Canon auto focus problem solved!

[GoneOffShore]

Yesterday I was doing a series of shots in studio using my Canon Rebel and 50mm Canon lens and a Canon 420 Speedlite.

The camera was set to save to card in large JPEG and CR2.

About an hour in, after 15 shots the auto-focus stopped working. The lens would hunt but the AF points didn't light up and the lens wouldn't lock on focus. Changed to the 28mm-125mm zoom and same thing. For the rest of the session I worked with manual focus using the 50mm. At one point the aperture wouldn't close down either and I had to retake one shot about 5 times. Turned the camera off, removed the battery, changed the lens, changed back, turned off the flash, turned the flash back on and got the stop down to work.

Spent the day "old school" using manual focus.

Got home and checked out a couple of Canon forums and an extended manual on the camera - had to do a "hard reset" - Battery out, fully charged battery in, cleaned the lens contacts and then cleared all settings on the camera via the setup menu.

Auto-focus is working again.

But I'd still like to know what went wrong.

Anyone have any problems like this?

[Cassandra]

1. Usually, when my AF doesn't work...

it's because I accidentally hit the focus switch and find myself in manual.

[GoneOffShore]

2. I wish that had been the case on Tuesday.

It would have made life a lot easier.