Canon 40D Error 99
Discussion
I was in the middle of a "photo marathon" competition and my camera started throwing up "error 99" messages.
At first they were once every so often and by switching off the camera and turning it back on again they would disappear. Now it's permanent. I can't take a single photo and I've tried all the options including:
- Removing the battery (including backup battery), for 20 mins
- Trying a new battery
- Trying without the lens and with another one
- Trying another memory card
Any idea what could be wrong? Either way I'm pissed off as my warranty for the camera expired in May so if it's a physical fault, I'm in for a hefty bill....
On top of that, I've been disqualified from the competition as you have to use the same camera for all the photos and I can't get hold of my mates who have the same camera.....
Ideas? Solutions? Am I buggered?
At first they were once every so often and by switching off the camera and turning it back on again they would disappear. Now it's permanent. I can't take a single photo and I've tried all the options including:
- Removing the battery (including backup battery), for 20 mins
- Trying a new battery
- Trying without the lens and with another one
- Trying another memory card
Any idea what could be wrong? Either way I'm pissed off as my warranty for the camera expired in May so if it's a physical fault, I'm in for a hefty bill....
On top of that, I've been disqualified from the competition as you have to use the same camera for all the photos and I can't get hold of my mates who have the same camera.....
Ideas? Solutions? Am I buggered?
Quinny said:
COPIES FROM TINTERNET
Recently I started getting occasional errors when taking pictures with my Canon Digital Rebel (300D): error 99. I’d have to “reboot” the camera by turning it off and then back on to get out of the error mode and in the process I’d lose the last picture I took that produced the error dialog.
I searched around on the web in various Canon discussions and could not find anything definitive on this error. Some folks seemed to think it was a battery issue, some a card issue, some a lens compatibility issue. I was feeling pretty bummed out that my year old camera was showing signs of giving out. Then I called Canon Tech Support (should have done that first).
The guy at tech support listened and then told me that the lens contacts were dirty and to get a pencil with an eraser on the end, just a regular old pencil with a red rubber eraser. Detach the lens from the camera, hold it so that the lens’ gold contacts are pointing down and lightly erase their exposed surface, cleaning them of any hand oil that might have gotten on them.
Do the same thing with the gold contacts inside the camera body. This is a bit harder but it’s doable: just hold camera so lens opening points down so no gunk falls in. Erase lightly. I used a lens cloth and dabbed at the contacts rather than blow them so as not to blow the erasings inside the camera.
I did this to each of my three lenses just to be sure. Lo and behold, it worked (so far anyway). I’ve shot numerous pictures with each lens and have not gotten a single error 99 message. One would think sites like dpreview.com would have this but I never found it there. I’m psyched, I feel like I have a whole new camera now.
I've tried all this and no luck. I keep getting the same error. Recently I started getting occasional errors when taking pictures with my Canon Digital Rebel (300D): error 99. I’d have to “reboot” the camera by turning it off and then back on to get out of the error mode and in the process I’d lose the last picture I took that produced the error dialog.
I searched around on the web in various Canon discussions and could not find anything definitive on this error. Some folks seemed to think it was a battery issue, some a card issue, some a lens compatibility issue. I was feeling pretty bummed out that my year old camera was showing signs of giving out. Then I called Canon Tech Support (should have done that first).
The guy at tech support listened and then told me that the lens contacts were dirty and to get a pencil with an eraser on the end, just a regular old pencil with a red rubber eraser. Detach the lens from the camera, hold it so that the lens’ gold contacts are pointing down and lightly erase their exposed surface, cleaning them of any hand oil that might have gotten on them.
Do the same thing with the gold contacts inside the camera body. This is a bit harder but it’s doable: just hold camera so lens opening points down so no gunk falls in. Erase lightly. I used a lens cloth and dabbed at the contacts rather than blow them so as not to blow the erasings inside the camera.
I did this to each of my three lenses just to be sure. Lo and behold, it worked (so far anyway). I’ve shot numerous pictures with each lens and have not gotten a single error 99 message. One would think sites like dpreview.com would have this but I never found it there. I’m psyched, I feel like I have a whole new camera now.
