topic Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Bear2112 — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 21:06:34 GMT

I have a Canon R5 and on occasion it will not take a picture when turned on. Normally I hear the sound of the "click" inside the body when I turn the camera on and I know I am good to go, but on random occasions I don't hear that click and I see nothing but black through the view finder. Eventually I can get the camera to work by switching modes and/or turning the camera on and off, but this can be very frustrating. Does anyone else have this issue? And before people ask...

YES, the battery is fully charged

YES, my SD card(s) are fine

YES, I have updated the camera's firmware

NO, It does not matter which lens I am using (though I I should note I am using an EF adapter).

YES, I have meticulously cleaned all the contacts on the camera and lenses.

and NO (LOL) the lens cap is not on.

Is there something in the camera settings I should check?

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

LeeP — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:40:18 GMT

Is the EF adapter a Canon product?

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Bear2112 — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:51:57 GMT

Yes

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Waddizzle — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 16:12:54 GMT

@Bear2112 wrote:

I have a Canon R5 and on occasion it will not take a picture when turned on. Normally I hear the sound of the "click" inside the body when I turn the camera on and I know I am good to go, but on random occasions I don't hear that click and I see nothing but black through the view finder. Eventually I can get the camera to work by switching modes and/or turning the camera on and off, but this can be very frustrating. Does anyone else have this issue? And before people ask...

YES, the battery is fully charged

YES, my SD card(s) are fine

YES, I have updated the camera's firmware

NO, It does not matter which lens I am using (though I I should note I am using an EF adapter).

YES, I have meticulously cleaned all the contacts on the camera and lenses.

and NO (LOL) the lens cap is not on.

Is there something in the camera settings I should check?

Comments declaring what the problem is not always get my attention, especially when no details are provided to support the comment.

What brand and capacity of SD cards are you using?

Do you only use an SD card, without a second card?

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Bear2112 — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 16:49:51 GMT

Lexar Professional Silver Pro 128GB and a Lexar 256GB Professional CFexpress Type B Silver Series Memory Card. I typically have both in the camera, using the Type B as the Primary. Occasionally I will shoot with just the 128GB SD card though. I've had the situation I described happen with both.

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Bear2112 — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:04:05 GMT

And when I say this "Randomly Happens" I do mean it is random. I may turn the camera on, take several pictures, turn the camera off, turn it back on 10-15 minutes later and the camera won't take a picture. Other times it happens when I first turn the camera on. No error messages.

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Waddizzle — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:32:48 GMT

“

YES, I have meticulously cleaned all the contacts on the camera and lenses.

and NO (LOL) the lens cap is not on.

Is there something in the camera settings I should check? “

What lenses are you using?

What are you trying to photograph?

What are the shooting conditions?

Tell us how to reproduce the issue.

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Waddizzle — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 18:06:34 GMT

@Bear2112 wrote:

And when I say this "Randomly Happens" I do mean it is random. I may turn the camera on, take several pictures, turn the camera off, turn it back on 10-15 minutes later and the camera won't take a picture. Other times it happens when I first turn the camera on. No error messages.

Have you tried to contact Canon Support for assistance?

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Bear2112 — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 19:17:15 GMT

I don't think I can explain the situation any better. You seem to be more concerned with my explanation than the problem at hand. What lenses are you using? It's like I said - all of my lenses 24-105mm Canon, 70-200mm Canon, 100mm canon macro...etc. etc.

What are you trying to photograph? Anything, again, it happens randomly.

What are the shooting conditions? All types, sunny, indoors, outdoors, cloudy, close, far...

AGAIN...I turn on the camera and sometimes I hear the click of shutter opening and sometimes I don't and the screen and viewfinder are dark and I can't take a picture. It's okay if you don't have any idea. I am just looking for someone who has had the same experience and found a reason/solution. "Have you tried to contact Canon Support for assistance?", clearly that'll be my next option, I just thought I'd try here first.

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Waddizzle — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 20:30:42 GMT

“ I don't think I can explain the situation any better.”

I am inclined to agree. That’s why I asked you about Canon Support. I suggest that you arrange to have your gear checked out by Canon. I don’t think many EF lenses are still supported by Canon.

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Bear2112 — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 21:12:04 GMT

It's not the lenses. It's the camera. If it were one, or even two, of my lenses I might think they could be the problem, but I have had this issue on at least 4 different lenses, and one is a RF, so clearly it's the camera. And since I am using a brand new EF adapter, and I have never heard of an issue with the Canon adapter, I'm good to rule that out too. Anyways, thanks for trying, this is obviously not an issue you have in knowledge of so I will work with people that are better equipped to handle it's complexity.

Re: R5 - Randomly will not take a photo

Bear2112 — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 21:26:44 GMT

From an actual expert: "From the details you've provided, this could be an issue with the shutter mechanism in the camera. With the default settings, the shutter closes over the sensor to protect it from dust when the camera is powered off. It should open up when the camera s powered on. Now, if the shutter is sticking, then that may be the reason why you do not see an image on the LCD or viewfinder on those instances when you do not hear that "click shutter sound" when it is powered on. And if the shutter is malfunctioning, it would not allow you to take a photo.

To confirm whether this indeed the issue, I'd like for you to do the following with the camera. Remove all accessories from it, including the lens, memory card, and battery pack. Next, move the Power Switch to the "ON" position then press and hold down the Shutter Release button for approximately 20 seconds. After that time has elapsed, let go of the Shutter Release button, then move the Power Switch back to the "OFF" position. Proceed by inserting your battery, memory card, and attach your Canon lens. Turn on the camera again and check whether the issue persists. If the camera continues to prevent you from taking a photo, or displays no live image on the LCD and in the viewfinder, I would then recommend sending the camera to our factory so they can be inspected and serviced by a technician."