My EOS 40D is malfunctioning.....what to do?

[The Stigenator]

I bought my 40D in November 2007. Last week at a work party it started to malfunction.
I had the EF 28-135 lens in (i have not tried it with anything else) with the EX430II flash on.

Once in a while when i go to take a picture there is no response from the camera. The on top display and buttons work, the info button works. If you press the shutter it wont focus (no red dot)- there is no response from the AF/focusing mechanism. I tried taking off the lens and putting it back and it still did it. I finally pulled the battery and then restarted the camera. It worked fine after that until a while later when it did it again.

Any idea what may be causing it. It has not been exposed to water. It has been babied. I am surprised its causing this problem.

It is out of warrenty.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

First thing:

Is the focus on AI Servo mode? In AI Servo mode there will not be any red dots indicating focus lock. Because the lens is USM and USM is very quiet, it will also be hard to tell that the AF mechanism is working. These two things can combine to give the appearance that the lens or camera is no longer focusing.

HOWEVER, since taking out the battery seemed to fix this temporarily, I don't think that the above is the case.

If not, sounds like a legitimate problem with the camera and you're looking at a minimum of $200 to get it repaired from Canon (Canon DSLR repairs always have minimums of $200 for even the smallest fix because it includes a full camera check and a 6-month repair warranty). It sucks

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: The Stigenator
I bought my 40D in November 2007. Last week at a work party it started to malfunction.
I had the EF 28-135 lens in (i have not tried it with anything else) with the EX430II flash on.

Once in a while when i go to take a picture there is no response from the camera. The on top display and buttons work, the info button works. If you press the shutter it wont focus (no red dot)- there is no response from the AF/focusing mechanism. I tried taking off the lens and putting it back and it still did it. I finally pulled the battery and then restarted the camera. It worked fine after that until a while later when it did it again.

Any idea what may be causing it. It has not been exposed to water. It has been babied. I am surprised its causing this problem.

It is out of warrenty.

1) Is the lens in Manual focus mode?
2) Is the AF in AI Focus/AI Servo instead of 1 shot?
3) Have you tried with a different lens?

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: 996GT2

Originally posted by: The Stigenator
I bought my 40D in November 2007. Last week at a work party it started to malfunction.
I had the EF 28-135 lens in (i have not tried it with anything else) with the EX430II flash on.

Once in a while when i go to take a picture there is no response from the camera. The on top display and buttons work, the info button works. If you press the shutter it wont focus (no red dot)- there is no response from the AF/focusing mechanism. I tried taking off the lens and putting it back and it still did it. I finally pulled the battery and then restarted the camera. It worked fine after that until a while later when it did it again.

Any idea what may be causing it. It has not been exposed to water. It has been babied. I am surprised its causing this problem.

It is out of warrenty.

1) Is the lens in Manual focus mode?
2) Is the AF in AI Focus/AI Servo instead of 1 shot?
3) Have you tried with a different lens?

1. No the camera isnt in Manual Focus mode (first thing i checked)
2. The camera was set on One Shot or / AI Focus, not AI Servo.
3. I have not yet tried a new lens - will do so tonight. Been very busy with work.

The camera was on but it wasnt focusing. I know when USM works and how quiet it is. However this is one of those where there is no response, you press the button nothing happens. No focusing, no focus beep, nothing. Infact the display under the viewfinder in the eye piece shows nothing.

Once i changed I took out the battery and put it back in, it works fine. The battery was fully charged. So its not a battery issue. The flash was using a fully charged battery.

I am going to run some tests tonight and see whats causing it.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: The Stigenator

Originally posted by: 996GT2

Originally posted by: The Stigenator
I bought my 40D in November 2007. Last week at a work party it started to malfunction.
I had the EF 28-135 lens in (i have not tried it with anything else) with the EX430II flash on.

Once in a while when i go to take a picture there is no response from the camera. The on top display and buttons work, the info button works. If you press the shutter it wont focus (no red dot)- there is no response from the AF/focusing mechanism. I tried taking off the lens and putting it back and it still did it. I finally pulled the battery and then restarted the camera. It worked fine after that until a while later when it did it again.

Any idea what may be causing it. It has not been exposed to water. It has been babied. I am surprised its causing this problem.

It is out of warrenty.

1) Is the lens in Manual focus mode?
2) Is the AF in AI Focus/AI Servo instead of 1 shot?
3) Have you tried with a different lens?

1. No the camera isnt in Manual Focus mode (first thing i checked)
2. The camera was set on One Shot or / AI Focus, not AI Servo.
3. I have not yet tried a new lens - will do so tonight. Been very busy with work.

The camera was on but it wasnt focusing. I know when USM works and how quiet it is. However this is one of those where there is no response, you press the button nothing happens. No focusing, no focus beep, nothing. Infact the display under the viewfinder in the eye piece shows nothing.

Once i changed I took out the battery and put it back in, it works fine. The battery was fully charged. So its not a battery issue. The flash was using a fully charged battery.

I am going to run some tests tonight and see whats causing it.

Another thing...check the contacts on the lens and camera body and make sure they're clean.

 

[ElFenix]

does the shutter itself operate with a full press?

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
does the shutter itself operate with a full press?

nope.. no response from that system.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: The Stigenator

Originally posted by: ElFenix
does the shutter itself operate with a full press?

nope.. no response from that system.

how about with no lens?

 

[lsman]

may be clean the lens contact? (pencil rubber eraser)

 

[The Stigenator]

Well I did some extensive testing yesterday, it behaved.

I looked at the pins, it is in fine shape. No deposits on either that lens or the body. Even so I gave it a quick rub with a soft cloth.

I am going to keep an eye on this sucker.