Error 70 often caused by Canon RF to EF Adapter

[Insight32]

Ever since owning the EOS R5 I have had consistent error 70 freeze-ups while shooting timelapses.  I didn't own any RF lenses, but was using Canon and other 3rd party brand lenses with Canon's RF to EF adapter ($99).    Regardless of which lens I shot with (Canon EF 50mm F/1.4, Sigma 20mm F/1.8, Rokinon 14mm AF F/2.8, Sigma 150-600mm) the camera would eventually give me the ERR 70 message at some point during my timelapses.  Sometimes it happened after 160 frames, sometimes after 230, but almost always before I got reach 300 frames.    I was able to figure out that it ONLY happens when my lens was stopped down to any aperture other than wide open.  If I shot at the widest aperture I would never get the error.

Canon twice replaced the Main PCB assembly, but each time the error still occurred.  So after getting nowhere with their support department I decided to prove my theory.

I went out and purchased a Canon RF 24-105mm F/4-7.1 lens and also the RF version of the Rokinon 14mm F/2.8 AF lens.   When shooting with either of these native RF lenses I have yet to get the ERR 70 even with 1000+ frame timelapses.    Yet, when I go back to their adapter and connect one of my "EF-Mount" lenses I get the error.

After all the testing I have done with different memory cards, different Canon batteries, and different lenses. I can now say with 100% confidence that the EF adapter is causing many of the ERR 70 issues.  

I will be letting Canon know, but I have no idea how they plan to correct it - if they plan to at all.

Ron

[Tronhard]

Have you considered trying a different EF-RF adapter?  There are electronics in there and there could be an issue there...

[Insight32]

Yea. I purchased a second adapter two weeks ago and the same issue existed, thus ruling out a bad adapter. 

[Tronhard]

I wondered about that, but had to ask. 🤔

I have the R5 and R6 and have used both with the adapters using the same Sigma lens with no issues.  What version of adapters are you using?

[Insight32]

I have no idea which version, unless you’re asking about the model.  This is the basic $99 adapter that Canon sells.  The issue wouldn’t appear to many people who are taking one-off photos.   Since I shoot timelpase professionally I tend to shoot 200-500 images each time is usually with a 1 or 2 second interval.   And the error doesn’t appear right away, but always appears somewhere between 170-300 shots.   It also never appears when shooting wide open. 

[Tronhard]

I was wondering what version of the adapter you were using.  As you say, there is the basic model, but you might have been using the one with the focus ring or the drop-in ND filter (for example).   The more information the merrier...

[laurenwessel]

Hey-- I have the same issue when using the EF to RF adapter with my Tamron lenses (my adapter is the one with the control ring). Did you ever hear anything from Canon on what the fix might be for this issue?

[Tronhard]

I think one has to be clear that Canon provide the adapters so that you can put THEIR Native EF lenses onto the RF bodies. They do not claim, nor do they intend to, say that any 3rd party lens will work with their cameras via the adapters.  That is the responsibility of the said 3rd party lens maker.   So, I don't expect Canon to do anything about those lenses or any issues connected with them.

I have a couple of Sigma super telephoto zooms and they have worked well for me in shooting at distance.  However, those same lenses exhibit pulsing when using animal tracking at close to minimum focusing distance.  Sigma state that their current EF lenses are not guaranteed to  work on RF bodies, although most do to some degree.   I don't see why should Canon be responsible for making 3rd part lens work on their bodies.  That is the responsibility of the 3rd party manufacturer.

[Insight32]

I respectfully ask that before telling me your thoughts on the subject that you consider reading  what I wrote.    In my post I said “Regardless of which lens I shot with (Canon EF 50mm F/1.4, Sigma 20mm F/1.8, Rokinon 14mm AF F/2.8, Sigma 150-600mm) the camera would eventually give me the ERR 70 message at some point during my timelapses.”.  As you can see the issue happens with the Canon 50mm F/1.4 lens”

[laurenwessel]

My question was for the original poster.