Couldn't take pics!

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cam1986

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Anthony
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Took my daughter to Pembrey Country park today and it was a bit overcast. In some situations the camera refused to take a pic. It was on Auto. Tried on other settings like AV, Tv by increasing ISO, + more light etc. Still no joy.

Now, when i changed to Manual Focus the camera was fine!

Was it to do with the lens? Canon 18-55 is kit lens. Not enough light could enter the lens?
 
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Basically the autofocus couldn't find anything to focus on so it wouldn't let you take a picture.

This can happen in bad light and/or if you're trying to focus on a low contrast subject.
 
The camera will only shoot when its focused if its been set up that way. It could be you were too close to the subject or the lens just didnt have enough contrast to lock onto.

Changing mode or ISO or any setting like that will have no impact on focussing. The lens focusses using its widest aperture all the time, so if it wont focus, changing the aperture or ISO will make no difference. Make sure you focus on something definitive, like a change in colour, strong line etc.. The focus systems needs this to determine what to focus on.. trying to focus on a solid block of colour wont work.
 
Just Dave said:
reason I ask is I have a 7D and it wouldnt focus at all 3 times but its not done it again since, and that was over a month ago
Click to expand...


That can be easily caused by removing AF from the shutter button and (in this case) isn't specific to the 7D as it can be set on at least the 20D onward; the setting is just different depending on body type.

If that's combined with AF confirmation before shutter release then the camera won't fire if you don't use the AFOn/* buttons.
 
Probably just as I said then, not enough light or contrast to get a focus lock. Try it in bright daylight, see how it is then.
 
Then to add my 2p's worth i'd say it was probably not enough contrast for the AF to get a lock on anything. If this happens all you can do is practice your manual focusing skills or wait for the sun to come back out. I'm not sure the weather just being "a bit overcast" should affect the AF that badly though.

Did you notice what, if any, parts of your viewfinder information were flashing? Different bits flashing tells you different things about why the camera won't do something.
 
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It was in subdued lighting. Soon as i set it to manual focusing it was fine even though i am rubbish at manual focusing
 
Then it does just sound like it was the AF couldn't find something to focus on due to the low light leading to low contrast.
 
I've encountered this before with my 450D.

But mine turned out to be terminal and my kit lens now never works in AF. manual focus all the way for me now!

In different conditions will AF work?
 
DemiLion said:
That can be easily caused by removing AF from the shutter button and (in this case) isn't specific to the 7D as it can be set on at least the 20D onward; the setting is just different depending on body type.

If that's combined with AF confirmation before shutter release then the camera won't fire if you don't use the AFOn/* buttons.
Click to expand...

Ah that may well have been the problem with my 7D thanks Mark as I had it on back button focus probably
 
You may also find in dull conditions the lens struggles to focus if you have a polarizing filter attached. Happened to me a few months ago shooting a kids footy tournament in overcast conditions and forgot i had it on the lens!! :bang:
 
Do you have a filter on the lens?

First thing to do is try removing that. The camera and lens combination is perfectly capable of autofocus in most situations where the light is dim. What were the subjects it failed on?
 
I did have the CP on at first. Tried without and sometimes it didn't take a shot. In brighter light it is fine. Works all ways in manual.

It was very dull where i was trying to take pics.

Indoors it is fine though!
 
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