Focusing issue on Canon Eos 450d Solved

Question

Hello everyone,
So, for quite some time (almost a year now..) I've had the Canon EOS 450D with the "standard" stabilized lens 18-55. Everything was going very well until today.

When I took it out of its case, I realized that I could no longer take photos in autofocus (it makes a weird little noise every time I try..) and in "manual focus" mode, I can take photos again, but I can no longer adjust the focus..

I think I'm still under warranty.. But I need to check.
I have no idea what could have happened.. It hasn't fallen, I take care of it, I always store it in its case.. :/

Has anyone ever had this problem?
What can I do?
Can I use the warranty? :/

Thanks in advance!

--
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Lina · Accepted Answer

I had the same problem and I noticed that on the lens in front of the zoom ring, there is the focus ring; I just had to turn it and the autofocus started working again.

dk3m · Answer

I also have a 450D and it has never had any problems We need to find out if it comes from the lens or the body, maybe try changing the lens...

Frederic76 · Answer

A camera, whatever it is, usually has a minimum 2-year warranty 95% of the time, especially for a reflex.

Now, your concern is whether the issue comes from the lens or the camera. If it comes from the lens, be careful, as the warranty is often only 1 year for certain brands. So, you should check with another lens or another compatible camera to see if it works or not to identify which one is causing the problem.

If it is still under warranty, do not attempt to use it anymore; go directly to after-sales service because if you insist on using it, you might damage the defective product even more and risk breaking it or damaging the rest, in which case it would no longer be covered by the warranty.

Frost · Answer

Hello,

I have exactly the same problem with my EOS 450D (and the standard 18-55). Apparently, the autofocus doesn’t work anymore. I mounted another lens on the body, and everything worked perfectly. So the problem must be with the 18-55 lens.

I’m thinking of using the warranty. How did it go for you? Is your problem resolved?

Thanks.

Fioco · Answer

Same problem. This weird noise is really very disturbing, and the fact that the focus doesn't work is annoying, as it ruins all the photos I want to take. So how did you manage it?

Elwende · Answer

Hello,

Last night I had the same problem as Melimelo 89 at a wedding, being supposed to cover the event...

I really feel like it's just the autofocus that is stuck, everything else works.

Any news on this very inconvenient issue when you only have the kit lens to take pictures?

Thank you very much in advance

Sophie05 · Answer

Hello,
I experienced exactly this problem this morning: in AF, when I try to take pictures, the camera lags, no focus is made, and the photo cannot be taken, the shutter not wanting to activate. In MF mode, it works, but it's much more of a hassle.
If I switch back to AF and activate the focus ring, it sometimes starts working again, but in terms of speed, it's not great... I'll try putting on another lens to see if that's the issue, but otherwise, I can already see myself having to buy a new one, and that wasn't part of the plan... (or is repair possible? I don't know and I'm no longer under warranty)

Lowa57 · Answer

Hello hello!

I have exactly the same problem.

I own a Canon 500D, and the basic 18-55 lens, as well as a 50mm. With the latter lens, there's no problem, the autofocus works very well, however with the 18-55 it doesn't work at all or works occasionally, but the manual focus works very well.

I looked on the internet in forums where it said that you could clean the sensors that connect the lens to the body with a dry cloth. This technique has apparently worked well for others, but for me, it was unsuccessful.

So here's the problem, you can hear that the autofocus is working but it can't achieve normal autofocus (the manual focus works), I've also noticed that the illuminated autofocus points no longer light up, only the middle one lights up even though I've tried to aim at other more "lateral" objects... I tried using it for other shots (portrait, landscape...) but without success.

That's all, I thought I had taken good care of my camera, I'm slightly frustrated especially considering how much it costs.
Thank you for your response, I'm desperate as I'm no longer under warranty and buying a new lens would simply be impossible for me... If anyone has a solution, thank you once again..

cirano · Answer

I have the same problem with my Canon 450D. I've tried several lenses to no avail; now, I have nothing at all, no autofocus, no shots, I press the shutter and the curtain remains closed.
I believe the sensor is rated for a certain number of shots (15,000 / 20,000).
This might be a lead, but a quote or an assessment needs to be done.
For now, this is where I stand.

fxr · Answer

Hello,

same issue on a 450D with a 15-85 zoom. The problem comes from the zoom which is no longer able to focus. No red focus points appear in the lens and it keeps trying to find focus.

Canon's recommendation: do a cleaning, on a test bench, etc... basically a real hassle.

A friend who has the same problem tried to disassemble the lens... he couldn't manage to put it back together...! I also don't really know what to do, knowing that everything works in manual mode... but it's a pain.

Davidok · Answer

Hello

I have the same problem, but after a shock (no matter how small)
No more autofocus, yet it works very well after 70mm and in manual mode.

I’m going to a repair shop this afternoon, let's keep our fingers crossed for the bill.

BJ46 · Answer

Sympathy to those who will have to pay for repairs.
I believe the 18-55 is an "entry-level" lens, meant to create an accessible kit.
Maybe this is the opportunity to choose a brighter, and perhaps more reliable, lens...
Having opted for a bridge camera, it will be the whole thing that I'll have to throw away in case of a problem!
I will have the accessories left!
Sincerely, J-C.

