Earlier this month, Metabones announced a new addition to their product line, the Speed Booster XL 0.64x designed specifically for the GH4’s Micro Four Thirds sensor, sending us Panasonic users into a giddy tailspin of delight as this effectively transforms the GH4 into a Super 35 format cinema camera when used in conjunction with the 4K mode. The Speed Booster XL reduces the crop factor of the MFT sensor by 0.64x making the 4K mode 2.34x crop factor become a 1.50x equivalent, and the 2x crop factor in non 4K mode becomes a 1.28x or APS-H equivalent. This is great news for DSLR cinematographers who find the MFT crop factor somewhat limiting.
As with the previous Metabones Speed Boosters, there are more added benefits including increased image sharpness and light sensitivity. Using a 6-element design, the new 0.64x Speed Booster offers a 1.33x stop increase, up to a maximum aperture of a whopping f/0.8 on an f/1.2 prime lens! This is the fastest aperture available for full MFT sensor cameras and really helps the GH4 out when it comes to lower light shooting. One of the biggest criticisms levied against the GH4 was the fact that it’s more difficult to get a cinematic image from the camera, and so the faster aperture of the Speed Booster XL means you’ll be able to achieve that lovely shallow depth of field.
What this really all boils down to is that the Panasonic GH4 has received a new lease of life, making it an even more credible choice for cinematography or even as a B Camera in your production that has a familiar focal length. In order to work out the field of view of your prime lens all you need to do is multiply the focal length by the crop factors, which in the case of the 4K 1.5x crop factor would be 75mm for a 50mm prime lens. Other popular prime lenses for Super 35mm cinematography include the 28mm, which would become a 42mm equivalent, 35mm which becomes 52.5mm and 85mm which becomes a telephoto 127.5mm equivalent.
Here is the official specification list for the new Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x:
Model Code: Speed Booster XL 0.64x
Color: Black Satin exterior; Black Matte interior
Magnification: 0.64x
Crop Factor for Full Micro Four Thirds format: 1.28x
Crop Factor with GH4 in Cinema 4k (4096 x 2160) Video Mode: 1.5x
Maximum Output Aperture: f/0.80 (with f/1.2 lens attached)
Rectilinear Distortion: < 0.8%
Lens Elements/Groups: 6/4
Length Reduction: 6.2 mm
Supported Cameras3: Panasonic GH4, GH3, G3, G5, G6, G10, GF3, GF5, GF6, GX1, Olympus EPL7, Blackmagic Cinema Camera with Micro Four Thirds mount4, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera4
Camera Mount: Micro Four Thirds
Image Format: 17.3 mm x 13.0 mm (full Micro Four Thirds format)
Lens Compatibility: Any full-frame (36 mm x 24 mm format) lens with the appropriate mount can be used. DX format lenses can be mounted but may result in vignetting when the full Micro Four Thirds format is used, depending on the lens. DX lenses are fully supported when used on the Panasonic GH4 in Cinema 4k mode, and will function without abnormal vignetting. Canon EF-S lenses are not supported, but third-party EF-mount APS-C lenses can be mounted and will have full electronic functionality.
Special Features: Long-throw clickless aperture ring on Nikon F/G version; IS support and in-camera aperture selection with Canon EF version.
Dimensions: 27 x 76 x 72mm for Canon EF version
Weight:182 grams for Canon EF version
Tripod Mount: Robust removable type with Arca Swiss compatibility
The Metabones Speed Booster XL T EF is available to purchase now from our online store:
Metabones Canon EF Lens to Micro Four Thirds T Speed Booster XL 0.64x
For more information or to purchase the Metabones Speed Booster XL, please contact ESV on 020 3137 2901 or email us at [email protected].
