Canon Gear that could possibly work with A7R II

Sep 19, 2013
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I am somewhat heavily invested...at least for me in Canon gear. I have 3 canon 600ex-rt flashes with the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT. The 24-70 2.8 mk II and the 70-200 2.8 IS mk II. Will or does anyone believe my flashes in addition to the transmitter will work with the a7R II. I have read that the TTL will not work which isnt really a problem. I believe this is what I will need for my lenses to work.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1054790-REG/metabones_mb_ef_e_bm4_canon_ef_lens_to.html
 
I'd suggest renting before buying, there have been a number of posts about disappointed buyers who believed there would be some sort of a miracle improvement in their images, but paid handsomely to find out differently. By trying one first, you will find out how it works for what you do. Everyone is different, and some love it, some hate it. The EVF falls in the same category.

The lossy RAW compression that Sony uses limits DR. Some experts say that it has more negative impact than the recent improvements in the sensors.

I am watching and interested in the new Stacked Sensor 1 inch cameras. They are a unknown, but have the potential for a significant boost.
 
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The metabones website has more information:

http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB-EF-E-BM4

Also, for the earlier A7 models:

"Autofocus is supported, with the following known limitations.

Autofocus speed is very slow and inadequate for most moving subjects. The autofocus speed is unfit for professional use for sure, and it would disappoint most enthusiasts.

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.

Continuous AF is not supported.

I briefly owned the A7 and had a Fotodiox adapter (not Metabones) that had similar specs. I found it was very slow or unusable with AF and that for practical purposes one needed to shoot manual focus. I know others will disagree.
 
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brianftpc said:
I am somewhat heavily invested...at least for me in Canon gear. I have 3 canon 600ex-rt flashes with the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT. The 24-70 2.8 mk II and the 70-200 2.8 IS mk II. Will or does anyone believe my flashes in addition to the transmitter will work with the a7R II. I have read that the TTL will not work which isnt really a problem. I believe this is what I will need for my lenses to work.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1054790-REG/metabones_mb_ef_e_bm4_canon_ef_lens_to.html

You can get an adapter for the lenses, but unless you are into landscape photography, the AF response will leave you frustrated. Cell Phones focus faster. Seriously.

The adapter you link to isn't for the A7 e-mount series. See below.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079568-REG/metabones_mb_spef_e_bm2_canon_ef_emount_speed_booster.html

Flashes/triggers will not work, or will send 'fire' only signal. Loose most of the functionality there.

If you want the body, go all in with sony glass and new flash system - otherwise I'm not sure it will meet your needs with a hybred system.

I tried out an A7 and I do love it for walk around/general photography, but I didn't switch over as my needs are much different and better suited to my canon gear. Still want one, and with prices dropping on the orginal, I'm sure I'll be getting one soon.. but as an addition, not a replacement. AF response with native lenses is just fine. but with the adapter... ugh. Some do switch to using focus peaking.


HMMM>.. well, I'm editing to add I just saw there is suppose to be improved AF with the sony and using canon glass... this could totally revoke anything said above! sorry about that!
 
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leGreve said:
That's pretty much it.... and if you get the booster version, you wont be stuck with 2.8 lenses on Canon but have 2.0 lenses on a VERY good Sony body.

Hmmm, how much hands on experience do you have of the A7R II to make such a strong positive recommendation? You clearly have lots of experience of using the Speedbooster on a FF Sony ::)
 
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The "booster" adapters have additional glass, so there is little information about how this affects resolution. At least with the teleconverters, there are some sites that allow one to compare sharpness of lens with and without TC.
 
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NancyP said:
The "booster" adapters have additional glass, so there is little information about how this affects resolution. At least with the teleconverters, there are some sites that allow one to compare sharpness of lens with and without TC.

Yes, but I think you're missing a far more fundamental point regarding using a speedbooster on a FF MILC. ;) Or perhaps there's a booster version to adapt some medium format lenses?
 
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The DPR comment about seeing the camera operate with Canon lenses is promising. The camera has on sensor phase detect, which the old versions did not have, its not like the old slower AF.

It would be advisable to wait for some actual testing rather than jump based on PR.

"At the press launch in New York we even got a glimpse of the a7R II autofocusing Canon EF lenses using a Metabones electronic adapter. Focus appeared to be on par with OVF focus on a native Canon body, and the AF experience itself didn't appear to be limited simply because you're using a third party lens (full coverage and tracking are available)."
 
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NancyP said:
The "booster" adapters have additional glass, so there is little information about how this affects resolution. At least with the teleconverters, there are some sites that allow one to compare sharpness of lens with and without TC.

I've seen comparisons betwen an 6000/speedbooster combo vs 6d using some canon lenses. The Sony setup was good but the 6d had less vignetting and was sharper, the speedbooster also introduced some additional CA.
 
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Mt Spokane Photography said:
The lossy RAW compression that Sony uses limits DR. Some experts say that it has more negative impact than the recent improvements in the sensors.

I shoot DR challenging scenes and my a7r handles everything wonderfully. Totally transformed my post production - much better results by far than with my Canons. A true benefit. I was worried about the 11+7 compression I read about on the internet - but turned out to be a non-issue (for me and my photography at least).
I say go for it if this type of camera works for what you shoot. Fashion, sports - I'd say not there yet but arch, landscape - its perfect.
 
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Mt Spokane Photography said:
I'd suggest renting before buying, there have been a number of posts about disappointed buyers who believed there would be some sort of a miracle improvement in their images, but paid handsomely to find out differently. By trying one first, you will find out how it works for what you do. Everyone is different, and some love it, some hate it. The EVF falls in the same category.

The lossy RAW compression that Sony uses limits DR. Some experts say that it has more negative impact than the recent improvements in the sensors.

I am watching and interested in the new Stacked Sensor 1 inch cameras. They are a unknown, but have the potential for a significant boost.

Try before you buy. You can never go wrong with that advice.

I actually didn't know about the lossy RAW compression until today, which has really killed my interested in the A7. The other quirks I can deal with, even the really short battery life, but lossy RAWs aren't something I'm prepared to give on. If Sony can give true uncompressed RAWs, then I'll cast my gaze Sonywards again. Until then, nope.
 
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YellowJersey said:
I actually didn't know about the lossy RAW compression until today, which has really killed my interested in the A7. The other quirks I can deal with, even the really short battery life, but lossy RAWs aren't something I'm prepared to give on. If Sony can give true uncompressed RAWs, then I'll cast my gaze Sonywards again. Until then, nope.

Looks like you can start looking at Sony afterall:
http://diglloyd.com/blog/2015/20150616_1446-SonyWorkingOnUncompressedFileFormat.html

eventhough I did say shooting architecture, images with huge DR swings - I (or my clients) have yet to have an issue with my a7r and Canon glass..
 
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I'm glad to hear that autofocus works well with the metabones adapter. Earlier Sony models, all I saw were complaints. That said, no ETTL compatibility with my canon flashes, no GPS on the a7 and no dual card slots. I think I owe it to myself to wait to see what the 5DM4 brings to the table before jumping to a sony body.
 
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