topic Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

RC_0009 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 23:42:28 GMT

Does this camera have a setting named: RELEASE SHUTTER WITHOUT LENSE" ? I need to make some astrophotography and I found no help on Google even though this setting is being mentioned to be in the menu' s C.Fn III and IV tab.. I do not see in either one or is there an equivalent setting under a different name? Any help is much appreciated.

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

deebatman316 — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:18:18 GMT

DSLR cameras have no such setting. This only applies to Mirrorless cameras. There is a setting to shoot without card.

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

stevet1 — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 01:32:02 GMT

RC_0009,

In researching this, I found that all Canon Rebels, (and maybe all Canon DSLRs) are designed to shoot (or activate the shutter) without a lens by default, so there is no need to make a setting for it. That is why you can mount manual lenses on them, where is no electronic communication between the camera and the lens.

If you do use a manual lens, you will lose your autofocus and your aperture. Your aperture will read 00. Where shutter speed is controlled by the camera, your aperture is controlled by the lens, and you will have to set this manually.j

Most people recommend that you put your camera in Manual Mode.

Steve Thomas

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

RC_0009 — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 14:15:24 GMT

Hello Steve. Thank you for the immediate response. The main reason I asked if there is the shutter release w/o lens setting because it is needed to shoot pictures with the camera ( lens removed ) attached to the telescope eyepiece with an adapter. So the delivering image from the telescope is what actually the camera mirror see it. I know the remaining manual setting to capture the astro- image. Your answer confirms why my camera doesn't have the requested setting in the menu's C.Fn III or IV. Much appreciated.

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

Stephen — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 14:58:52 GMT

📸 Canon EOS 60D & Astrophotography: Confusion Clarified

1. The Menu Setting is Not Necessary

The setting named "RELEASE SHUTTER WITHOUT LENS" does not exist in the Custom Functions (C.Fn) or any other menu on the Canon EOS 60D.

This menu option is a feature typically found on newer Canon mirrorless systems (like the EOS R series) which are factory-set to prevent the shutter from firing if a compatible electronic lens is not detected.
For the Canon EOS 60D (a Digital SLR), the camera's default firmware is different. The camera can be easily commanded to fire without a lens attached.

2. The Functional Equivalent: Manual (M) Mode

If your camera is refusing to take a picture with a non-electronic adapter (like a telescope mount), the issue is the camera's internal focus-priority logic. To bypass this, you must switch the camera to a mode that gives you full manual control:

Set the Mode Dial to M (Manual Exposure Mode).

In Manual mode, the 60D's shutter mechanism ignores the lack of an electronic lens connection (where the aperture display will show F-- or 00), allowing the shutter to release normally.

3. Mounting the Camera to a Telescope

Connecting your Canon EOS 60D to a telescope for prime focus imaging (where the telescope replaces the camera lens) is done using third-party, universal accessories:

A T-Ring: This mounts to the camera's EF lens mount.
A T-Adapter (Nosepiece): This screws into the T-Ring and inserts into the telescope's focuser.

While Canon supports the use of its cameras for various applications, only Canon lenses and accessories are officially supported for functionality.

Official Sources

Canon U.S.A., Inc.: Photographing the Milky Way and Night Sky
- Source Type: Official Canon U.S.A. training article.
- Relevance: Provides official Canon guidance on necessary settings for astrophotography with DSLRs, including the critical use of Manual (M) shooting mode and Manual Focus to gain full control over the exposure settings required.
- URL: https://www.usa.canon.com/learning/training-articles/training-articles-list/into-the-night-photographing-the-milky-way-and-night-sky

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

RC_0009 — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 18:52:58 GMT

Outstanding response. Thank you so much.

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

normadel — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 23:11:47 GMT

Haven't you tried firing the shutter without a lens attached?

Just to remind myself, my 60D, 7D and 6D all fire with no lens. No menu setting to enable this.

Logically, why have the shutter NOT able to fire without a lens? No reason for this.

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

deebatman316 — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:18:53 GMT

Hi @Stephen how did you make the template in your post. You can PM me if you would like.

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

Stephen — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:49:20 GMT

It's a custom tool that I built in its very early stages. Right now, I'm not allowed to share any details.

Re: EOS 60D - Release Shutter Without Lens Setting?

deebatman316 — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:52:42 GMT

Ok thanks Stephen and I understand that you can’t go into detail about it.