What the heck is wrong with my Canon EF f2.8L lens??? Ok, after hours and hours of scouring the net, I'm still not finding anything even remotely close to addressing my problem. I...

TSGallantPhotography Loc: SW Florida

Ok, after hours and hours of scouring the net, I'm still not finding anything even remotely close to addressing my problem.

I bought the lens new, years ago. I use the caps and never store it mounted to the cameras. It's been my FAVORITE lens and had never let me down until the last 2 weeks. Now, it won't open to f2.8. F5.0 is the best it will do. It also won't let me change the vertical focal point, only horizontal.

It's never been dropped or abused and still takes otherwise perfect photos. I'm just at a loss (and have a photo shoot to do today). I know I won't get an answer in time for the shoot but I'm still hoping someone might ay least know the "why?" of it.

Leitz Loc: Solms

TSGallantPhotography wrote:

Ok, after hours and hours of scouring the net, I'm... (show quote)

Obviously the diaphragm is sticking. Is the focal length a secret?

TSGallantPhotography Loc: SW Florida

Just noting a change. I used it for a shoot a few days before and it was fine. Put it back on for another shoot the next weekend and noticed the changes. Today's shoot has a background I'd really like to unsubstantiate. I've never taken any classes or had any training so I don't know what has happened. I guess I was hoping for a quick and easy self fix.

Leitz Loc: Solms

TSGallantPhotography wrote:

Just noting a change. I used it for a shoot a few days before and it was fine. Put it back on for another shoot the next weekend and noticed the changes. Today's shoot has a background I'd really like to unsubstantiate. I've never taken any classes or had any training so I don't know what has happened. I guess I was hoping for a quick and easy self fix.

A description of just which lens it is might help someone to advise you how to solve the problem. Also, which camera are you using?

TSGallantPhotography Loc: SW Florida

Canon f2.8L Macro lens

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

TSGallantPhotography wrote:

Canon f2.8L Macro lens

If it is a 2.8 L then it must be the EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM.
What camera are you using?
Not being able to switch focal points would indicate a problem with your camera. Selecting focal points is a function of the camera, not the lens. This problem could very well be causing your aperture problem. Do you or anyone you know have another camera you could try the lens on? I would also add, make sure your contact points are clean and undamaged, although that is probably not the problem.

TSGallantPhotography Loc: SW Florida

I use it in the Canon 1D Mark II. I was thinking it is the camera, too. I don't want to have to send both in. I'm just a poor, working stiff, lol. My money doesn't grow on trees and I have a feeling either option will not be cheap (sigh). I cleaned the contacts bc that's the only thing I did know to try.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

TSGallantPhotography wrote:

I use it in the Canon 1D Mark II. I was thinking it is the camera, too. I don't want to have to send both in. I'm just a poor, working stiff, lol. My money doesn't grow on trees and I have a feeling either option will not be cheap (sigh). I cleaned the contacts bc that's the only thing I did know to try.

Well, if you don't have another camera to try it on perhaps you could take it to a camera shop or even a big box store and see if you could try it on one of their cameras. My guess would be that it is the camera. The focus point problem is in the camera, and to have an aperture problem caused by the lens pop up at the same time is really playing the odds. I believe both issues are with the camera.
One long shot: Do you have a well charged battery in the camera?

ole sarg Loc: south florida

so many questions

1. does this happen with other lenses?

2. have you tried going back to factory settings

3. have you tried taking the battery out

4. have you checked to see if you changed some settings

5. have you called canon help desk

do the no cost stuff first and then if all else fails send it in.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

TSGallantPhotography wrote:

Ok, after hours and hours of scouring the net, I'm... (show quote)

You say you bought it "years" ago and that it's been your favorite lens. I'd say it's probably worn out if you've had it that long and used it that much. The aperture may be just worn out.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Call Canon!
But brace yourself, they'll want to know which lens too!! :lol:
SS

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

One test you may want to try is: Set the aperture to any value above f11. Go into a low lite room in your house, point your camera to a light colored wall, turn on the camera, and press the Depth of Field preview button. This will close the lens iris to your selected fstop. The image in the viewfinder will darken. If this does not happen your lens may not be working. Try another lens and perform the same test. This will eliminate the camera, or the lens. I do agree with the others, it looks like a camera problem. The 1D Mark II is getting a little long in the tooth, and probably needs at least a cleaning and adjustment by Canon. Of course you may want to get it checked out too.

B

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

The first thing I would try would be to clean the pins/contacts on the lens and on the camera with a solvent or similar.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

lighthouse wrote:

The first thing I would try would be to clean the pins/contacts on the lens and on the camera with a solvent or similar.

Yep. Good suggestion. That was my first thought when reading the symptoms.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

I'd suspect the battery in the camera, as you've already cleaned the lens/body contact points. Clean the internal battery contacts and the body battery contact points too. check the battery for proper voltage and amps of charge.