What causes Canon DSLR 'Err 99' with one specific lens, and what can I try before service?
Asked 8/11/2010
5 views
2 answers
0
My Canon DSLR occasionally shows "Err 99" and won't take a picture until I switch the camera off and on or reinstall the battery. It seems to happen only with one lens; other lenses work normally on the same body. Is this usually a lens problem, and are there any troubleshooting steps worth trying before sending the lens in for repair?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
3
It is the lens. I had this problem on the second day I was in Portugal in 2008.I tried everything but the error continued, so I had to use the lens 70-300 of Canon and a Canon S3 of my wife, because I left my old Nikon with lens on the sofa, that I intended to carry as backup. Coming back to Brazil I sent the lens to Canon to be repaired. I used the lens and everything went ok.In 2009 I went to north-east of Brazil and on second day, another time, error 99. I have given up with this lens and since that time I am not using my Canon camera. Today, in the lab, I am used to go, the manager said to me that only lenses L of Canon have quality and that a lot of users of 17-85 are having problems. I will not send the lens to be repaired, I will throw it away. If it were a car I think the maker would have to make a recall. I think we ,with Canon DSLR cameras, have only the lens EF 17-40 f/4L or the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 (1030$) to get a wide lens.
Originally by wnetto. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
wnetto
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On Canon DSLRs, "Err 99" is a generic fault code, but if it happens only with one lens, the lens is the most likely cause. In the shared experiences here, multiple users saw this specifically with a Canon 17-85mm, and one resolved it only by sending the lens to Canon for repair.
Before service, try the simple checks:
- Clean the lens electrical contacts carefully and check for corrosion or dirt.
- Power-reset the camera: remove the main battery for a while.
- If your camera has a date/time backup battery, removing that as well can fully reset the body; one user reported this cleared the issue.
If the problem persists only with that lens after cleaning and resetting, service is the practical next step. Because "Err 99" is non-specific, testing the lens on another compatible Canon body, or testing your body with other lenses, is a good way to confirm the fault. Since you already see normal behavior with other lenses, that strongly points to the lens rather than the camera body.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI16y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I troubleshoot a Canon 7D "Cannot communicate with battery" error?
How can I troubleshoot Canon EOS Error 99 on a 40D when it happens even without a lens or CF card?
Olympus OM-D E-M5 powers on briefly but buttons don’t respond and it shuts down
Canon Rebel T2i shows Err 70 while shooting video — what should I do?
Canon Rebel XS resets Auto Cleaning to Enable after power off and shows Err 99