Canon EF Smart Adapter Tests for Sony E-Mount Cameras

I’ve received so many questions about lens compatibility of Canon EF Smart adapters on Sony E-Mount cameras including Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II, a6000, a5100, a5000 and NEX mirrorless cameras that I headed to B&H Photo where I knew I could find a huge selection of Canon EF lenses to put to the test.

To compile this Guide to Canon Smart Adapter lens compatibility on Sony a7 Series E-Mount cameras, I tested every Canon EF lens I could get my hands on using these Canon Smart Adapters:

UPDATE: My tests with Sony a7RII, a7II (fw 2.00 and later), a6300 & a6500 show they allow AF-C continuous auto-focus in still mode plus much faster AF with the Canon lenses that I’ve tested.

UPDATE: READ MY SONY a7RII CANON SMART ADAPTER TEST



Metabones Smart Adapter IV | Fotodiox AF Canon to Sony E Adapter | Viltrox AF Canon to Sony E Adapter

Please Note: Since these tests were performed, Metabones has updated their firmware many times. The Fotodiox and Viltrox adapters listed here cannot be updated – so if you can’t afford Metabones, I’d recommend the newer FotodioX Canon EF Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Pro Fusion Smart AF Adapter ($100)

Electronic Functions

Unless otherwise specified, these Smart Adapters provide electronic aperture control, record the lens metadata, and transmit focal length to SteadyShot.

Focus Speed

Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II and other existing Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras offer AF-S autofocus speed that’s acceptable at best – but never fast – with the Canon EF Smart Adapters tested in this review. AF speed is well suited for landscapes, architecture and portraits – but when it comes for fast moving action, fuggedaboutit!

Image Stabilization with Sony a7 Mark II Cameras

In addition to AF, I also wanted to see how Canon IS image-stabilized lenses would interact with the 5-Axis IBIS system found in the Sony a7II and a7RII. Unlike when Sony E-mount OSS lenses are mounted on a7 Mark II cameras and IBIS allows the lens to control Pitch + Yaw and the camera controls the other functions. In my initial tests, I found that Fotodiox, Viltrox and Metabones (firmware 0.40) over-compensated for image shake. Both the camera and lens appear to adjust Pitch + Yaw when Canon IS is switched On, but when IS on the lens is switched off neither the camera and lens apply image stabilization. Essentially you get double or nothing.

Metabones was aware of this issue and on June 1st,they released Metabones firmware update 0.41 for Smart Adapter IV to address this. With this update, users can use the lens IS switch to choose between using lens-based optical Image Stabilization and Sony a7II IBIS:

â€¢ If the lens IS switch is ON, lens-based optical IS is used and camera IBIS is turned off automatically.

â€¢ If the lens IS switch is OFF, the a7II camera-based IBIS takes over image stabilization.

â€¢ To turn off all IS, hold down the WO button on the adapter while switching the lensâ€™ IS OFF.

Firmware on the Fotodiox and Viltrox adapters is not user-updatable. (In fact, both appear to be running out-dated Metabones III firmware) As a result, I recommend that anyone who plans to use Canon IS lenses on Sony a7II or a7RII cameras stick to Metabones.

In the course of these tests I noticed that smart adapters occasionally don’t make proper electronic contact, so in cases they did not make contact on first try, I remounted the adapter at least two more times. Consider this fair warning that results may vary. Now without further ado is my ultimate guide to Canon lens compatibility using Metabones, Fotodiox and Viltrox Smart Adapters:

CANON EF PRIMES



Testing the $180,000 Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens on a Sony a7II camera

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Repeatedly mis-focused in my tests.