I think it's a trip to the service centre....
Quinny said:
Out of interest, Have you done any of the Firmware updates...??
Firmware should be on version 1.1.1
Yes, I have the latest (1.1.1). But this was done some time ago....probably 4-5 months I think???? To be honest I can't remember as it was so long ago.Firmware should be on version 1.1.1
Not sure how this could affect it but you never know.....
(Also, I don't think I can use the sale of goods act as I live in Austria. To be honest, I don't know what the local laws are about this so I will investigate on Monday as I have some good friends who would know....)
pw75 said:
Had this some years ago with a 20d. Changed memory card in my instance and later formatted it and it was fine, but as it sounds like you've done some serious research you've more than likely explored this already.
Yup, tried the memory card. I didn't try reformatting though.....
So got it back in less than a week canon 40D said:
Error 99: Help! I'm Broken!
Something is wrong, but I don't know what!
Error 99 is a generic error message - there is not a single solution. It just means that something isnt playing. You might have some joy cleaning contacts but equally it could be internal board failure. I'd try SOGA.Something is wrong, but I don't know what!
Edited by TooLateForAName on Tuesday 22 September 13:08
Hi all
I am a very ameteur photographer who owns a 40D. The only reason I have such a fine camera is that I rolled all of the payment from an insurance claim into the camera following a theft. I am still on that very steep learning curve. Can someone tell me please about the sotware updates - how do I go about it?
Thanks
Tim
I am a very ameteur photographer who owns a 40D. The only reason I have such a fine camera is that I rolled all of the payment from an insurance claim into the camera following a theft. I am still on that very steep learning curve. Can someone tell me please about the sotware updates - how do I go about it?
Thanks
Tim
I bought a used 40d 2 months ago from a good dealer. They had a couple in stock. As I had travelled a fair few miles I tried it out in teh shop first with my own lenses.
The first one I tried, which had just come back from Canon for a new shutter was okay on the first lens, but then started failing on the next lenses with an Error 99 - which seems to be a general error of "something contact related" It would work once rebooted, take 2-3 shots, then lock up again.
I didn't buy that one... and they sent it straight back to Canon. The one I bought has been fine.
(I think I had the same error code with a 30D 2yrs ago - wasn't too expensive (<£100) if I remember correctly - and Canon turned it round in about 10 days)
The first one I tried, which had just come back from Canon for a new shutter was okay on the first lens, but then started failing on the next lenses with an Error 99 - which seems to be a general error of "something contact related" It would work once rebooted, take 2-3 shots, then lock up again.
I didn't buy that one... and they sent it straight back to Canon. The one I bought has been fine.
(I think I had the same error code with a 30D 2yrs ago - wasn't too expensive (<£100) if I remember correctly - and Canon turned it round in about 10 days)
Just an update on this. I got the camera sent away to Canon through the retailer I purchased it from and after four weeks, it was returned, repaired and ready to go once again!
It turns out the shutter mechanism failed and was replaced.
I'll have to try it out properly but I'm dead pleased it was repaired free-of-charge!
It turns out the shutter mechanism failed and was replaced.
I'll have to try it out properly but I'm dead pleased it was repaired free-of-charge!
beanbag said:
Just an update on this. I got the camera sent away to Canon through the retailer I purchased it from and after four weeks, it was returned, repaired and ready to go once again!
It turns out the shutter mechanism failed and was replaced.
I'll have to try it out properly but I'm dead pleased it was repaired free-of-charge!
I guess you made it out of the mountains yesterday then. It turns out the shutter mechanism failed and was replaced.
I'll have to try it out properly but I'm dead pleased it was repaired free-of-charge!
gingerpaul said:
beanbag said:
Just an update on this. I got the camera sent away to Canon through the retailer I purchased it from and after four weeks, it was returned, repaired and ready to go once again!
It turns out the shutter mechanism failed and was replaced.
I'll have to try it out properly but I'm dead pleased it was repaired free-of-charge!
I guess you made it out of the mountains yesterday then. It turns out the shutter mechanism failed and was replaced.
I'll have to try it out properly but I'm dead pleased it was repaired free-of-charge!
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