Why wont my camera work?

O.K Im trying to take some night snaps in manual mode but the camera wont work-shouldnt it work regardless when you are in manual? i.e I hold the button down but the shutter wont open, but if I change the lighting conditions or focus onsomething closer it works-what gives?

Sounds like it won't fire if it doesn't have focus confirmation. That can be changed with a custom function on a 5D or... put the lens into manual focus mode?

The Hoff has hit the nail on the head

So no matter what the cammera wont take a photo unless it has something to focus on? o.k Im guna quickly run outside and try manual focus-god I love this site-how good is it, 12:42 in the morn and I get an answer to my question in under two minutes!!!! You guys are ledgends!!!

No. If you put it on manual focus, it will take the pic.

Try switching custom function 4 to 1 or 3. That way, you use the * button for autofocus. By separating the shutter and the focus buttons, you don't have to worry about your shutter not firing when the camera doesn't think it's achieved focus.

There are a lot of other benefits to this custom function too .