topic Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

lstout — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 16:44:05 GMT

Help! I can not figure out why my camera won't take a picture. I have a card in it, and have it on auto and am not in dim lighting and everything looks to be set ok - but it will not take a picture. I have had this same experience one time before with a card with higher memory in it and it did not like the card - but thats not it either - so I am just not sure. After experimenting I did find out that if it was not in AF it would take pictures - but what can I do to get that working again? Any advice?

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

TTMartin — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:57:38 GMT

@lstout wrote:
Help! I can not figure out why my camera won't take a picture. I have a card in it, and have it on auto and am not in dim lighting and everything looks to be set ok - but it will not take a picture. I have had this same experience one time before with a card with higher memory in it and it did not like the card - but thats not it either - so I am just not sure. After experimenting I did find out that if it was not in AF it would take pictures - but what can I do to get that working again? Any advice?

Sounds like you are trying to take a picture of something that doesn't have adequate contrast for the camera to focus on. If you point the camera at white wall and try to take a picture, it can't focus on anything, and wont take a photo.

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

RobertTheFat — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 21:14:36 GMT

@TTMartin wrote:
@lstout wrote:
Help! I can not figure out why my camera won't take a picture. I have a card in it, and have it on auto and am not in dim lighting and everything looks to be set ok - but it will not take a picture. I have had this same experience one time before with a card with higher memory in it and it did not like the card - but thats not it either - so I am just not sure. After experimenting I did find out that if it was not in AF it would take pictures - but what can I do to get that working again? Any advice?
Sounds like you are trying to take a picture of something that doesn't have adequate contrast for the camera to focus on. If you point the camera at white wall and try to take a picture, it can't focus on anything, and wont take a photo.

And the same thing can happen if you're closer to the subject than the minimum focusing distance of the lens.

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

lstout — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 22:49:02 GMT

Thank you Robert - however that doesn't seem to be the problem. I made sure that I was in different light and that i had different things to focus on both near and far and outside and inside. I also don't get a busy notification. It just looks normal but won't take pictures. I would love to figure this out if anyone can help. Thank you!

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

aspenpaul2 — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 07:36:18 GMT

I just posted about my XS having a similar problem. Mine won't work anytime the autofocus has to work. But if I switch the lens to manual mode or I use AI Servo I can get a fire, but otherwise it acts busy. I've also tried different lenses and the problem continues. My best guess is that I have a problem internally in the camera. But I can cross my fingers and hope for a miracle.

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

lstout — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:42:27 GMT

thanks! I will follow your post to see if anyone has any other ideas and hopefully there is another fix! 🙂

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

TTMartin — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:29:49 GMT

@aspenpaul2 wrote:
I just posted about my XS having a similar problem. Mine won't work anytime the autofocus has to work. But if I switch the lens to manual mode or I use AI Servo I can get a fire, but otherwise it acts busy. I've also tried different lenses and the problem continues. My best guess is that I have a problem internally in the camera. But I can cross my fingers and hope for a miracle.

Are the photos you take while in AIServo in focus?

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

TTMartin — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:38:15 GMT

For anyone having Auto Focus issues these videos by Canon USA's Rudy Winston are worth watching:

A Look at The Canon Autofocus System Part 1

A Look at The Canon Autofocus System Part 2

A Look at The Canon Autofocus System Part 3

They are a few years old and the model names have changed, but, it doesn't change the validity of the basic information.

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

aspenpaul2 — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 20:30:26 GMT

Somewhat it trys to focus when in AI servo. If you stop the auto focus at the firght moment it will be in focus. Sometimes it keeps going in and out trying to get it set.

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

Richard — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 21:19:27 GMT

Hi Aspenpaul2,

Thanks for posting.

Because the service life for this camera has expired, Canon no longer offers the parts or service required to resolve this issue. I regret the diffficulty this causes,

You may wish to participate in the Canon Loyalty Program. This program allows you to replace your current camera with a new Canon camera for a discounted fee, and have it shipped via Ground delivery. Refurbished cameras may also be available.

The replacement camera offered through this program includes a one-year limited warranty. The original non-functioning camera would then be returned to Canon USA for recycling using a prepaid shipping label that would be provided.

If you would like to take part in this option, please call our Sales Department at (866) 443-8002 seven days a week, 8:00 AM to Midnight. Let them know you have been working with email technical support and the Canon Loyalty Program was offered. Be sure to have your serial number for your camera at the time of your call.

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

lstout — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 11:34:56 GMT

My issue is exactly the same - and my camera will try to work when it is in AI Servo as well. It is unfortunate that there are no longer parts to fix these - however I understand that there are new and improved cameras out there. Thank you for your response.

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

TTMartin — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 14:14:41 GMT

@aspenpaul2 wrote:
Somewhat it trys to focus when in AI servo. If you stop the auto focus at the firght moment it will be in focus. Sometimes it keeps going in and out trying to get it set.

There is a possibility that your AF sensor is dirty.

The AF sensor is below the bottom of the mirror box, inside the camera.

With the camera in sensor cleaning mode (read your manual) the mirror will lock up and you should see holes at the bottom of the mirror box. The AF sensor is under those holes. Using a bulb blower (do not use canned air) blow air into those holes to clear any dust from the AF sensor. Some people use a flexy straw extension on their bulb blower to get a better angle to blow air into the holes. Note the main image sensor is also exposed while doing this so be sure to make sure it is clean and free of dust also before finishing.

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

aspenpaul2 — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 06:39:42 GMT

Thank you! I'll try that for sure!

Re: Canon EOS Rebel XS wont take a picture

aspenpaul2 — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 06:41:25 GMT

Thanks if I decide to go with another camera I will try this. Thank you for your help.