Metabones Speed Booster

[k-hawinkler]

What to make of this?

Metabones - Metabones and Caldwell Photographic introduce Speed Booster
An adaptor claims to make your lens, faster, wider and better!! This is NOT an April Fool’s! | Philip Bloom
Speed booster for NEX - The GetDPI Photography Forums

They also mention supporting Leica R in the future.

Sony NEX System : Leica R Lens to Sony NEX Speed Booster

Here is a more jaded view:

METABONES | Speed Booster - The GetDPI Photography Forums

[k-hawinkler]

More discussion:

metabones lens adapter for Canon EF lenses on Sony E-Mount: Sony NEX Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
new Metabones adapter gives nex crop factor higher-quality full frame look.: Sony NEX Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

[k-hawinkler]

So, if I understand the implications of the Leica R Lens to Sony NEX Speed Booster

Sony NEX System : Leica R Lens to Sony NEX Speed Booster

it effectively would turn my Leica APO-Telyt-R 280/4 into a ~300/3 sytem when used with NEX-7 and Speed Booster, instead of a 420/4 using a regular adapter.

Intriguing - if image quality holds up.

[k-hawinkler]

White paper:

http://www.metabones.com/images/meta...te%20Paper.pdf

It takes a little bit of time to download.

[stuny]

K-H -

Yes, very intriguing, and with my limited scientific knowledge it seems to make sense. I hope Michael reads this and comments.

[k-hawinkler]

Originally Posted by k-hawinkler

So, if I understand the implications of the Leica R Lens to Sony NEX Speed Booster

Sony NEX System : Leica R Lens to Sony NEX Speed Booster

it effectively would turn my Leica APO-Telyt-R 280/4 into a ~300/3 sytem when used with NEX-7 and Speed Booster, instead of a 420/4 using a regular adapter.

Intriguing - if image quality holds up.

There is a typo. It should read 300/2.8 not 300/3 of course.
Sorry about that.

[k-hawinkler]

Metabones announces 'Speed Booster' lens adapter for mirrorless cameras: Digital Photography Review

has interesting discussion.

[Bobitybob]

Sounds a great idea, but I've recently seen a post that quotes a price of $599, which seems a lot of money for an adapter irrespective of how good it is

[k-hawinkler]

Originally Posted by Bobitybob

Sounds a great idea, but I've recently seen a post that quotes a price of $599, which seems a lot of money for an adapter irrespective of how good it is

Welcome to Metabones

According to the above reference, depending which lens, cost is:

$599 for Canon lenses, but has more electronics built in.
$449 for Alpa
$399 for Leica R

Expensive? Yes, I think so.
Worth it? Only if it lives up to the hype. It's an individual choice.

I am interested as it would let me use for the first time a FF Leica R lens pretty close to the way it was intended but on an APS-C size sensor.
Of course, one can get the FF experience with the Leica M240 + adapter when they become available.
I don't think that option is less expensive though than a Sony NEX-7 + Speed Booster adapter.

[jaapv]

It seems a bit counterproductive to me. You use an R lens for its quality, and then add an unmatched optical element to the rear -which is worse than doing so to the front- and appear to be prepared to accept the inevitable optical degradation of the system. I am sure that better results can be obtained by using a modest modern 150. I am sure an 135/3.4 ApoTelyt-M with just a cheap Nex-M adapter would be spectacularly better than a 280/4.0 APO-R with this contraption added. (or, for that matter, so would an 180 3.4 Apo Telyt R on a plain adapter)

[Erik Gunst Lund]

Originally Posted by jaapv

It seems a bit counterproductive to me. You use an R lens for its quality, and then add an unmatched optical element to the rear -which is worse than doing so to the front- and appear to be prepared to accept the inevitable optical degradation of the system. I am sure that better results can be obtained by using a modest modern 150. I am sure an 135/3.4 ApoTelyt-M with just a cheap Nex-M adapter would be spectacularly better than a 280/4.0 APO-R with this contraption added. (or, for that matter, so would an 180 3.4 Apo Telyt R on a plain adapter)

You should read the white paper sited above before making assumptions...
Coastal Optics is a very highly regarded company with true APO lenses like their 60mm...
Brian Caldwell is the optical designer behind this adapter, he comes highly recommended!

