Won't shoot

Mossback

From time to time. More lately it seems but that may be because I am so "in tune" to it now. My Canon 50mm F1.8 won't take a picture. something is being detected that the lens/camera does not like. It will focus but won't take the shot. I have tried different settings but alas..........nothing.

r3t1awr3yd

Do the canons have two focus modes like the nikons? AF-S, AF-C, and auto. I'd check those settings.

Qarik

can you give us more details? Some questions:

are you shooting in low light?

are you shooting something with low contrast? (white wall for example)

are you shooting very close to the subject?

is this occuring with other lens?

what body are you using?

liflander

Re: Won't shoot
Sometimes a lens has manual control of the f-stops on the lens, and to work automatically on a camera may need to be locked on the smallest aperture on the lens (eg, f22).
For example, my nikon 50 1.8 is like this. I once mounted the lens and it wouldn't shoot. Once I locked the aperture ring (after turning camera off) and turned the camera back on, it was good to go.

LiflanderPhotography.com

pathfinder

Either the Canon 50mm f1.8 is not making reliable electrical contact with the body electrical contacts, or autofocus is not succeeding for some reason.

If you are trying to shoot with AF on, and AF is not successful, the shutter WILL NOT fire until AF is reliably aquired.

Clean the contacts on your lens and your body carefully with a pencil eraser, or a cotton swab with a tiny drop of alcohol. DO not drip alcohol onto your lens or your camera body.

Does this issue occur with other lenses, or only with this lens?

Canon lenses do not have to be manually set to f22, like some older Nikon glass.

chrisjohnson

Most likely the camera is preventing you doing something that won't work.

Make sure you reset your manual settings. When you don't know how, reset the camera to default. It is described in the manual.

When the camera then blocks on automatic there is likely something wrong with the camera or you are trying to take a shot of the inside of a fox hole - completely black.

If you persist on manual then try something that should always work: ISO 400, Shutter speed 1/30, Aperture 5,6. The photo is likely crap but at least you know the camera is working.

Some other simple measures:
- remove the battery and wait a couple of minutes before inserting.
- remove the lens, clean contacts with a soft dry cloth and reinstall.

When you are sure that the camera is not working, take it back to the store.

Mossback

Qarik wrote: »

can you give us more details? Some questions:

are you shooting in low light?
No, great lighting I would say

are you shooting something with low contrast? (white wall for example)
No, Just "normal" shots of people.

are you shooting very close to the subject?
Sometimes yes, but most of the time I would say not.

is this occuring with other lens?
Not at all with other lens', I usually use my 70-200mm F2.8 with no issue.

what body are you using?
Canon XSI

Thank you for the reply

ckaspar

I have noticed that with my 50 as well but it seems to be when I am trying to fire the shutter while "focused" on a moving object. I mostly shoot AI Servo so the AF is always working to keep what I want in focus. If something moves too fast past it or gets int he way then I get a no-fire. Make sure you are in One Shot mode and that should eliminate a bunch of the problem. Maybe try shooting in Manual Focus and see if that helps.