AF not working with TAMRON lenses on R5C in video mode

[PeteAG]

Hi there,

I just bought the R5C and I am fairly dissapointed by the fact that the AF of my two TAMRON lenses (SP 35 1.4 and SP 70-200 G2) does not work in video mode. In photo mode everything is perfect but in video mode...no chance. The problem is broadly discussed at reddit, DPReview a.s.o.

Seems to be fixable by Canon cause these lenses DO work on a C70.

CANON, please fix this as soon as possible!

[deebatman316]

Canon is NOT REQUIRED to make THIRD PARTY lenses work with their gear. So its not up to Canon to make the lens work.

-Demetrius

40D, 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM

430EX III-RT & 600EX II-RT

[PeteAG]

So tell me why is it working on a C70 and a C300MII?

[deebatman316]

Tamron and Sigma have to reverse engineer the lens mount to get the electronics in the lens to work. Camera manufactures DO NOT release their proprietary lens communication protocols to other companies. You must've gotten lucky with your other cameras. Or Canon changed something in their lens communication protocol.

-Demetrius

40D, 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM

430EX III-RT & 600EX II-RT

[Tronhard]

Canon, like all other camera makers, make it clear, and logic would suggest that it is the responsibility of 3rd paty manufacturers to make their lenses work with OEM camera equipment - in this case Canon. 

Both Tamron and Sigma have clearly stared that their lenses are not designed to work with R- series bodies. 

That is why one should do due diligence before making any purchase.

[PeteAG]

Will return the R5C tomorrow. Thanks.

[Tronhard]

Well... actually, reverse engineering is actually illegal.  OEM manufacturer allow IP to be available to 3rd party manufacturers under licensing agreements, for which they pay a fee.  That is why, up to this point, DSLRs and some MILCs (M-series) have 3rd party lenses that are available and work.  Canon have not, so far, allowed 3rd party manufacturers that license - which makes sense, given they are still developing their line of lenses, and want some return for that huge investment.  

If history repeats itself, for the EF-M series and the 1990's, Canon will have a few years of exclusivity, and then 3rd party lenses will become licensed and make lenses that work.   See my lengthy post on this HERE 

[deebatman316]

I guess I should've put it that Canon doesn't release their communication protocol. The 3rd party has to figure out how to make their lenses work for a particular mount. So Canon can not grantee compatibility with 3rd party items.

Edit: In some countries reverse engineering is legal. But patent infringement is illegal unless the patent has expired.

-Demetrius

40D, 5D Mark IV, EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM

430EX III-RT & 600EX II-RT

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

@PeteAG,

May I respectfully recommend you give this some more thought and not make a knee-jerk return.  I purchased a control ring with my R5 C.  I have a modest collection of EF glass - Sigma Art, Contemporary, Canon L and non L series lenses.  So far they all work in photo mode.  The Sigma 24~70 Art works in CineOS too, but not as well as native RF glass.  Thus I purchased a RF version of the lens.  I was ok doing so since this version now has IS. This was the reason I purchased the Sigma Art in EF in the first place. Its like it was made for my 6D2.

The R5 C is a premiere product. Yes it has some quirks. I know exactly how you feel though.  I just spent $5k on a body.  I have an adapter, "what do you mean my 3rd party EF lenses won't work in CineOS"?  They aren't Canon lenses.  Unfortunately, not all will work and some will work better than others.  I thought the same thing.  I'll just use my control ring and take my time migrating to RF.  5 months later and there is only 1 more lens I probably want.   

While I am not ultimately a fan of Tamron, I know they make good glass. Comparatively though, Tamron lenses have one of the highest levels of hardware incompatibility in the industry.  They barely ever release FW.  This was one of the main reasons I chose Sigma over them.  Also because the zoom is reversed which is silly I know. I don't think Canon will spend any time getting your EF glass to work in CineOS on the R5 C. Tamron most assuredly will not. We all know 35mm is super sweet for video. Canon has their RF 35mm for $399 right now. Its $100 off. Anyway, just use the camera for a bit and see what you think. Or dump it for the R5. It really is a nice camera though.

One last question.  What body or body's are you coming from.

[Tronhard]

I referred to an ex-client who works for a major law firm here and specializes in international patent law.  According to her, all of Canon's IP is protected legally, so in that context wherever their patents and copyrights are recognized, reverse engineering would not be legal.  Given that Canon's patents over the RF mount and associated firmware are very new, I think it is safe to say that reverse engineering is not going to be happening with any company that wants to do business with Canon again.  She said that Canon could have slapped a law suit against those who have infringed already, but they fired shot across their bows with a cease and desist letter - it has happened on the quiet with other camera makers, she added.