Blackmagic Forum

http://www.metabones.com/buy-speed-boos ... -73-detail

I used to own a LensTurbo for my Sony Nex-6, and loved it; it was $180, whereas this Metabones version is $400. I don't understand the discrepancy in pricing between the two.
I understand the Metabones adaptors that offer electronic controls (like the Nikon version) costing $430, but
for this to be $400 seems a bit much.

I'm holding out for the Lens Turbo version, which last I heard was scheduled for end of Nov release.

I have 2 Metabones adaptors. The EF to E mount SmartAdaptor that I use on the Sony NEX-FS100 and the Nikon to MFT SpeedBooster. They are manufactured to a very high standard. I'd say probably a higher standard than most lenses from the big manufactures.

These standards in smaller runs cost money. They don't have huge volumes to bring the costs down.

They also have R&D costs. For example: The aperture control of Nikon G lenses in the SpeedBooster is the best I have yet to use. A lot of though has gone it to that. The Caldwell lens design is very very good. It's almost totally invisible even when used on very expensive Zeiss glass.

The LensTurbo is just a copy. And their first version was so bad they had to offer a replacement to those early buyers. A few of whom are on this forum.

I can see the appeal of the cost saving and if I was just a hobbiest I'd probably consider the LensTurbo but as I use my kit to do work for paying clients who expect professional results. So I tend to invest in kit I can rely on and I'll pay a premium for that.

Well, I doubt the Lens Turbo is being made in huge volumes either, and I don't think the blue dot issue is enough to say that the product was so bad that it had to be replaced; that would be like saying the pocket camera was so bad that BM had to repair it; they both had issues, but they're not bad products because of them.

But that being said there haven't been as many complaints about the Speed Booster, so there probably is better quality going into it. But I will say, the lens turbo was also of a very nice build, didn't feel cheap in any way.

I just find it hard to believe that there's only a $30 difference between the versions that offer electronics and the ones that don't, that was my main point.