Kipon EF - M43 AF 0.7x Speedbooster Review

I post this in the Adapted Lens section too. I think this is a very good product as a alternative to the Metabones Speedbooster .71x.

Since I switched to the Panasonic G7 from Canon a month ago. I've been researching deep into all sorts of adapters and speedboosters, as well as lenses to use with it. For someone who does 60% video and 40% photos like me, getting wider shots, more light, and AF function in stills are all important. However, the $650 Metabones just couldn't make me justify the spending. Luckily, I found this Kipon AF 0.7x Speedbooster that came out just this year and sells for $400 or just below it on Amazon and Adorama.

Though I couldn't find any reviews online for it, I decide to take the risk and purchase this. And I have been pretty impressed by how well it delivers its promise!!

I made a video review for it:

https://youtu.be/m6qMRKVfzpc

It does provide a 0.7x wide view as well as 1 stop of additional light, with fast and accurate AF while combining the Sigma Art lenses I own. It also supports optical stabilization. Great to use with Canon L glass too I'd imagine. In video, continuous AF barely works and it is not usable IMO, but that’s expected. For example, the 30mm sigma will work really hard to get the new focus when I change the box on the touch screen, but it is jerky. It is still good to use AF-S to set up a static shot tho.

Lenses that I've had experience with:

Sigma 30mm f1.4 Art - Shows no vignetting despite being a crop lens, a low light beast at f1.0 on MFT and 42mm FF equivalence makes it a great standard prime. It is not very tele but I can still get very nice portraits with it thanks to the fast aperture. Much better than the 30mm f1.4 C for MFT(60mm FF). Also the focus ring on the Art lens are so pleasant to use.

Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 Art - The most popular lens to go with Metabones probably. We have one in school and it’s amazing to use for video. Covers 25-50 equivalent focal length at f1.0(f2 FF) obviously a low light and shallow DoF beast as well. Focuses in AF-S very fast and accurate just like the 30mm Art. It can be heavy for some tho.

Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 - Works great with this speedbooster! No corner darkening throughout the focal range and with the effective f2.0 aperture it gathers insane light for a ultra wide zoom. Great for indoor video, even vlogging at night etc. Probably the best for the price since it is a very solid lens and can easily be found use. Though I’m borrowing from school to try it but definitely will look to save up for one.

Rokinon Manual 14mm f2.8 - Since it’s a EF lens it works without doubt, I used to own it but sold to buy a Sigma 30mm, the Tokina is definitely the better option IMO. It’s a little more pricy but you get full aperture control, AF-S and the zoom range using with the Kipon Adapter.

Canon 50mm f1.8 STM - One that I owned from the Canon world, but planning to sell it since I have the Sigma 30mm. Focuses slower and hunts at times compare to the Sigma Art series.

Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 - THIS LENS ON SPEEDBOOSTER DOES NOT COVER FULL SENSOR. This is the lens I was very excited to try with the Kipon AF Speedbooster, since I can get a 24-70mm equivalent f2.0 lens with IS. However, it shows visible vignetting at photo and 1080p mode, the dark corners only disappear when it’s at 2.3 crop for 4k. If you only shoot in 4k then this is a great fast standard zoom with OS! But I can’t live without the options to take stills and 1080p slowmotion with it.

Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 C - It's interesting that this lens like the newer art lenses actually covers the full range without vignetting. It is a option since it is faster than any native zoom considering f2.0-f2.8 after using the speedbooster and still got a great range. However the manual focus ring is just awful.

Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art - Got to play with it at a demo event. Fast focus and great bokeh at the widest aperture. A very very chunky piece of glass but feels amazing. However at 120mm FF just too zoomed in for handheld video on MFT.

Sigma 12-24mm f4 Art - tried it just for fun, but the shape of the lens just doesn’t balance well with the body. It’s not something I can afford at this moment. For me, the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 is a much better option to use with Kipon on MFT.

Canon 24-105 f4 IS L - Only play with it a very short time, AF works great, IS seems to work as well. This is a good range to shoot events and the Kipon Speedbooster definitely gives you more flexibility in low light.