Canon 50mm 1.4 lens has stopped focussing

Hi all,

I seem to have developed a problem with my Canon 50mm 1.4 lens paired up with a 400D body recently. The lens fails to focus on objects within a couple of metres but distance objects say over 2 metres away are fine.

Is there something wrong with the lens or the camera (problem with the auto focus) ?

Any suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks

do you have another DSLR you can test the lens to see if it is just your camera?

mikej708 wrote in post #12493028
do you have another DSLR you can test the lens to see if it is just your camera?

Unfortunately not

Well do your other lens's focus correctly or do you have any other lens's?

The 50 1.4 is known for having a sensitive focusing motor. If I remember correctly, there's some little gear that can break/dislodge if the lens is bumped into something, especially if the lens is hit from the front.

mikej708 wrote in post #12493047
Well do your other lens's focus correctly or do you have any other lens's?

I also have a 70-300mm DO and 10-22mm which both seem to focus fine within its range so I guess its the lens?

Then I would guess it is the lens since your other lens's focus fine.

Exactly what mine did a few months ago. Probably needs a new rack gear and some other bits...you'll find the parts are 'No Longer Available', and when it comes back the focus mechanism is even rougher than it was before it failed.

bartmannz wrote in post #12493105
Exactly what mine did a few months ago. Probably needs a new rack gear and some other bits...you'll find the parts are 'No Longer Available', and when it comes back the focus mechanism is even rougher than it was before it failed.

No longer available? It's still a current lens, so I doubt Canon wouldn't have parts - if that's the case then warranty repairs would be difficult.

See threads on here very often about focusing failing on this lens, it badly needs replacing - even if just an update to a newer focusing mechanism.

I suspect a mk II model to come out shortly, i can scan and post up my canon repair invoice if you like. Actually I think there was a post on canon rumors about a 50 mk II coming out soon too. I'm waiting a bit before replacing it, I just don't like it since its been repaired even tho it functions fine.
Canon have been neglecting the prime market for far to long.

Canon has apparently patented a 50mm 1.4 USM:
http://www.canonrumors​.com/2011/05/patent-ef-50-f1-4/
About time...

Exactly the same thing with mine, used to stick somewhere between 0.45 and 0.6 and I'd have to turn the focus ring manually to get it to go past the sticking point. People have said it's because it has taken a knock or something, my belief personally is it's just a crap design as it's happened to quite a few folks, I've looked after my gear.

Anyway, I've posted this beofre and the good news is you can do this: Fix it yourself.

It just takes paitence and being careful keeping the parts in one place so you don't lose them. Think it cost me £1 for the screwdriver for the small screws which would be considerably cheaper than what Canon would charge to fix their crappy AF mechanism.

Welcome to the club, mine quit 6 months after purchase.

This lens is known for having the focus die. If it is under warranty Canon will fix it for free. If not you'll have to pay to have it fixed and it isn't cheap.

I sold mine after having it fixed and replaced it with the Sigma 50 1.4.