I have a Canon EF 50mm 1:1.4. When I try to focus automatically, the lens makes a grinding noise and goes back and forth without focusing. Manual mode seems to work, but my eyes aren't good enough to be sure I'm focusing properly. It's a midrange priced lens, not the cheapest, not the most expensive. I doubt I can have it repaired without spending more than I paid for it. Any suggestions -- or is the lens a goner as I fear?
With thanks for any help, including suggestions for a replacement.
@catwoman2 Mine only does that if it can't get the focus in which case I have to move - have you tried backing away slightly from the subject that usualy solves it for me ?
Unfortunately the Canon 50mm f/1.4 is renowned for autofocus failures -- it may be the single most fragile lens in Canon's current lineup. There is a very flimsy plastic mechanism which can easily deform, and any significant pressure on the front of the lens barrel can bend this and break the autofocus.
This pressure can be caused by doing something as simple as packing the lens in a bag without first moving the focus to infinity (retracting the front barrel). It's very much advised to always store the lens focused to infinity, and with a lens hood always fitted, to prevent this damage.
The only good news is that this is such a common failure that Canon are forced to repair it for a low price, around $100 in the US, which is pretty economical compared to buying a new lens.
Alternatively, if you are technically-minded, you can try and repair it yourself, although bear in mind this is a complex repair (or rather, getting to the bit that needs repairing is complex) and you can easily make things worse:
@abirkill So I was remembering correctly -- this is the second 50mm to do this to me! They seem to last a couple of years and then one day they just can't focus automatically. I might have bumped it against the door frame or something. I'll look into having it repaired -- would you recommend sending it directly to Canon? Thanks so much -- it's a nice little lens but I had no idea it was so fragile.
@catwoman2 Yes, I'd definitely recommend sending it direct, involving a camera shop only ever seems to result in more delays, more miscommunication, and more hassle.
In the US I think you can arrange the whole thing online here:
Edit: Incidentally, a hood works so well on this lens because it mounts to the outside edge of the lens that doesn't move, rather than the internal barrel that extends when focusing, so it protects the barrel from taking the impact even if you do accidentally knock the lens. It might be worth picking one up -- the Canon hood is around $25, but there are third-party hoods available for a lot less, and the only real difference is the lack of a logo and lower-quality 'flocking' material on the inside surfaces.
ha! I am having the same problem with my Nikon 200mm lens, sometimes it will focus and other times it goes back and forth without focusing on anything. Really annoying
@abirkill@catwoman2
Hi. I've recently had my 50mm 1.4 fixed - less expensive than buying a new one. Thanks Alexis for all the information about the best way to store it/ care for it - very generous of you to share all your knowledge.
I took my faulty lens to a local camera repair shop, rather than going back to the manufacturer. It cost me £50, they did a really good job, they were really quick (2 days) and the lens is smoother than sharper than it ever was from new - worth a try (get a quote first)
@Taffy is right -- I have had this lens repaired once just about a year after purchase, and less than a year later, it is in need to being repaired again. What annoys me is that i had it repaired through Calumet, where I bought it new, so Canon has no record of this repair being done in my name. They did offer to send me a shipping label and to give me an estimate for repairing it, but the repair I already paid was half the cost of buying another, and I am debating whether it's worth continuously repairing such a relatively inexpensive lens that I could repurchase. It's my favorite lens when it works. And it's the only lens I have ever had repaired. (and one of the few I have ever purchased new.)
@abirkill Thanks again, Alexis, for your helpful tips. I looked at the price of used lens of the expensive variety -- I don't think that's the way to go. It's either replace or repair the one I have. A hood sounds like a good idea!
@pistonbroke Pete -- it's so hard to find a camera repair shop -- the Calumet store in DC closed and the nearest one is a long, traffic congested drive to Rockville. There's also a place in Baltimore but it's a trick to find it, I hear. So it's either send it to Canon or replace it -- and treat the new one like an uncooked egg.
@jyokota I'm thinking along the same lines, Junko -- and leaning toward replacing it. Like you, I love the lens when it works, but I've already replaced it once. The last time I took a lens to Calumet, they sent it to Canon. According to the man I talked to, they no longer do in-house repairs. It was a couple of months before they told me the cost of repairing my lens was almost as much as buying a new one.
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This pressure can be caused by doing something as simple as packing the lens in a bag without first moving the focus to infinity (retracting the front barrel). It's very much advised to always store the lens focused to infinity, and with a lens hood always fitted, to prevent this damage.
The only good news is that this is such a common failure that Canon are forced to repair it for a low price, around $100 in the US, which is pretty economical compared to buying a new lens.
Alternatively, if you are technically-minded, you can try and repair it yourself, although bear in mind this is a complex repair (or rather, getting to the bit that needs repairing is complex) and you can easily make things worse:
http://www.fotomozaic.ro/artikel.php?idstory=225&s=1
In the US I think you can arrange the whole thing online here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer?pageKeyCode=onlineRepairLanding
Edit: Incidentally, a hood works so well on this lens because it mounts to the outside edge of the lens that doesn't move, rather than the internal barrel that extends when focusing, so it protects the barrel from taking the impact even if you do accidentally knock the lens. It might be worth picking one up -- the Canon hood is around $25, but there are third-party hoods available for a lot less, and the only real difference is the lack of a logo and lower-quality 'flocking' material on the inside surfaces.
Hi. I've recently had my 50mm 1.4 fixed - less expensive than buying a new one. Thanks Alexis for all the information about the best way to store it/ care for it - very generous of you to share all your knowledge.