Canon 50mm 1.4

[enaj]

I apologize if this is a silly question, but I am just starting to shoot and had a question about lens. I am shooting with a Canon 40D and a 50mm f1.4 lens. I have noticed that I have to be a certain distance away from my subject (maybe about 1.5 - 2 feet) for my picture to take. If I am too close, I press the button and nothing happens. Does anyone know why or if i am doing something wrong? Thanks for your help.

[Lori Hill]

all lenses have a minimum focusing distance
that lense is ---Closest Focusing Distance: 0.45m

[private]

check out the depth of field calculator. Also, nothing happens b/c you are too close and the camera cannot focus, as its not a macro lens.