Digital Rebel 300D lock out problme when trying to focus or take a picture

[coxwain]

Hello all, i am new to these forums but they look like the thing I was looking for
I own a digital rebel 300d 1.1 firmware and have been getting an intermittant locking of the the camera where it would complete the autofocus or take a picture. Is this the camera body problem or a user problem?

I am a novice so all suggestions are welcome

I own the film rebel and really ownly used the preset functions. I find the rebel needs more tweaking and am not sure where to start.

thanks

[Vega$50]

You mean it shuts off? Takes the picture and does nothing else?
I am slightly confused as to what is happening.
If it turns on and you can go through all of the set up for your shot then I would venture a guess and say the camera is fine.
If you take the picture and the camera stops functioning it could be...the battery is not fully charged, or damaged. The battery door is not closed completely. The CF door is not closed completely.
If those are ok, I would check the connection of your lens to the body. Are the contacts clean? Is it the proper lens for your camera. Do you have a CF card in your camera?
If so then I would look at your CF card. Try to reformat it. If it doesn't work, try a new, or different brand.

If none of this works....Call Canon and send it in, or if it is brand new....go exchange it....good luck!

[robertwgross]

Tell us specifics.

Tell us the exposure mode of the camera. Tell us what lens is mounted. Tell us exactly what happens this situation happens. Is there a message on the rear display, or the top display or in the viewfinder? Is a message flashing?

---Bob Gross---

[coxwain]

I dont have the exact settings remembered but I will make note next time it happens.

Here is a general description
I can be taking pictures with the 18-55mm lens it comes with and for what ever reason Ipush the button and the camera seems dead it shows #s in the viewfinder (i will make note of them) but they don't change, it doesnt focus and it doesnt take a picture.

If I change the zoom or switch off the af to mf and then back to af it seems to work. This problem is not specific to this lens, cf card or battery that is why I think its the body. I just got the 550ex flash for christmas and it still happens.

I will make note of everything in the display for next time
thanks

[robertwgross]

Yes, exact settings may be helpful. The exposure mode is most important. The numbers displayed in the viewfinder may be normal exposure values. That tells you that the camera has an exposure solution, unless one of the values is flashing.

Without knowing details, I could offer one guess that your subject was too close for any kind of focus, so the camera inhibited the shot. You can eliminate that possibility by moving across the room to try again.

---Bob Gross---

[Bodog]

Is the white "in-focus" dot in the lower right corner of the view finder flashing? That means the lens can't obtain focus. The shutter won't release if the lens is not focused. The autofocus does may not always lock, especially on a low contrast subject. (or As Robert G. sez, if you're too close)
JimE

[Hellashot]

I believe the Drebel firmware version has been at 1.1.1 for a while. It may help to use the proper version.

[cmM]

are you getting any type of error? err99? 01?

[Kinger]

I have a feeling that Bodog has the right answer here, the camera is not achieving proper focus so it will not let the user take the picture. There could also be an exposure issue here as weel, which i preventing the shot. In order to know this we will have to know whether or not the "numbers in the viewfinder" are blinking when the shutter button is depressed.