Sony A7 Mk1 with Sigma MC-11 adapter: your experience?

[Carel]

SONY A7 Mk1 OWNERS ONLY, PLEASE!

I've been trying for months to get a clear idea about whether or not the Sigma MC-11 adapter works well or acceptably well with the Sony A7 (Mk1, the very first model).

All reviews and remarks and questions in the fora have so far been inconclusive because, in most cases, people owning the A7II have answered, not the ones owning the A7 Mk1; or the model was not mentioned at all.

Here my humble attempt to collect the findings of A7 Mk1 owners ONLY. Has anyone tried the MC-11 on an A7 Mk1? Does it focus speedily with Sigma lenses, and does it also focus well and speedily with Canon lenses? Even with native lenses AF is horrible on the A7 Mk1, I certainly don't expect the MC-11 to do better, but heck... Would certainly like to know your findings.

SONY A7 Mk1 OWNERS ONLY, PLEASE!

 

[rogerjosem]

I used my MC-11 on an A7 mk1 (sold) and A7R mk1 (my backup camera) from around a month after Sigma released the adapter. I also use this on my A7RII (sharing usage with Metabones adapter).

My findings:

Sigma Art lenses: eye AF and CAF is almost (meaning very very close) as with native FE lenses. No PDAF on A7/A7R Mk1. These lenses really perform satisfactorily with the MC-11.

Canon lenses: no eye AF. My Canon 200 F2.8 and 400 F5.6 work OK-to-slow on Mk1. My Canon 100 macro is hopeless in AF with those cameras (no matter which adapter). In low contrast situations I just do MF when using A7/A7R mk1 (on A7RII is way much faster due to PDAF).

I would say: get the MC-11 if you have Sigma Art lenses.

 

[holin]

I have the MC-11 and am using it with the original a7 as well as a NEX-6. I got it for the Sigma 150-600 mm telephoto to get some reach. I've been posting comments about the combo in various threads.

I also tested the adapter, quite briefly, with the Sigma 35 mm Art lens. I haven't done anything close to quantifiable testing, but my general impression is that it's tolerable. I also don't have any native FE lenses to compare with, only APS-C. Canon lenses I haven't tested although I have a few.

Most problems come with longer focal lengths and dimmer conditions or very stopped down lens. In the end, I think the answer depends on what you want to do with it.

 

[Carel]

Thanks guys, much appreciated! Anybody out there who tried the Canon 70-200 f4.0L / Canon 24-70 f4.0L / Sigma 24-70 f2.8 ART with the A7Mk1 / MC-11 combo?

(Looking for a way to keep my lightweight A7 classic and match it with somewhat more affordable alternatives to the ridiculously expensive Sony glass)

 

[ttan98]

I used my MC-11 on an A7 mk1 (sold) and A7R mk1 (my backup camera) from around a month after Sigma released the adapter. I also use this on my A7RII (sharing usage with Metabones adapter).

My findings:

Sigma Art lenses: eye AF and CAF is almost (meaning very very close) as with native FE lenses. No PDAF on A7/A7R Mk1. These lenses really perform satisfactorily with the MC-11.

Satisfactory you mean focus <1sec, or some hunting then focus take 1-2sec in good light situation. Please elaborate.

Canon lenses: no eye AF. My Canon 200 F2.8 and 400 F5.6 work OK-to-slow on Mk1. My Canon 100 macro is hopeless in AF with those cameras (no matter which adapter). In low contrast situations I just do MF when using A7/A7R mk1 (on A7RII is way much faster due to PDAF).

I would say: get the MC-11 if you have Sigma Art lenses.

--
Warm Regards,
Roger
https://www.flickr.com/photos/96461835@N07/

 

[ttan98]

I have the MC-11 and am using it with the original a7 as well as a NEX-6. I got it for the Sigma 150-600 mm telephoto to get some reach. I've been posting comments about the combo in various threads.

I also tested the adapter, quite briefly, with the Sigma 35 mm Art lens. I haven't done anything close to quantifiable testing, but my general impression is that it's tolerable.

Tolerable can you be more precise, you mean focus is obtain in <1sec or <<1 sec or between 1-2 sec with some hunting under good light conditions. Thanks.

I also don't have any native FE lenses to compare with, only APS-C. Canon lenses I haven't tested although I have a few.

Most problems come with longer focal lengths and dimmer conditions or very stopped down lens. In the end, I think the answer depends on what you want to do with it.

