Canon 1.4x III Converter compatibility issues with EOS 5D AF

[darleecar]

I have a canon 5D and recently I purchased a 1.4x III teleconveter to add some reach to my EF 100-400 IS II USM. However, when I place the conveter on my cameria the AF does no work. Is this converter compatible with a 5D? I have been searching through documents trying to find an answer but no luck. Any help?

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Hi and welcome to the forum:
My research indicates the original 5D will not autofocus with that converter - it required the 5DIII or IV variants to fully function. Canon Teleconverter Compatibility | MPB Help Centre (intercom.help)

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Hi and welcome to the forum:
My research indicates the original 5D will not autofocus with that converter - it required the 5DIII or IV variants to fully function. Canon Teleconverter Compatibility | MPB Help Centre (intercom.help)

[darleecar]

Thank you. I guess I just need to upgrade.

[Tronhard]

The original 5D is a venerable unit.  I had both the 5DIII and IV variants and there was no comparison.  If you are going to consider an upgrade, I would suggest exploring the R-series of Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras (MILCs), as they are now the main platform for Canon sales and development.  DSLRs are essentially on life support as they are phased out and the range of bodies and lenses is decreasing.

Depending on your needs: what you shoot, under what conditions and what you produce, there is a range of camera bodies available, and you will likely be taken aback at the sophistication of these cameras.  The good news is that the controls and menus are fairly familiar to a DSLR user.  The 5D's equivalent model are the 45MP R5 variants, but if you don't need that kind of MP capacity, then the R6 variants would be the way to go.  They are truly amazing cameras.

As to lenses.  EF lenses released post 2009 should work perfectly well via an EF-RF adapter on an R-series body.  Earlier ones should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If you prefer to stick with a DSLR type then you can get a refurbished 5DIV.  Usually refurb units are over-stock, new but opened box, demo or display units, but good as new and with a 1 year Canon warranty.

Shop Canon Refurbished EOS 5D Mark IV Body | Canon U.S.A., Inc.
or the excellent EOS 6DII
Canon EOS 6D Mark II Camera Body Refurbished | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

[wq9nsc · Accepted solution]

If you have the original 5D, it requires a lens with at least a f5.6 aperture for auto focus to work so the 100-400 will AF fine by itself.  But with the 1.4X converter, even at its 100mm end (nominal f4.5 aperture), the combination of the 1.4X converter puts the combination over the required at least f5.6 aperture requirement.

Later in their life, the 5D series (I believe by the Mark III version) received the capability to AF at f8 like the 1 series and your lens and teleconverter would work fine with the later bodies.

You could also use that setup with a lens that is f4 or faster (i.e. f2.8, f2, etc. glass) but these are more expensive and heavier for the same focal length.

Rodger