50mm f/1.8 focus problem

Sometimes when I switch to autofocus and I try to focus nothing happens. I put it to manual and then back to auto and it will work. When it is on manual it dosn't always feel very smooth. If I point the lens down and try to manual focus I can hardly even turn it, it feels like it is on auto focus but it isn't.

Anyone have any ideas? Is this a lens defect that B&H would just replace for me. The problem is I NEED this lens on november 4th to shoot homecoming (need the speed of the lens) and I'm afraid since B&H is closed a lot right now due to holidays and their weird schedule I might not be able to get a new one in time.

Thank you for any replies I appreciate it.

You can get nifty fifties all over the place. If you don't think B&H can give you a good one as exchange in time, you can always return it and purchase one at your local camera shop (make sure they have multiple copies on hand first so you can exchange if needed). Though there's a bit of a premium (only about $10-15 in most cases), it's well worth paying for rather than not getting your photos.

Tell B&H the problem and upgrade to the 50 f/1.4 The focus problems will disappear.

The 1.4's ridiculously soft wide open. The only redeeming part about it is the USM motor. But that doesn't really justify its much higher price imo. If you NEED the lens to have that extra stop and be quiet and focus a bit faster, then go for 1.4. Otherwise, nifty'll get you what you seek.

My 50 is exactly the same as the OPs.

DeepSpring wrote in post #2090837
Sometimes when I switch to autofocus and I try to focus nothing happens. I put it to manual and then back to auto and it will work. When it is on manual it dosn't always feel very smooth. If I point the lens down and try to manual focus I can hardly even turn it, it feels like it is on auto focus but it isn't.

Anyone have any ideas? Is this a lens defect that B&H would just replace for me. The problem is I NEED this lens on november 4th to shoot homecoming (need the speed of the lens) and I'm afraid since B&H is closed a lot right now due to holidays and their weird schedule I might not be able to get a new one in time.

Thank you for any replies I appreciate it.

I have had a similar experience with this lens. I found that sometimes when I switch from manual to auto focus, the switch doesn't click in all the way.

I found as you switch from manual to auto just move the focus ring ever so slightly and it will click into place with no problem.

mxwphoto wrote in post #2091327
The 1.4's ridiculously soft wide open. The only redeeming part about it is the USM motor. But that doesn't really justify its much higher price imo. If you NEED the lens to have that extra stop and be quiet and focus a bit faster, then go for 1.4. Otherwise, nifty'll get you what you seek.

while i'm no fan of the 1.4 i think the 1.8 mark II is a piece of crap. there may be a big price difference but if you want/need the focal length the 1.4 is the way to go.

the USM motor of the 1.4 is not the superior RING USM so focussing can be sketchy in poor lighting just like most canon lenses without RING USM and most of the third party lenses.

when it decided to focus properly i did not find the 1.4 to be "ridiculously soft wide open."

ed rader

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I don't have the funds right now to be able to get the 1.4 and as I am only 16 I am looking to better my lens collection with a few basic sizes but they don't have to be of amazing quality right now.
I'll call B&H on tuesday and see if they will be able to replace/fix it after the 4th

ed rader wrote in post #2092135
while i'm no fan of the 1.4 i think the 1.8 mark II is a piece of crap. there may be a big price difference but if you want/need the focal length the 1.4 is the way to go.

the USM motor of the 1.4 is not the superior RING USM so focussing can be sketchy in poor lighting just like most canon lenses without RING USM and most of the third party lenses.

when it decided to focus properly i did not find the 1.4 to be "ridiculously soft wide open."

ed rader

i agree about the sketchy focussing in poor lighting. at a bbq friday night, here were a few shots that i had to manually focus because it was quite dark. there was a lamp post nearby with a round sphere on it. it actually added enough light for the pics to turn out. but it was still "dark" and focussing was very touchy. but i think the 50mm 1.4 is quite sharp as you can see the pics of my friends below.... and not "ridiculously soft wide open".

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my 50 1.8 did the same thing. Was just another thing I didnt like and sold it faster