EF50 1.4 USM AF Problem

I love my 50 1.4 USM, problem is though that it no longer will AF. I have tried it on both my 40D and on my 7D. What might the problem be? Is best route to send it into Canon? How much would it cost to fix? Is there anything else I should be trying to do? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I consider it a valued part of my kit.

Image below was taken before the problem started with 20D and EF50 1.4 USM in Av mode, ISO 200, 1/200 sec, f/2.0

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …ACK1_zps3b868d3​1.jpg.html

Heya,

If you search, this is a problem that comes up with the 50mm F1.4 often. If you bumped the front of the lens, it sometimes knocks out the autofocus. Repair would cost too much to bother with, considering a new one is only $300. I think there is a self-repair method, not sure if you're into that.

Very best,

This is a known issue with the lens, unfortunately. Repairs cost around $150. Best way to prevent it seems to be babying the lens: no bumping the front part that extends, switching to MF before storage etc...

Alternatively, wait for the new Sigma 50 Art to be released. It will be very soon, and it will be much better optically than your current 50. Although price-wise it will cost more.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Perhaps I should sell mine. I take great care of all my lenses,
but if it is a common problem with the lens...

if you are brave, there are some videos on youtube on how to fix it.

i had a broken one a while back, like yours. I sold it on ebay for close to $200. i listed the problem with and stated it wasnt functional and was sold as-is for repairs or parts. it sold within a few hours.

First off, nice picture and optics. If it were me I would look into repairing the lens since it would still be cheaper than buying new.

I just had mine fixed at Canon Canada. Flat rate $99 repair plus shipping and taxes - was about $140 all in. Canon USA's repair rate appears to be $120, I presume you'll need to pay shipping both ways there too.

It's a common problem, so I'm sure Canon will be able to fix it. So the question is do you want to
1. Pay $150 to fix it
2. Buy a used one for ~$300
3. Buy a new one for $400
4. Say screw it and ditch the lens.

Note for options 2-4 you could sell your non-working lens - they're still worth a decent amount as per pdrober2 above. Good luck whatever way you go.

pdrober2 wrote in post #16651567
i had a broken one a while back, like yours. I sold it on ebay for close to $200. i listed the problem with and stated it wasnt functional and was sold as-is for repairs or parts. it sold within a few hours.

Thank you one and all for the excellent advice; If as prober2 has said and I am able to get $200.00 for my lens as is and as a new one is $339.00 which would then cost me $139.00 for a brand new lens; would that not be the best course of action?

Airedale1 wrote in post #16654152
Thank you one and all for the excellent advice; If as prober2 has said and I am able to get $200.00 for my lens as is and as a new one is $339.00 which would then cost me $139.00 for a brand new lens; would that not be the best course of action?

Like I said, wait and see what the new Sigma is like price and performance wise first
Even if you do get a new one for $339, there's no guarantee it won't happen again since this is an inherent design flaw of the current EF 50/1.4.

Airedale1 wrote in post #16654152
Thank you one and all for the excellent advice; If as prober2 has said and I am able to get $200.00 for my lens as is and as a new one is $339.00 which would then cost me $139.00 for a brand new lens; would that not be the best course of action?

You may or may not get the $200 for the 50 f1.4 as is, but if you like the optics in the one you currently have then I'm with the keep and repair argument.