Canon EOS 650 SLR

I have had this camera in the closet for the past 2 years being careful to take out the battery prior to storing it. Now we are going on a holiday where I would like to use the camera and I began by placing a new battery into the camera. My problem is that I can’t seem to get it out of the Manual Focus mode. I have a Canon EF Zoom Lens 35 - 70 on the camera and there is a little slider switch on the barrel that is used for selecting between AF - autofocus and M - manual. The main switch is set to the green rectangle - Full Auto. You would think that this would be all that is required to get the camera into the Automatic Focus mode but no - I still have the M. Focus display in the lower left corner of the LCD whereas what I would like to see in this corner is the One Shot AF mode. What is going on here - am I missing something basic? I am attempting all of the above without any film in the camera but that couldn’t be the source of the problem could it? Surely the camera can be empty while programming it, I would think. Anyhow I would appreciate input on my problem from those familliar with the workings of this particular model.

Thanks

John jstern@yknet.yk.ca

-- John Stern (jstern@yknet.yk.ca), September 03, 2001

Answers

with my knowledge of canon lenses, its not the body but you have to set the AF on the LENS, there should be a switch on the lens that says M and AF.

Or your AF could be busted like on my Minolta 5000i.

-- Jake (Photodude@nowhere.net), September 03, 2001.

If your lens is switched to AF, it should AF. If the camera still thinks it's in manual focus, it's probably a bad lens, a bad switch in the lens or just dirty contacts between the lens and camera body. Try cleaning the contacts on both the body and the lens with a pencil eraser. If that doesn't work, go to a camera store and try a different lens.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), September 04, 2001.

John,

I have owned this model for years. I tested my own camera to follow your writing above. No, you shouldn't have to have film in the camera to test the programming. Presently, I have no film in my camera and I was able to focus and program it. You are right. If the mode is set to the green rectangle and you switch your lens to AF, the manual focus on LCD should disappear. One shot should appear or whatever other frame mode you have chosen. Have you tried setting the camera to A rather than the green rectangle? What happens then? Does your camera focus with the lens set at AF?

Personally, I wouldn't want to use the green rectangle mode. It has the annoying beeping sound to let you know your subject is in focus. It really is a pain in the neck. Try the A mode. I think you will be happier. Just the same, this mode should focus when your lens is set at AF. But for the time being, try the A mode. This might get you by for the time being.

Otherwise, it sounds like there is a bad connection between the camera and lens. Just as the other fellow mentioned, perhaps a good cleaning of the connectors on the lens would do the trick. Beyond that, this is an old camera. You may want to have it serviced.

I started having problems with mine 2-4 weeks ago. I think I have a bad shutter. My pics come out with 1/2 the print showing a good exposure, the remaining 1/2 totally black. And, I was not using a flash. So, it was not a sync problem between flash and camera.

Like I said, these are old cameras. Oldies but goodies. The new ones have too many bells and whistles. I also have an A2. I doubt I will ever use all of the many many features it has. If they still sold the 650, I would buy another one. In my opinion, it's a very well built 35mm for someone who shoots alot.

Well, that's my spill. Good luck...

Mitzi

-- Mitzi Hook (tmjhook@gallatinriver.net), September 09, 2001.

>I started having problems with mine 2-4 weeks ago. I think I have a bad shutter. My pics come out with 1/2 the print showing a good exposure, the remaining 1/2 totally black. And, I was not using a flash.

Do you have black sticky goo on the shutter curtain? This happens with older EOS cameras as a foam bumper inside breaks down, apparently. I know it happens with the EOS 100/ Elan (it's happening on mine, sadly) and I think I've heard of it being a problem on the 600 series cameras also.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), September 10, 2001.