xti Error Code 99

Just purchased a xti and sometimes get an error code 99. If I turn the camera "off and on" or "remove and replace" the battery the code goes away. I have read the instruction book and believe I'm operating the camera properly. Is this normal? As of right now I'm disappinted with the camera.

Thanks for any reponses.....

reload the firmware innit, it worked on mine

Do I go to the Canon website for the firmware?

Err99 is a catch-all. It might be a lens problem, it might be a card problem, it might be a shutter problem, it might be a battery problem. Does this happen more with one lens than another? What lens(es) do you have? How about memory cards? Exposure modes?

I battled 4 different ERR99 issues with my XT so I understand you frustration. Three of my four issues were with lenses and Canon service told me that that is the most common cause. There are some things you can try that are fairly easy. Try cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser. Gently run the contacts with just a slight bit of pressure on both the lens and camera body. Hold both such that any eraser scrapings do not fall into the body. Many have had this simple trick resolve their problem. If it still persists, as Jon said, start narrowing down what you were doing and what equipment was engaged when the problem occurred. If it is always a particular lens, maybe there is an issue with that lens. Once you get a better idea what is happening, call Canon service and they will be most helpfully walking you thought the process. It may require a trip back for service. I really wish Canon would break down the ERR code a bit more, but it's what we go. Also, in my case Canon stuck with me throughout the whole process and eventually got everything 100%. It's been several months now and I have not seen a single ERR99.

I had err99 with my Tamron 70-300 occasionally. I think it was more due to light levels as it happened around dusk mostly.

Thanks for the advice it is much appreciated. I'm using the same Canon lens I use with my 10d and never had a problem. If I can't determine the cause amd correction for the problem I'll do what gjl711 recommends and call Canon and have them talk me through it. It seems the problem surfaces when I initially turn on the camera. Once again thanks for all the help.

If you just bought it take it back. 99 signals a problem. some times it is a lens issue, but sometimes a body. make sure it's not your body. You do not want to start off with a bad one.

Out of curiosity, it sounds as if you know which lens this happens on. What lens are you experiencing the ERR99s with?

50mm 1.8 but I have not tried my wide angle lens yet.

My 50mm 1.8 is doing the same thing on my XT.

Now every 5th or 6th shot, I will get ERR99. Sometimes I can just turn the camera off and on, and continue shooting.

Other times, I turn the camera off and on, look through the view finder, to see a dim scene. The aperature blades are sometimes sticking instead of opening up fully again.

I am sending the lens to Canon after I get back from vacation. What a POS. Shame, because it is my favorite lens, performance wise.

lhoney2 wrote in post #2688826
My 50mm 1.8 is doing the same thing on my XT.

Now every 5th or 6th shot, I will get ERR99. Sometimes I can just turn the camera off and on, and continue shooting.

Other times, I turn the camera off and on, look through the view finder, to see a dim scene. The aperature blades are sometimes sticking instead of opening up fully again.

I am sending the lens to Canon after I get back from vacation. What a POS. Shame, because it is my favorite lens, performance wise.

My camera did this when I tried to use some older lenses that were not totally compatible with electronics of the camera. Also some of the lenses that work with the film cameras will spit out the error99 when you put them on a digital camera.

I will probably be cheaper to replace the 50 f/1.8 than to repair it, but it's worth a shot.

I've had it for less than a year, so they should replace it free. Once they do, I'm selling that POS and getting the 1.4.

Lonnie

I have also seen this error message with an old Sigma EF 35-135mm lens I borrowed from my grandpa. I believe the problem results from trying to force the camera to take pictures using settings outside the range of the lens, whether manual or automatically set.
I've yet to reproduce the problem with the Canon EF 70-210mm for which I swapped the 35-135mm. I will try cleaning the contacts with an eraser as stated above if the problem resurfaces.
Other than that, I couldn't be more happy with the XTi and wish I would have purchased it sooner.


_josh