5D Won't Shoot...HELP! - DPChallenge Forums

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

10/12/2007 03:06:51 PM · #1

I can't figure out what might be wrong with my 5D. It turns on just fine, but nothing happens when I press the shutter button. I have it in AV and on autofocus. I just put in a newly charged battery, and even when I tried two of my other batteries, nothing happened. It stopped working yesterday when I was out shooting, but I assumed that it was because the battery was really low. It was sprinkling out a bit at the time, (actually "misting" would be more accurate), and the camera got somewhat damp, but certainly not soaked. I've had it out in slightly wetter conditions before with no problems. It hasn't been dropped or banged around at all. Any advice, ideas, encouragement??? I'm sad. :(

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/12/2007 03:26:14 PM · #2

Try it on manual focus; sometimes they won't shoot if they can't lock focus. I doubt that's your problem though...

R.

MAK

Leica CL

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

10/12/2007 03:37:52 PM · #3

clean the contacts on the cam body and the lens too.. sometimes moisture can affect them... good luck

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS II USM Lens

10/12/2007 03:46:40 PM · #4

Well whadda ya know...it will shoot when in manual focus with no problem! But I still don't understand why I can't get it to work in autofocus. It's not a matter of the camera searching and having difficulty focusing; it's just completely lifeless in AF. Any further thoughts?

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

10/12/2007 03:59:22 PM · #5

If you are too close to your subject, i.e., closer than the closest focusing distance of your lens, then the autofocus will not lock on and you will not be able to release the shutter. Determine your closest focusing distance and move back a bit. Shooting macros?

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

10/12/2007 04:06:21 PM · #6

Originally posted by hahn23:

No, I'm not shooting macros. Nothing will focus at any distance, even in good light. Hmmm...:/

atsxus

Canon EOS-10D

10/12/2007 04:08:39 PM · #7

try cleaning your sensor and mirror.

steph

FireBird

10/12/2007 04:14:01 PM · #8

You have a wide variety of lenses. Does it fail to focus with every lens in your lineup?
(except the lens baby) The advise about the lens contacts is good. When you manually focus will the focus light come on? If the camera allows do a total reset and see if that helps. Hopefully it is still in warranty if you have to send it in. Good luck.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/12/2007 04:17:19 PM · #9

Originally posted by ErinM:

Then you may have a problem with the contacts. Clean them carefully and try again. If the problem is with the electronics themselves, it will need repair.

R.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/12/2007 04:26:14 PM · #10

Originally posted by fir3bird:

Aha! I took off the 50mm lens that I had been using when the camera stopped working, and switched to my 24-105mm....No problem in AF! Any suggestions now for what to do with the 50mm?

david_c

Canon EOS-7D

10/12/2007 04:46:20 PM · #11

Originally posted by ErinM:

Any suggestions now for what to do with the 50mm?

Percussive maintenance? With a big hammer, preferably.

smurfguy

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/12/2007 04:46:21 PM · #12

Drat you people and your darn suggestions. I was going to suggest trading your broken 5D for my nice, working XT. =(

... but seriously ...

It was said above, but clean the contacts on the lens (the little gold spots on the end of the lens) and the body (the little gold nubs).

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

10/12/2007 04:52:01 PM · #13

Thanks so much to all who replied...I really appreciate the help!

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/12/2007 04:56:12 PM · #14

Originally posted by ErinM:

Aha! I took off the 50mm lens that I had been using when the camera stopped working, and switched to my 24-105mm....No problem in AF! Any suggestions now for what to do with the 50mm?

The 50mm f/1.8 is a VERY cheaply constructed lens, NO sealing of any sort, no surprise the "mist" affected it.

R.

JeffDay

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/12/2007 04:56:28 PM · #15

Originally posted by ErinM:

Thanks so much to all who replied...I really appreciate the help!

That mean it's all fixed?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

10/12/2007 06:11:36 PM · #16

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by ErinM:

Aha! I took off the 50mm lens that I had been using when the camera stopped working, and switched to my 24-105mm....No problem in AF! Any suggestions now for what to do with the 50mm?

The 50mm f/1.8 is a VERY cheaply constructed lens, NO sealing of any sort, no surprise the "mist" affected it.

R.

Actually, it was the 50mm 1.4 which is a bit better constructed, I believe, but apparently still sensitive to the elements. That lens is still not working on my camera. Can anyone tell me exactly how I should go about cleaning the contacts and any other parts that may have been affected? I've never done that sort of thing before. Thanks.

MattO

Nikon D4

10/12/2007 06:16:45 PM · #17

Originally posted by ErinM:

[Actually, it was the 50mm 1.4 which is a bit better constructed, I believe, but apparently still sensitive to the elements. That lens is still not working on my camera. Can anyone tell me exactly how I should go about cleaning the contacts and any other parts that may have been affected? I've never done that sort of thing before. Thanks.

Send it to Canon repair center and see if they can fix it. It may simply have a failed focus motor in the lens. If it wont do anything and there arent any concerns with the contacts something is wrong inside.

MattO

debitipton

Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II

10/12/2007 07:50:24 PM · #18

Erin
Check your firmware on your camera. There is an update that is supposed to fix several problems not mentioned on their list of fixes. I've had problems with the focus being off which other photographers have said were fixed once they upgraded their firmware.

Canon 5D firmware

Good luck -- I'm trying the updated version tonight hope it works for both of us!
Debi

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/12/2007 08:39:29 PM · #19

Originally posted by ErinM:

Rubber eraser on a pencil is your friend for cleaning metal contacts.

Delta_6

Canon EOS-7D

10/12/2007 09:21:33 PM · #20

Originally posted by routerguy666:

Originally posted by ErinM:

Actually, it was the 50mm 1.4 which is a bit better constructed, I believe, but apparently still sensitive to the elements. That lens is still not working on my camera. Can anyone tell me exactly how I should go about cleaning the contacts and any other parts that may have been affected? I've never done that sort of thing before. Thanks.

Rubber eraser on a pencil is your friend for cleaning metal contacts.

A SOFT rubber eraser.

FireBird

10/12/2007 10:30:28 PM · #21

Originally posted by ErinM:

Aha! I took off the 50mm lens that I had been using when the camera stopped working, and switched to my 24-105mm....No problem in AF! Any suggestions now for what to do with the 50mm?

I looked at your portfolio after reading about your problem and posting my question/suggestion. You have some really nice portraits with that lens. I'm curious how long you have owned that lens. It looks like the one you may use the most. It's not outside of the realm of probability that maybe a component died. It could have been just a coincidence it was a misty day. Before you send it off, mount and re-mount it several times after you carefully clean the contacts. If you can find a friend who has a Canon to mount it on try it on another camera to confirm the failure. As suggested by others, then send it in and see if it's economical to repair. If not maybe you can get a F 1.2! Obviously you know how to use fast portrait lenses.

Good luck.