 

[Philnw2]

SONY A7 Mk1 OWNERS ONLY, PLEASE!

I've been trying for months to get a clear idea about whether or not the Sigma MC-11 adapter works well or acceptably well with the Sony A7 (Mk1, the very first model).

All reviews and remarks and questions in the fora have so far been inconclusive because, in most cases, people owning the A7II have answered, not the ones owning the A7 Mk1; or the model was not mentioned at all.

Here my humble attempt to collect the findings of A7 Mk1 owners ONLY. Has anyone tried the MC-11 on an A7 Mk1? Does it focus speedily with Sigma lenses, and does it also focus well and speedily with Canon lenses? Even with native lenses AF is horrible on the A7 Mk1, I certainly don't expect the MC-11 to do better, but heck... Would certainly like to know your findings.

SONY A7 Mk1 OWNERS ONLY, PLEASE!

On my A7r2, it focuses fast on my Canon 85 f1.8. Doesn't do eye AF, but has the normal LAEA3 type focus modes and works fine in AFC. Well enough, that i'm getting one more Canon lens to avoid the cost of Sony lenses.

 

[rogerjosem]

I used my MC-11 on an A7 mk1 (sold) and A7R mk1 (my backup camera) from around a month after Sigma released the adapter. I also use this on my A7RII (sharing usage with Metabones adapter).

My findings:

Sigma Art lenses: eye AF and CAF is almost (meaning very very close) as with native FE lenses. No PDAF on A7/A7R Mk1. These lenses really perform satisfactorily with the MC-11.

Satisfactory you mean focus <1sec, or some hunting then focus take 1-2sec in good light situation. Please elaborate.

Yes. I haven't measured it. But in good light the Art series AF is well under a second (assuming native speed is under a second too). In low contrast will be slower, as with native lenses. This is very empirical, and haven't done any scientific tests, but I feel it is at least 95% of native speed.

I went on vacations to Greece a month ago and used the Sigma 24-105 Art about 80% of the time, and didn't have any issue with AF speed on my A7R mk1 despite being an F4 lens.

Canon lenses: no eye AF. My Canon 200 F2.8 and 400 F5.6 work OK-to-slow on Mk1. My Canon 100 macro is hopeless in AF with those cameras (no matter which adapter). In low contrast situations I just do MF when using A7/A7R mk1 (on A7RII is way much faster due to PDAF).

I would say: get the MC-11 if you have Sigma Art lenses.

--
Warm Regards,
Roger
https://www.flickr.com/photos/96461835@N07/

--
Warm Regards,
Roger
https://www.flickr.com/photos/96461835@N07/

 

[itsdoable]

SONY A7 Mk1 OWNERS ONLY, PLEASE!

...

I'm going to ignore your first & last request - I don't have an A7 Mk1. I have the A7r Mk1, which arguably is more dependant on CDAF. And I'm also interested in the MC-11 performance on the Mk1 bodies.

I had the opportunity to try the MC-11 with the Sigma 50mm and 35mm (f/1,4) at a local product event, where I asked the Sigma rep if it worked with the Mk1 bodies, and he said yes - they are on the compatibility list. Since I had my A7r with me, I had no choice but to try it.

Both Sigma 50mm and 35mm emulated native CDAF on my A7r properly - that is the lens slew pass the focus point, then returned quickly, similar to the native FE lenses. The speed was similar to fast native lenses (subjectively, almost the same as the FE55, and definitely faster then the FE50). This was outdoors in sun, and in shadows on a sunny day. I did not have the opportunity to test in low light, nor was I able to test any Canon lenses (as I did not have them with me).

 

[sjazz]

I do have the Sony A7 Mk1 and got the MC-11 after using the Commlite adapter.

To me, manual focus is faster than AF on every Canon lens I have (24-105, 70-200L F4, 70-300L, 50 F1.8). It doesn't AF at all with the Tamron 90mm Macro.

I tried with a couple of borrowed Sigma Art lenses and AF work ok.

The advantage of the MC-11 over the Commlite is that with this photos with bright light in front we're not contrasty, it has to be with the internal coating of the adapter. No issues in this area with the Sigma.

 

[Nick on]

Hi All,

Just got the Sigma MC-11 for my A7R mk1. Only tried the Canon 135 f2L so far but AF is terrible, will not lock focus. Speed is swift and a variety of AF modes are available, but just no lock. Any advice would be welcome. MF works fine.

