Canon 10D - AF won't work and MF photos come out black?

[Pulse]

The 10D I have has a dead watch battery, and AF won't work, and the MF takes blank photos. Would thus just be down to the battery?

The camera shows 'C 6C' when I turn it on.

[flat-planedCrank]

Pulse said:

The 10D I have has a dead watch battery, and AF won't work, and the MF takes blank photos. Would thus just be down to the battery?

The camera shows 'C 6C' when I turn it on.

'C bC' is just the error for the dead date'n'time battery - wouldn't have thought it would stop the AF or force it to take blank shots though... Have you tried a different lens / card?

[Dave^]

Take the lens cap off?

[Pulse]

flat-planedCrank said:

Pulse said:

The 10D I have has a dead watch battery, and AF won't work, and the MF takes blank photos. Would thus just be down to the battery?

The camera shows 'C 6C' when I turn it on.

'C bC' is just the error for the dead date'n'time battery - wouldn't have thought it would stop the AF or force it to take blank shots though... Have you tried a different lens / card?

I know the lens works as it works on 2 other cameras. Not tried swapping the card though. I did think that code must mean the battery is dead, so that's no problem. Any other ideas if it's not the card though, and surely the card wouldn't stop AF from working?

To explain AF though, AF will try to work, but it just goes in, comes back, and is still blurry. It also will physically not allow me to take photos. Switch it to MF, and all is dandy! (But the photos are black! - No Dave, it didn't have the cap on! )

[DIW35]

You don't say what lens you have on the camera, but does it have a focal range switch that is on the wrong setting. I have a couple of lenses with this, and if on the wrong setting the AF acts similarly to what you are describing.

The only thought I have with regard to your MF shots coming out black is that they are either massively underexposed (wrong camera settings) or the shutter is broken.

[LongQ]

Pulse said:

flat-planedCrank said:

Pulse said:

The 10D I have has a dead watch battery, and AF won't work, and the MF takes blank photos. Would thus just be down to the battery?

The camera shows 'C 6C' when I turn it on.

'C bC' is just the error for the dead date'n'time battery - wouldn't have thought it would stop the AF or force it to take blank shots though... Have you tried a different lens / card?

I know the lens works as it works on 2 other cameras. Not tried swapping the card though. I did think that code must mean the battery is dead, so that's no problem. Any other ideas if it's not the card though, and surely the card wouldn't stop AF from working?

To explain AF though, AF will try to work, but it just goes in, comes back, and is still blurry. It also will physically not allow me to take photos. Switch it to MF, and all is dandy! (But the photos are black! - No Dave, it didn't have the cap on! )

No idea about a 10D but later models, if set to AF and maybe depending on other settings related to overriding the camera's automation, will prevent one taking a picture if focus had not been achieved. Change to MF and you are on your own of course.

Now, if changing to MF works but you get a black (or very dark) frame it suggests that exposure is up the shoot. This might happen for a number of reasons - for example if the exposure system was not working because the lens was in fully stopped down mode rather than wide open for metering.

Do you have a lens that you can operate fully manually? I.E. not only set the focus but the aperture as well? If you do that would give you an opportunity to set some completely manual settings (speed and aperture) to see if you get a different result - basically anything EXCEPT black would prove something for such a test.

I have checked the manual for my camera (not a 10D) and it doesn't mention anything about the Date and time battery in relation to anything other than date and time - but that's not to say that there is no less-than-obvious connection in the way a 10D works!

[Pulse]

Well, it looks like it's probably knackered then. The lens was an EF 28-something, I think. AF/MF but can't adjust the Aperture manually.

I'll get it on the 'bay and flog it for £20 or something.

[Simpo Two]

Have you used the camera successfuly when the battery was OK, or did you get it s/h in this state?

[Pulse]

Simpo Two said:

Have you used the camera successfuly when the battery was OK, or did you get it s/h in this state?

I got it second hand like this, so not sure what could be wrong. I'll just sell it rather than spending out.

[nellyleelephant]

Pulse said:

Simpo Two said:

Have you used the camera successfuly when the battery was OK, or did you get it s/h in this state?

I got it second hand like this, so not sure what could be wrong. I'll just sell it rather than spending out.

I'd take a punt at £20!

[Simpo Two]

[Pulse]

nellyleelephant said:

Pulse said:

Simpo Two said:

Have you used the camera successfuly when the battery was OK, or did you get it s/h in this state?

I got it second hand like this, so not sure what could be wrong. I'll just sell it rather than spending out.

I'd take a punt at £20!

Someone else has already emailed, so I will let you know! I'd like £30 inc postage and I'm happy.

[Pulse]

Gone! No need to fix it now!

Now if to sell the working one...

[Simpo Two]

Pulse said:

Gone!

How far did it go? If you wound the spring back all the way I reckon about 130 yards...

[Pulse]

It went for 20 (plus some postage). I think that's fair!