Canon 10D Err 99
I fell in love with my Canon 10D the second I got my hands on it over two years ago. It’s an impressive camera. I’ve shot hundreds of thousands of photos in a wide range of environments with it: low-lit, foggy concerts; weddings; deep woods; windy hills; in air-conditioned homes, blazing-hot football fields, and icy winter storms. Overall I would say that it has impressed me every single day that I have used it.
But just a couple weeks ago I started having problems with the camera. Intermittently, it will fail to capture an image but instead flash a “Err 99” message. The only way to get rid of the message was to turn the camera off.
At first I ignored it as a simple glitch. But as the problem became a regular issue over the next week, I started doing some research. First I went to Canon’s website for information. Canon’s step-by-step troubleshooter was not helpful as it simply said the solution for Err 99 is to turn the camera off then on, or to reinstall the battery.
The issue become more troubling when I searched Google for this issue and found that it is a widespread dilemma. Worse, there is little consensus on what the Err 99 problem is.
According to what I have found on the Net, the main cause of the Err 99 problem is dirty contacts between the body and the lens. Most sites recommend cleaning the contacts. I did this with a cloth and cleaner, to no avail.
Today I contacted Canon technical support. The lady on the phone said that I may have damaged my camera by using a non-Canon lens. (I have a Tamron 28-75mm lens in regular use). I marveled at this, since the lens has served it well in the last two years. She suggested I mail the camera in to the service center for a quote.
I said that if third-party lenses really are dangerous for Canon cameras, Canon ought to warn customers that using those lenses is unhealthy for the camera. She said two things that seemed to contradict one another. The first thing she said is that Canon won’t claim that third-party manufacturers are not working properly because that would potentially offend manufacturers that create products that support Canon technology; she then said that Canon warns about using non-Canon lenses in product manuals. She also discounted the remarks from 10D users in web forums; she mentioned the 10D in her support department that has worked flawlessly for a couple years—using Canon lenses of course.
I accepted her explanation and went on my way. But I opened up all my Canon documentation that came with the 10D and I could find no mention of third-party lens dangers in the product manual. The closest thing I could find in the 183-page book was the phrase “It is compatible with all Canon EF lenses.” The only other precautions in the manual that came with my Canon 10D (printed February 2003) regarding lenses is to keep the contacts clean. Regarding “Err 99” the manual simply says, “An error other than the above has occurred. Remove and re-install the battery.”
An associate of Cord Camera, a large photographic retailer in central Ohio, told me over the weekend that I was lucky to have used the camera for over two years flawlessly. He said that the “Err 99” issue is widespread, and that some users have had the problem out-of-the-box. He said, “I think this is an issue that Canon is being very quiet about.”
After more research I found a solution that caught my eye. A few sites I found mentioned that cleaning the contacts ought to be done using a pencil eraser. I found this interesting, since I had only used a cloth.
I vigorously scrubbed the lens contacts with an eraser. Then I gently used the eraser to clean the camera contacts (holding the contacts face-down to prevent eraser rubber from falling into the body). I put the lens back on… and the camera shot a couple hundred frames without an Err 99.
While I have not yet tested the fix in a working environment yet, I am hopeful that this has solved the problem. If I don’t get the Err 99 in the next couple thousand shots, I will close the case.*
I still love the Canon 10D as a wonderful piece of photographic technology. I just wish that Canon would be a little more open and honest about this issue… not to mention stop using the scapegoat of third-party lenses. While there may be some issues with reverse-engineered, third party products, I don’t really buy the third-party argument. Some sites have stated that Sigma is remaking some lenses to be more compatible with Canon Digital SLRs… but Sigma’s website states, “All current production Sigma lenses for Canon autofocus cameras are fully compatible with the new Elan 7, Digital Rebel or EOS 10D camera.” I’m sure Sigma would not make such a bold claim if there were real reasons to believe that Sigma lenses cannot be used on Canon bodies.
I am especially concerned that Canon knows more about this problem but is not sharing it with its faithful consumers. I will remain devoted to Canon for some time… but the company owes some of the same devotion to those who use and promote Canon.
*Update 2005-09-09) : I have now tested the camera out with several thousands of shots and the Err 99 problem has not returned. It has not had a problem since I scrubbed the contacts with a pencil eraser.
*Update (2009-03-18): Since I first cleaned my contacts with an eraser back in 2005, I have not seen the Err 99 issue again. However, I do not use the 10D as much as I used to as it is now a backup camera. I now use the Canon 30D. The 30D that I own has never displayed the Err 99 message since I bought it a few years ago.
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Comments on Canon 10D Err 99
tom Fox said:
Thanks for the great accurate comments , will try and see if it works .
Scott Eicholtz said:
Using the erasure worked!
I have been dealing with this issue for the last year on and off...eventually last month my camera would only give the err 99 message. I hope this does the trick long term. I was told that it was a digital issue that would cost at minimum of $600!
