Camera Help: I've got a slight problem. l own a Canon 5d mkii and I'm having problems with the focusing and using AV in a lower light condition. I get a no focus confirmation light...

gaspump43 Loc: Central Texas

I've got a slight problem. l own a Canon 5d mkii and I'm having problems with the focusing and using AV in a lower light condition. I get a no focus confirmation light when I try to take a photo. It just flashes. I was thinking of taking it to a camera sales place in Austin, but it's kind of old and I don't think it is worth the money I would have to put out to fix it, even if they could. I called Precision Camera and they said they didn't have some parts for it. I found a 5d mk 4 on Craigslist for $800(which I know is ridiculous, plus I don't trust Craigslist) but I can't afford the price of a new camera. I found an 80d kind of in my price range but I'm not sure about the swing out display. I guess what I need is a little help on what to purchase. I'm kind of on a limited budget (but my son says if I don't spend my money, he will, but I tell him I don't not really want to live with him if I spent my savings). Please help!
THANKS, CHARLIE

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You've provided a lot of details, but not enough to diagnose remotely. Are you saying the problem only occurs in low-light, not all the time? What lens are you using? What focus mode? How low of low light? How about in 'normal' conditions, how does that lens and camera combo perform? You can save yourself a lot of words by just attaching a few unedited JPEGs direct from the camera, showing the lighting conditions, lens and AF out of focus. Have you tried cleaning the contacts on both the lens and camera? The middle 5 points within the 5DII AF array are the most sensitive. In lowlight are you using only these 5 'center' options?

BebuLamar

gaspump43 wrote:

I've got a slight problem. l own a Canon 5d mkii a... (show quote)

Why don't you trust Craiglist? You think the guy will rob you? Otherwise you can examine the camera making sure it's working before giving him the money. It's safer in my opinion than Ebay because the shipping is a hassle. Of course I won't buy from Craiglist if the seller isn't near me.

gaspump43 Loc: Central Texas

In my studio, I have some natural light and the confirmation light will flash and not take the picture. If I go outside, it's brighter and all the settings work on the camera. I've cleaned the contacts on the camera and the lens. I have several lenses, and I did find one that didn't focus inside or out (it's an old Tamron 28-200mm which I like) but I was using a 50mm 1.8 Canon lens.

Craigdca Loc: California

My Canon T2i has a hard time auto-focusing in low light conditions also. Try using back button focusing on something bright enough at the right distance.

gaspump43 Loc: Central Texas

Talking about Craigslist, the seller said he would package the camera and get insurance, and overnight it to my location. I live in New Braunfels, which is about an hour drive to Austin, and said could I just come up to Austin and check it out and get it. I have no response from seller on either camera. One was $800 dollars and the other was $1000 made from the same seller. That made me kind of suspicious.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

gaspump43 wrote:

In my studio, I have some natural light and the confirmation light will flash and not take the picture. If I go outside, it's brighter and all the settings work on the camera. I've cleaned the contacts on the camera and the lens. I have several lenses, and I did find one that didn't focus inside or out (it's an old Tamron 28-200mm which I like) but I was using a 50mm 1.8 Canon lens.

You're saying one old third-party lens is giving a problem and you want to replace the camera? Again, message board Q&A isn't the best way to address the question, more info and possibly an example image can cut down a few iterations.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

gaspump43 wrote:

I've got a slight problem. l own a Canon 5d mkii a... (show quote)

There's a lot to digest in your post. First, what happens if you set the camera to auto-ISO and shoot in Av mode? Does that clear up the problem?

Second, it's unclear from your second post if the issue is limited to one lens or all lenses. If it's limited to one lens, I'd try to find a way to test that lens on another Canon before you spend money on another camera.