Cheers.

 

[sjazz]

Hi All,

Just got the Sigma MC-11 for my A7R mk1. Only tried the Canon 135 f2L so far but AF is terrible, will not lock focus. Speed is swift and a variety of AF modes are available, but just no lock. Any advice would be welcome. MF works fine.

Cheers.

Sigma MC-11 is intended for Sigma Art lenses and it works pretty well. Of course you can use it with other lenses of different brands but I believe AF works better on the MkII versions of Sony A7/A7R cameras.

My everyday lens is the Sigma 24-105 F4 Art Canon Mount on the MC-11. AF works as a Sony native lens but all my Canon lenses have to be focused manually.

 

[jmbillings]

I've rented the MC-11 and Sigma 120-400 lens. The focus is pretty terrible with this combo on my Mk1 A7.

The only focus mode available is AF-S.

When I focus, it moves backwards and forwards very quickly but doesn't get lock. When it does lock, it does a bizarre very slow "stepper-motor style" movement from near focus to actual focus in tiny steps which can take 5 or 6 seconds. This happened both outdoors in good light and indoors.

I don't know if anyone else has seen this behaviour? I've tried various focus area sizes and they all behave the same. If it slewed past focus then returned and locked on, it would be adequate, but the above behaviour is plain odd, and a total time of 6 or 7 seconds is useless.

*Edit* - changed to read 120-400 lens, not 100-400. I wonder if that's a lot of the trouble here as the 120-400 isn't listed on the website as compatible...

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[robbinsbox]

Dont think the 120-400 would be supported. Sry

Not 100% sure but İ thk only art, contemporary and sport lines are supported (officially) on the mc-11.

Even then, there are mixed reports of even supported lens performing very differently on a7 bodies, mk1 vs mk2.

İ am hoping that the 135mm 1.8 will work ok on the original a7, too early to tell but just in case any on you reviewers get the chance.

 

[Hubbie]

I have the Sony A7R II which I use with the MC11 and SIgma 150-600 Sport lens. I have been testing it in the garden and I am pleasantly surprised by the AF speed and lock on of this combination. I'm off on a bird photography shoot next week and I will report back about my experiences.

Hubbie

 

[jmbillings]

Yeah, the little light never came on, which apparently translates as "not supported"

The 120-400 was a little too big and heavy anyway for the trip I'm on. I might look at the Canon 100-400, it's slightly lighter and shorter (although not by much) and a Metabones.

 

[rz350]

Yeah, the little light never came on, which apparently translates as "not supported"

The 120-400 was a little too big and heavy anyway for the trip I'm on. I might look at the Canon 100-400, it's slightly lighter and shorter (although not by much) and a Metabones.

--
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I had the Sigma 120-400 on a Canon. One of Sigma's poorer efforts. Avoid at all costs. It does not come close to either of Canon's 100-400s.

 

[Jimmyc95]

Doesn't work. I have the Mk1 a7 with a Sigma MC-11 and Canon 24-105 USM l lens, Focusing was awful. Haven't got any other lenses to test.

 

[osv]

Doesn't work. I have the Mk1 a7 with a Sigma MC-11 and Canon 24-105 USM l lens, Focusing was awful. Haven't got any other lenses to test.

afaik, the sony a7 does not have ospdaf capability with adapters, so i can't see how it'll ever work with the mc-11... although maybe with a sigma ef-mount lens?

the metabones adapter claims to support cdaf, but i don't have any idea how well it works.

generally speaking, if you want to use af with adapted lenses, get the latest generation sony body that you can afford.

--
dan

 

[Carel]

Doesn't work. I have the Mk1 a7 with a Sigma MC-11 and Canon 24-105 USM l lens, Focusing was awful. Haven't got any other lenses to test.

I ended up buying the Viltrox IVFE to EF lens adapter.Much cheaper than the MC-11. Reasonable quality, but added black felt flocking to the inside to prevent flare - very worthwhile mod. It can switch between phase and contrast detect, and as I understand makes the lens appear to the camera as a native FE lens (which allows for both phase and contrast detection). WORKS acceptably for a good few canon lenses.

On my Sony A7 mark I:

Canon 70-200 f4 L: works well, reasonably snappy.

Canon 17-40L: Works well.

Canon 24-70 F4.0L: works, but hit and miss, much slower.