topic Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS in EF & RF Lenses

Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

acdii — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:33:42 GMT

Hi all. I have this camera and lens, bought as a kit way back that also included a 75-300 AF lens. The 75-300 works perfectly, in fact took some really great long distance shots with it today.

The problem I have is the 18-55 is not auto focusing at times, and when I have the camera in auto mode, in in direct sunlight the flash come up, there is a delay when I take a shot and have to wait until after taking a shot before I can take another. I found that is I rotate the focus ring a bit it will auto focus, but it is not working like it used to. I havent used the camera much since 2012 (very surprised the batteries have held up), and took the camera out on a trip last year and had this issue crop up, forgot about it when we returned. Went to use it again and rediscovered the issue.

This is with the auto focus.

This is with the telephoto with AF on.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

Waddizzle — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 07:38:10 GMT

If you can turn the focus ring when the lens is in AF mode, then it sounds like the AF motors in your 18-55mm lens have become jammed. That lens lacks manual focus override, and you should not be able to do that.

If you remove the lens from the camera and shake it, does it rattle?

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

ebiggs1 — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 08:26:08 GMT

Before you do anything, you need to try the lens on a friends camera. Or, try another 18-55mm on your camera. If your 18-55mm is broken it is not a good candidate for repair. You might want to upgrade to the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens anyway. It is a much better lens than yours.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

RobertTheFat — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:33:14 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
Before you do anything, you need to try the lens on a friends camera. Or, try another 18-55mm on your camera. If your 18-55mm is broken it is not a good candidate for repair. You might want to upgrade to the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens anyway. It is a much better lens than yours.

When Ernie says your lens is not a good candidate for repair, he means that the lens isn't worth what Canon (or even another repair shop) will charge you to fix it. But there's a brutal, ad hoc method of unjamming the autofocus motor that sometimes works, It's been described two or three times in this forum. It has the potential to damage the lens further; but if it's already not worth the cost of professional repair, you have nothing to lose by trying it. Several people have reported restoring their lenses to working order.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

acdii — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 23:40:49 GMT

Well it all moves freely, no noises when turning the zoom or focus. It's hit or miss on the AF, but it does move easily when in AF mode, unlike the telephoto lens. What I found is if I flip to AF it will focus, and if I flip to MF I can take multiple pictures without having to focus. What bugs me most is that the flash pops up in bright sunlight with that lens, which tells me the sensor in the lens may be the issue, so looks like I may look into another lens instead of messing with this one.

Thanks guys.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

Waddizzle — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 23:49:47 GMT

@acdii wrote:
Well it all moves freely, no noises when turning the zoom or focus. ....... so looks like I may look into another lens instead of messing with this one.

Thanks guys.

Didn't ask if it made noises when you turned the focus ring. I asked does it rattle when you remove it from the camera and shake it.

I am going to suggest that you review the instruction manual, too, and pay attention to the details.. Turning the focus ring when that particular lens is in AF mode will usually jam the focusing motors, if not flat out ruin them.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

acdii — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 23:57:57 GMT

Nope, no rattle.

Here's something interesting though, if I have it in MF, it wont pop up the flash, and will increase exposure time base on the amount of light, but in AF, even in direct sunlight, it pops the flash up. I thought I was doing something wrong, but the other lens works just fine in AF without popping up the flash unless I am indoors.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

Waddizzle — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 07:36:40 GMT

@acdii wrote:
Nope, no rattle.

Here's something interesting though, if I have it in MF, it wont pop up the flash, and will increase exposure time base on the amount of light, but in AF, even in direct sunlight, it pops the flash up. I thought I was doing something wrong, but the other lens works just fine in AF without popping up the flash unless I am indoors.

I have suspected the aperture could be bad, too. It's time for a new lens.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

ebiggs1 — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 14:08:00 GMT

"Before you do anything, you need to try the lens on a friends camera. Or, try another 18-55mm on your camera."

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

Waddizzle — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 21:29:52 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Before you do anything, you need to try the lens on a friends camera. Or, try another 18-55mm on your camera."

The OP has already reported in the initial post that 75-300mm seems to function as it should. The OP has also reported that the AF ring can freely, even when the lens is in AF mode. Conclusion, that lens is probably shot.

Besides, even if it does work on another camera, which I doubt, what good is it if the lens does not function on the OPs camera?

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

ebiggs1 — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:12:09 GMT

"Besides, even if it does work on another camera, which I doubt, what good is it if the lens does not function on the OPs camera?"

Nothing if you like guessing games. I don't.

"Conclusion, that lens is probably shot."

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. If the lens works on another camera, it is not the lens. I really have a hard time understanding why you would advise against this simple and free test. But then again perhaps I do understand!

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

Waddizzle — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 15:14:34 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
If the lens works on another camera, it is not the lens.

I really have a hard time understanding why you would advise against this simple and free test. But then again perhaps I do understand!

If another lens works on the camera, then it is not the camera.

This fact that the problem is not with the camera has already been established. The focus ring turns freely when the lens is set to AF mode, which should not be the case. The lens is shot.

There is no good reason not try the lens on another camera, and there is no good reason to try it, either.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

Stephen — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 15:31:56 GMT

Hello!

I think you're getting great advice from our Community members, but just so we're all on the same page:

You're shooting in AUTO (green box), and AF, and the flash pops up and your shot is fuzzy.

When you shoot in AUTO (green box), and MF, the flash still pops up, and your shot might still be fuzzy, but you get to manually focus to correct that.

When you shoot in auto, your flash pops up and strobes on the XS (most Rebels) to help not only with exposure, but with achieving proper focus. If your focus ring is moving freely in AF mode on the EF-S 18-55 IS lens, that's a bad sign. If your lens tries to focus (makes noise) and the focus changes at all, then you might be able to realign the focus mechanism in the lens yourself.

Put the lens in MF mode. Turn the focusing ring (front ring) all the way to one side until the lens stops, then turn it all the way to the other side. If you get a little resistance, grinding or popping, that's fine, but don't force the lens. Once you've done this, put the lens back in AF and try to take a normal photo again (not a plain white wall or the sky - something with good contrast). If it works, awesome. If not, it's time to start looking at a new lens.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

acdii — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 01:51:04 GMT

For the most part this is correct, but when in any other setting, I still have the flash popping up, while with the other lens, it doesn't, which is the confusing part. However as stated, if I switch to MF, turn the ring, then switch back to AF it will refocus the lens correctly. The one part I don't understand is why there is a long delay between taking pictures when in AF, but in MF I can rapid fire.

Pretty sure the lens is shot, since the other lens works great, ut was looking for confirmation. I also don't have any friends with a Canon camera to try it out in.

Re: Issues with EFS 18-55 IS and Rebel XS

ebiggs1 — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 15:03:11 GMT

"I also don't have any friends with a Canon camera to try it out in."

Unfortunately, despite the foolish advise to not do it, trying your lens on a different camera is the only way to be sure. The only other good option is to send it to Canon but we established that is not cost effective. What if you buy a new lens and experience the same results? Not good.

Two more suggestions, one do you have a local real deal camera shop? If so, give them a go. And two, how about trying a big box store like Best Buy. You might pay a few bucks more than the big NY retailers but the knowledge will be worth it. Right?