"Err 99" on Canon EOS 20D?

[dhester]

Hello all,

After saving for over a year, I rencently purchased a Canon EOS 20D :) I've been extremely happy with the camera. I've taken 1000's of pics over the past 6 weeks with no problems whatsoever. Today however, I received an "ERR 99" message when using my Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens? After a quick scan of the user's guide it seems ERR 99 is a fairly generic "all other" error. I had already taken 20 or so photos with the lens before the error occured.

My first thought was the battery. I had a fully charged spare so I popped it in and tried again. The camera powered up, the auto-focus worked fine, the shutter snapped, then "ERR 99". I tried a new CF-Card. Same thing. Then I switch to my Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens. Worked perfectly.

This makes me think it's the Macro Lens itself rather than the camera. I finished shooting with my Wide Angle lens and headed home. A few hours later I switched back to the Macro to do a little more troubleshooting. No error this time??? I'm really confused.

I hope a more experienced photographer can tell my why this happend. Do I need to look at returning the Macro Lens? I purchased it from B&H Photo online so I don't think it would be a problem. I made sure to keep my invoice and the original packing materials.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

[glangston]

The instructions say this error may occur if the lens is not operating properly. I might try cleaning the lens contacts (on camera and lens) but I'm not sure that that's the problem. Battery removal and re-install sometimes fixes this. Sometimes it's just a specific lens that is a problem. You may in the long run have to send the camera in but I'd remember that it is a computer of sorts and re-booting isn't a new thing to most of us.

ETA I had a brief episode of the camera not firing on a new lens (don't remember which one). I pulled the battery and re-inserted it and if was fine for a while and then did it agains. Just happen those two times and not since so what was it? ....I don't really know.

Good luck

[dhester]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will take your advice and clean the lens contacts and see if that helps. If it continues to be a problem I'll persue it further. It makes me feel better to know that you guys have to "reboot" once in a while also. :) Appreciate it!

[2goldens]

I had the same problem with my Sigma 70-300 lense. When I used that lense with my Digital Rebel I would get the same 99 code. I checked the same thing you did and nothing worked. I then sent out e-mails to Canon and Sigma. I got a message back form Sigma and they told me that the lense needed a repair and to send it back to them. I mailed it to them and they fixed it and returned it back to me in about 7 days at no charge. It has worked every day without any problem. I don't know what it was but they did. See what Canon will say.

If I am right your other lenses work without the 99 code. :) :)

[Chris1le]

I just had an error 99 with my 100-400L. I was shooting frogs when all of sudden the the * button would not focus the lens. I noticed the error 99 was flashing on the top display. I turned the camera off yet error 99 continued to display. I backed out both batteries from the grip yet somehow error 99 continued to flash in the top display. :shock: Eventually it went out. Then I pushed batteries back in turned it on tried to focus and went through the same thing. Eventually, I'm not sure why, it started working again.

I'm beginning to wonder if Canon may have rushed this camera into production. All the early lockup problems then the problems with the grip and now these strange errors and lockups.See http://************/6h8gg Personally, I'm glad I did not get rid of my 10D. I cannot trust the 20D not to lock up or start behaving strangely. I'm probably going to have to contact Canon about sending it in for a checkup. :evil:

[jamisaun]

This is so upsetting to me! I just got the 20D and have used it ONCE...was testing with my flash last night and got err99...i had the D30 for years and had no problem. I even felt that when i bought this camera, it didn't seem as sturdy but since there were so many rave reviews, i felt it was a must have. Is this camera a lemon?? Great, i'm on my way to shoot an event...and i feel very insecure having this camera now....arg!

[robertwgross]

As has been stated many times previously, Err 99 is a catch-all warning. The camera doesn't know exactly what happened, but something happened. In a few cases, it turns out to be incompatible equipment attached or weak batteries. However, in a lot of cases, it turns out to be something in the lens. It might be an incompatible non-Canon lens. It might be in the lens mount. In the lens mount, you have two sets of gold contacts. One set is on the lens itself, and the other set is on the camera itself. All it takes is a micro-speck of dust or sweat, and that electrical data connection is going to cause the camera to post the Err 99 message.

