Please 400d - don't be broke!

LeeroyB · 14-09-2008, 5:17 PM

I'm fearing the worst after a trip to Stonehenge on Friday.

I, very foolishly I know, don't have a proper camera bag, so I popped it into a satchel to take with me.
It's now once I'm back home with it and went to use it for the first time just, that I noticed it won't take photos.

It turns on ok, focuses in af, I can look at the photos I've taken. I even hear the bleeps when I press the shutter down......................but it doesn't take a photo.

Does anyone have any ideas on what this could be please?

denno75uk · 14-09-2008, 6:10 PM

Sorry if this is a bit patronising, but is the card full? all I could think of.

LeeroyB · 14-09-2008, 6:17 PM

It is a valid question actually, because it did run out while I was there!
I've since deleted a couple of images though and it's definitely not showing "CF Card Full" as it would normally.

BrokenArrow · 14-09-2008, 6:45 PM

Perhaps the lens got a little twisted around.

I realise there's a safety button, but you never know. Although, I think when I tried taking photos with a slightly out of line lens it gave an error message.

Does it take a photo in manual focus?

Peakoverload · 14-09-2008, 6:56 PM

Is by chance your lens a Sigma? If so you may well find that it's one of those Sigma's that have a MF/AF switch BUT that also has a push/pull MF/AF focus ring. This caught me out once in that the the MF/AF switch was set to AF but the Focusing Ring was set to MF and this was stopping me from taking a shot

Other than that I can only think of obvious things to try:

1. Is the camera trying to use the pop up flash? If it is then is the flash able to pop up - maybe it got jammed in the satchel???

2. Batteries fully charged?

3. Does the lens have a Manual Focus switch on it? If so, is it set to AF? If it's set to MF and the image is out of focus then maybe the camera is stopping you from taking the shot?

4. Is the CF card properly seated?

LeeroyB · 14-09-2008, 7:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenArrow

Perhaps the lens got a little twisted around.

I realise there's a safety button, but you never know. Although, I think when I tried taking photos with a slightly out of line lens it gave an error message.

Does it take a photo in manual focus?

I did take the lens off and put it back on earlier, but still no joy.

It won't take a photo in either mf or af.

LeeroyB · 14-09-2008, 7:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peakoverload

Is by chance your lens a Sigma? If so you may well find that it's one of those Sigma's that have a MF/AF switch BUT that also has a push/pull MF/AF focus ring. This caught me out once in that the the MF/AF switch was set to AF but the Focusing Ring was set to MF and this was stopping me from taking a shot

Other than that I can only think of obvious things to try:

1. Is the camera trying to use the pop up flash? If it is then is the flash able to pop up - maybe it got jammed in the satchel???

2. Batteries fully charged?

3. Does the lens have a Manual Focus switch on it? If so, is it set to AF? If it's set to MF and the image is out of focus then maybe the camera is stopping you from taking the shot?

4. Is the CF card properly seated?

It's not a Sigma lens, just the standard kit lens.

There is something extra I have just found out which I can tell you about though!
When I went to take my first shot earlier, the flash did pop up. I tried to take a photo and then "busy" appeared on the screen. And that's when it wouldn't take a photo. Now though, after just trying, the flash won't even pop up.

In response to your other suggestions; the battery indicator is on full, it won't take a shot on either mf or af, and I have also taken the CF card out and in again.

Cheers

Luffy · 14-09-2008, 7:56 PM

try setting your camera to manual and manual focus and see if it will take a pic then that should bypass any electronics that think they know better

leaky5 · 14-09-2008, 7:59 PM

Have you tried it in different modes. ie. manual, aperture priority, shutter priority etc ?
Do you have a factory reset option in the menu system ?

Bobdk · 14-09-2008, 8:20 PM

I had a Canon 30E (film) camera and the flash stopped popping up, this resulted in the camera not taking pictures. Try taking a photo in very good light where the camera would not need to use a flash, either that or fit a flash-gun if you have one. I got my camera repaired under warranty so I don't know what the cost of a repair would be.

LeeroyB · 14-09-2008, 8:53 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. So far I've since tried:

Setting it to manual and manual focus. Still no joy.

Tried it in every mode possible. Still no joy.

Tried taking in bright light. Still no joy.

It's not looking good for me is it!

LeeroyB · 14-09-2008, 8:59 PM

I'm starting a Photography course at College on Tuesday as well

Peakoverload · 14-09-2008, 9:08 PM

When you press the flash release button, does it pop up?

LeeroyB · 14-09-2008, 9:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peakoverload

When you press the flash release button, does it pop up?

Nope.

Peakoverload · 14-09-2008, 10:03 PM

Right, well that's your problem.

I've seen this happen twice before. The first time was something internal that only Canon could repair. The 2nd time all that was required was to press the flash release button and then to lift up the pop up flash, it may require gentle force.

Basically when you press the button it releases a little catch and the spring lifts the flash up. All that was happening was that the catch wasn't releasing because there was some dirt lodged inside. A quick burst of air and a gentle rub around with a cotton bud fixed that.

Maybe you will be lucky

HTH

LeeroyB · 14-09-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peakoverload

Right, well that's your problem.

I've seen this happen twice before. The first time was something internal that only Canon could repair. The 2nd time all that was required was to press the flash release button and then to lift up the pop up flash, it may require gentle force.

Basically when you press the button it releases a little catch and the spring lifts the flash up. All that was happening was that the catch wasn't releasing because there was some dirt lodged inside. A quick burst of air and a gentle rub around with a cotton bud fixed that.

Maybe you will be lucky

HTH

Should the flash release work when it automatic mode!? Because that's what I tried it on when it's not working. But I've just tried it on M, P, Tv etc and it's working fine. Still won't take a photo though.

Luffy · 15-09-2008, 5:20 PM

Sorry to say this but if the shutter won't fire when its in full manual mode it's looking like a trip to the camera repair shop

I did drop my 3'50 and the flash wouldn't pop up I had a nasty few moments when it wouldn't take a pic I can't remember exactly what the symptoms were but I held the flash release button in and opened the flash manually it took a bit of effort and some twisting from side to side to get it open (I was on holiday and thought kill or cure) the camera then worked ok but I did need to realign the flash with a little force.

As an aside it may be covered for accidental damage under your house contents insurance items up to £500 are often covered even when they are temporally remove from the house

shardsta · 15-09-2008, 5:43 PM

I know it may sound silly but you have not accidentally switched your camera to timer mode have you? I have done this before without knowing and it took me a while to realise that was the problem rather than my camera not working

ljphil78 · 15-09-2008, 6:00 PM

have you tried re-inserting the battery? when i first got my 40d i panicked because i but a fully charged battery in and turned it on but nothing happened, took the battery out and tried again and voila it worked

druidvideo · 18-09-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shardsta

I know it may sound silly but you have not accidentally switched your camera to timer mode have you? I have done this before without knowing and it took me a while to realise that was the problem rather than my camera not working

Took the words from my mouth. Very easy to do accidently and very easry to fix.