Canon Rebel - Sigma 28-135mm lens - autofocus stuck, won't take photo

Hi, Experts - I hope someone might have some ideas for me on this one. I've searched across the internets and haven't seen anything quite right.

I've got a Canon Rebel with a Sigma 28-135mm lens. A couple of weeks ago, taking photos during a school play, I was "playing around" on the menu and such - and I messed something up. At least I think I did, but now I'm not sure.

The problem is that the autofocus setting on my lens will not allow the camera to take the shot - inside the viewfinder, the focus light circle is flashing after focusing, and the documentation says this means the focus isn't right. At this time, the red AF lights don't show at all in any setting, and the only way to take a photo is full manual. Not a problem, but for Christmas I need to have something a little quicker and less painless.

Any ideas? I've run out of sources, next step is a new camera.

thanks!

First thing to check is:
- Is your lens switched for auto or manual focus?

While the camera has a manual/auto switch, so do most lenses. On my Nikkor 80-200, the auto/manual switch has an interlock that reduces inadvertent switching during handling, but other lenses might not have that protection.

It may be that your lens is set for manual. When you try using autofocus, the camera is telling you, "Uh-uh, the lens isn't playing nice with me!"

Ok assuming that you didn't put the manual sensor cleaning into action, I would say- take it to the cam shop u bought it from. Seeing as u were playing with the menu settings I would do the same again step by step but there are a lot of functions in there. Dump question but do u have a memory card in it. The rebel has an auto shutter lock if there is no card inserted.

Thanks - I did the auto sensor cleaning, and thought that might have dorked something up. There is a memory card in there, so I don't think that's it. If I switch to manual focus, the shutter works - otherwise, no go.

Almost sounds like the connects on the lens and camera are not reading each other. Lightly wipe the contact points on the lens and camera try again. If no go still, take it to a shop and ask to try another lens.

Thanks - will try that today/weekend and report back. Appreciate the help!

I would certainly try another lens, like John mentioned, to help isolate the problem. Also, have you tried this in different lighting conditions?

I realize this question was submitted a year ago and you hopefully found resolution to your problem, but I wanted to reply in case there are others who come across this page while looking for a solution. I was having the same problem last week with my Canon Rebel XS, and had my photography teacher take a look at it - apparently my focus ring was just stuck, so the camera couldn't focus properly. She pulled on it until it could spin easily and started working again, with no need for me to send it in to Canon for repair (which was going to be my next step). If you're having this problem and can't figure out where the focus ring is, just take it to a camera shop - they should easily be able to tell you if that's the issue, and fix it if so.

Thank you very much for the last reply and your photography teacher. I had the same problem today and pulled on my lens and it corrected the autofocus. Thought I was going to have to send my new Canon Rebel T1i back.

3hola que tal sale el lente 28-135 estoy apunto de comprar uno es f2.8
quisiera saber tu opinion me sale en 300 pesos y es usado gracias

erick wrote:

3hola que tal sale el lente 28-135 estoy apunto de comprar uno es f2.8
quisiera saber tu opinion me sale en 300 pesos y es usado gracias

erick, please place messages here in English. Even Google translation tool couldn't translate what you wrote here

This was a great suggestion. It fixed my camera. Thanks for responding.

Thank you!! This was driving me crazy. Your suggestion of the focus ring was spot on and now so is my focus.

OMG, thank you kbn22. I couldn't use my camera unless it was on manual focus, so I just put it away for a little while until I had time to mess with it. I pulled on the focus ring and it works now! What a time/ money saver!! Thank you!