How can I use a Canon AF teleconverter with a manual-focus lens without getting Err 01?
Asked 9/28/2020
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I’m using a Bower MC 2x C/AFI teleconverter on Canon bodies (90D and 550D). It works with autofocus lenses, but with a manual-focus lens such as the Samyang 135mm f/2, the camera shows Err 01 (“Communication between the camera and lens is faulty”). The shutter does fire and the image is recorded, but the error stops me from continuing to shoot. Is there a practical way to prevent this communication error, and are there teleconverters better suited to manual-focus lenses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
1
The classic solution is to place a piece of tape over some or all of the teleconverter's contacts between the lens and TC (three left pins on the TC side facing the lens) or between the camera and TC (all of them). Gaffer tape works well because it leaves no residue when removed.
Of course this assumes your camera will allow you to take a photo without it detecting that a lens is attached. The 90D does this. I'm not sure about the Rebel T2i/550D.
- You'll need to be shooting in Manual exposure mode.
- Be sure that you've also manually selected a specific ISO setting, rather than leaving the ISO set to 'Auto.'
- You may also need to select an option in the camera's menu to allow an image to be captured without the camera confirming focus first.
- You may also need to select an option in the camera's menu to allow an image to be captured with no lens detected by the camera.
- With some Canon cameras you may also need to set AFMA to "disable" when using older TC's.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. The usual workaround is to block the electronic communication so the camera stops trying to talk to the lens through the teleconverter. People commonly cover some or all of the teleconverter contacts with non-residue tape (for example gaffer tape). Depending on the combination, this may be done on the lens side of the teleconverter or on the camera side.
If you disable contacts, treat the setup as fully manual:
- use Manual exposure mode
- set ISO manually, not Auto ISO
- make sure the camera is allowed to release the shutter without focus confirmation if that setting applies
This works because your manual-focus lens does not provide the electronic communication the AF teleconverter expects, which triggers Err 01. Blocking the contacts prevents that handshake attempt.
A dedicated “manual-focus teleconverter” is generally just a teleconverter with no electronic pass-through, or an older/manual model for the mount. In practice, disabling the contacts on your current converter is the common solution if the camera will shoot without lens communication.
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