My wife just yesterday got a brand new Canon Rebel T1i (500D) with the kit lens. When we got the camera home, we used the kit lens and also my Canon 28-135 lens. It worked great. But today, the first time she used the camera with the 28-135 lens she got this error message: "Err 01 Communications between the camera and lens is faulty. Clean the lens contact." The camera will shoot one frame before getting this message.
I tried the lens on my old 10D. I get "Err 99". The 10D won't function at all with the lens attached.
I cleaned the gold contacts on the lens with a pink pencil eraser - No effect. Switching the AF and IS switches has no effect. I just yesterday sent my 1D to Canon for service. I'm not too keen on sending them the 28-135, too. One malfunction at a time, please.
Any suggestions on how to make this lens cooperate?
Posted by Luke Ormand on July 26, 2009 at 11:44 PM
I had the Err 99 problem on a Canon 20D at work. Just sent it in for repairs and it was determined to be the lens (a kit wide angle). Cost $120 to get fixed. It seems the Err 99 is a generic code, but usually is a lens problem, as the 20D worked fine with other lenses which means that your cameras are probably fine - but the lens is malfunctioning. At least it's only 1 problem!
I've had the same messages occur as well, and I think Luke is right that it is a generic warning, but one that tells you that the problem is with the lens, and not the body. I'd bet money that your lens contacts are not the issue at all. When it happened to me, it turned out to be a faulty (stuck) diaphragm in my wide angle. Luckily, I was still covered under warranty. Hopefully you are as well. I'd say the only thing you could do is send it in to canon and let them do their thing. My biggest concern is that the repair costs could potentially end up being nearly as much as your used lens is worth. Sometimes there is a fine line between dumping money into used gear to get it fixed, or spend a bit more and start over from scratch, with new glass and the warranty that goes with it. Good luck.
I've had the same message "Err 01" on my 24-105 and after speak with canon service the problem is that they have to repair the lens to replace the contacts. The price of the repair here in Canon Portugal is around 200 euros I think that your camera its ok, the problem is just with the lens. Good luck
Try mounting the lens to one of your cameras, set to AV and select the smallest aperture possible. Then press the DOF preview button and see if the lens aperture closes as it should. In my opinion, the aperture is the most likely part to break. If it sticks, or makes unusual noise, then I doubt that there is anything that can be done, short of sending it in.
If the aperture still operates, that most likely means that there is some kind of electrical connection gone bad. If you are feeling frisky, very carefully take off the lens mounting ring to access the guts of the lens and look for obvious signs of damage. Once, I successfully re-soldered a wire in an old lens and got it back in business. It was a touchy operation, but the the problem was obvious, and I was willing to risk it.
Thanks for that advice, Aaron.
The aperture does not move. Don't know if the problem is mechanical or electronic - but it does seem to be stuck. (Remember when lenses had aperture rings and the operation of the diaphragm was mechanical?)
The lens is not in warranty, I bought it refurbished several years ago. The good new is that Canon emailed me today about my main body saying, "We have received your equipment for evaluation and repair. Based on our initial examination, we will start the necessary repairs at no charge to you." So, maybe it won't sting so bad to send the malfunctioning lens to them. On the other hand, now I can rationalize getting a 24-105 f4.
I'll have to think about it before opening the lens up, but that suggestion has planted itself in my brain. (My recent attempt to fix a little digicam that wasn't working properly resulted in its demise and replacement)
Discussion
6 repliesI tried the lens on my old 10D. I get "Err 99". The 10D won't function at all with the lens attached.
I cleaned the gold contacts on the lens with a pink pencil eraser - No effect. Switching the AF and IS switches has no effect. I just yesterday sent my 1D to Canon for service. I'm not too keen on sending them the 28-135, too. One malfunction at a time, please.
Any suggestions on how to make this lens cooperate?
I was hoping somebody knows a trick for cleaning the lens contacts, or has some other advice on how to coax the lens back into service.
If the aperture still operates, that most likely means that there is some kind of electrical connection gone bad. If you are feeling frisky, very carefully take off the lens mounting ring to access the guts of the lens and look for obvious signs of damage. Once, I successfully re-soldered a wire in an old lens and got it back in business. It was a touchy operation, but the the problem was obvious, and I was willing to risk it.
The aperture does not move. Don't know if the problem is mechanical or electronic - but it does seem to be stuck. (Remember when lenses had aperture rings and the operation of the diaphragm was mechanical?)
The lens is not in warranty, I bought it refurbished several years ago. The good new is that Canon emailed me today about my main body saying, "We have received your equipment for evaluation and repair. Based on our initial examination, we will start the necessary repairs at no charge to you." So, maybe it won't sting so bad to send the malfunctioning lens to them. On the other hand, now I can rationalize getting a 24-105 f4.
I'll have to think about it before opening the lens up, but that suggestion has planted itself in my brain. (My recent attempt to fix a little digicam that wasn't working properly resulted in its demise and replacement)
Anyhow, thanks everybody for helping.