Used EOS 40D: LCD screen dead, no memory card, no focus

[Fran201]

Hello!

I have never used a camera in my Life but i would like to start now. I have found a used Canon EOS 40d.

It may be broken but i am not totally sure.

I bought new batteries online since the camera i found had none.

The camera turns on. The small display on the right turns on, but the screen Is completely dead.

There Is no Memory card inserted at the Moment and the camera has no focus.

I would like to buy both but not sure if It Is worth since the camera Is not responding.

Thank you 

  

[p4pictures]

EOS 40D doesn't simply display the image on the rear LCD screen. In the main it was designed so that you shoot while looking through the viewfinder just above the LCD screen. With a lens on, you will see what the lens sees through the viewfinder. 

Your camera does have a feature called Live View, but it is a very early implementation. With this it is possible to see the preview of the shot on the rear screen. However this function needs to be activated from within the camera menus. If you use live view there is no autofocus, so you need to select MF on the lens and turn the lens focus ring to focus.

Your camera will take CompactFlash memory cards, but not larger capacity ones. I would suggest you look for 32GB cards as a maximum 

[Fran201]

Thank you Brian for the prompt reply.

I would follow your suggestion about Memory card capacity, that Is really helpful. 

So except for the feature Live View, the display stays black all time, correct?

Do you think this lens Is suited for my camera?

 

 thank you for your reply

 

[deebatman316]

I would advise against using Amazon for camera gear related purchases. There is a high risk of Gray Market camera gear. I would stick to B&H Photo or any other Canon Authorized Dealer. Now as far as the camera body goes. If you press the info button while the camera is on. It will display the cameras settings. Like the exposure triangle and other stuff. This camera for some reason doesn't play nicely with large capacity memory cards. I personally use 8GB in my 40D. This camera as my colleague Brian has said. The camera has a very early implementation of live view. This camera doesn't support on image sensor AF. Instead the camera will drop the mirror and use the dedicated viewfinder AF system to AF. Also half pressing the shutter button doesn't work for AF during live view. You must press and hold the AF-ON button for it to work. For lenses with an electronic focus ring. The electronic focus ring is always active in live view mode. As long as USM lens Electronic MF is enabled. Live view doesn't work with the camera set to Auto or any other basic Mode. It only works in M, Av, TV & P Modes. As for speedlites go. This camera was the first in the xxD camera lineup to support the in camera flash menu. All EX and the EL-1 & EL-100 support your camera. Older Speedlites aren't compatible with the in camera flash menu. Another common kit lens with the camera in the U.S. was the EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens. My camera came with that lens. 

[p4pictures]

The LCD screen on the back is not used unless it displays the menu or reviewing the captured images on the memory card. I suggest you check that the menu displays. Switch the camera on and press the MENU button on the top left of the camera. If the menu text appears on the LCD screen you know the screen is working.

That EF 50mm f/1.8 lens you pictured will work with the camera. EOS 40D is also compatible with Canon EF-S lenses, so you might consider one of those as an alternative. The camera was originally sold with either an EF-S 18-55mm or EF-S 17-85mm lens. 

[Fran201]

That what I was referring to.

The display Is Always black no matter what I press. So I think It Is not working, not sure if It Is worth to make It fixed.

Thank you again!

[deebatman316]

Have you tried pressing the info button. On this camera the screen is always black. Unless playing back a picture, using the menu system or pressing the info button to review settings.

[stevet1]

Fran201,

Even if you decide not to keep the 40D that you have, you will still need the memory card(s) and a lens down the road no matter what camera you have, so yeah, they would be good purchases now.

For now, the 32g card that Brian mentioned, and the 50mm lens that you mentioned are both pretty affordable. I'd say, go for it.

Steve Thomas

[Fran201]

Yes, at least to start from what I have ☺️

Thank you Steve

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Not to rain on your parade, but I would not invest more time or money into this camera until I was sure it was working.