Question on foucusing/unable to take photo

J

jimmy83

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James
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A number of times with different lenses I struggle to be able to take an actual photo, then lens with just focus in and out when you press the trigger halfway down. Then when I fully press the trigger the camera doesnt take the photo, but just zooms in/out again.

Iam sure there is a basic answer to this, but its stumped me :amstupid:
 
As above, also the camera may have a setting where it only allows a shot when in focus, otherwise it wont do anything.
 
Well I originally thought it was because I was too close to the subject but I was taking photos off my balcony last night down the street and had the problem last night :(
 
I just re-read my thread. I know I'm still a noob, but crikey I knew nothing back then.

My issue was identical to yours. when half pressed, the focus ring would rotate fully in one direction, then fully in the other, all at constant speed, settling just beyond infinity. Best test subject to confirm it is something like a lamp shade. Lots of contrast and plenty of light.
 
If you are shooting in one shot mode then the Camera will not fire unless it has achieved focus - I suspect this is your problem especially as you say that it happened last night. Does the same thing happen in good daytime light?
 
Sounds like your 400D is struggling to get focus. This generally happens in poor light, or if you have a bad connection between camera and lens.

If it's poor light, the camera works well if you give it a contrast edge, so something with a light and dark edge on it works great.
 
As Byker says the camera actually need something to focus on, it's looking for a contrast, a large flat area all one tone won't present a good target, try something like railing or window frames.
Are you using a single focus point or several?
 
You were shooting at night which is why it won't focus, for night shots you need to manual focus or autofocus on a bright part of the image (street light for example) and the use autofocus lock, recompose, then press the shutter all the way down.

Cameras have trouble recognise subjects in darkness which is why it will "hunt".
 
Unless you are outside of the focusing range of the camera, or possibly that its too dark or that you are trying to capture a screen where not enough contrast exists, then it sounds like a camera fault.

Paul
www.photographybyriddell.co.uk
 
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