Canon 90D Focus Problem

[Inspeqtor]

I have owned the 90D since 2019 and bought it directly from Canon. It has been a very good camera and have loved it immensely.

It seems now when I try to take pictures sometimes it will Auto-focus just fine, but then directly after it will not Auto-focus at all. No focusing takes place and it refuses to let me take a picture.

Has any one else had this problem on ANY Canon model before?

Thank you!

 

[RhodyPhotos]

Hello charles, does this behavior happen with one particular lens or with all lens?

 

[Inspeqtor]

Hello charles, does this behavior happen with one particular lens or with all lens?

Well I do not know as I have only tried it with one lens, my Sigma 17-70 Macro lens which is a wonderful lens! I have always used that lens ALOT!
I will try it with more lenses.

 

[RhodyPhotos]

also does an error message show up on the camera lcd screen?

 

[Inspeqtor]

also does an error message show up on the camera lcd screen?

No error message seen.

I just tried my Canon 18-135mm lens, and it was focusing just fine!.
I then put my Sigma 17-70mm lens back on, and it now also was focusing fine.
Sure wish I knew what is happening and why it is happening.

 

[Joeseph]

I have something similar with my Canon M5, works fine for awhile then just refuses to focus & take a shot. Take the battery out for a minute & replace usually gets it going again - very frustrating.
It's got to the point where I don't even bother taking it out. I have two lenses for the M series & both work fine on my IR converted M6 so I figure it's the camera itself that's the problem.

It's a shame because the M5 is great & a very compact unit, so it's either take the larger R5 out, or put up with cellphone shots. Likelihood of it being economically repaired is zero, I should sell it for parts...

Only advice I can give you Charles, is check if the firmware is the latest version - sometimes they release bug fixes that helps with such problems. Updating firmware can be fiddly if you're not used to that sort of thing but the Canon instructions are reasonably straightforward.

 

[Inspeqtor]

I have something similar with my Canon M5, works fine for awhile then just refuses to focus & take a shot. Take the battery out for a minute & replace usually gets it going again - very frustrating.
It's got to the point where I don't even bother taking it out. I have two lenses for the M series & both work fine on my IR converted M6 so I figure it's the camera itself that's the problem.

It's a shame because the M5 is great & a very compact unit, so it's either take the larger R5 out, or put up with cellphone shots. Likelihood of it being economically repaired is zero, I should sell it for parts...

Only advice I can give you Charles, is check if the firmware is the latest version - sometimes they release bug fixes that helps with such problems. Updating firmware can be fiddly if you're not used to that sort of thing but the Canon instructions are reasonably straightforward.

Thank you Joeseph. Can you tell me how to check the firmware? How will I know if it is the latest version?

 

[Inspeqtor]

This is the first time I have ever had this problem with the camera not wanting to focus in the 6 years I have had this camera.

 

[Joeseph]

Thank you Joeseph. Can you tell me how to check the firmware? How will I know if it is the latest version?

I'll "borrow" a link to one of Canons' help pages as it'll likely explain much more clearly than I would:

Support

support.usa.canon.com

my understanding is that the latest general release version for 90D is 1.1.1

(having said that, there is some discussion about 1.1.2 being found on some cameras)

Given the age of the last firmware version (2019) it wouldn't surprise me if yours was already newest version already - doesn't hurt to check though.

One other thing I thought of, is that by default, Canon cameras with touchscreens leave the touchscreen active even when eyepiece is being used and the screen is blanked out.
Daft design if you ask me because this results in options being inadvertently "nose-selected" while taking shots using the viewfinder. Is it possible you're managing to turn auto-focus off?
just something else to consider anyway.

 

[Inspeqtor]

How do I check to see the firmware in MY camera?

 

[Inspeqtor]

Joeseph,
Looking at the Setup Menu #5 on the LINK you show which I show here does NOT look at all like what I see on the menu page of my 90D body which I also show here. Why are they not the same?

My 90D does not show the Firmware at all like we see on your LINK.

 

[Archibald]

Perhaps you need to set your camera to one of the Creative Modes.

From Canon, double-negative advice:

NOTE:
The firmware version will not be displayed if the camera is not in one of the Creative Zone Modes. Please ensure that the mode dial is set to one of the Creative Zone Modes (P, Tv, Av, or B) before checking the firmware version.

 

[paddler4]

Always a good idea to keep the firmware up to date, but I doubt that's your problem. Something clearly changed when the lens stopped focusing consistently, and unless the existing firmware was corrupted, it wasn't the firmware.

Have you checked to make sure that the contacts on that lens and the camera's lens mount are clean? They can get dirty over time, interrupting the electrical connection. They are easy to clean. Use a tiny amount of alcohol on anything lint-free. I would use a q-tip. Don't use enough to cause a drip, and make sure the camera and lens are position so that an accidental drip won't go any place it shouldn't. Let it dry and, if need be, blow off any lint with a rocket blower or the likes.

Some people suggest cleaning with a pencil eraser, but I would NEVER do that because it generates little bits of debris.

Also, keep trying with at least two lenses. If the problem is restricted to one lens, you have your answer, or at least part of it.

 

[Canon Amateur]

It seems that you can reproduce the phenomenon to a certain extend.
Archibald suggested to use a creative mode. But to be on the very safe side try to use the green box and try to reproduce the focus issue again.
Disable MagicLantern if you use that.

 

[Inspeqtor]

Perhaps you need to set your camera to one of the Creative Modes.

From Canon, double-negative advice:

NOTE:
The firmware version will not be displayed if the camera is not in one of the Creative Zone Modes. Please ensure that the mode dial is set to one of the Creative Zone Modes (P, Tv, Av, or B) before checking the firmware version.

Thank you for this information! My Firmware right now is 1.1.3 is this the latest firmware for the 90D? How do I find what the latest Firmware is, and IF NEEDED how do I download the latest Firmware and how do I install it?

Thank you!

 

[Inspeqtor]

Always a good idea to keep the firmware up to date, but I doubt that's your problem. Something clearly changed when the lens stopped focusing consistently, and unless the existing firmware was corrupted, it wasn't the firmware.

Have you checked to make sure that the contacts on that lens and the camera's lens mount are clean? They can get dirty over time, interrupting the electrical connection. They are easy to clean. Use a tiny amount of alcohol on anything lint-free. I would use a q-tip. Don't use enough to cause a drip, and make sure the camera and lens are position so that an accidental drip won't go any place it shouldn't. Let it dry and, if need be, blow off any lint with a rocket blower or the likes.

Some people suggest cleaning with a pencil eraser, but I would NEVER do that because it generates little bits of debris.

Also, keep trying with at least two lenses. If the problem is restricted to one lens, you have your answer, or at least part of it.

You will read in my previous post I did ask about how do I check what the latest firmware is and if needed how do I download and install the firmware.
Cleaning the contacts is a good suggestion. I will do that soon. No I would never try using an eraser because of what you suggest the possibility of bits of eraser rubber bits getting inside the body would only be very bad.

Today my camera is taking pictures. I wish I knew for sure WHY!?!?!

Thank you!

 

[Inspeqtor]

It seems that you can reproduce the phenomenon to a certain extend.
Archibald suggested to use a creative mode. But to be on the very safe side try to use the green box and try to reproduce the focus issue again.
Disable MagicLantern if you use that.

I thank you also. No I do not have Magic Lantern

 

[Joeseph]

The latest version on the Canon Website is 1.1.1 so yours being 1.1.3 is newer than that generally available so from a firmware perspective you're all good.

 

[Archibald]

Thank you for this information! My Firmware right now is 1.1.3 is this the latest firmware for the 90D? How do I find what the latest Firmware is, and IF NEEDED how do I download the latest Firmware and how do I install it?

Thank you!

Don't worry about it, Charles. Go out and take pictures.

 

[Archibald]

The latest firmware for the R7 is 1.7.1 and it is here:

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/canon-product-advisories/Firmware-Notice-EOS-R7-Firmware-Version-1-7-1

I am avoiding it because it introduces passwords, and that is a complication that I don't need.