If you're new to the Sony NEX lens mount but you've been a Canon user in the past, there's a good chance you've still got some Canon lenses sitting in your bag. To actually get those lenses on a Sony NEX camera (like the FS100 or FS700) and control them right from the camera, you'll need a smart adapter like the Metabones EF to NEX. While it's one of the more popular smart adapters for the NEX mount, at $400 it's going to cost you. There is a challenger coming to town being sold by R.J. Camera -- and at a lower price -- with claims of similar performance and full control of your Canon lenses. CheesyCam was able to get a look at one of these new adapters and actually test it out.
Here is a brief rundown of the adapter:
- Real-time electronic control of aperture
- Draws power directly through the NEX body
- Enable Image Stabilization functions on Canon EF lenses
- Real EXIF data recorded in memory
The adapter does have one quirk as was mentioned in the post:
When removing the lens while the camera was still powered on, the aperture controls didn’t come back. The adapter does not like hot lens swaps. Simply powering the camera down doesn’t always help, but removing the entire adapter from the camera body and then starting over always works. There is another Metabones adapter out there that can adapt EF lenses to NEX cameras, but it’s about twice the price. I have not had the chance to test this on an FS100 or Sony FS700, but i’m hopeful it should work seamlessly.
This definitely looks like a worthy alternative to the Metabones adapter, and it's also cheaper. Though it doesn't have autofocus capabilities, if you're shooting video, that's going to be a secondary feature anyway. Image Stabilization is extremely helpful, especially if you've got longer lenses and you're doing handheld work. I've always preferred having an IS lens on a Canon camera if I'm doing handheld for any lengthy period of time, and while the differences aren't huge at smaller focal lengths, it can still make a difference.
The adapter will run you $250 on eBay, or $240 directly from the RJ site (though I'm not positive if that includes free shipping or not), so you're definitely saving a few bucks from the $400 Metabones adapter. If anyone does get this adapter, it would be great if you could come back here and post your experience using it on one of the Sony NEX cameras.
What do you guys think? Do you own the Metabones adapter? If so, are you happy with it, and do you think this one looks like a good alternative?
Links:
