I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture.

crispycritter — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 17:28:25 GMT

I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture. Canon doesn't work on the 20D anymore. Would a regular camera shop still be able to work on it?

Re: I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture.

Skirball — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 21:07:16 GMT

Sure. Call them up. But it's likely it'll cost more than the camera is worth.

Re: I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture.

TCampbell — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 04:07:47 GMT

Not having a 20D, I can't be sure what your issue is but we might be able to narrow this down.

The issue may be the lens and not the camera.

Current Canon EOS bodies have three focus modes... these are "One Shot", "AI Focus", and "AI Servo". If the camera is in "One Shot" focus mode, then the camera will _not_ take a photo unless it can lock focus on at least one focus point... but this is only true if the lens is in the auto-focus mode (AF/MF switch is set to AF).

This is because "One Shot" mode also implies something called "focus priority". That means the camera will NOT take a photo unless it can focus first. If it can't confirm focus, it will refuse to take a picture.

Try two things:

1) Switch the lens to MF and try again. If the camera takes the photo this time then it means the reason it wasn't taking a photo before was because it was not able to lock focus. If the lens is in manual focus mode then the camera will not insist on having a focus lock -- it presumes you deliberately intended to focus as you have and takes the shot anyway. Clearly you don't want to leave your camera in MF mode but we're just testing the focus priority feature.

2) You can also set the lens to AF, but change the camera to "AI Servo" mode. See if the camera will take a photo now. (never mind if it can focus -- we're trying to separate the "will the camera focus" question from the "will the camera activate the shutter and take an image even if it's a blurry image" question.) If it does take a photo then it helps confirm the focus problem.

Here's why: "AI Servo" is intended for sports/action. But AI Servo mode implies something called "release priority" (whereas "One Shot" implies "focus priority"). I mentioned that "focus priority" will not take a shot unless the camera can lock focus. But in "release priority" the camera will take the shot the _moment_ you fully press the shutter button and it will do this whether the camera was able to lock focus or not (so sports/action photographers know to half-press to lock focus before fully pressing the shutter and/or use back-button focus.)

If you can get the camera to take a photo use method 1 or 2 then it means the camera's ability to take photos is fine... and the real problem is the camera's ability to FOCUS is having a problem.

Focus, however, is part lens and part camera -- they both have to cooperate. It's entirely possible that you're having a problem with the lens and the camera itself is fine.

If this turns out to be the case, do you have another lens that you can use to test whether the camera can focus and shoot?

Lastly... assuming you have more than one lens but the camera has the same problem with all of them, then it would point to the camera. It's probably not worthwhile to attempt to service the camera, but don't discard the camera just yet. Canon offers a loyalty program which allows owners of Canon products to upgrade to new or refurbished Canon products at a fairly good discount. The defails of the program are not published online -- you'd have to phone Canon support, mention your problem with the 20D and ask about the loyalty upgrade program. Canon service can then tell you what products are available in the upgrade program (not all products are available.) They key is that you're basically trading up an old Canon product for a new or refurbished one -- so you don't want discard your current product even if you think it cannot be fixed -- until you can decide if you'd like to take advantage of the program.

Good luck and please let us know if you're able to get the camera to take a photo (even if it's blurry) using any of these methods.

Regards,

Tim

Re: I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture.

Tim — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 20:45:45 GMT

Hello Crispycritter,

As it seems you have already discovered, Canon no longer services the EOS 20D at our factory service centers. We also don't maintain a list of independent retailers or repair centers that would still offer to work on this model.

There is however another option; participation in the Canon Loyalty Program. This allows you to replace your current camera with a refurbished Canon digital camera for a discounted fee, plus $10 shipping for Second Business Day delivery.

The refurbished units through this program carry a 90 day warranty. The original non-functioning camera would then be returned to Canon with a prepaid label that would be provided.

If you would like to take part in this option, please call our Sales Department at (800) OK CANON (800-652-2666) seven days a week, 8am 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.

topic Re: I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture. in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture.

Re: I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture.

Re: I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture.

Re: I have a 20D that turns on but won't focus or take a picture.