Metabones claims to have improved both phase-detection autofocus and IBIS support for its MFT Speed Boosters to the point where they are reportedly almost indistinguishable from native lenses – with two caveats. These optimizations only apply to the newer Mark II models of the focal reducer, as the new TruePDAF technology utilizes the improved hardware of the Mark II models by storing lens profile data for more than 100 lenses in the firmware. Secondly, the performance leap appears to be noticeable only when used in conjunction with the Panasonic GH7 or the Panasonic G9 II.
When a supported lens is detected, the LED on the Speed Booster or Smart Adapter glows pink (instead of white) to indicate that additional lens metadata is being transmitted to the camera. This is the exact same type of metadata that a native lens reports to the camera. Thanks to this additional information, Metabones states that PDAF works reliably even under unfavorable conditions, such as low contrast, poor lighting, autofocus points in the corners of the frame, or subjects near the lens's minimum focusing distance.
Additionally, this is intended to improve in-body image stabilization (IBIS), particularly in close-up and macro photography. A list of supported lenses is available on the respective product page for the Mark II models. If a lens is not supported, the Mark II behaves just like the Mark I, attempting to transmit the most accurate approximated PDAF metadata possible to the camera.
Firmware version 5.10, which includes these improvements, is available now and only works with the following Metabones adapters:
- EF-MFT mount T Speed Booster XL 0.64x II
- EF-MFT mount T Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x II
- EF-MFT mount T Smart Adapter II
- EF-MFT mount T CINE Smart Adapter
However, Metabones will continue to release firmware updates for the Mark I models in the foreseeable future, though these will primarily consist of bug fixes.
