canon 50mm 1.4 AF problem.. arghhhh!

[louise-knight]

Hello, I had a shoot on Sunday and got totally stressed out with my 50, on occasion it decided to behave, but the rest of the time, the focus was completely messing about not working :(

It'll focus in & out, then settle in a mass of bokeh & fuzziness and tell me it's focussed on whichever point, which quite clearly it hasn't..

It's only about 18months old, I've had it since new, well looked after.. I thought maybe the filter I had on it may be affecting it, but noooope. I had it on my 30D then I tried it on my 450D.. no difference!

I've searched a bit but haven't found much in the way of AF problems, has anyone else experienced this? It was fine until Sunday, and is (WAS) my favourite lens!

[Radiohead]

This lens is well known for frying it's USM motor - I know wedding togs who buy one a year at least.

[louise-knight]

This lens is well known for frying it's USM motor - I know wedding togs who buy one a year at least.

Really?? How would that even happen? A wedding photographer maybe - I can just about get that, but I haven't used this lens anywhere near as much as I would if I were shooting weddings for a living.. :shrug:

[Radiohead]

Not sure - it's a cheap USM in that lens though and they go with alarming regularity. Is it still under warranty?

[louise-knight]

Not sure - it's a cheap USM in that lens though and they go with alarming regularity. Is it still under warranty?

I don't think so.. the warranty is only 12 months isn't it? I don't know how it works :S

So are you telling me that I've spent near £250 on a lens when I could've bought the 1.8 for less than half the price & it probably would've lasted longer?!

[Raymond Lin]

I think i can argue that "fit for a purpose" under the Sales of Good Act that it should last more than 12 months for something that's £250 with no zoom !

I'd contact Canon for a replacement.

[daugirdas]

I think i can argue that "fit for a purpose" under the Sales of Good Act that it should last more than 12 months for something that's £250 with no zoom !

I'd contact Canon for a replacement.

I'd contact the shop / seller, not canon.

Did you have lens hood always on in the upright position? That is the best way to prevent failure as even a light tap to the front thread damages the AF on this lens.

Thats why I didn't get one.

[louise-knight]

I think i can argue that "fit for a purpose" under the Sales of Good Act that it should last more than 12 months for something that's £250 with no zoom !

I'd contact Canon for a replacement.

Thanks, I'm going to give it one more chance this week when I have a chance to get out with it, It was a bit murky on Sunday, but I thought this lens was meant to be great at focussing in crappy conditions?? (I wouldn't even call the conditions particularly crappy though..)

After that I'll get in touch with Canon, I'm no good at that stuff though, I can guarantee they'll feed me some rubbish and I'll agree, put the phone down & think.. hmph, now what?!

[daugirdas]

Ps. 1.8 mk2 is just as easy to break in other ways. I have seen both 1.8 and 1.4 broken.

f/1.8 mk1 is the most durable one but not as good optically as 1.4 (but better than mk2). Sadly they are quite old (20+ years) and many have problem with fungus, dust, marks, etc.

[louise-knight]

It's not even focussing on anything in my flat, with the flash to assist focus too.. aargghhhhhhhhh

[louise-knight]

Ps. 1.8 mk2 is just as easy to break in other ways. I have seen both 1.8 and 1.4 broken.

f/1.8 mk1 is the most durable one but not as good optically as 1.4 (but better than mk2). Sadly they are quite old (20+ years) and many have problem with fungus, dust, marks, etc.

Thanks for your help :)

[david1701]

rough it up a bit and it might start working, knew a guy that had one and the motor just turns itself off

then buy a hood and NEVER reverse it ;)