topic Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm) in EF & RF Lenses

EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

eddifl — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:57:48 GMT

I have a Canon 60D rocking with the kit lens EF-S18-135mm, and for some reason, when I check the data on my RAW images, it says that it was taken with a FL of 44mm, even though it was taken at max FL. The minimum aperture seems to be stuck at f/5.0, even at the widest FL. I cleaned the contact plates, but tbh it didn't do anything. I borrowed my relative's EF-S18-55mm kit lens, checked the quick control screen, and the aperture seems to change while adjusting the FL, not sure about the FL info tho

I know it's obvious that the lens has a mechanical problem, but I'm curious to find out what's specifically causing this so I could try troubleshooting/fixing it

Re: Focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

kvbarkley — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:06:22 GMT

Is the *data* incorrect or the *setting* incorrect, i.e., are the images properly exposed - it might be easier to tell with JPEG.

Re: Focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

eddifl — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:30:32 GMT

File data is incorrect, Last time I installed MagicLantern to my cam and it also said that i was stuck at 44mm. The image below is an example of what i'm talking about:

Isn't this also the reason my AF freaks out when focusing above 55mm?

Re: Focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

ebiggs1 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:57:28 GMT

"I cleaned the contact plates, but tbh it didn't do anything."

Almost never does and can do permanent damage to the contacts. If you have ML installed on your camera I can almost guarantee you that is is the problem. Only way to be sure is to remove ML. In any case you run the risk of bricking your camera which would be a death sentence for a 60D. ML is generally safe until it isn't.

Canon does not approve of installing ML on a Canon camera sInce it is a third-party FW modification. Canon will not provide any support or warranty coverage for issues caused by its installation. You are not the first to come to the forum with issues and also have ML installed on their camera.

Re: Focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

eddifl — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 23:32:51 GMT

This actually has been an issue for me for a while (2-3 years I'd say) before trying out ML.. Surely ML won't be the cause, right? although im very aware it could mess up my camera

I had the same problem with this user: https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EF-RF-Lenses/canon-18-135-is-focus-problem-after-50mm/m-p/31181

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

ebiggs1 — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 22:11:09 GMT

Personally I would never install ML on one of my cameras and so I never recommend anyone else do it either. I have seen too many issues pop up caused by ML. Now whether it is causing your issue I can't positivity say but it certainly is a candidate. Look it's your camera and you can do what you think best but my advice is to uninstall it and don't look back. I imagine the Canon reps will tell you the same thing.

Now that said it is always possible that the lens is faulty. Anything made by the hand of man can and will eventually fail. That's just how it is. I suspect that other post you referenced to had a faulty lens as his problem. You need another camera and another lens to make sure what is working and what is not. Perhaps you have friend with Canon gear or a local photo shop or even a repair facility.

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

stevet1 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:31:15 GMT

Eddifl

It would be helpful to know a couple of things:

1) What version of the 18-135 do you have? They earlier thread you referred to is 12 years old now.

2) is it a question of wherher the lens is, or is not zooming, or is it a question of how the data is being reported? Take two pictures of the same scene at two different focal lengths. Does the actual picture of one look more "zoomed in" than the other? If so, then we know that the lens is working, it's just a matter of how it's being reported.

Perhaps a settings reset might help.

In the example you provided, it says your focal length was 60mm, so we know it's not stuck at 44mm.

Also, in the example you provided, it says you were in Aperture Priority Mode. Do experience the same problems In Manuel Mode?

In the example you provided, it shows this to be a CR2 file worth 64mb in size. Do you have the same problem when shooting jpgs?

Steve Thomas

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

eddifl — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 15:18:48 GMT

Ah, I apologize! I didn't clarify that the screenshot was taken from the internet because I wasn't able to access my laptop at that time. But for your questions:

Yes, the lens is the one that is 12 years old, and myq uestion was on how the data is being reported. I wanted to know what FL I would mostly use so that I could invest on a Prime lens and use Lightroom's Lens correction

Below is what i wastrying to explain earlier

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

stevet1 — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 03:03:42 GMT

eddifl,

Well, based on your pictures of the baseball cap, we at least know that your lens is actually zooming. There must be some fluke in the software reporting program.

Until you can get that figured out, you might have to take a little notebook with you and jot down the focal length you used for any given photo. In trying to decide on a prime lens, you could look through some photography books and see what kind of pictures you like, to see what focal length the photographer used.

You mentioned Lightroom. Canon has a free program called DPP4 that also does lens corrections.

As far as the lens refusing to go lower than 5.0, is there any writing on the lens itself that tells you what it's range is? All the references I've seen show the 18-135 starting at 3.5. Try putting your camera in Av Mode. Zoom out to the shortest focal length you can (18mm). Tap the Q or Quick Control button. Tap on the aperture and see how low you can go. If you can't go any lower than 5.0, then that may be the lowest you can go 9n your 12-year old version of this lens.

Steve Thomas

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

eddifl — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 06:11:07 GMT

Alright, maybe if I have the chance, I'll go to my Canon's local shop to get my lens diagnosed (and also maybe get it fixed too), I'll take notes and try out canon's software!

I found the range of the aperture in front of the lens, says here it's a variable one (1:3.5-5.6). I tried lowering the aperture on the screen while being at the focal length of 18mm, but it seems like the lowest it can go is 5.0, but if I remember, a while while ago it actually went lower than 5.0, maybe something like 4.6, but reverted back to 5.0. To add one more thing, it confuses me on why would my camera display that the my lens is a fixed aperture (e.g., always stuck at f/5.0 as minimum whether you're zoomed in or out) instead of a variable one?

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

kvbarkley — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 06:21:35 GMT

Your lens is broken, so who knows why it does what it does. It might actually use the reported focal length to calculate the aperture, so it always thinks it is at 44mm which could set a max aperture of f/5, even though the lens is mechanically moving and actually has an aperture of f/3.5 at 18mm.

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

eddifl — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 07:51:54 GMT

Update: I did some tomfoolery to my lens, or should i say, disassembled it. Don't ask me why.(I kinda know what I'm doing, i have experience fixing phones and laptops)I found out the problem, It's a mechanical lens problem, what i'd assume is that these are the contact points to give out information for the FL, and as you can see here, for some reason it's not aligned. Not sure why it did this but probably i was too rough on my camera 🤷‍♂️

I'll give an another update on whether these contact point thingies were really the problem.

Update: That kinda fixed the problem, but 18mm is read as "37mm" and that's my fault for not properly aligning those contact points LOL. BUT aperture finally changes based on focal length zoom, though the minimum is "4.5", based on my camera.

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

eddifl — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 07:56:51 GMT

Hahaha, I saw when i disassembled the lens! But thanks for telling me though, much appreciated!

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

eddifl — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 08:52:19 GMT

At last, the problem is fixed!! The autofocus also got fixed, so no more "freaking out" focus after 50mm

Re: EF-S 18-135mm focal Length info is stuck at a specific number (44mm)

stevet1 — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 13:00:02 GMT

eddifl,

Glad you got it sorted out.

Steve Thomas