Third, if you decide to get another camera, I wouldn't worry about the 80D's swing-out display. I have two Canon cameras, one a 7d Mark II and the other a T4i (which has a swing-out display). The swing-out display is the one thing I miss on the 7dMII. The display never gave me any issues on the T4i.

gaspump43 Loc: Central Texas

Sorry, I'll try to do better. I was using a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens in the studio and it wouldn't get a focus confirmation on the av mode. I walked outside where it was brighter and all the systems worked. I put the camera mode where it did all the settings and it takes the photo inside the studio. And the Tamron lens will have to be fixed or replaced.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

gaspump43 wrote:

Sorry, I'll try to do better. I was using a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens in the studio and it wouldn't get a focus confirmation on the av mode. I walked outside where it was brighter and all the systems worked. I put the camera mode where it did all the settings and it takes the photo inside the studio. And the Tamron lens will have to be fixed or replaced.

If the camera will fire in auto with the same lens and light in 'auto', than it's a camera setting when you're in AV. Start first by looking at the aperture the camera picks, and use the same in AV. What happens?

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

After reading through you input (OP) and the comment chain, I get the impression that at the ISO you were using, the camera sensor was not getting to an aperture that would work with the needed shutter speed. It sounds like shooting in full Auto or Program mode, the camera worked okay in your studio.

As suggested, set you ISO to Auto and in AV mode, set your aperture to the widest aperture you lens allows. Then take some shots and see if it focuses okay. You can further test by going to Tv mode and take shots there as well.

One last point, a 5D IV on Craigslist at $800 sounds "too good to be true." Caution advised!

gaspump43 Loc: Central Texas

The only difference is in AV mode the Metering is in the Spot and in the Auto it Evaluative. I really appreciate your time and your knowledge because I love my camera and finally learning how to it use plus it will save me money not having to buy another.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

gaspump43 wrote:

Talking about Craigslist, the seller said he would package the camera and get insurance, and overnight it to my location. I live in New Braunfels, which is about an hour drive to Austin, and said could I just come up to Austin and check it out and get it. I have no response from seller on either camera. One was $800 dollars and the other was $1000 made from the same seller. That made me kind of suspicious.

They are both scams or “hot” or damaged. Used 5D MKI IVs are selling in the $1900-$2,000 range. You may pick up a bargain from a private seller for a little less than that, but not THAT much less unless it’s a recent widow or a “friend” selling an estate item and don’t know the value, both of which are highly doubtful. Don’t walk, run away from this “deal”. Now you may be able to pick up a nice used 5D mk III, which is a big improvement over the MKII, for $1,000. Just be sure to check the shutter count as many of these are used by pros and have high counts.

gaspump43 Loc: Central Texas

Quick update: on AV af 1/100, f5.6, iso 3200 won't focus on back drop because nothing to focus on.
on manual focus same settings will take photo
on Auto focus on tripod laying on bench will focus because I guess there is something to focus on
THANKS A LOT HAVE A GREAT DAY, CHARLIE

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

gaspump43 wrote:

Quick update: on AV af 1/100, f5.6, iso 3200 won't focus on back drop because nothing to focus on.
on manual focus same settings will take photo
on Auto focus on tripod laying on bench will focus because I guess there is something to focus on
THANKS A LOT HAVE A GREAT DAY, CHARLIE

Metering and autofocus are different aspects of a DSLR. One does not impact the other. Also, all DSLRs perform auto-focus with the lens aperture held wide-open for that specific lens model. Only at the instant the shutter is released does the camera send the electronic signal for the lens to close the lens aperture to the desired value.

Another difference between full-auto and the semi-auto modes like Aperture Priority is the AF mode. If we could see a stored attachment of an example JPEG from the AUTO version, we could point to the default AF mode used in auto, and likely, could point to the difference in the AF mode being used in Av.

Finally, all DSLRs capture at their 'base ISO', typically ISO-100, but is does vary slightly higher or lower on some brands / models. Only after the image is captured is the requested ISO applied to the base ISO image, brightening the image to the corresponding ISO specified for the exposure. This brightening process is the primary source of the 'digital noise' for most all digital cameras.