topic EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing in EF & RF Lenses

EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

Vickeyc — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 22:25:40 GMT

I’ve only had the EF-S 18-135 USM Lens for 2 years and now it won’t focus (used with 80d camera). On AF, it won’t focus at all, so I can’t take photos. But if I zoom on a subject and it is focused, then it will take the photo. On MF, the focus ring is not working. Has anyone had this issue...is there any way to fix without sending it in?

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

kvbarkley — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 00:49:58 GMT

Not on this lens. There is a trick on the 18-55 if a similar thing happens, but I have never heard it working for the 18-135. You will have to send it in.

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

Waddizzle — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 13:58:33 GMT

Taking a photo has almost nothing to do with lens. The ability to take a photo comes strictly from the camera body.

On the other hand, focusing is teamwork by the camera and the lens. Try a different lens. See if the problem goes away.

Make sure you have sufficient ambient light for the camera to control auto focusing. Resetting the camera may help, too.

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

ebiggs1 — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 15:24:17 GMT

"On AF, it won’t focus at all,..."

You mean the lens does nothing at all? It doesn't even try and makes no effort or noise? If you take it outside on a nice day with the camera set to "P" mode and the lens in AF, will it work? If not, it is broken and needs service.

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

Vickeyc — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 06:08:06 GMT

The camera works fine when I put on another lens. How do I reset the camera?

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

Vickeyc — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 06:12:40 GMT

Ebiggs1...the lens doesn’t do anything at all (no effort nor noise) on AF. It will not do anything outdoors either. Is there anything that can be done to get the focus ring working on MF?

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

Waddizzle — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 16:25:41 GMT

@Vickeyc wrote:
The camera works fine when I put on another lens. How do I reset the camera?

If it works with another lens, then the first one needs service. Contact Canon Support.

There are at least three locations in the menus to reset the camera back to factory defaults. However, if the camera fails to focus with just the one lens, I doubt if a reset will help.

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

ebiggs1 — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 17:39:25 GMT

"Ebiggs1...the lens doesn’t do anything at all (no effort nor noise) on AF. It will not do anything outdoors either. Is there anything that can be done to get the focus ring working on MF?"

Vickeyc,

I am afraid not. Not working outdoors on a nice day in "P" mode tells the tale. Plus other lenses do work also says volumes. Resetting the camera won't help either.

You can try calling Canon and see what they say. They are nice people! 1 (631) 330-5000 The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens is a candidate for repair so give'em a call.

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

Joshfourie — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 17:11:03 GMT

Hi,

I bought the same lens about 3 years ago and have been using as my go to lens. Never any issues until one day when it just stopped focusing. Neither in MF nor AF. Obviously tried lens on another body and its like a dead lens. Tried another lens on my body and everything works perfect. Never dropped it but on the day it failed it was pretty cold out at around 25 degrees. It took pictures just fine up to a point and then just stopped. Thought it was maybe battery that got to cold but clearly not. Could the cold really affect the lens permanently? I hear no noises inside lens and the focus ring just turns unhindered.

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

kvbarkley — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 18:29:23 GMT

It sounds like the lens communication or the focus motor is messed up. This is a "focus by wire" lens, If the focus motor is not working, you can't focus. I think you will hae to look into getting it repaired.

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

JamesLange — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 01:24:40 GMT

Were you able to get your lens working or repaired? Sounds like mine is now in the same boat as these others and on the Canon website says it is no longer supported for repairs…

Re: EFS 18-135 IS USM not focusing

shadowsports — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:58:03 GMT

Greetings,

Lenses which are no longer supported for repair by Canon can often be sent to midwestcamera dot com

They are an authorized Canon Repair facility.