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Thread: Error 99?

  1. #1
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Error 99?

    I have a Digital Rebel 300. Recently, I have begun getting Error 99 when I try to take a picture. It has the "hacked" software, but has had it for a couple of years with no problems so I don't think that is the issue.

    When I get Error 99, I turn it off, and turn it back on, and it might take a picture or two before another Error 99. This has happened with Canon lenses so it isn't a lens incompatibility. It just recently happened with a 28-70 2.8L on the camera.

    This is, needless to say, a drag. Any suggestions other than to use it as a paper weight? Thanks.

  2. #2
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    Re: Error 99?

    Stephen, it is to do with the contacts on the lens and camera, it is a know problem. It could be your lens. Try cleaning the contacts on the camera first, you have had it for a while now. And look at the contacts on the lens as well.

    You haven't reached the limit of the photos have you, 9999, by any chance as well, and forgotten to reset the numbers back.

  3. #3
    Learning more with every "click" mjs1973's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    Quote Originally Posted by Peter_AUS
    You haven't reached the limit of the photos have you, 9999, by any chance as well, and forgotten to reset the numbers back.
    I just hit 9999 with my DRebel this weekend and didn't get any error messages. It just automatically started over at 1 and kept going.
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  4. #4
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    Looks like I have myself a paperweight. I cleaned the contacts, reinstalled the canon firmware, and put the original kit lens on it. No good. Error 99 on every shot. Oh well.

  5. #5
    Dog Photographer AC_Photo's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    According to my 20D manual, Err 01 would indicate a problem with the lens. Err 99 is a catch-all code that usually means a battery problem. For instance, this happens to me when I let the battery grip screw get a little loose. The power gets interrupted momentarily I guess, and there's the error. Easy to prevent, although some people have had to get the grip replaced.

    Do you have something like this on your Rebel? Maybe checking the battery contacts and the battery itself would help if you aren't using an accessory for power.
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  6. #6
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    Re: Error 99?

    Error 99 can be a number of things, including, but not limited to the following

    1: Lens - normally the contacts are not clean, or worn
    2: battery/battery grip - check contacts for battery
    3: memory battery - if it's over a year old try replacing the memory battery
    4: CPU - failed CPU - try calling Canon and having them tell you how to do a HARD RESET, not the normal reset but a hard reset. This will sometimes clear up issues with the CPU that don't reset through normal procedure.

    Try these, if that doesn't do it it is time to send it in or replace it.

    JS
    Canon 1D
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  7. #7
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    I have the accessory battery pack/grip for the Rebel, so I put it on this morning, inserted a battery and gave it a try. No luck. Tried different batteries. No luck. Tried different lenses. No luck.

  8. #8
    My name is Alex, not Eric ;)
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    Re: Error 99?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen Lutz
    I have the accessory battery pack/grip for the Rebel, so I put it on this morning, inserted a battery and gave it a try. No luck. Tried different batteries. No luck. Tried different lenses. No luck.
    Did you try replacing the memory battery? In my 20D its a CR 2016 which are only like $5 from radio shack.

  9. #9
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    Quote Originally Posted by BMWJNKY
    Did you try replacing the memory battery? In my 20D its a CR 2016 which are only like $5 from radio shack.
    I'm going to try that when I get home. I believe the memory battery for the rebel is the same as the battery for the 10D, so I will swap them out when I get home and see if that makes a difference. Thanks.

  10. #10
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    Re: Error 99?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen Lutz
    I'm going to try that when I get home. I believe the memory battery for the rebel is the same as the battery for the 10D, so I will swap them out when I get home and see if that makes a difference. Thanks.

    I mentioned that in #3 below. re-read my response below, check battery contacts and also do the other things mentioned.

    JS
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    Vivitar 19-35mm f3.5-5.6

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    Re: Error 99?

    i just got this error today as well, i was autofocusing and testing out AEB, and it shut off, then came back on with an Error99

    but I have a 350D.. hasnt happened for about 30 mins... but yes, it is really annoying, :-\
    Canon EOS 350D
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  12. #12
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    "I got yer hard reset right here...." POW with a ball bat!

    Seriously, I have done all the suggested trouble shooting except the memory battery replacement and hard reset. I'll give it a go, but I have little hope at this point. I may end up taking it to a local gun range, where they let you use ANYTHING (except TVs and other glass objects) as targets. Maybe put the Rebel about 200 yards down range and pop off a few with an AR-15. Should make for a nice little puff when I hit it.

  13. #13
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    Re: Error 99?

    ill buy it from you..
    dont use it as a target... im sure other people would take it off of you for some $
    Canon EOS 350D
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  14. #14
    Dog Photographer AC_Photo's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen Lutz
    Maybe put the Rebel about 200 yards down range and pop off a few with an AR-15. Should make for a nice little puff when I hit it.
    LOL. Sounds like a guy after my own heart! My rifle of choice is a National Match M1a though...
    Mike Stromberg
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  15. #15
    Liz
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    Re: Error 99?

    Steve,

    You might want to check this out. I had gotten err 99 with my 350XT and 35mm/f2.0. I ended up exchanging the lens and haven't had another problem.

    However, here is a website I discovered in the process "Err99 Fix" You might want to check it out. It's all on err99 - many posts with others' experiences and what they did/do about it. This website helped me understand it a bit more.

    http://www.richardsnotes.org/archive...ontact-points/

    Liz

    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen Lutz
    I have a Digital Rebel 300. Recently, I have begun getting Error 99 when I try to take a picture. It has the "hacked" software, but has had it for a couple of years with no problems so I don't think that is the issue.

    When I get Error 99, I turn it off, and turn it back on, and it might take a picture or two before another Error 99. This has happened with Canon lenses so it isn't a lens incompatibility. It just recently happened with a 28-70 2.8L on the camera.

    This is, needless to say, a drag. Any suggestions other than to use it as a paper weight? Thanks.

  16. #16
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    A 30.06 through the Rebel, now that's a thought. Right through the kit lens..... Now that would make it go splat. Probably wouldn't find anything left of it though. I friend of mine has a 1903 Springfield rifle so maybe he'll let me borrow it for an experiment.

  17. #17
    Dog Photographer AC_Photo's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    There ya go! One little think though, the M1a is the civilian version of the M14, so it's .308 Winchester, not the 30.06 that's in the M1. Ok, so I've twisted the thread a little. I'll go away now.
    Mike Stromberg
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  18. #18
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    Re: Error 99?

    I always liked my old M1 Carbine....WWII version. That thing was dead on even at 60 years old.....sold it though when I moved

    JS
    Canon 1D
    Canon 1D MK II N
    Canon 70-200mm USM IS f2.8
    Canon 200mm f1.8 USM
    Canon 300mm f2.8 USM IS
    Canon 28-300mm USM IS f3.5-5.6
    Canon 50mm f1.8
    Vivitar 19-35mm f3.5-5.6

  19. #19
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    As the Mayor of MunchkinLand, I declare my Rebel 'most sincerely dead."

    I tried all of the helpful advice from everyone. Thanks, Liz, for the link! Anyway, after cleaning the contacts, checking the shutter, changing batteries, cleaning the lens contacts, etc. no luck. Error 99 persists. It haunts me. To the gun range with the Rebel!

  20. #20
    Liz
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    Re: Error 99?

    Steve,

    What would you lose sending it to Canon? It's their problem - and a popular one - so it shouldn't cost you any money. No?

    Liz

    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen Lutz
    As the Mayor of MunchkinLand, I declare my Rebel 'most sincerely dead."

    I tried all of the helpful advice from everyone. Thanks, Liz, for the link! Anyway, after cleaning the contacts, checking the shutter, changing batteries, cleaning the lens contacts, etc. no luck. Error 99 persists. It haunts me. To the gun range with the Rebel!

  21. #21
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    Quote Originally Posted by Liz
    Steve,

    What would you lose sending it to Canon? It's their problem - and a popular one - so it shouldn't cost you any money. No?

    Liz
    I assume they would want to charge me to fix it, given that is is long out of warranty. I imagine any repair charge would be more than what the camera's worth. Plus, it would be cool to shoot a camera with a high-powered rifle.

  22. #22
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    Re: Error 99?

    well if you do decide to shoot it, post pics, but i'd still try and sell it or something, :-P
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  23. #23
    Member Stephen Lutz's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    I am really in no big rush to do anything with it. It will sit in a drawer for a while. I might give it to a friend to try and tinker with, I might shoot it, or I might just let it sit in a drawer and give it to my grand kids as a memento of ancient technology. I still have a brownie, for example.

    I will probably sell the battery/grip attachment though. It still works fine.

  24. #24
    Erstwhile Vagabond armed with camera Lionheart's Avatar
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    Re: Error 99?

    Err 99 seems to be a generic could be anything error code. I just got it on one of our 10D cameras at work. I tried everything, new battery, clean lens contacts, different lenses, and figured out it was one lens...finally looked at the lens itself (EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro) and found that the diaphragm was stuck in stopped down position (f16 probably, since that's what we usually shoot at). But I've had this problem with other lenses as well, and cleaning the contacts and taking them off and on seems to have fixed the problem.
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