Hey folks,
Been using the 40D (picked it up from a fried) for a couple of weeks now.
Noticed that the AF locks on when the shutter's pressed, and then it just freezes without clicking (despite a fully depressed button). Manages to correct itself back again with the next click. Very inconsistent!
Have already missed a few wildlife "moments" due to this
Thought the AI servo and continuous tracking was causing this, but even changing AF drive to Single shot resulted in the same.
when you say 'freezes' do you mean it just fails to trip the shutter ? or does it lock up completely?
there is a known issue with the xxD bodies (actualy most canon bodies) . the shutter button can become a problem. sometimes the reason is dirt has got in the works . other times its the button that has failed.
if you have either the grip or a remote release you can test the camera by not using the normal shutter button. that will tell you if the button is at fault.
from there if the button is an issue you have a couple of options.
1. if your brave
2. send camera in for a button replacement. be warned its not cheap. if you look up shutter button replacement on youtube you can see some DIY (which for the real brave is an option also) . that will show you how much of the camera has to come apart to replace the button. which then makes the final bill seem understandable
By the way I have done #1. its easy and it works .
Thanks Ian! The one remote shutter I tried would lock on AF and then not take the picture at all (trying another one today to rule out faulty remote) :|
A friend also suggested looking at possible Custom function options that could be preventing the shutter when the option is set to something on the lines of "click only if focus is locked"
Will check/try tonight and report. Appreciate the time and tips
Well you can eliminate that function by setting the lens to MF . the camera wont be bothered if you have focus on not .
problem is if its not a simple fix like user error or the AF sensor needs a clean , or the shutter button fix then it could be quite expensive compared to the value of the 40D
other things to try, these are more stab in the dark might cure a problem type fixes are
. check and update the firmware.
. reset ALL settings back to default . there is an option in the menu for this.
. Take out BOTH batteries. (there is a button cell under a cover in the battery compartment). this often helps with things that cant be explained
good luck. the 40D is a fine camera. mine served me well enough for quite some time. but i will say trying 'better' cams like the 1D2n and the 7D showed me where the 40D was lacking. I now own both the mk2n and 7D (mk2n will be sold soon) .
Now glass is a different proposition.
Ive made some bad choices there. The old sigma 170-500 when I had my first DSLR (Pentax) was probably the worst.
Letting my first 100-400 go to buy a printer was right up there as well
Update:
Not much really, but tried the Cable release and also reset the custom functions.
From the few clicks tried in the garden the issue did not seem to crop up. A field test should be able to conclusively tell (hopefully this week)
your following my path