Personally, I don't have the problem with my equipment. If I did, I would be reluctant to do any major cleaning on the gold contacts. I would wipe them off with a clean cloth, and that is about all. Too many users get in there with an abrasive ink eraser and knock off a little gold plating here and there. Eventually, that makes the intermittent problem even worse.

If you swap lenses, and if the problem goes away, then that suggests that the first lens might have been at fault. If the problem stays, then that suggests that the contacts on the camera might be at fault, or else something completely different.

---Bob Gross---

[soupdragon]

Just to let you know, I got my 100 2.8 macro 4 days ago.
It did exactly as you described the first time I used it on my 350 D.
I took it off, put it back on and have had no problems since.
Really strange.
Actually, when I think about it, my 28-135 IS USM did the same thing.

[Mark_48]

Just to let you know, I got my 100 2.8 macro 4 days ago.
It did exactly as you described the first time I used it on my 350 D.
I took it off, put it back on and have had no problems since.
Really strange.
Actually, when I think about it, my 28-135 IS USM did the same thing.
This sort of sounds like an issue that the lens/body contacts weren't making up well when initially mounted and then when mounted the second time "cleaned" themselves.

It might be interesting for those that get consistent err99's that appear lens related to try a series of shots with no lens mounted (body cap in place to avoid dust contamination). I've been occasionally using an adapter to enable me to use some older screw-mount Pentax/Takumar lenses I have. These do not communicate with the camera of course and I've not had any errors using them.

[wbessada]

I've had a couple ef ERR99s on my 20D with a Canon 50mm 1.8 but never with my other lenses. Is it worth returning the lens for a replacement?

[Bsmooth]

I think that this is a Canon and not a user issue.Granted its a fairly complicated device,but a general error message doesn't exactly tell you a lot,especially in this day and age.I think Canon needs to address this issue at some point or at least come out and say it could be a "possible" problem. I didn't even have mine a few weeks and was using it with canon's own kit 18-55 and had the problem after say 75-100 shots taken.It wasn't like I stressed it,tracking a fast moving object either.It was a simple leaf on a calm day! Lets just hope it doesn't happen too often.

[JuStDaVe]

i get an err99 as well on all dif lenses .. i am using the battery grip as well on the 20 d so yer no idea what to do its not all the time just ocasionally.

[avdh20]

I've had a couple ef ERR99s on my 20D with a Canon 50mm 1.8 but never with my other lenses. Is it worth returning the lens for a replacement?

I just bought my 50 1.8 also and I got my first Err 99 too. Hmm, weird. After 8500 shots this is my first one.

[wbessada]

I just bought my 50 1.8 also and I got my first Err 99 too. Hmm, weird. After 8500 shots this is my first one.

I think I'll get mine exchanged just to see if it is a bad lens.

I'll let you know how i get on.

[dhester]

Thanks for all the replies to my post. I haven't had any more problems with my macro lens since my original post. Probably have taken 20-30 shots. Hopefully I won't have any more issues. If I do, I'll exchange the lens.


One other question:
I purchased the lens from B&H Photo March 3,2005. If an exchange is needed should I contact B&H or Canon? Is it fairly painless to exchange a Canon product? What has been your experience?

Thanks again!

[dhester]

Just a follow up....

My lens malfunctioned again. "ERR 99". Called Canon this afternoon. Very pleased with the customer service at the call center. Rep provided me all the info I need to return the lens for replacement. Should take 7-10 business days to get a new one.

I'll be sure to let everyone know how things end up. So far so good.....

[defordphoto]

Just a follow up....

My lens malfunctioned again. "ERR 99". Called Canon this afternoon. Very pleased with the customer service at the call center. Rep provided me all the info I need to return the lens for replacement. Should take 7-10 business days to get a new one.

I'll be sure to let everyone know how things end up. So far so good.....

