Having read some glowing reviews of Metabone's speedboosters, I ordered a C/Y to M43 version. (399 US$ for the adapter plus 27 US$ for shipping). A shipping time from Hongkong to South Korea of more than 2 weeks helped building up my anticipation.
Unluckily, this anticipation was seriously disappointed. Instead of providing the promised 1 stop of more light and superior sharpness, the adapter just turned the monitor on my Olympus E-M5 black.
A short search on Google unearthed a 'black screen issue' that plagues several producers' adapters for Olympus M43 cameras. The lens locking pins on Olympus cameras (unlike their Panasonic brethren) are very sensitive in regard to the depth of the matching recesses on the bayonet rings of the lens adapters. If those recesses (holes) are too shallow the screens and viewfinders of the camera turn black. This is obviously a matter of only 0.2 or 0.3mms.
I thought a seemingly reputable company like Metabones would know about that and take responsibility for a faulty product, offer an apology and a refund or an exchange. Especially in light of their prices.
I have ordered plenty of photographic accessories in Hongkong and China before. Some of those products have had problems and the shops were not always eager to take back their merchandise. Some employ a technique of tiring out the customer. Demands for exchange are met with endless questions and requests for images and explanations.
Those experiences were nothing in comparison what transpired at Metabones. From April 5 to April 24, I sent them 7 sometimes lengthy emails. I repeatedly explained the problem including the very simple solution (deepen the lens locking pin recess by a tiny fraction), partly with images illustrating the cause of the problem. To no avail.
On the receiving end, i.e. the support of Metabones, there is somebody who has limited English skills and does not know much about the technical side of his business. Or just plays ignorant in order to get rid of you. And misunderstands and misunderstands and asks and asks.
In my final email, I blew my top and threatened to launch a complaint with the Hongkong Consumer Council. Only then did I get an offer to exchange the faulty adapter.
My plan had been to order speedboosters for Canon FD and Rollei lenses too. However miraculous those adapters might be, there will be no more business from me.
If you are planning on ordering any Metabones adapters for Olympus M43 cameras, you better make sure the 'black screen issue' is resolved. That might save you a lot of time and stress and postpone that approaching heart attack.