Canon users - what error 99 means to you.

[O. L. T.]

I've read several times that it is a failing shutter, which is bad info. It has nothing to do with the camera at all. Error 99 is a bad contact to the lens. You can try first to clean it in this way as explained here: http://www.richardsnotes.org/archive...ontact-points/

That is generally not the problem however. It is INSIDE the lens where the contacts become weathered from use.

I have taken apart my kit lens to clean it as well as show you how to clean your own.

the 6 contacts you see and the respective area they slide on also circled are the source of your Error 99 code.

Hope this helps you guy's feel a little more at ease if you happen to pop this code...... don't worry - your $1000 camera is A-ok

[O. L. T.]

Here's a little less bright shot with more detail.

[bitkahuna]

Wow, good detective work, Brian.

But the burning question is... what did you take the pictures of the lens with?

[Percy]

99 error can mean alot of things. Aperture not returning to normal after exposure, unfinished write to CF card, mirror return not giving correct signal, dc-dc power supply glitching, CPU not acknowledging, bad shutter or sticking shutter...

Some of the EOS 1 series cameras had a further diagnostic that you could do. Holding down a 3 button sequence (which you would never ever hit in real life) revealed a "stick" or "stop" code. Good for troubleshooting, but doesn't really tell the whole story. Had one of my EOS 1 digitals give a 99 error code intermittently. CPS had to replace out the digital board but it still didn't help. They finally replace the power supply converter card.

Very nasty mess when the guys and gals at canon have to decipher the 99 without any further specifics. It's like the OBDII when it pops up a check engine code...doesn't really mean that it's the end all.

Brian...which lens was that? L series lenses uses the same type of contacts.

Percy

[O. L. T.]

Originally Posted by bitkahuna

Wow, good detective work, Brian.

But the burning question is... what did you take the pictures of the lens with?

used my 50mm to take the pic of the kit lens.

[O. L. T.]

Originally Posted by Percy

99 error can mean alot of things. Aperture not returning to normal after exposure, unfinished write to CF card, mirror return not giving correct signal, dc-dc power supply glitching, CPU not acknowledging, bad shutter or sticking shutter...

Some of the EOS 1 series cameras had a further diagnostic that you could do. Holding down a 3 button sequence (which you would never ever hit in real life) revealed a "stick" or "stop" code. Good for troubleshooting, but doesn't really tell the whole story. Had one of my EOS 1 digitals give a 99 error code intermittently. CPS had to replace out the digital board but it still didn't help. They finally replace the power supply converter card.

Very nasty mess when the guys and gals at canon have to decipher the 99 without any further specifics. It's like the OBDII when it pops up a check engine code...doesn't really mean that it's the end all.

Brian...which lens was that? L series lenses uses the same type of contacts.

Percy

just a kit lens. I never get E99 with the 50mm.....

[UberNoob]

uh oh bad lens

be aware ive heard of bad stories of canon losing lenses that they are suppose to repair
in canada anyways

just make sure they received it and get a receiving receipt or courier receipt to confirm delivery if you decide to send it to canon for repair

[Sc400on20s]

Do you have the latest firmware?