the back of the camera perspective.

Metabones T Smart Adapter Mark IV Focus Testing, Sony A7II, Canon EF L Lenses

Closing Remarks:

Metabones T Smart Adapter Mark IV for Canon EF or Canon EF-S Mount Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera
Metabones T Smart Adapter Mark IV for Canon EF or Canon EF-S Mount Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera


Well, as you can see the lenses performed pretty good in the lab tests wide open overall. However, when I got to the slower 24-105mm f/4 lens, focus speed did drop noticeable. This illustrates how the faster aperture equals faster auto focus when using the on sensor phase detection. The EF 135mm f/2 L Lens was the fastest at acquiring a focus lock, fallowed by the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS Lens. The EF 24-105mm f/4 IS Lens was the slowest of the bunch and that is because of the max aperture speed.
Correction:
I thought I confirmed this by putting the 135mm f/2 lens back on and stopping it down from f/2 to f/4. However,  I was in a lower light environment upstairs when I did this. It did seam like the 135mm f/2 lens slowed down, but this was only due to the lower light, and not because I changed the aperture to f/4. The lens stays wide open when autofocusing with the Metabones IV and does not give a “live preview” like I was thinking at the time. It only stops down when the actual shot is taken, just like how a DSLR works. Therefore, the faster the max aperture is, the faster the AF will acquire a lock it seams like based on the testing…
Thanks to Mike for the correction in the comments below, as I was wrong about the stopping the lens down and it effecting the AF speed on the 135mm lens. It has not effect when you stop it down, because it remains wide open.
Bottom line here is the Metabones IV worked very well with the Sony A7II and my Canon EF lenses. I was impressed overall and the performance is leaps and bounds better than my Metabones III in the same situations. The best alternative to the Metabones IV looks like it might be the new Sigma MC-11 electronic lens adapter that was just announced. I will get that unit asap for comparative testing 😉
Thanks for checking in and please feel free to ask questions or comment below as always!!
Jay

  1. So AF-C works with Metabones and Canon lenses yet it does not work with LAEA3?
    That surprised me..
    thanks for the test!

  2. Thanks for the test, Jay. I have the a6000 and will get the a6300 when released. I shoot sports with my 5D3 / 70-200mm f2.8 IS (mk I) and have been terrified that it is too old to work with the Metabones IV. This test gives me hope, since the a6300 is supposed to ge better at AF than the A7 II.
    Unless the Sony/Metabones does it differently than most cameras, then focusing, the lense is wide open and only closes to take the shot. So closing the 135mm to f4 should have no effect. Right?
    Thanks again.

    1. Hi Mike,
      I was also worried that my MK I Canon 70-200mm lens would not work with the Metabones IV, but it does work, and quite well! I believe this lens will work even better with the A6300 due to the smaller sensor and way more AF points.
      Very intersting point about the 135mm and f/4 and I thought the lens stopped down so you actually have a “Live Preview” at all times. However, you are totally correct and I was totally wrong. I just tried the 135mm f/2 Lens and it does stay wide open with the Metabones until the shot is taken. I feel really stupid for making that mistake, and the only thing I can think of is that the light must have been darker when I tried the 135mm @ f/4 upstairs after the lab testing, which lead me to believe it slowed down at f/4. I just tried the 135mm again in low light and it slows like the f/4 lens, but it does stay wide open until fired, just like you said. I’m really sorry for this error and I will correct it in the next video test! The faster max aperture does still make a difference in speed though in the end…
      I really appreciate the correction and comments Mike so thank you very much!!
      Jay

  3. Hi Jay.
    Great article.
    Thanks
    Waiting for the Sigma MC 11 mount adapter review that you promised back in february?

    1. Thanks John, and I’m sorry I have so little time.. Many reviews on youtube though and I will get it at some point 😉
      Jay

  4. Hi Jay, I´m a follower of your blog, however this is the first time a make a comment since I´m looking for advice on choosing a camera update.
    I´m an amateur photographer, who loves photography and practice it as a hobby. I currently have the following equipment: Sony NEX 3N, Lenses: SELP1650, SEL55210, SEL35F18, SEL16F28 + VCLECU2. I also have some extensions for macro too.
    I´m looking for an update of the NEX 3N because I´m missing: a hot shoe for an external flash, Wi Fi / NFC, Play memories apps and physical buttons improvement basically. I´m deciding between A6000 ($ 548 body only) and A7 ($ 1098 body only), I don´t consider the newer versions of these cameras A6300, A7II, A7IIR, etc. because I consider them too expensive and I don´t believe that they are too much different considering the use that I´d give them.
    With the A6000 I´d get what I need with less money and almost the same size that the NEX 3N, but with the A7 I´d get a more robust camera with the capability to improve to full frame lenses. My doubt on this one is that considering the lenses that I have, I don´t see much more variety on the Full Frame E mount lenses of Sony, that are too expensive too, since I don´t see my self spending more than $ 1000 on a lens (if it gives me more than the ones I have).
    For example, with the A7 I´d like to have a 50mm f1.4 to improve my 35mm f1.8, or a wide angle to take advantage of the full frame, but in the E or A mount I don´t see any better option than the one I already have with the SEL16F28 that with the adapter becomes to 18 mm (in the 35 mm format).
    I´d like to hear your thoughts since I know you have a NEX 6 and the A7. Do you consider that the A7 would be a good choice if I consider other lens options like Tokina, Sigma, etc. or with Nikon, Cannon adapters?, if so, which ones do you recommend?
    Thanks!,
    Kenneth.

    1. Hi Kenneth and thanks for the question!
      In your case I would absolutely consider the A6000 over the A7. The full frame is certainly awesome, but as you said, the lenses are expensive, and fast primes are proving to be crazy expensive. You can still use the lenses you have and upgrade if you want to any lens at any time via adapters… For ultra wide angle the Sony 10-18mm f/4 OSS Lens is an awesome option! If you want fast glass, sharp, and affordable glass, check out the Sigma DN Lenses I reviewed Here >>
      The A7 is a good choice, but the A7ii offers the sensor stabilization and much better camera body design which is totally worth the extra money in my opinion. I have the A7r which is still pretty darn expensive, but awesome. I do use it a lot, but still prefer the lighter weight Nex-6 most of the time for travel and family fun. If I need killer image quality and insane depth of field control, I grab the full frame A7r and strap on the 50mm f/1.4 lens minolta lens via the cheap adapter I got on amazon. Or I use some of my killer Canon L Lenses for example via the metabones adapter.
      Again, I think the best bang for the buck would be the A6000 in your case though consider all the lenses you have already.
      I hope that helps and please feel free to ask more fallow up questions etc…
      Jay

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