Cannot focus distant subjects in AF

[hcpennell]

I have a Canon Rebel T3.

Several weeks ago I had an issue with my 50mm/1.8 focusing in AF.  It indicated a busy light and would not allow me to take a picture in AF.  I was able to take a picture in MF.  My kit lens seemed to work fine, so I assumed the problem was with the lens itself.  I replaced the lens, but have experiences similar problems with the new 50 mm/ 1.8.  The camera will not focus in AF mode on subjects that are further away, however it will focus and allow me to take a picture when trying to focus on a subjet that is closer.   Again, my kit lens seems to focus and allows me to take a picture without issue. 

[ebiggs1]

There is something wrong with your camera.   Send it and the lenses to Canon service.

[TCampbell]

I still suspect there is something wrong with the 50mm lens.  Do you happen to know someone with a Canon EOS body that could help you test the lens and rule out the camera as the issue?

[RobertTheFat]

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@hcpennell wrote:

I have a Canon Rebel T3.

Several weeks ago I had an issue with my 50mm/1.8 focusing in AF.  It indicated a busy light and would not allow me to take a picture in AF.  I was able to take a picture in MF.  My kit lens seemed to work fine, so I assumed the problem was with the lens itself.  I replaced the lens, but have experiences similar problems with the new 50 mm/ 1.8.  The camera will not focus in AF mode on subjects that are further away, however it will focus and allow me to take a picture when trying to focus on a subjet that is closer.   Again, my kit lens seems to focus and allows me to take a picture without issue. 

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You're not using an extension tube, are you? An extension tube increases the lens's effective focal length, and the kind with no corrective optics can make it impossible to focus at long distances Your kit lens, being a zoom, may have greater latitude in this regard.