help... 17-85 won't focus

[Mikester]

Anyone ever had this problem? My lense that I bought with the camera efs 17-85 just stopped focusing properly. Never had the problem before. It keeps hunting for the focus. Any suggestions on what I should try?
Thanks

[GyRob]

try cleaning the cotact's on the lens and camera / set centre point only and try again.
Rob.

[Mikester]

Thanks for the suggestion.
Yup. Tried that. I even have a good quality contact cleaner and did both sets.
Tried centre point only. I put it on tripod even. Push button half way to focus image is blurry. I press the button a few more times and sometimes it is in focus but most of the time it is not. Even when the camera is never moved. Always on the tripod in lots of light.

[GyRob]

mm dont know what else one could do , i take it youv tried a diffrent lens on the camera to show it works ok.
Rob.

[CyberPet]

Checked so that the AF is turned on on the lens? It *can* happen that you push it accidently to MF.

[Pete]

Could be a dirty mirror/AF screen (above the mirror, on the way to the viewfinder). Take your lens off and see if there's any smears on the mirror itself or the piece of glass above.

Could also be a hardware AF unit failure as well. When you're in AF mode, will the centre AF point light up when you manually focus?

If I was you, check the cleanliness of the mirror/AF sensor screen. If it's clean inside, take the lens back for repair under warranty.

Does it happen with your other lenses?

[TeeJay]

Silly question, but what are you pointing the camera at when you half-press the button - and how well lit is whatever you are aiming at.

Try pointing at a well-lit subject preferably at an edge where two contrasting colours meet. Give the lens as much to lock onto as possible.

[Mikester]

I tried Manual Focus and I can focus the lense very well no problem there.
Pete, it looks clean. I don't see anything on the screen. Good thought tho.

I tried my other lenses and they are fine.
Bummer. I guess it is time for repair.

[TeeJay]

Does it happen with your other lenses?

That's a very good point - does your 24-70 work OK?

[Mikester]

Yup. 24-70 works like a charm.
I was thinking of selling the 17-85 a while back. Should have... I like it's range tho.

[Pete]

Same thing happened to my 24-105 just after I got it (suddenly gave up the AF ghost - didn't even get bashed).

Repair time for yours, I think. FYI, I sold mine when I got the 24-105. Even though the 17-85 was a great walk-around - the extra range and quality of the 24-105 just made sense to me.