As shared, I’ve got the Sigma MC-11, 50M kit in on demo. It’s a system that fits my photographic style. Introducing the Canon to E-mount converter in the US market last year, Sigma released this introduction video.
And, yep, it works that flawlessly and fires off Sony’s focusing features; including, Eye AF.
The Sigma smart adaptor and lens is really about pointing, shooting, and getting publishable results. It’s perfect for a blogger like me on deadline, and budget. The 35mm f1.4 lens costs about $500.00 less than the comparable Sony lens or $250.00 less with the adaptor. Purchasing the lens and kit with the 50mm or 30mm offers another $149.00 off. That leaves budget for another lens from Sigma or maybe an ancient Canon found at a used-camera store.
What makes the converter smart is the LED display that lets users know if the attached Sigma lens is compatible and if it needs to be updated. The Sigma lens can be updated from a workstation or laptop using the Sigma Optimization Pro software and Sigma USB Dock (sold separately).
About the Mount Converter MC-11
Engineered for Sony E-mount cameras, the Sigma MC-11 features an internal control data system that automatically optimizes performance of AF drive, aperture control and other critical lens functions such as brightness and correct transverse chromatic aberration, distortion and more. Outstanding compatibility with both Sigma lens optical stabilization and Sony in-camera sensor shift stabilization ensures correction of camera shake and other stability issues and when used with in-camera stabilization, MC-11 allows angle shake correction in the lens. The integrated flocking helps prevent internal reflections and reduction in lens performance.
Art Lenses
The 35/f1.4 it’s one of Sigma’s top selling lenses and the first lens in their Art line. It paved the way for a follow-on lens like the 50/f1.4 and the MC-11 kit is an indicator of how healthy the Sony ecosystem is.
While the 50mm focal length isn’t always a photographer’s first choice—it’s not wide enough for landscapes and a bit shorter than a traditional 85mm portrait lens—it provides a field of view that’s very similar to the human eye (which is around 43mm, if it were a full-frame camera). Many people pick up a 50mm early on in their shooting career but then find themselves drawn to lenses that are more in line with their specialties. But there’s no denying that the 50mm provides a great look, and it’s one that most people find very agreeable, thanks to the similarity to vision.
For the APS shooter, a 50mm is a perfect choice, giving an equivalent crop of around 75mm, perfect for portraits. There are a number of good 50mm lenses with a wide f/stop, but the 50mm f/1.4 Art is a great lens, and many reviewers say that it’s sharper than equivalent lenses from Nikon, Canon and even Leica. The 50mm has great edge sharpness (something that isn’t true of many 50mm lenses) and a lack of vignetting. It’s not as light as competing lenses from the manufacturers, but it’s just as fast. When paired with an Alpha series camera using the MC-11, it focuses every bit as fast as any native Sony lens.
Pairing quality materials, firmware updatable with the USB dock, a 4 year warranty, in a sharp and reliable lens, you’ve got a real winner—the 35mm and 50mm are in Sigma’s flagship line. They offer a system that’s perfect for a Sony shooter on a budget and Canon shooters who want to shoot mirrorless without replacing all their lenses.
Bundle Pricing
- 35mm F1.4 Art + MC-11 Mount Converter Kit—$9,99.00, a savings of $149.00, also on Amazon.
- 50mm F1.4 Art + MC-11 Mount Converter Kit—$1,049.00, a savings of $149.00, also on Amazon.
My daily shooter is Sony A1 with a vertical grip and various Sony lenses attached like the FE 20mm F1.8. Find more gear recommendations in our shop. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.