Why does my Canon EOS-1V lock up with manual lenses on EF adapters?
Asked 1/27/2014
5 views
2 answers
0
My Canon EOS-1V works normally with EF lenses, and it also fires with no lens attached. But when I mount manual-focus lenses that have been converted/adapted to EF mount, pressing the shutter causes the mirror to go up, the battery icon to blink, the displays to go blank, and then after a few seconds the camera recovers without advancing the film.
The same adapted lenses work on a Canon 5D Mark III. The adapters are insulated and not shorting the electronic contacts, the battery and film are fine, and I’m shooting in manual mode.
Is the EOS-1V incompatible with non-EF/manual lenses, or is there a known mechanical/electronic issue with certain EF adapters on this body?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
5
After some digging, I think the problem was caused by both adapters tripping a small switch inside the lens socket. Here (this is not EOS 1v body):
I found this article describing the issue (it's quite long, search for "Camera locks up with the manual focus lens installed"). Basically, once the switch is engaged, the camera will expect an electronic lens. According to the author, the camera locks up when it fails to communicate with the lens. However I have yet to find any good source on this. 5DIII works with these adapters because it does not have this switch.
The author's workaround seems to work - although dangerous - leave the lens unlocked and turn it back towards release a little, so the adapter does not trip that switch.
Originally by user25631. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user25631
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The EOS-1V is not simply rejecting all manual lenses. Based on the reported behavior, the more likely issue is that your adapters are triggering a small switch in the EF mount that tells the camera an electronic lens is attached. Once that switch is engaged, the 1V expects lens communication; when it gets none, it can lock up instead of taking the shot.
That explains why:
- the camera works with real EF lenses,
- it works with no lens mounted,
- but fails with certain adapted manual lenses,
- while your 5D Mark III may still work because it apparently doesn’t rely on that same switch in the same way.
So the problem is likely adapter fit/mechanics, not basic incompatibility with all non-EF glass. A reported workaround is to mount the adapter slightly short of the fully locked position so it doesn’t press that switch, but that is risky and could make the lens insecure. The better solution is an adapter/conversion that does not actuate that switch.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI12y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Can the Canon EF-M film SLR use electronic manual-focus Canon EOS lenses?
Do Canon EF/EF-S lenses work better on Canon mirrorless bodies than on other brands via adapters?
Can a Lomography Petzval 85mm with Canon EF mount be converted to Minolta MD/MC or M42?
Can Canon T70 FD lenses or a screw-mount Paragon 500mm be adapted to an EOS 550D?
How can I use adapted manual lenses on a Canon EOS M?