20 Most Recent Canon EOS 1100D Rebel T3 Body Only Digital Camera - Page 3 Questions & Answers

What size is the card you're using and are you shooting RAW or the largest JPG files the camera will allow, or a combination of RAW+JPG?

When you have another lens, that still works on the same camera, you can assume it is something with the 18-55. Please check carefully if all contacts are clean and shiny. Also check if not one has a (even tiny) bent to dent. You can clean contacts with a dry cloth, or cotton swab. Never use anything sharp in or lost by a camera. If you can't fine anything obvious wrong with the contacts, I think you should visit a Canon certified service centre. Came just in my mind. If the camera does not give any error, and you still can shoot (blurred) pictures, check if the AF switch is not on manual.

Although the manual does not show how to connect to a computer, the system map shows how to use a mini USB cable to connect the camera to a PC. But before the camera will communicate with any PC or Laptop, it needs software. From the Canon USA website you still can download the Zoombrowser EX software for free. It used to be the EOS Digital solution disk and the ArcSoft PhotoStudio Disk. Before connecting the camera, install the software. Then when software (and driver) are installed, when connecting the camera, the software will start up and ask what to do. Like import the pictures to the computer. Success

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries. Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo management program such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

Sounds as though moisture is closing the shutter release contact or has damaged it. You can try wrapping the camera in a clean, paper bag without the lens and battery and open the battery and memory card door as well as the other covers. Then place the bag in a large bowl or box of clean, dry, uncooked white rice, completely covering it, for at least a week to draw moisture out of the camera. You can also use a commercially available moisture desiccant but they're more expensive and the rice works pretty well. If that doesn't help send the camera in for repair as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more damage can be done by trapped moisture.

The message flashing on the camera is "EXP SIM", which indicates that the lighting conditions for the current shot are not optimal for displaying an image on the back screen and the screen is showing an EXPosure SIMulation of what the final picture -should- look like based on the camera's best guess.

EOS Error five is usually something physical that has the flash array held shut. There is a small plastic lever on the left top side of the flash flap box that holds it shut. Turn the mode selector to P Tv or Av then press the flash button (marked by a jagged lightning bolt sign) which will release that spring. This should release it - a little clean with a dry brush should help it work correctly thereafter.

Be aware when you buy adaptor rings for lenses for your Canon, most of the time you only can use these lenses in manual mode. That is manual focus, but you also have to chose the other settings by hand too. Canon has some cheap lenses, that perform very good, when you look for what they cost. To be sure about your ring, just buy the ring for the correct brand.

The praktica BC1 camera uses a bayonet mount described as PK. You need to search on ebay for "PK to EF adaptor". You will get plenty of results. Make your choice depending on whether you want focus confirm or not.