Reverse Teleconverter for NEX and m43 - $600

I've heard this talked about as a theoretical possibility, but here it is in the flesh:

http://www.dpreview.co​m …er-for-mirrirless-cameras

"Specialist accessory manufacturer Metabones and optics company Caldwell Photographics have jointly announced the 'Speed Booster', a lens adapter for mounting SLR lenses on APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras that reduces the focal length by a factor of 0.71x and increases the maximum aperture by 1 stop. The Speed Booster also promises sharper images compared to using the lens with a simple adapter. The first version will allow use of Canon EF lenses on Sony NEX bodies, and will be available this month from Metabones' web site for US$599. Support for additional lens mounts (including Nikon F) and camera systems (including Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds) is also planned."

Very interesting but not quite sure how useful it would be. Maybe create a great birding setup? 600 f/2.8?

Bob

Hot Bob wrote in post #15487236
Very interesting but not quite sure how useful it would be. Maybe create a great birding setup? 600 f/2.8?

Bob

Well it's a .71x converter, so it would make a 600mm f4 into a 425 f2.8. Increasing aperture, but reducing focal length.

I think it only really makes sense for classic fast primes. Say you wanted to use a 135L on a NEX. With this, it works out like a 95 f1.4 so that's going to give you close to what a 135L looks like on FF. If you had a bundle of FF lenses, this would almost make your NEX like a FF camera. 85L becomes a 60mm f0.9, 50L a 42mm f0.9. 35L a 25mm f1.0.

This would have the 50/1.2 & 85/1.2 breaking the elusive f/1.0 barrier. ~55mm equivalent f/0.85 for a cropper, anyone?

tkbslc wrote in post #15487288
Well it's a .71x converter, so it would make a 600mm f4 into a 425 f2.8. Increasing aperture, but reducing focal length.

True but, you have a crop factor for the sensor also. So, DX sensor gets a 680mm f/2.8 and a micro 4/3 sensor gets a 850mm f/2.8.

Bob

Echo Johnson wrote in post #15487289
~55mm equivalent f/0.85 for a cropper, anyone?

White paper says max of f/0.90

Bob

Hot Bob wrote in post #15487313
True but, you have a crop factor for the sensor also. So, DX sensor gets a 680mm f/2.8 and a micro 4/3 sensor gets a 850mm f/2.8.

Bob

But crop factor kills the effective aperture, too. So we are at 680mm f4.5 equivalent and 850mm f5.6 equivalent. Might as well just use the native lenses on an APS-C DSLR at that point. It's designed to reduce the crop factor of APS-C to 1.1x, so it's going to make FF lenses operate almost like they do on a FF body.

tkbslc wrote in post #15487353
But crop factor kills the effective aperture, too. So we are at 680mm f4.5 equivalent and 850mm f5.6 equivalent. Might as well just use the native lenses on an APS-C DSLR at that point. It's designed to reduce the crop factor of APS-C to 1.1x, so it's going to make FF lenses operate almost like they do on a FF body.

Hmmm...I see what you're saying but not sure how it will apply to the speed booster. Here's a blog post for a test of this thing; pretty interesting.
http://philipbloom.net​/2013/01/13/speedboost​er/

I will be very curious to see what becomes of this.

Bob

Here's a link to the Metabones page for the only adapter that currently works with EF lenses. Severe AF limitations with the Sony NEX.
http://www.metabones.c​om/sony/ef-e-speed-booster

I also just found an article about the patents being used for this and it appears they were owned by Kodak and are expiring in April 2013. That could mean that other camera manufacturers such as Canon may just be waiting until the patents officially expire before releasing their own version.

Bob

I have a 40 soon to be fixed D and a 70-200 IS II 2.8
would this be a consideration?
Im mainly a sports shooter

If it gave me a faster lens
would it be better than an 85 1.8?
I could zoom to?

burnet44 wrote in post #15489126
I have a 40 soon to be fixed D and a 70-200 IS II 2.8
would this be a consideration?
Im mainly a sports shooter

If it gave me a faster lens
would it be better than an 85 1.8?
I could zoom to?

Only works on mirrorless cameras.

Bob

Im an idiot
thanks

Looks great, but there is a catch :

Not trying to troll, but I remember when I said this was possible on this forum I was flamed and pretty much called an idiot.

But you know... good times.

http://www.slrlounge.c​om …s-wider-faster-and-better

Theres some pictures using a Canon 40mm f/2.8 on a NEX-7 and a 5D Mark III..the end result is impressive

I would KILL to have this for my 7D