#jim · Answer

Yesterday I had this problem with my EOS 500D.
The autofocus is searching but never completes, however, the manual focus was still working.
I tested with other lenses, same issue.
I cleaned the sensors, same.
I reset the settings and C Fn, and miracle! What a relief, without autofocus it's tough^^

LN · Answer

Hello,
I have the same problem with the EOS 450D, 18-55 mm lens
What do you mean by "I reset the settings and C Fn"? Can you explain the procedure to me?
If I buy a new lens, do you think it will work? Or is it coming from the camera?
Thank you for your reply.

Mihawk · Answer

Hello,  If the manual focus works but the autofocus doesn't, then the issue probably lies with the autofocus motor in the lens, right?  -- Mihawk "As long as we don't do it, we won't know."

Laurie · Answer

Hello everyone,

I'm having the same problem with my Canon EOS 450D: no autofocus and therefore no photos (it happened suddenly, in the middle of a photo shoot). I'm trying manual focus but it only works when I'm in manual mode.
I've tested it with a telephoto zoom and the same problem, no autofocus, and manual focus only works in manual mode.
So, I conclude that the issue is with the camera body. Does anyone have an explanation? I've heard about planned obsolescence by industries: the product is made to fail after the warranty so that you have to buy a new one.
Of course, my warranty has expired. And shooting in manual mode + manual focus is quite inconvenient. How much does a repair cost?

topzoe · Answer

I just had the same problem with my 450D, no more AF on my 18-55 lens.
I looked online for information, and I found it!!
Inside the lens, there's a flexible circuit that was cut in two... it looks like a translucent orange plastic ribbon with copper tracks.
Apparently, this is a common defect with these lenses...
The good news is that the part is easily found on eBay (with the keywords: flex cable canon) for about 4 euros.
However, you shouldn't be all thumbs when disassembling/reassembling the lens...
There are videos on YouTube that explain the process.
That's it.

dorianef · Answer

Hello, I have the same kind of problem but with a Canon EOS 1100D. I can no longer take photos in AF, the focus doesn't work. But in manual mode, it does. Do you know a solution??

tickele · Answer

Hello,

I have the same problem with my EOS 450D. I followed your advice but unfortunately it focuses only once. I have to move the ring several times for it to work again, but still only for one shot... Do you have any other tips to avoid buying a new lens??? Please, thank you very much.
In manual mode, no issues.

Benette · Answer

I had the same problem with my CANON EOS 1100D. Just remove the lens and slightly force the autofocus. When you reattach it, everything should be back to normal. It worked for me in 5 seconds.

chrispub · Answer

Hello,

I think I have the same problem you've encountered before.

I've had a CANON EOS 550D for over 3 years.
It's paired with a TAMRON 55-200 mm lens.

For a few weeks now, the autofocus has been struggling; it keeps going back and forth and can't stabilize, which makes shooting impossible (except in manual focus).

Do you think this is due to the camera body or the lens?
If it's the lens, can I trust TAMRON again?

Thank you.

line20 · Answer

Hello, I would like to thank everyone who participated in this forum. I hadn't thought that the malfunction could come from the lens. Before reluctantly going to a technician to repair my Canon 450D, I came to read your emails.. After cleaning, when switching the lens to MF, the camera worked. On AF, it did not. I tried the lens from my Canon 300D, which has also been broken for a long time. Everything works perfectly well. Thanks again.

komah · Answer

Hello everyone,  I had the same problem with my EOS 1000D. I took the lens apart and put it back together and it was fine.  Thank you all.

tony95 · Answer

Hello  I have my brother who has a reflex camera and a Hama lens, I believe. His problem is that the autofocus on the lens gets stuck, the ring doesn't turn anymore, and there's a clicking noise. The motor works but no longer drives the focusing ring. After testing on another camera, the problem indeed comes from the lens; it is often cleaned and stored in a shockproof case, and the camera hasn't had any impacts. So I took it apart to see the issue, and after a few hours, removing the gears, accessing the drive pulley, micro-motor belt, a pinion shaft was indeed stuck, which prevented all the small joints and shafts from engaging and driving this infamous focusing ring. After reassembling and completely cleaning the system, the autofocus ring now turns correctly, but strangely, the focus struggles to lock on a target from a distance; there is surely a recalibration to be done. And like most posts here, this gear is just 3 years old, costs a fortune, and is no longer under warranty.. Good luck to everyone, and don't hesitate to take it apart; the whole system is located at the beginning of the lens: gears, motor, pulley, belt... patience and chronology might help you avoid having to buy new gear.

Mahdid216 · Answer

Good evening. I have a problem quite similar to everyone who has posted here with a Nikon D3200: When I turn it on in the morning after it has been off all night, the shutter release isn't immediate... It's as if it struggles to achieve focus the first time after being idle for a while... Then it works again as if nothing happened... And sometimes, sometimes, I have to detach the lens to clean the small contact balls on the lens otherwise I can't take a photo... Does anyone have any idea about this? Thank you...

photoman · Answer

No more focusing issues, no more red dots on a 550D equipped with a 15/85. After reading your messages, I turned the ring at the base of the lens several turns in both directions and... ...the focus is working again. Certainly a dust problem. Thanks for the advice!

Manou · Answer

THANK YOU very much!!!

Focusing issue on Canon Eos 450d

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