Hello - I have a Canon EOS 500D, and my EFS 18-55mm is playing up. When I have it on autofocus, it seems to stick, and I don't get the red lights to shoot. On manual setting, it is fine. I suspect the inner case of the lens needs some lubrication. I tried a tiny amount of something similar to WD40 and it worked for a while, but it is very stiff again. Any ideas, please?
David, one should never put oil willy-nilly into any photographic equioment as there is not control over where it will end up. As a matter of interest, although it contains what seems to be oil WD40 is NOT a lubricant, it is a water dispersant and should never be allowed within a light year of any camera or lens imho. Now that the solvent in the stuff you put in has evaporated the problem has returned and at best you have still got an auto focus problem and at worst you may have caused serious further damage by spreading the gunk onto the diaphragm blades which can cause even more serious problems. The first thing to do in this instance would have been be to carefully clean the electrical contacts on both the camera body and the lens as a bad contact here is known to cause problems with communication between the camera and lens, especially the auto focus system. I find the little alcohol impregnated spectacle lens cleaning tissues ideal for this or, failing that, just a clean cotton or microfibre cloth can be used. Never use any form of abrasive to clean them. If this doesn't restore the auto focus then it's possible the existing lubricant has hardened slightly although this would be unusual. This camera is quite old now and if the above doesn't resolve the problem then the lens and/or camera may need a servicing.
I mean the only thing I would add is that the camera and lens can be picked up used for like $50 so its cheaper than servicing whatever parts are failing. In fact a lens service probably would eat up the cost of a new Gen 2 18-55 new which is only $200. As its an entry level lens with no weather sealing it likely got gummed up since 2010. I would replace the lens, or look to find a upgrade to the kit and let the 500d be a backup or something to hand down to a kid/grandkid to get started in photography.
