RF24-240mm lens won't focus on distant objects

[Chad77]

I have the Canon RP and Canon RF 24-240 MM IS USM. The lens won't focus on distant object or allow the shot to be taken. It used to work. I've checked the lens switches. Is it a menu function that accidentally got turned on? Or lens failure.

[Chad77]

I have the Canon RP and Canon RF 24-240 MM IS USM. The lens won't focus on distant object or allow the shot to be taken. It used to work. I've checked the lens switches. Is it a menu function that accidentally got turned on? Or lens failure.

[jrhoffman75]

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@Chad77 wrote:

I have the Canon RP and Canon RF 24-240 MM IS USM. The lens won't focus on distant object or allow the shot to be taken. It used to work. I've checked the lens switches. Is it a menu function that accidentally got turned on? Or lens failure.

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1. Switch lens to MF and try manual focusing.

2. Does the object you are trying to focus on have sufficient contrast to allow AF to work?

[Chad77]

I've tried switching to MF, still get the red square. I've tried in daylight outside with very clear subjects, indoors in lower light. Not being able to find the subject is not the problem. It just doesn't do anything at distance beyond about 2 ft. I can manual focus in on the subject but the square remains red and won't allow the shutter to trigger. 

[jrhoffman75]

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@Chad77 wrote:

I've tried switching to MF, still get the red square. I've tried in daylight outside with very clear subjects, indoors in lower light. Not being able to find the subject is not the problem. It just doesn't do anything at distance beyond about 2 ft. I can manual focus in on the subject but the square remains red and won't allow the shutter to trigger. 

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Is this your only lens? Maybe you inadvertently activated a setting. Reset the camera and clear any custom settings. If that doesn’t work you should contact Canon.

[ebiggs1]

I would call Canon 1 (800) 652-2666 and ask the same question. It may need service.

[Chad77]

I have the 35mm prime and no issues with that one so I think I need to call Canon. Thanks for the feedback! 

[Waddizzle]

Does the issue persist at all focal lengths?

Are there any filters attached to the lens?

[Chad77]

No filters. It's not the lens struggling to find the subject. It just will not focus or do anything beyond about 1m. Just get the red square and can't trigger the shutter. I've reset settings. I've looked through the menu. I've tried MF. I've tried another lens. I don't have another camera body so haven't tried that. But ya, the more I look into it, the more it seems its a lens failure and not custom settings or accidentally activating a setting. The lens has been in my bag unused for about 6 months or so since I picked up the 35mm. Worked fine before. 🤷 Unfortunate, but I think it might need a repair. 

[Chad77]

Update! It's working again now? I pulled the battery and turned AF back on and now it works. Still a bit concerned that it even happened and wonder if there is something faulty with the lens, but contacts were clean. I don't know. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. Was helpful to have that list of troubleshooting to reference. 🙏