5D focus points malfunction

[edpereira]

The focus points on my 5D suddenly stopped working properly. although they are still somewhat visible, they are clearly faded and sometimes barely discernible. Any idea what the problem could be or how to repair?

[WahoGT]

Is this a mark III? If so, check to see that your AF display hasn't been disabled in the settings menu. It should be under "AF point display during focus" on pg 102 of the manual. You may have also disabled the AF point illumination (pg 104). Otherwise, sounds like it may be a hardware issue needing repair.

[amfoto1]

If it's a Mark II, Custom Function III, 4: AF/Drive Superimposed Display set to "1. Off" will turn off the red flash of active AF points. You'll still get the green LED of Focus Confirmation and hear the "beep", if it's enabled, but both these only occur in One Shot mode (or when AI Focus is using One Shot... there is no Focus Confirmation in AI Servo, since focus is continuous and never "locks"). Reset that C.Fn to "0. On" and you'll see the red AF point flash at focus start. 

Note: during AF Point selection, the chosen point(s) should light up red no matter which way C.Fn III, 4 is set.

I'm not sure if the original 5D is exactly the same, but it is probably very similar (there were not much, if any, changes to the AF system from the original to the Mark II) .

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
amfoto1@aol.com

"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, lenses and accessories.