Ron Goodison said:
I had the same problem with my canon 40D, (error99) and tried everything, all the tricks switched lenes turn camera on and off memory card in and out,cleaned contacts, all that BS. Nothing fixed it!!! Then I sent the body to the factory. (Camera is 8 months old) It was back in my hands in a week. Great job Canon!! The fix was, according to my invoice, replace shutter ass'y, adjusted exposure & cleaned C-mos, Update filmware. Checked all to factory specs. You can try all that crap but it's like putting a band-aid on a broken arm!!!
It's not the lens or the memory card or the battery!!! don't waste your time!!!
Brandon said:
I have read tons of articles on the web about this issue... I have tried everything and non of it works. I have the canon xti and only have canon lenses. i tried a new memory card and a brand new battery... No go!
Contacted Canon and they said it would be a minimum of $210 to fix it. Maybe I should have gone with Nikon? But I like the canon lenses better.
D LaPlant said:
I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT with the persistent Err99 problem. I have never used any other lens but the included 18-55mm lens. I have tried cleaning lens contacts with an eraser. Recharged the battery. Cleaned the battery contacts. Nothing fixes it.
bas paul said:
Hi, I had a Canon 10D, a wonderful piece of equipment until the camera became useless because of a fault which generates code ERR99. After trying all suggested solutions (I had only Canon lenses) and sending the camera to Canon for servicing the ERR99 problem persisted.
My solution in the end was to sell all my equipment and buy a Nikon D300 and a new set of lenses.
One lives only once and I dont want to wait for Canon to solve its problems. My advice to all who want to buy a DSLR is to look around, there are now so many other solutions.
Magnus Fa said:
I recently bought a Canon EOS 400D(3 days ago) and I have already got the err 99 message. It came only when I used an old Sigma zoom lens and took photos outdoor in daylight. I searched on the net and tried the pencil eraser method, but it didn't work.
After trying for some time, I found out that the message didn't come if i used an aperture level lower than f5.6. I then checked my lens and also found out that the lens was only made for aperture levels between f4 and f5.6. I switched to the manual modes and set the aperture level lower than f5.6 and it all worked fine.
I think it may be a communication problem between the old lens and the brand new camera that caused this problem. Maybe the camera didn't know that the lens couldn't get higher than f5.6.[ See Responses ]
Mike mike said:
I am looking to buy a Canon Rebel XTi and I read a review about the Error 99 issue. I am wondering if everyone would still recomend me to purchase it with the real potential of having this same problem, or if i should look for another DSLR.
Marshall Wade said:
Hi Shawn,
I'm staff photographer and equipment manager for an event photography company here in California. We use all Canon equipment from 10Ds, 20Ds, and Rebel XT's. I've encountered the same error 99 that you have mentioned. Just to share with you, I looked up on Canon's website regarding this issue with the Rebels and found the pencil eraser solution. Knowing it has worked for you on the 10D's I will now be sure to apply it to them as well. Thanks for the info and happy shooting.
Regards,
Marshall Wade[ See Responses ]
nick D said:
I have a Canon 400D and experience this problem with my Sigma lenses. I have cleaned up the contacts as suggested but to no avail
[ See Responses ]
R C said:
Hello,
I do have a Canon 10D myself. It's a great camera. Once in a while I do get the famous ERROR 99. I have cleaned the lens' connections using alcohol.
And periodically, I still get the same problem. I have yet to try the pencil strategy.
I have doubts that it will fix the problem. I seem to get it most of the time when I'm using my flash.
I'm not sure if that's your situation. IT's quite annoying[ See Responses ]
Dave said:
For what it's worth, I started getting the same error on my 300D yesterday. Doing a search on Canon's Digital Rebel KnowledgeBase for "error 99" brings up the recommendation to clean the lens contacts with a clean pencil eraser. It doesn't come up if you search the KnowledgeBase for the 10D. So it seems that Canon needs to get their act together with respect to giving consistent advice throughout their KnowledgeBase.
nick teti said:
Hello Shawn Olson, may I have your email address? I'd like to discuss my problems I have had with error 99 messages on my canon cameras as well ( I have 2 canon cameras ). Seems widespread, perhaps a class action message to canon from all suffering from error 99 would remedy our problems, Nick Teti, contact@misterphoton.com
720-299-2084
P. K. Misra said:
I appreciated reading your comments about the Canon Error 99. I am one of those unfortunate ones that also gt the ERR99 message all of a sudden with my 3-month old 30D with Canon IS 17-85mm Lens. Unfortunately it happened while I have been in a small town in India for 2 weeks during my 3 1/2-month vacation in INdia. I scanned the web and did try everything that was suggested, but still can't get rid of ERR99. Also, I did not bring a second lens on my trip. Canon has not been very helpful - wants me to send the camera to USA service center. Considering the postal service in INdia and other potential complications, I don't trust mailing the camer a and the lens.
I just wish Canon would be more open with this error and have a "reset" function or something a customer can use to fix this problem! At least Canon should publish this potentially camera-shutdown problem in BIG and BOLD letters on the cover of the Owner's Manual and their printed brochure!
When I spend in excess of $2000 in a Canon system of this caliber, I expect better return on my investment.
PK[ See Responses ]