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

PLEASE NOTE:

By default Sony cameras display 1/3 stops but F1.2 is a half stop, so when the next lens is wide open, F1.3 is displayed even though youâ€™re actually shooting at F1.2, but if this bugs and you really NEED it to say ONE POINT TWO, do this:

1. Set the EV dial is set to Zero

2. Change this setting: Menu > Camera Settings > Exposure Step > 0.5 EV

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Manual Focus only with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual Focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: AF-S works sporatically – but not reliably

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual Focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

PLEASE NOTE:

By default Sony cameras display 1/3 stops but F1.2 is a half stop, so when next two lenses are wide open, F1.3 is displayed even though youâ€™re actually shooting at F1.2, but if this bugs and you really NEED it to say ONE POINT TWO, do this:

1. Set the EV dial is set to Zero

2. Change this setting: Menu > Camera Settings > Exposure Step > 0.5 EV

Metabones: Manual Focus Only

Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only

Viltrox: Manual Focus Only

Metabones: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens

Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses

Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Extremely Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Extremely Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Extremely Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual focus only, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: AF-S hunts but won’t lock.

Fotodiox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Very Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual Focus only

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only

Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

Viltrox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: AF-S is nearly impossible

Fotodiox: Manual focus only

Viltrox: Manual focus only

Metabones: AF-S is nearly impossible

Fotodiox: AF-S is nearly impossible

Viltrox: AF-S is nearly impossible

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: I was unable to make electronic contact or AF in my tests

Viltrox: I was unable to make electronic contact or AF in my tests

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

Viltrox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Not Tested

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses

Viltrox: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses

Viltrox: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only AF-S repeatedly misfocuses

Viltrox: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only. Focus snaps in and out clearly with focus peaking

Viltrox: Manual Focus only. Focus snaps in and out clearly with focus peaking

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras – but are you really gonna handhold this 36-pound monster?

CANON TILT/SHIFT

Canon Tilt/Shift lenses are all designed for manual focus only and no AF adapter will change that. But electronic functions like aperture control are supported and lens data is recorded in metadata.

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens, but adapter provides electronic aperture control

CANON EF ZOOMS



Menashe Wodinsky of B&H Photo shot with Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Lens + Sony a7II.

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S from 24-50mm but misfocuses above 50mm.

Viltrox: Good AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Manual focus only

Fotodiox: Manual focus only

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Not Tested

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual Focus only (AF-S misfocuses)

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S at most focal lengths but at 70mm it misfocuses at infinity

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S at most focal lengths but at 70mm it misfocuses at infinity

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only – AF-S misfocuses

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Acceptable AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S at all focal lengths with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Slow AF-S up to about 290mm but misfocus at 300mm

Fotodiox: Manual Focus only – AF-S mis-focuses at all focal lengths

Viltrox: Slow AF-S up to about 290mm but misfocus at 300mm

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Manual Focus Only

Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only

Viltrox: Manual Focus Only

Metabones: Accurate AF-S across the entire focal range

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S from 100-200mm but all misfocus beyond 200mm

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S from 100-200mm but all misfocus beyond 200mm

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

Metabones: Accurate AF-S across native 200-400mm range, but misfocuses with built-in 1.4 TC enabled

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S across native 200-400mm range, but misfocuses with built-in 1.4 TC enabled

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S across native 200-400mm range, but misfocuses with built-in 1.4 TC enabled

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7 Mark II cameras.

CANON EFS LENSES

Canon EFS lenses are APS format with a very hard vignette edge making them suitable for Sony APS cameras like a6000, a5100, a5000 and NEX – but will only cover APS-crop mode on a7-series cameras.



Fullframe crop shows a hard edge vignette with Canon EFS lenses.

Metabones: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

CANON TELECONVERTERS

Canon EF Extenders transmit electronic functions with all three Smart Adapters but with the accompanying light loss you may also lose AF with certain lenses.

Metabones: Offers the fastest AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual focus only

Fotodiox: Manual focus only

Viltrox: Accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual focus only

Fotodiox: Manual focus only

Viltrox: Slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual focus only

Fotodiox: Manual focus only

Viltrox: Manual focus only

NOTES: All adapters offer electronic functions using this Canon 2x teleconverter on this F4 lens but none will AF, likely because F8 is the max F-stop with this combination.

