Canon questions

[Eric Flescher]

I have a Rebel XT. Recently it has not been focusing . I have it go so far on auto and then switch to manual to shoot the shot .

I have not been able to figure out why it is doing that. I have tried sensors, cleaning the regular lens , telephotos and using different setting.

Anyone have any ideas? Also point if I need to tell you anything more.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

What lens are you using?
Have you tried cleaning the contacts between the lens and body?
Do you have another lens that you can put on the camera body to see if the problems is with the lens or the body?

Bryan

 

[CZandbergen]

Make sure you didn't knock the diopter adjustment out. I just "fixed" a friends camera that was having the same issue last week. Most people don't even realize what the diopter is and what it does.

 

[Eric Flescher]

so far

CZ and Brian
The telephoto lens works. The 50 mm lens still does the same thing even when I cleaned off the goldish metal points.
I just looked up the diopter and will mess with it to see what I can do with it.
Anything else I need to know about the diopter?
How did you fix it?


::

Make sure you didn't knock the diopter adjustment out. I just "fixed" a friends camera that was having the same issue last week. Most people don't even realize what the diopter is and what it does.

 

[CZandbergen]

If the telephoto lens works then it isn't the diopter. Sounds like it may be the 50mm lens that is the problem which is good because they are dirt cheap. Have any other lens to try?

 

[Bryan Stokes]

Eric,

Are you using a Canon 50 1.8 lens? Or is it the 1.4?

Bryan

 

[Greg Campbell]

Well, if you can manually focus it to obtain a sharp viewfinder image, the diopter is fine. Dipopter should have no effect on the AF funtionality, all it does is adjust your eyeball's focus of the viewing screen.

The 50 is not focusing - try cycling the AF/MF switch a few times, and lightly tapping on the thing. Beyond that, I dunnow. Since you've already cleaned the contacts, you're running out of easy fixes. Maybe the plasticrap lens just decided to die - my $ is on a broken wire in the AF mechanism. If I understand the symptoms, it sounds as if the lens has a two stage AF motor, the coarse windings are working, but the fine motion mechanism is DOA. They don't build 'em like they used to.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

They don't build 'em like they used to.

If we're talking about the $90 1.8, then we're not talking about much!

Bryan

 

[Eric Flescher]

diopter and more

Brian , Greg, CZ
it is 1.4 cheap one
I will try what you suggested re
I found in a book I have
" to ensure the viewfinder image and focusing screen elements are adjusted for your vision, you can adjust the diopter setting from -3 to +1 dpt. Simply move the diopter switch located to the right of the viewfinder eyecup -up and down until the image in the viewfinder is sharp."
now the thing to the right it called the "compensation button" so maybe that's what is called

But I don't see how to "move it up or down"

I will keep working on it
Many thanks guys appreciate it
If you have other ideas let me know
I will post any more ideas I try
::

Well, if you can manually focus it to obtain a sharp viewfinder image, the diopter is fine. Dipopter should have no effect on the AF funtionality, all it does is adjust your eyeball's focus of the viewing screen.

The 50 is not focusing - try cycling the AF/MF switch a few times, and lightly tapping on the thing. Beyond that, I dunnow. Since you've already cleaned the contacts, you're running out of easy fixes. Maybe the plasticrap lens just decided to die - my $ is on a broken wire in the AF mechanism. If I understand the symptoms, it sounds as if the lens has a two stage AF motor, the coarse windings are working, but the fine motion mechanism is DOA. They don't build 'em like they used to.

 

[Jim Hunt]

Brian , Greg, CZ
it is 1.4 cheap one
I will try what you suggested re
I found in a book I have
" to ensure the viewfinder image and focusing screen elements are adjusted for your vision, you can adjust the diopter setting from -3 to +1 dpt. Simply move the diopter switch located to the right of the viewfinder eyecup -up and down until the image in the viewfinder is sharp."
now the thing to the right it called the "compensation button" so maybe that's what is called

But I don't see how to "move it up or down"

I will keep working on it
Many thanks guys appreciate it
If you have other ideas let me know
I will post any more ideas I try
::

Eric, the diopter is a dial (wheel) which you turn to adjust for viewfinder to correct for any vision issues you might have. It is very visible in the attached image. It is helpful if you wear glasses but remove them to take photos. I suggest adjusting the diopter focusing be done on the information seen in the viewfinder and not the actual image. (That way no chance of adjusting it on an out of focus image.) When finished, tape the diopter dial so it doesn't move (or some yahoo come adjust it for his eyes).

A simple thing is to drop by a camera shop and have them test the lens on one of their cameras. However it sounds like it is just the 50mm which is bad. You can always continue to use it in manual mode.

You might consider a different lens to replace it since you have a telephoto. Maybe the 35mm f2 which is reasonably priced and a good all around lens.

 

[Mike Parker]

Eric, by chance have you been messing around in your custom functions? From your op it appears that it will focus in Auto mode. You may want to look at CF 4 and make sure it is on 0.

Just a sugestion.

Mike