Just got a 50 1.4...and I need help! ):

So after saving up, I was finally able to buy my own lens! I'm clueless when it comes to the technical side of things, but I've used the 50 1.4 on my Rebel XSI and I know I wanted that lens(I'm getting a 5D classic in a few weeks and LOVE the 50 on that)

So my boss recommended Adorama. He bought his 50 1.4 & 135L from them. So I went through them and got a refurbished 50 1.4.(It had a good rating and everything)

I get it today and go to put it on my camera... Focus on a lamp and it works and then....nada. I can't auto focus on ANYTHING else. I turned off my camera. Switched the AF/Manuel focus switch(I can focus just fine manually)
And now I'm all freaking out. Do I need to set something in my camera? Does it even work on the Rebel??? Or is the autofocus just busted in the lens?
Can I return/exchange?(I called, but apparently they are super busy and didn't want to put me on hold...)

I'm not technical AT ALL and I'm at loss(and mad, and flustered.) So thought I'd post here and thought you guys might be able to help me!! (and I don't even know if I put this in the right forum....)

thanks,
-Alex

You said you focused on the lamp and it works. Have you tried focusing only in a dark room? "Dark" to a camera is plenty of light for humans though. Go outside when it's sunny and try again on a specific object - a large tree, for example. Do you have all points selected or just one? If you're using one point make sure the red dot is right on the object when looking through the viewfinder.

Make sure the auto-focus switch in completely in the "AF" position. If it is and it still won't focus, you'll probably need to send it back. The focus mechanism in the 50 1.4 is notoriously fragile and easily broken with a bump to the front of the lens.

I'm not sure if the XSI has the function but my 40D has a setting where you prevent the AF from hunting when the camera deems it not possible to focus (too dark, no contrast). So, if I'm in a dark room, or trying to focus on a white wall even when it's in auto focus the lens wont do anything because it doesn't have anything it thinks it can focus on to.

I played some more... it will work if I *help* it focus on something further away. And then will work if I try to focus on something close, but then doesn't do a thing when I try to focus further away again.... I messed with it in a really bright room, so I know its not cause its to dark to find a focal point....
I think I just need to try and call and get it fixed. :-/

Alex, what does happen when you try to AF? Also, when you switch to MF can you manually focus over the whole range?

I ask because as was said, the 50 AF can get thrown out of whack but it can also limit the MF range. At any rate, a "fix" requires taking the lens apart, so it would need to go into the shop.

I'm a little confused. This is your first lens? I just looked at your site. What have you been doing?

digital paradise wrote in post #13499632
I'm a little confused. This is your first lens? I just looked at your site. What have you been doing?

Yes, confusing... maybe only rented lenses...? OP said "buy my own lens"...

when you half press the shutter, does the motor in the lens even attempt to focus?

op i would also try it on another body. eliminate the chance that the problem is the lens and not the body. if it works on another body, then it might be your body and not your lens. if your boss recommended the lens, i assume he or she has experience with the lens, you can try your 50 on your boss' camera bodies.

My guess is that you're either too close or it is too dark. I think the minimum distance for that lens is 1.5 feet under which the lens won't focus. Also, as others have mentioned above, the AF won't work if the lighting is way too dark.

tonylong wrote in post #13499625
Alex, what does happen when you try to AF? Also, when you switch to MF can you manually focus over the whole range?

I ask because as was said, the 50 AF can get thrown out of whack but it can also limit the MF range. At any rate, a "fix" requires taking the lens apart, so it would need to go into the shop.

I can use MF over the whole range. Close, far and everything in between. If its focused on something far, and I go focus on something close(AF is on right now) it will focus. But when I go to focus it back on something far, it doesn't.

digital paradise wrote in post #13499632
I'm a little confused. This is your first lens? I just looked at your site. What have you been doing?

mguffin wrote in post #13499694
Yes, confusing... maybe only rented lenses...? OP said "buy my own lens"...

Haha, yeah. BUY my own lens. I've been blessed with many, many great people(with wonderful equipment) in my life that let me barrow their stuff for my shoots... Slowly being able to save $$$ and buy the stuff for myself!

imjason wrote in post #13499930
when you half press the shutter, does the motor in the lens even attempt to focus?

op i would also try it on another body. eliminate the chance that the problem is the lens and not the body. if it works on another body, then it might be your body and not your lens. if your boss recommended the lens, i assume he or she has experience with the lens, you can try your 50 on your boss' camera bodies.

I can't even hear the motor when i press the focus button(I use back focus...) Like its not even there...
It might be my body, but I doubt it... I called my boss and he actually had the same problem with the same lens from Adorama. He sent it back for an exchange and the new one works just fine.... we're thinking they just send this one out every time. haha.

Genmai wrote in post #13500035
My guess is that you're either too close or it is too dark. I think the minimum distance for that lens is 1.5 feet under which the lens won't focus. Also, as others have mentioned above, the AF won't work if the lighting is way too dark.

Well what's weird is that the AF works on closer things. I point it at a brightly lit(Because I thought the same thing at first.. everything is to dark) picture frame 15ft away and it won't do a thing... Unless I need to point it at the sun to have it be bright enough... hahaha.


I called Adorama. And they said to send it back and they'll send me a new one. Covering my shipping and jazz so I'm not loosing anything(but time...). If the new has this problem I'll just refund it and buy it new from Canon.

Thanks for the help, everyone!!!!

Sounds like you have very good friends as you build your business.

Yep, just send it back. Mine focused fairly quickly and very accurately. Did a lot of shooting at f/2 with that lens and it did great.

Maybe they DO keep sending out that bad copy!

dave

Sounds like the lens is faulty. Send it back for an exchange, and maybe contact Helen Oster about it, she's the Adorama rep on these boards, and a very helpful lady!

Or return it and get the sigma version

Sirrith wrote in post #13502202
Sounds like the lens is faulty. Send it back for an exchange, and maybe contact Helen Oster about it, she's the Adorama rep on these boards, and a very helpful lady!

Or return it and get the sigma version

Haha read my mind! Sounds like something is not right with that lens, I would just send it back.