EF 135mm f/2L USM not manually or auto focusing

[Jackie_13079]

Hi,

Yesterday I tried using my 135 mm f2 L lens and it was not auto or manually focusing. Even when I tried turning the ring it doesn't do anything. I used it one week ago with no issues and I haven't dropped it or anything. What can be the issue and how can I fix it? Thank you for the help.

[deebatman316]

Hello Jackie_13079 will the lens AF on a different camera body. Also what camera body are you using with this lens. One thing to note is that SOME USM (specifically Nano USM) lenses use an Electronic Focus Ring. The same as an STM lens the camera metering system must be active for MF or MF override to work.

-Demetrius

EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM & EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM

EOS 40D & 5D Mark IV

430EX III-RT & 600EX II-RT

[Jackie_13079]

Thank you for the reply. No it isn't working on another camera body and I am currently using the 5D mark III with this lens. When I try to focus you can hear some noise of it trying to auto focus for a second and then it stops.

[deebatman316]

Are you trying to focus on an area with low light. I would suggest trying to focus in an area with plenty of light and contrast.

-Demetrius

EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM, EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF 50 F/1.8 STM & EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM

EOS 40D & 5D Mark IV

430EX III-RT & 600EX II-RT

[rs-eos]

How far away are the subjects you are attempting to capture? If say the focus distance switch is set to 1.6m to infinity and you're subjects are closer than 1.6m, it won't acquire focus.

If though the subjects are far enough away, then it sounds like the lens may need to be repaired.

[ebiggs1]

First you need to reset the 5D Mk III to default setting. Next set it to P mode. ISO 200, One shot and average WB. Make sure the lens is set to AF. Now go outside on a nice sunny day and try it. Take a dozen shots at varying distances and varying subjects. Close, far, people, trees, landscapes, etc. If it works, it works. If it doesn't you have a faulty lens contact Canon. 1 (800) 652-2666

[Dwaz4]

Seems nobody's understanding your issue. I understand it because I have that lens and it just stopped manually and autofocusing by itself and I've had that lens now for 20 years I think. I sent it in to get an estimate for repair and they told me and I didn't like it so I didn't repair it I'm going to repair it myself just for kicks since it doesn't work.  YouTube has a lot of do-it-yourself repair videos. I fixed my 70 to 200 f 2.8 l lens four screws came loose in the barrel after it was maintenance by canon in Brazil I think they forgot to tighten them down so it wasn't bad at all pretty cool in fact the lenses actually out of warranty and many places won't touch that lens but I was successful enough to disassemble it and put it back together and it works great now. My Canon 100 mm f 2.8 prime stopped out of focusing so I took it apart and the cable was broken now I have to buy the autofocus switch which has the ribbon cable on it that broke. Funny huh a little ribbon cable breaks and have to buy the whole freaking switch. How many lenses are falling apart come on Canon good God almighty. Anyway I'll update here after I disassemble my USM motor and see what the hell's going on cuz yeah when I spin the ring nothing moves of course the auto doesn't even work anyway but manual I would expect it to work but no it doesn't turn at all the focus distances. Now with that said let's hope somebody in the community can come up with an answer as to what the hell's going on with our lenses. 

[ebiggs1]

"Seems nobody's understanding your issue."

Seems you missed the fact this is a three year old thread and most likely the OP has moved on.

[Dwaz4]

Jackie I'm happy to announce that after watching YouTube every kind of lens I could find Canon no matter what the focal length was I was studying the disassembly process because they wanted 600 US dollars to fix my 135 F2.0 USM lens and that's just too much so I said let me just tear it apart. I tore it apart and I found the problem and it's your problem too probably as you get down to the motor gear if that's what it's called you see it's not engaging you can spin it but just above it is a big round spring washer and I know his mind had popped up it wasn't set it somehow it slipped to the left and released from putting pressure on the gears that push down on the motor so I pushed down and twisted the ring that's how you see it reassembled my lens and it works perfect Auto and manual focus. And they told me I need a new motherboard what a joke. So if you have all the tools which I had the tools it's actually a fun project and a few screws. Good luck oh this lens is so good it is sharp crisp and so fast it's ridiculous. My most favorite lens for portraitures wildlife you name it it is crisp. So good luck. If you don't see that metal ring tight against the top of the gear ring then seat it and if that's not the problem it's already seated and it's tight in that area with no gap between the  giant pressure washer I will call it then you have some other issues that I cannot help you with. 

[Jackie_13079]

Thank you for the information. I haven't been able to figure out what was wrong with it and this is super helpful because I still want to fix it.