XSi and 85mm -- Err 01

I just got myself an XSi body from a seller here, and an 85mm f/1.8 from a seller on ebay. The XSi has almost 18k shutter actuations, and the lens is used but in very good condition.


Within 10 minutes of taking it out of the box and I get an Err 01. After 4 days of trying lots of different things, I'm pretty sure the lens is at fault.
Symptoms: Anytime I stop down my aperture past f/1.8, I get the error.
I can use it fine as long I'm using shutter priority or manual -- it stays at f/1.8 and I can adjust the shutter to get the picture. But as soon as I put it in any other mode--full auto, the other auto settings, etc-- that will stop the aperture past f/1.8, I get the error.
It isn't a voltage problem (unless my battery is bad), it does it with a full charge and empty.

Does this sound like a lens problem and I need to send it back to the ebay seller? Do you guys have anything for me to try to solve the problem?

Another problem, maybe related, maybe it's just my inexperience. How do you get it to take pictures with the auto-focus? Manual focus works like should, but when I switch it to auto and press the shutter release, it just focuses and never does anything. What's that about?


Thanks for your help -- sorry for my newbie questions.

Have you tried cleaning the contacts?

Man, I feel for you !

When it comes to anything with electronics in it, I always try to buy brand new. If it turns out to be the lens, I hope you can return it.

crn3371 wrote in post #8253105
Have you tried cleaning the contacts?

Naturally.
But the contacts were never that dirty looking, and that never solved it. If it works fine at f/1.8, the contacts are obviously working then, right?

It isn't helping things that I don't have another body to test the lens on, or another lens to test the body on.

outbri wrote in post #8253292
Naturally.
But the contacts were never that dirty looking, and that never solved it. If it works fine at f/1.8, the contacts are obviously working then, right?

It isn't helping things that I don't have another body to test the lens on, or another lens to test the body on.

What did you clean the contacts with? I'd use a pencil eraser if you haven't already.

outbri wrote in post #8252824
Another problem, maybe related, maybe it's just my inexperience. How do you get it to take pictures with the auto-focus? Manual focus works like should, but when I switch it to auto and press the shutter release, it just focuses and never does anything. What's that about?


Thanks for your help -- sorry for my newbie questions.

Are you pressing the shutter button all the way down when you try to focus or just half way?

LisaRae82 wrote in post #8253325
What did you clean the contacts with? I'd use a pencil eraser if you haven't already.

Thanks for the tip, but why would the contacts consistently work fine at one aperture and never at another?

LisaRae82 wrote in post #8253362
Are you pressing the shutter button all the way down when you try to focus or just half way?

Both.
Halfway focuses and leaves it. All the way focuses it, unfocuses it, and continues that.


Since this is my thread I'm going to hijack it a bit (I still want answers to the original though! )
a) On the 85mm, should I be able to see the aperture open up and close
and b) at f/1.8, should I have to have a 1/60 shutter speed to get enough light in the picture with a 100 ISO, outside in the bright sunlight? To me it seems like I'm not really getting a 1.8 aperture.

outbri wrote in post #8253367
Thanks for the tip, but why would the contacts consistently work fine at one aperture and never at another?

Is the lens a Canon lens or a third party? Right after I purchased my XS I got a third party lens and It would only work wide open. I soon figured out that the lens was incompatible with my body.

LisaRae82 wrote in post #8253405
Is the lens a Canon lens or a third party? Right after I purchased my XS I got a third party lens and It would only work wide open. I soon figured out that the lens was incompatible with my body.

Oops, I forgot to put the brand in the original. I wasn't aware of another 85mm f/1.8 so I didn't put it. It's a genuine Canon lens.

The lens is wide open in its normal state. Its not until you depress the shutter that it actually stops down. Perhaps the lens diaphragm is stuck or faulty. My guess is that it is the lens, but it's too bad that you don't have another lens so you could rule out the body.

crn3371 wrote in post #8253426
The lens is wide open in its normal state. Its not until you depress the shutter that it actually stops down. Perhaps the lens diaphragm is stuck or faulty. My guess is that it is the lens, but it's too bad that you don't have another lens so you could rule out the body.

How much should it change between f/1.8 and f/22? When I put it to f/22 and depress the shutter release, it either tried to move or moves like it's supposed to. It moves probably less than 1mm. Does that mean it's stuck?

I would go to a camera store, try out another lens and if the problem is the lens send it back

watt100 wrote in post #8253680
I would go to a camera store, try out another lens and if the problem is the lens send it back

Almost an hour to the nearest, plus I don't get there very often.

You should be able to use the depth of field preview button - with it pushed and as you are changing the aperture settings, you should see the diaphragm stop down. If not, it sounds like the diaphragm mechanism is indeed stuck. Best of luck!