topic Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:23:22 GMT

My Rebel SL1 with a Tamron telephoto lens won't auto focus on warm days. It will sometimes work at close focus, but when zooming in, it won't auto focus. Does anyone have an answer to this. Same thing happened last year, but my local camera shop could give me no answers. It was the shop where I purchased the camera, and I was disappointed with their response. The weather has warmed up, I wanted to take pictures at a grandson's baseball game and no autofocus. Frustrating.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:14:07 GMT

Is it only this lens, or does it happen with other lenses?

Try removing and re-installing the lens to wipe the lens contacts.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

deebatman316 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 21:44:45 GMT

Do you have any Canon lenses. If so do they fail to AF in warm weather too or just the Tamron lens. Also what is the full model name of your Tamron lens. Also the Full model name of the Canon lens if you have one.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Waddizzle — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 11:20:41 GMT

@Bankesmom1 wrote:
My Rebel SL1 with a Tamron telephoto lens won't auto focus on warm days. It will sometimes work at close focus, but when zooming in, it won't auto focus. Does anyone have an answer to this. Same thing happened last year, but my local camera shop could give me no answers. It was the shop where I purchased the camera, and I was disappointed with their response. The weather has warmed up, I wanted to take pictures at a grandson's baseball game and no autofocus. Frustrating.

If the camera will not “close focus”, then you may need to verify the Minimum Focus Distance. The MFD should be written on the lens somewhere. If not, look the specs up online.

Please note, the listed MFD for the lens is only valid at the minimum zoom setting. As you increase the focal length, the MFD will also increase by an amount manufacturers do not like to reveal.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

kvbarkley — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:07:05 GMT

If this is the 150-600, sometimes I need to "kick-start" it by focusing on something closer, and then focusing back on my subject.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

ebiggs1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:40:04 GMT

Causation requires that there is an association between two variables, but association does not necessarily imply causation. Meaning are you sure it is warm or hot weather that causes the AF problem? How much shooting do you do in cold or cooler weather?

"...sometimes I need to "kick-start" it by focusing on something closer, ..."

I have also seen this phenomenon in some off brand lenses. You may want to try this. Minimum focus distance can also be a factor. Objects in the way of the focus point can fool the AF system.

The thing I would doubt is warm weather causing it.

Tyr this..........

I would reset your camera to default settings. I would make sure you have a good fully charged Canon brand battery. Do not use off brand batteries. It could be as simple as a faulty battery especially in warm (hot) weather.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

kvbarkley — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 16:14:47 GMT

Warm weather causes it since that is the time when you are more likely out taking photos!

8^)

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

ebiggs1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 16:19:42 GMT

For sure. Cause and effect, drawing incorrect conclusions.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:30:38 GMT

This is the only lens that it happens with. It is the only Telephoto that I have. It is a Tamron18-270mm F/3.5-6.3. My other lens is a Canon EFS 18-55mm and I never take it to sporting events because things are just too far away. And I've never had an issue with the Canon lens.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:32:50 GMT

I do have a Canon lens and it is an EFS 18-55. It has never failed to auto-focus. I never take it to sporting events though. Just inside mainly when things are relatively close. The Tamron is a 18-270 mm F/3.5-6.3 Thanks for your questions and trying to help me solve this issue.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:35:59 GMT

I don't have issues with the lens auto focusing at close distances. Only at far. For instance, I can auto focus on a batter in the on deck circle, but not at the plate, or anything beyond, ie infield or outfield. When I first start out taking pictures, things are good, but then after a while the auto focus stops working. Thanks for your questions and maybe being able to help me out.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:38:00 GMT

It's the 18-270 mm F/3.5-6.3. Some times if I turn off the camera and turn it back on it might work, but after a few tries, even that stops working so I have to go to manual focus. That doesn't work if I'm taking shots in sports mode to catch the action. Thanks for your question and maybe being able to help me out.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:44:36 GMT

Thanks for the philosophy lesson, but yes, I have tried this lens in both hot, cold and warm. Baseball, football, and basketball. Hence the different temperatures and my deduction that possibly the hot temperature could be the variable that makes this happen.

I do use a Canon battery, the one that came with the camera. I, too, have wondered if it might be the battery. Would you suggest buying a new battery then? In some of the reading I've done, I've seen some comments are the settings for exposures. All good points, and thank you so much for your assistance.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:45:40 GMT

No. I take pictures at basketball games, and football games too. And it's never been an issue in those circumstances. Any other ideas for me? Thanks for the input.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:46:50 GMT

Ouch

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

deebatman316 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:55:58 GMT

What are the lighting conditions like when this happens. If its dark and lacks contrast the camera will struggle to lock focus. What mode are you shooting in on the top mode dial. Are you shooting in A+/ Green Square Mode. Your camera has 2 main focus modes there's also a 3rd. Your main focus modes are One Shot and AI Servo. One Shot is focus priority. The camera won't take a picture unless its in focus. AI Servo is release priority. The camera will take pictures regardless if the pictures are in focus or not. The 3rd is AI Focus its a hybrid mode. The camera will start out in One Shot then switches to AI Servo if it detects subject movement. This mode IS NOT recommended because camera shake can cause the camera to switch to AI Servo. The lens has a variable aperture F/3.5-6.3 which is slow. At 18mm F/3.5 is wide open. But at 270mm F/6.3 is wide open. The bigger the number the less light enters the camera. Also please post some pictures in the forum too. So forum members can better assist you.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:10:16 GMT

The lighting conditions are always good. Outdoor baseball games either daylight, or lighted fields, football the same, and basketball in gymnasiums. Basketball pictures aren't nearly as good, I need to invest in a different lens because of the low light situations in there. And I shoot in sports mode to catch the action, and I believe that in sports mode, the default setting is continuous shooting.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:15:15 GMT

Thanks so much!!!!

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

deebatman316 — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:29:44 GMT

I would suggest learning about the exposure triangle. Then discontinue the use of Sports Mode or any other Fully Automated shooting mode. Your camera uses an older AF system. Your camera has 7 AF Points. So the sensitivity of the AF system will have limits. All camera gear has limits.

Re: EOS SL1 auto focus doesn't work. Seems to happen on hot days

Bankesmom1 — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 01:08:04 GMT