Communication with Lens?

I have a Canon ESO Rebel T3 and while using my Tokina 12-24 lens yesterday I started getting an error message that the camera was "having trouble communicating with the lens, clean contacts" (Probably not an exact quote of what it said but I'm sure, if you've had the problem you know what I mean). I was out in the middle of nowhere with minimal equipment so I just took the lens off and rubbed my finger over the contacts and it worked for couple more shots then back to the error message. Did this a couple more times then it seemed that rubbing the contacts with my finger wasn't going to help any more. Question is what is the proper way to clean the contacts so this doesn't happen again? Is it likely the lens or camera (no, I didn't try another lens yesterday)? Is this something I should take to canon to get fixed or something I can do myself? Thanks in advance.

Try cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser , we would call it a rubber in the UK but I think that has a different connotation in the US

I thought standard response was a bit of rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth...

troutfisher wrote in post #17383682
Try cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser , we would call it a rubber in the UK but I think that has a different connotation in the US

Many sources say do not clean contacts with an eraser, so as not to damage thin gold plating. As scotchtape says, a clean cloth and rubbing alcohol should do the job.

I use Deoxit to clean electronics contacts.
For "delicate" ones with gold contacts, I use the Deoxit Gold.
For the lens contacts, I would spray a little bit on a cotton bud
and clean the contacts with it.

Warning: DO NOT SPRAY DIRECTLY TO LENS CONTACTS.


Cheers.

Ribbon is probably broken. Is that the first or second version of the lens...,

tma-888 wrote in post #17383833
I use Deoxit to clean electronics contacts.
For "delicate" ones with gold contacts, I use the Deoxit Gold.
For the lens contacts, I would spray a little bit on a cotton bud
and clean the contacts with it.

Warning: DO NOT SPRAY DIRECTLY TO LENS CONTACTS.


Cheers.

If alcohol doesn't work don't use the Deoxit. At $15 it doesn't offer much benefit if any over alcohol.