I agree that the 135 3.4 and 4.0 are very good, but the adapters are designed I would say for other reasons, but again please read the whit paper
Be prepared to be challenged with regard to your perception of what is possible with an adapter!

[jaapv]

I have no doubt the makers are quite capable, however extender-compressor technology calls for very high grade optical systems like Leica's Apo extenders ( Leica's standard extender was nothing special) Don't forget the ApoTelyt must be used with a filter at the back - take a simple filter out and you lose quality.
There is no way one can offer one that does not degrade the image for 399 $. And why should you, if you can get a better result with a lighter lens and a simple system?
As for wideangles, these systems are known to reduce corner quality considerably, even with the very best designs.
But I am willing to be convinced, if somebody here is inclined to put money towards it.

[wildlightphoto]

Originally Posted by jaapv

It seems a bit counterproductive to me. You use an R lens for its quality, and then add an unmatched optical element to the rear -which is worse than doing so to the front- and appear to be prepared to accept the inevitable optical degradation of the system. I am sure that better results can be obtained by using a modest modern 150. I am sure an 135/3.4 ApoTelyt-M with just a cheap Nex-M adapter would be spectacularly better than a 280/4.0 APO-R with this contraption added. (or, for that matter, so would an 180 3.4 Apo Telyt R on a plain adapter)

The optical designer also designed the Coastal Optics 60mm APO macro. Let's not jump to conclusions.

[k-hawinkler]

Hi Jaap,

I always appreciate your input.
You always seem to be so sure about everything - until you sometimes later change your mind.
These designers are highly regarded, especially for their forensic lenses.

Aside from that, I am not only interested in photography but also in technology in general.
So, I would like to find out for myself what really is the situation and form my own opinion.
I will follow my own train of thought and have never been afraid to do so.
Some feedback I get I assign 100% acceptance, other sometimes 0%.

Once I have the adapter I will try to explore it and share the results so that others can form their own conclusions or reject my feedback.
Either way is fine with me. I typically learn more from my mistakes anyway.

Again thanks for your input.

[pico]

It is just a representation of aperture. Shorten the focal length. Increase aperture (or numerically decrease). Do the math.

Large format photographers who use convertible lenses know this very well. Shoot with just one element numerically increases aperture. Add the second element and focal length is decreased and effective aperture decreases (numerically). Typical examples are f/12 to f/5.6.

Brian Caldwell is the optical designer behind this adapter, he comes highly recommended!

Brian also did some of the first multiple image merges to create giant images.

[jaapv]

I did say

willing to be convinced

Originally Posted by k-hawinkler

Hi Jaap,

I always appreciate your input.
You always seem to be so sure about everything - until you sometimes later change your mind.
These designers are highly regarded, especially for their forensic lenses.

Aside from that, I am not only interested in photography but also in technology in general.
So, I would like to find out for myself what really is the situation and form my own opinion.
I will follow my own train of thought and have never been afraid to do so.
Some feedback I get I assign 100% acceptance, other sometimes 0%.

Once I have the adapter I will try to explore it and share the results so that others can form their own conclusions or reject my feedback.
Either way is fine with me. I typically learn more from my mistakes anyway.

Again thanks for your input.

[k-hawinkler]

Well, that's not my job.
You have to convince yourself!

[k-hawinkler]

Prototype Metabones Speed Booster equipped NEX 7 *VS* full frame 5D Mark III – 1st comparison shots | EOSHD.com

Thanks to polygamer for posting that link in the German part of the forum
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...-post1144.html

[jaapv]

Thanks for the link - indeed a drop-off in the corners on wideangles (although how he could see that on night shots is beyond me) and I still prefer a shorter light lens for tele. YMMV.

[Erik Gunst Lund]

Jaapv -You have apparently not read the white paper...
For many of the lenses even the corners will improve in resolution on 3/4