I have only recently delved into trying non-Canon lenses on my 5D system and am experiencing some basic beginner problems. Using a happypagehk C/Y adaptor on the 5D in combination with a Contax 35-70 zoom I can take pictures just fine in Av or M mode, but every time I shoot a frame the view finder goes dark and the mirror does not drop down. When I twist the lens mount the mirror drops down and I can shoot another frame (after locking the lens back in place again). I don't think this is an issue of the mirror getting hung up on the lens - because it is able swing up to take the picture just fine - but it is reverting back to the down position that is the problem. I was hoping others might be able to help diagnose what I might be doing wrong. Thanks.
Thee is a small peice on the back of that particular lens which is easily removed with two screws and which, when there, will cause the exact problem you describe. If you can get the search to work, someone posted some pics showing the peice. Same thing happened to me and this was the very easy solution.
Thanks for the reply. I've tried to use the search function but have not been successful in finding the thread you refer to. Although I have been reading this forum for a couple of months now, I had not heard any one else mention the need to remove something from the back of the lens. By the way I have a CZ 28 2.8 lens that behaves the same way, but my Nikkor lenses function perfectly.
In comparing the 28mm and 35-70mm lenses I see that there is a slight difference in the Contax lens mount - I think this is the part that Tariq is refering to being held in place by two screws - but this is not the root cause of the problem (as I temporarily removed it and still have the problem).
I'll take a semi-educated guess and say that you have a 5D with a slightly larger mirror than usual (it only needs to be 0.5mm or so longer to collide with lots of lenses). This happens. I mean, there's at least four different mirror sizes for 5Ds, from what others have said in older threads. Not much you can do, aside from either modding the lenses, or a mirror shave.
There being differences in the mirror size of the 5D is something that I heard mentioned by other sources also. I am hoping that a potentially larger mirror on my camera is not cause of this. I will say that I have used a Nikon to EOS adapter from the same vendor (tested with two different lenses) and not had the slightest problem with mirror return. At this point I am strongly suspecting a problem with the two Contax to EOS adapters that I have - mainly because I do not see the rear lens element of either the CZ 28 2.8 or CZ 35-70 protruding beyond the adapter ring.
The sixth photo down from this ebay listing shows the offending part(which is the first photo showing the rear element) and shows this peice perfectly and the two screws. Simply take this peice off and your problems are solved!
Thanks for the reply. I've tried to use the search function but have not been successful in finding the thread you refer to. Although I have been reading this forum for a couple of months now, I had not heard any one else mention the need to remove something from the back of the lens. By the way I have a CZ 28 2.8 lens that behaves the same way, but my Nikkor lenses function perfectly.
Berni
The CZ 28 2.8 will cause issues with the 5D - at least mine does - right at, near or just barely past infinity focus. The trick with this lens is to be very careful not to focus past infinity which most adapters allow. Completely different issue than with the CZ 35-70.
Thanks for the photo reference - unfortunately that is exactly the part that I removed and after remounting the adaptor found that I still have the problem. For some reason the happypagehk adapters are not working for my particular Canon EOS 5D.
you could tape the pins on the adapter so that the camera is not communicating with the lens. then mount the lens and see what happens. this way you would know wether you have an electronic or mechanical problem.
my 5d behaved te same as yours when i mounted a manual lens in front of a canon 1.4 teleconverter. taping the contacts of the tc solved the problem
Thanks for the photo reference - unfortunately that is exactly the part that I removed and after remounting the adaptor found that I still have the problem. For some reason the happypagehk adapters are not working for my particular Canon EOS 5D.
Berni
Sorry, thats strange. It would seem to be an issue with your particular adapter. I'm using this combo on my 5D(lenses and Happypagehk adapter) and this is what solved my problem.
My 5D was purchased late December. My advice would be to pick up a cheap, made in china adapter and see if you still have the issue and exchange your HappypageHK adapter as perhaps you ended up with a defective one. First I have heard of one.
I never had problems with the 35-70 on my 5D using regular adapters, but get the same problem since screwing on the Happypagehk adapter.
A blunt guess would be that the cause is that that adapter is a little slimmer...
Unfortunately, I must have twisted something, and can't unscrew it anymore.
I was curious what serial numbers (Or at least what do they start with) on the 5D's that hit and that didn't hit. I have a 5D and I am wondering if there is a way to roughly predict whether mine will or won't work based on serial.
I had this happen with a pentax m42 because the lens extended backwards as it went to infinity. It was so close that it depended if it was help in portrait or landscape. I have used the 35-70 with both a old adapter and an AF one from Goshotcamera
It's an adaptor thickness issue, not the pins, lens or mirror. I had the same problem with one of the AF-Confirm adaptors from HappypageHK ( aka Rudolf). He swapped mine after investigating the problem and the new adaptor works just great with my 5D and 35-70.
I am convinced that it is an adapter thickness issue as well and am hoping that an alternative brand will allow the lenses I have to function properly. The thing that convinced me was seeing how the rear of the lens protruded beyond the the adaptor ring height. In addition, I tried mounting just the adapter on the camera and observed absolutely no issues with the mirror clearing the adapter.
Happypagehk (Rudolf) has allowed me to return the adapters for a refund. Now the only question is which adapter to buy next. I want to make sure that the next adapter is thick enough without causing any infinity focus issues. Anyone have any suggestions?
Well, the inexpensive "made in China" adapters which look just like the HappypageHK adapters but are thicker will work fine in my experience. I think mine was from roxsen or something like that. The Problem is that with the CZ 35-70, focus confirmation makes a big difference in everyday use.
