problems with autofocus

[ontario_slacker]

I have had my camera (canon powershot pro 1) for a few months now and just a few weeks ago I began realizing that it wasn't autofocussing very quickly. It has been getting worse and worse and now it does not autofocus at all. It doesn't matter what type of light or anything. It takes about 2 seconds to focus but it doesn't really focus. I have noticed that there is a small amount of dust or some particles in the lense part. I am not sure how they got there because the lens seems to be fairly sealed. Could these particles be the problem because there is not very many of them(2-3) and they are very small. Or could it be that something is wrong with the camera so that it doesn't know what to focus on. Your help would be greatly appreciated. I will probably end up bringing it in to the camera store but if I can fix it myself that will save me a trip.

[Michael Fanelli]

I have had my camera (canon powershot pro 1) for a few months now and just a few weeks ago I began realizing that it wasn't autofocussing very quickly. It has been getting worse and worse and now it does not autofocus at all. It doesn't matter what type of light or anything. It takes about 2 seconds to focus but it doesn't really focus. I have noticed that there is a small amount of dust or some particles in the lense part. I am not sure how they got there because the lens seems to be fairly sealed. Could these particles be the problem because there is not very many of them(2-3) and they are very small. Or could it be that something is wrong with the camera so that it doesn't know what to focus on. Your help would be greatly appreciated. I will probably end up bringing it in to the camera store but if I can fix it myself that will save me a trip.

It is almost never possible to fix these things yourself. Your best bet is to send the camera directly to Canon (not the dealer) for repairs.

[another view]

It would take a lot of junk on the lens to make the AF not work properly, enough that the image quality would be affected and it doesn't sound like this is the case here.

As long as the battery is good (try replacing or recharging it just to be sure), then I think you'll have to send it in.

[ontario_slacker]

I think I'll email canon about the problem and see if they know what it is. When I hear back from them I'll probably send it in.