THIRD-PARTY CANON EF-MOUNT LENSES

Quoting from Metabones website:

“Only Canon-branded lenses introduced in or after 2006 are officially supported. Autofocus may be disabled for older Canon lenses and most third-party lenses, including most Sigma, Tamron and Tokina lenses and all Contax N lenses modified by Conurus.”

SIGMA EF PRIMES

Metabones: Manual focus only

Fotodiox: Manual focus only

Viltrox: Manual focus only

Metabones: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Good AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens.

Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S hunts with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S hunts with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Not Tested

Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Slow but accurate AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Not Tested

Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Very slow AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Offers the Fastest AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Acceptable AF-S with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Manual Focus Only

Viltrox: Manual Focus Only

Not Tested

SIGMA EF ZOOMS

Not tested

Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens. Metabones and Viltrox offer AF across entire focal range. Fotodiox auto focuses accurately from 24-60mm but misfocuses at 70mm.

Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S from 150-300mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Not Tested

Metabones: Manual Focus Only – AF-S misfocuses with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Very slow AF-S across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones: Very slow AF-S from 150-175mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S from 150-300mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: Not Tested

Metabones: Very slow AF-S from 150-250mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Very slow AF-S from 150-250mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas.

Viltrox: Not Tested

Not tested

Not tested

Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens.

TAMRON EF ZOOMS

Metabones: Acceptable AF-S from 24-35mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Fotodiox: Acceptable AF-S from 24-35mm with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Viltrox: AF-S misfocuses across the entire focal range with Wide, Center and Flexible Spot Focus Areas

Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens

Metabones | Fotodiox | Viltrox offer all electronic functions with this lens

TOKINA EF LENSES

Metabones: Not Yet Tested

Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested

Viltrox: Not Yet Tested

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.

Metabones: Not Yet Tested

Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested

Viltrox: Not Yet Tested

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.

Metabones: Not Yet Tested

Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested

Viltrox: Not Yet Tested

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.

Metabones: Not Yet Tested

Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested

Viltrox: Not Yet Tested

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.

TOKINA EF LENSES (APS)

Metabones: Not Yet Tested

Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested

Viltrox: Not Yet Tested

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.

Metabones: Not Yet Tested

Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested

Viltrox: Not Yet Tested

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.

Metabones: Not Yet Tested

Fotodiox: Not Yet Tested

Viltrox: Not Yet Tested

NOTES: Image Stabilization functions best with Metabones (with fw 0.41) on a7RII.

ZEISS ZE LENSES

Zeiss ZE lenses are manual focus lenses and no AF adapter will change that. Lens adapters communicate electronic functions like aperture and lens metadata – but these lenses remain manual focus – just the way Zeiss designed them:

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

ZEISS OTUS ZE LENSES

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Metabones: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Fotodiox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Viltrox: Manual focus lens – adapter provides electronic aperture control

Conclusion:

Each of the three adapters performed slightly better with certain lenses yet the overall performance was fairly comparable. The $100 adapters from Fotodiox and Viltrox look identical but the results while close were not identical so it’s possible they are idenical in construction but with different firmware. I had to tighten the lens mount screws on the Viltrox repeatedly over the course of testing. If this happens to you I suggest applying a dab of Loctite on the screw threads (clear nail polish will do in a pinch) then tightening down firmly with a jewelers Phillips head screw driver.

As I said in the introduction, Metabones Smart Adapter IV with (Firmware 0.41) is the only adapter that allows you to use the lens IS switch to choose between using lens-based optical Image Stabilization and Sony a7II/a7RII IBIS. Firmware on the Fotodiox and Viltrox adapters is not user-updatable.

Because of this I recommend that anyone who plans to use Canon IS lenses on Sony a7II or a7RII cameras stick to Metabones. But if you never plan to use Canon IS lenses on Sony IBIS cameras such as a7II and a7RII you can save yourself a few hundred dollars with Fotodiox or Viltrox.

Acknowledgements:

Huge thanks to my friends at B&H Photo, Menashe Wodinsky, Jesica Bruzzi, Michael Hollender, Yosef Brown and all the nice folks behind the counter in the new and used departments at B&H for their assistance in compiling this report. You guys ROCK!

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