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Category: Troubleshooting Other Photo Equipment

Photography Question 

Shaun C. Smith
 

This Autofocus Lens Simply Won't Autofocus


I just purchased this new lens - the Canon 100-400mm L IS USM. I have had my Canon Digital Rebel for almost 6 months. This lens does not want to autofocus at all. It just clicks when I go to take a picture. I've tried all different camera settings. Sometimes it gives me an Error 99 message. The solution to that error says to remove and re-insert battery. I did that and still no luck. I plug a different lens in (28-135 IS), and it works just fine. Any ideas? I thought maybe it was a compatibility issue, but according to Canon's Web Site, all EOS lenses are compatible with the Digital Rebel. HELP!


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April 01, 2004

 

Jon Close
  There should be no "clicks" when autofocusing. The USM and IS should be near silent with some gentle "whirring." "Clicks" would indicate to me some damage. Did you buy the 100-400 new or secondhand? If new, you should contact Canon customer service. If secondhand, that might be the reason the original owner sold it.


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April 01, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Make sure the lens is turned till it locks all the way. Sometime if I haven't twisted it all the way on when I change lenses I'll get an error sign. But if an autofocus lens has been dropped, the very tiny gears inside get jammed up and will make clicking and grunting sounds when on autofocus. The lens could still work fine on manual focus.


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April 01, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Make sure the lens is turned till it locks all the way. Sometime if I haven't twisted it all the way on when I change lenses I'll get an error sign.
But if an autofocus lens has been dropped, the very tiny gears inside get jammed up and will make clicking and grunting sounds when on auto focus. The lens could still work fine on manual focus.


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April 01, 2004

 

Shaun C. Smith
  Thanks to those who responded. Contacted Canon and they believe it is something internal.

I purchased from a gent on EBAY. He is a Photography Professor in Florida and says it was in perfect shape when he shipped it to me. He sold his Canon D10 the same day and it was in good shape when the buyer received it.

After inspecting the box, looks like it could have taken a fall or two on its two day journey to PA from FL. Making a claim with UPS. The gent that sold it to me even offered to help pay for the fixing from Canon to help me out. Tells me he is telling the truth about the pre-packaged lens.

Hopefully it will all work out. I think it will.

Thanks again to those who responded.


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April 04, 2004

 
- Jim Kinnunen

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  I just bought the 100-400 IS. I use it with a 10D. I have noticed missing the focus sometimes at 400mm with low contrast subjets (Moose in the brush). It's better with high contrast subjects like swans. I also noticed missing the focus with my 75-300 IS. John Shaw says to use manual focus as much as you can to avoid auto focus problems. DOF is still pretty narrow at f/5.6 at 400mm. I haven't tried it yet for soccer games.


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April 05, 2004

 
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