The Metabones Leica R to Blackmagic Speed Boosterfrom Metabones Leica R to Blackmagic Speed Boosterallows you to mount a Leica R lens on a Blackmagic Cinema Camera, while using custom optics to increase the angle of view and the maximum aperture of the lens.

The Speed Booster works by shrinking the image circle of your Leica R lens down to better fit the smaller sensor of the Blackmagic Cinema Camera. This has the effect of making the angle of view of the lens 0.64x wider or, in other terms, reducing the crop factor of the camera from 2.39x to 1.53x. This yields an angle of view similar to APS-C or Super 35 sized sensors.

When the Speed Booster concentrates the image circle from a lens, the brightness of the image is increased by 1 1/3 stops, with a maximum output aperture of f/0.9 when using a Leica R f/1.4 lens. In addition to lens speed and angle of view, the Speed Booster also increases the lens' MTF, or how faithfully the lens transfers detail from the object to the camera sensor. These increases in MTF are seen in the corners as well as the center of the images. For added lens support, a removable Arca-type tripod foot is included.

Fits Leica R Lens to BMCC MFT Mount    Reduces Crop Factor to 1.53x    Increases Maximum Aperture by 1 1/3 Stop    Removable Arca-Type Tripod Mount

Super telephotos such as the Telyt 560/5.6 may vignette at the corners.

The following lenses require modification in order to fit on the Speed Booster:

• Super-Elmar-R 15mm
• Elmarit R 28/2.8
• Elmarit R 35/2.8
• Summicron R 50/2

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. will this work with the new blackmagic micro cinema camera?

A: Whilst the mount and the sensor size is the same on the two cameras, however this adapter was made specifically for the pocket camera with protruding lens at the back for the pocket camera with a much deeper collar than normal. So unless the micro camera also has such a deep collar, then the back of the adapter will touch and damage the sensor on the micro camera. Sorry I can't be much more help than that.

Q: 2. Would anyone happen to know if this would possibly work on the Blackmag Pocket Cinema Camera 4K that is coming out in September?

A: Metabones has not yet announced compatibility for their products and the new Pocket camera.

Q: 3. Will this mount to Digital Bolex MFT?

A: I am sorry but no. Please see this note from Metabones. Nikon-G/F to Micro-4/3 mount Speed BoosterTM adapters designed exclusively for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC). Note that this new 0.58x Speed Boosters will only attach to BMPCC equipped with a Micro-4/3 mount. They cannot be attached to standard Micro 4/3 cameras. Standard Micro 4/3 cameras would include the Digital Bolex. At this time, you would have to settle for this more conventional mount. Metabones Nikon F Lens to Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount Adapter (Black) B&H # MENFM43BM2

Q: 4. Has anyone tried to fit one of these to the BMPC 4K?

A: The Blackmagic Cinema Camera's unique size 2.5 sensor is much smaller than the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 4K's Super 35 sensor. Since this Speedbooster is matched to that 2.5 sensor, you will vignette using it on the BMCC 4K.

Q: 5. Do this works in both cam 1, cam 2 and cam 3 lenses?

A: Yes, this adapter works with all Leica R lenses.

Q: 6. Will this work with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6k?

A: NO this will not work on the pocket 6k.

Q: 7. Does this work on the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera (BMMCC)?

A: Yes it does.

Q: 8. When it says that certain Leica R lenses need to be modified to be used on this, what does that mean?

A: There is a small metal lip that needs to be removed (with a metal saw/file) on the back of some Leica lenses (listed on the Metabones web site), otherwise it will hit the SpeedBooster's glass element. There is a risk of damaging the lens when removing this lip, so I asked a repair shop to do it for me. I don't think the lip has a mechanical function, but it prevents the back element of the lens to be scratched if you lay the lens on a table. So you will have to be extra careful how you handle the lens after you remove the lip.

Q: 9. Is this the same Speed booster listed on the Metabones website that will connect BOTH Nikon G and F mount lenses to the BMPCC?

A: I'm pretty sure it is. I've owned this model for almost a year and use it with all my old manual Nikon AIS glass.

Q: 10. Will this product fit a Panasonic GH4 camera?

A: Yes, but you need to turn on the electronic shutters if not you will jam the shutter.