I have a problem with my 650d it is not taking the picture

[helens797]

I am having a problem with my 650d - it is not taking the picture.  I am pressing the button and now click (sorry for the none technical speak),  The battery is fully charged and everything else seems fine.  IT is also not focussing.  Any ideas?

[Skirball]

What shooting mode are you using?

Turn it to manual focus (the button is on the lens), does it take the photo?  If so, it's not locking focus, this could be because it's too dark, or not enough contrast at the focal point.  If that didn't do it I'd look into shutter lock (push the button twice, does it work), shutter speed (maybe it's in bulb mode or super long?), something wrong with the SD card.  Is it turning on at all?  If not check the battery and SD card doors.

[TCampbell]

Skirball's advice is spot on.  The camera is programmed to not take a photo if it cannot lock focus IF the camera is in it's default "One Shot" mode AND the lens is set to autofocus (AF/MF switch on the lens is in the AF position).   

Switching to MF is a simple test because the it disables the "focus priority" feature of the camera and allows the camera to take a photo whether it could confirm the focus was achieved or not (of course you'll get a blurry photo... but at least you know the camera works.)

If the camera is in "AI Servo" focus mode it will also take a photo even if the camera could not confirm focus.

You may be having a problem with the specific lens.  Do you own more then one lens?  Also... give the camera & lens IDEAL circumstances for taking a photo... e.g. go outside during the day and take the photo of something which has plenty of light.  If you're trying to take a photo in a dimly lit situation it's very common for the camera to struggle to focus and ultimately refuse to take the shot.