EOS 50D stops taking pictures

[tdpilot]

My EOS 50D stops taking pictures after 4-5 shots.  It seems like the lens stops communicating with the camera.  I can remove the lens, reinstall it, and the same problem persists.  I have cleaned the contacts, no change.  I am using the Canon ES 5, 55-250 zoom.  

[Waddizzle]

Try a new memory card.

[jrhoffman75]

Is this a new problem that just developed?

Any changes to equipment prior to the problem?

[tdpilot]

It was a problem that did appear suddenly, and there were no preceeding problems before that.  I am using the Canon EOS 55-25o zoom lens.  I can remove the lens, and reinstall it, and the same problem persists.  The camera will take 4-5 pictures normally, and then freeze up.  I have cleaned the lens-camera contacts, and replaced battery with another, but---

   I haven't used the camera in some time now, as a result.  

  Need it again.  

Lee Taylor 

[jrhoffman75]

Try removing and replacing the card and then reformat in camera.

If that doesn’t work follow the recommendation to try a new card.

[ebiggs1]

" The camera will take 4-5 pictures normally, and then freeze up.  I have cleaned the lens-camera contacts, and replaced battery with another, ..."

Cleaning the lens contacts rarely to never works or helps as you found out, so yo ucan stop trying that.  A new real Canon battery is a good idea and make sure it is fully charged. Of course it makes sense to get a brand new top quality SD card, it is a cheap try. You can reset the camera to factory settings, too, also free to try.  When none of that works a new camera is likely the only way to fix your problem.

[tdpilot]

Thank You!  I hadn't thought of that.  

Will do so, and let you know if it works.  Sure would be nice, but I have just about given up anything being that easy.  

Lee Taylor 

[tdpilot]

Thank You!   I hadn't thought of that.  Will do and let you know.  I am also checking all my bateries, and trying it without the big extermal battery pack that I have always used.  

Lee Taylor 

[jrhoffman75]

---

@tdpilot wrote:

Thank You!   I hadn't thought of that.  Will do and let you know.  I am also checking all my bateries, and trying it without the big extermal battery pack that I have always used.  

Lee Taylor 

---

That is important additional information. External battery grips are often a cause of intermittent operation, particularly if they are non-Canon products.

[ebiggs1]

"...without the big extermal battery pack that I have always used."

Is this a Canon brand battery grip?  Not a third party grip?  If it is a 3rd party grip deposit it in the circle file. Don't use it again.

Always, always use Canon brand battery grips and Canon brand batteries.  Some 3rd party batteries are OK but Canon is best. 3rd party grips are never a good idea.