Canon 40D Error 99!

[pavman]

Whilst on a photo shoot with a friend to the Circuit de Jerez in Spain on Saturday to photograph the new F1 cars about 75% into the day i got this error message! : Er 99 Shooting is not possible turn off the power switch to OFF and ON again. or re-install battery.
Done both these and the same issue every attempt I made to take another image.
Also removed battery grip cleaned contact points and placed single battery in battery compartment same issue. also cleaned lens contact points same issue.
I can take one image then when I try to take another the Err message appears and I have to switch off the camera ten OK to take an images, Very frustrating! Have done some research and this Err99 covers a number of possible problems! Have written to Canon and await reply.
Anyone come across this on 40D? or other DSLRs (Canon)
Thanks Peter

[ap4a]

I've had the same on both a 40D and a 10D, in both cases it preceded a shutter failure (though as it's a generic error code this doesn't mean the same is happening to your camera).

I would review and try the suggestions here:

http://www.richardsnotes.org/archive...ontact-points/
http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2008.12.31/canon-err99

If after trying those suggestions you still have a problem then I would send the body in for a service. If your camera is still within warranty then this should be free at an authorised repair centre. The Canon UK site lists a number of authorised centres for consumer repairs at http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consu...tor/index.aspx and the Canon Pro Network Site lists others for professional repair.

I had my 40D repaired at Fixation, which is an authorised pro-repair centre and so not listed at the above link, at a cost of £205.30 inc. VAT + £10 delivery which included the replacement of the shutter and rel switch. Turnaround was 8 days. There are other places that are cheaper, but they took longer to respond to queries and so I didn't use them.

[pavman]

Thank U AP
Read both those articles and I strongly suspect my 40D will need a service!as I have tried the suggested problem solving methods without luck!

Cheers Peter

[Cathus]

I used to get this with my canon 20D when the 100-400 was fitted. Never found out what the problem was, I used to have to turn off, remove battery & lens & then refit, bit only happened now & again.

Not had the problem with the 20D or any other lens, or with the 100-400 on any other camera.

[ap4a]

Originally Posted by Cathus

I used to get this with my canon 20D when the 100-400 was fitted. Never found out what the problem was, I used to have to turn off, remove battery & lens & then refit, bit only happened now & again.

Sounds like an issue with the contacts as dust, dampness or corrosion on them can also cause an err99. Maybe a bit of minor corrosion on both at the same contact point which prevented them working together, but as it wasn't present on other cameras or lenses the same poor contact wasn't made. Pure speculation I know

[cosmicma]

had the err99 problem on a 300d some years ago your problem sounds a lot like the one i had with you saying you could take one image and the it would error again
it turned out to be the one of the shutter leafes sticking and from what i have read is a known problem on the 300d

iv'e no idea if this is common on a 40d though
if it does turn out to be a duff shutter and the shutter actuation count is reasonably low it could be good grounds for a free repair if it's out of warranty

[Cathus]

The point with en ERR99 is that it just means the error is unknown & could be any number of different things, can be quite hard to determine the fault without it going back to a service centre.

does it happen with different lenses as well?

[pavman]

had a reply from Canon they recommend that I update the firmware which I have same problem, they then suggested I remove the battery, CF card and lens and clean the contact points with a pencil rubber or soft cloth. leave for 20 minutes and then place fully charged battery in camera and switch on and take an image did not get an error message so then added different CF cards ERR99 appeared! same with different Canon lenses same ERR99 appeared! Camera will need to go off to the Canon Service Centre (nearest centre to my home address)
I still have my350D as my backup so glad I did not sell that when I upgraded 3 years ago!
Thanks folks

[pavman]

Update dropped off camera at Canon in Herts on Tue and had an email on Fri to state camera repaired and ready for collection no charge!Result! will be collecting on Tue and then doing some testing!!

[cosmicma]

did you find out what the problem was ?