[Closed] Canon EOS 450D - a problem?

It's the camera saying it is too dark, so the flash pops up automatically for you,

preflash also is an anti red eye thing, not sure about the busy thing though

Assuming you are shooting in low light conditions, the several rapid flashes are most likely autofocus assist. There is not enough light for the autofocus to work (not enough contrast between light and dark areas to get focus lock). The camera usually willnot take a picture if it cannot get focus lock while in autofocus mode.

Try switching to manual focus (switch on the lens) and see if it does it then

should be able to turn it off in the menus

af assist of
external flash only
or af assist on

Never any problems before in AF mode - point and shoot perfectly in any conditions the shots are taken whether flash needed or not. Its as if its going through the motions of the 'first stage' when shutter button pressed half way, then press all the way and the 'BUSY' prompt appears on the display rendering it incapeable of taking a shot????

When switched to MF its working fine..........but thats not the point!! Daughter taking it to school tomorrow (yep, she knows she'll be in so much trouble if anyhting happens to it!!) and she just wants point and shoot.

Hmmmm Had mine say busy a few times, but only when shooting in quick succession with flash one, sorry to say, but could be faulty 🙁

I'm thinking it could be faulty too. Not sure how long the guarantee is for but only had it about 6 months so might be ok (but probably missed the guarantee period by a day!). As I said before I've had not one single problem with it since purchasing or even seen the 'BUSY' message. Going to have to trawl for users manual.........and will probably be just as p*ssed off in the morning!

Thanks for your help anyway

I'll post it on the Canon forum for you mate, see if they know! I'll let you know!

When switched to MF its working fine..........but thats not the point!!

Actually that pretty much is the point. If it works in manual focus, then what Andypaice said is right. Your camera needs a certain level of light to autofocus and if it can't focus, it won't let you take a picture. If you wanted to take out-of-focus pictures in point and click mode, you should have bought a compact.

The guarantee will be for a year, but if you take this back to a shop and say it's faulty, they'll look at you like you're being stupid. And they'll be right.

I don't think that's the problem sometimerider, judging on what he says the busy screen comes up, which wont allow him to take a photo. If it all worked fine then the flash would fire, and there would be a photo, but as i understand this does not happen. Suggesting that the item is in fact faulty.

IIRC the canon can take shots when AF hasnt focus locked?

Not in full auto it cant, every other mode it should

Fair enough, while since I used my fathers!

You're right Will - I've used this camera in every kind of light, auto focus works a treat no matter what light conditions, press shutter button half way down to focus everytime without fail even in poorest of light then completely down to take spot on pics.

Sometimerider I hear what you're saying but you aint right with this camera, it works on autofocus with great flash if needed no matter how dark and how little contrast between light and dark areas to get autofocus lock.
Same happened in daylight yesterday......cant see how your explanation can stand up to that? Wont going to shop saying its faulty, will go for advice.