Which "Canon" did you call? If you call New Jersey or California they do not replace. They repair. B&H can replace it, the repair centers cannot.

[dhester]

I meant to post a follow up on this but forgot...

I called the New Jersey support center. The had me mail the lens to them, the replaced the power diaphragm unit & adjusted the focus. The whole process (including mail time both ways) took less than 10 days. I was very impressed with the service I received. My 100mm lens has worked perfectly ever since. I love it!

[Mark_48]

I meant to post a follow up on this but forgot...

I called the New Jersey support center. The had me mail the lens to them, the replaced the power diaphragm unit & adjusted the focus. The whole process (including mail time both ways) took less than 10 days. I was very impressed with the service I received. My 100mm lens has worked perfectly ever since. I love it!
Glad to hear your lens is back up and operating as it should and particularly good to see a follow up on good service from Canon. Sometimes it seems alot of posters with problems don't report back what the final outcome was in getting their gear back to working order which helps others on this forum.

[jon Suffolk]

Fellow concerned users

I bought a Rebel XT 350D 3 weeks ago. The lens it came with (Canon EFS 18-55) has been no problem but I get the Err 99 message about 50% of the time when using (or trying to use) my Sigma 70-210 lens. e.g.today it took 10 or 125 shots and then I got Err 99 and no matter how many times I turned off the camera or refitted the lens it just wouldn't function.

Having just found and read other people's experiences on this forum I put it back on and it worked for 5 photos in a row. Wow I thought, better take it off again while I'm still ahead!!!

I can't trust the camera to take a picture now with this lens and so am reliant on only using it where the subject will still be around if I have to swap back.

I think Canon need to acknoledge and solve this problem, recall the cameras replace the units, jusas Mercedes Benz did when they realised the problems with the A class. I cannot believe it is the lens now and, having read this forum and having had this lens work fine with my EOS film camera for 10 years.

Confused, from Suffolk.

[robertwgross]

Jon, I believe that you stated that there was no problem with the Canon lens on the Canon camera, and that the only symptom was with a Sigma lens on the Canon camera. There is a clear message here.

Sometimes it will prove to be an older non-Canon lens that needs a firmware upgrade in the lens. Sometimes it will prove to be a mostly good non-Canon lens, but the gold contacts where the lens communicates with the camera might be questionable. In some cases, it is the gold contacts on the lens side, and in other cases it is the gold contacts on the camera side.

Sigma can fix lenses, and Canon can fix cameras.

---Bob Gross---

[crusher420]

I got this error the other day. It was definitely an issue with the lense. I took it off and put it back on...couple of hundred images later...and there has been no repeat of the issue.

[Hellashot]

Fellow concerned users

I bought a Rebel XT 350D 3 weeks ago. The lens it came with (Canon EFS 18-55) has been no problem but I get the Err 99 message about 50% of the time when using (or trying to use) my Sigma 70-210 lens. e.g.today it took 10 or 125 shots and then I got Err 99 and no matter how many times I turned off the camera or refitted the lens it just wouldn't function.

Having just found and read other people's experiences on this forum I put it back on and it worked for 5 photos in a row. Wow I thought, better take it off again while I'm still ahead!!!

I can't trust the camera to take a picture now with this lens and so am reliant on only using it where the subject will still be around if I have to swap back.

I think Canon need to acknoledge and solve this problem, recall the cameras replace the units, jusas Mercedes Benz did when they realised the problems with the A class. I cannot believe it is the lens now and, having read this forum and having had this lens work fine with my EOS film camera for 10 years.

Confused, from Suffolk.

If it's 10 years old, the lens, it might need re-chipped which I've heard that Sigma may do for free.

My Er-99 problems with my Drebel started with a Sigma lens on, but I've also had my EF 75-300 III totally lock up and become unuseable on the body. Now my Drebel's mirror won't function at all, so I think it's a problem with the camera. It's just out of warranty but I hope by sending email communications from Canon along with my camera to prove that the problem started while it was under warranty will help them repair my camera for free.