Comments on: Canon DSLR Error 99 fix

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:42:04 +0000

Joanie: I’d forgotten that some lower end Canon (maybe other brands too) DSLRs have size limitations on cards. Great to know, thanks for posting it here.

By: Joanie

Joanie — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:06:15 +0000

I had the same problem, and I did all these diagnostics. When I brought it to the Camera store, they told me that my camera (Canon Rebel XS) can only use up to a 4G memory card, and I had a 16G in there! So easy fix, but I just wish that this info had been on all the websites I looked it!!!

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:18:58 +0000

RJ: I’m not sure exactly which lens you have because you have a typo in the lens description. My guess is you means EF-S 17-85mm, right?

If the camera works fine without the lens, the problem is the lens but to be sure, put another lens on the camera and shoot. No problems? Then it’s the lens for sure.

That lens has IS. Have you tried turning that off?

If changing aperture seems to trigger it, it might be an electrical contact problem or that the aperture motor is going or gone.

Try turning off IS, turning off AF, and setting your camera to Av and since the lens has variable aperture (the aperture changes during zoom), leave the lens at 17mm when you turn the camera on.

Turn the camera on, don’t change a thing, take a picture. No error? Zoom the lens all the way out to 85mm and take another. No error? Change the Aperture (stop down a bit).

If any of these things triggered the error it’s the lens and it will either need servicing or simply replacing.

The camera is old and it’s not a bad idea to change it’s built in backup battery. You can find out more about that in the manual.

Let me know if any of this helps.

By: Rj

Rj — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:26:02 +0000

Hello!
Glad to know i’m not the only one struggling with this.

I’m using a 20D with an EF-S 17-18mm Canon lens.

Three days ago I started getting the ERR99 message when shooting in bright light. After reading this and other threads I realized that this was an aperture based problem that has progressively gotten worse for some reason (at first it was only things above f10 or so, but now anything other than f4.0 causes the message). I have tried nearly all the suggestions I have found, the multiple types of reboots suggested here and by my canon email service person. It shoots fine without a lens and I have tried various cards with the same result as well as batteries. I cleaned the contact strips no only first with the eraser but also with an alcohol wipe as was suggested on another forum.
Over the past four months abroad in Europe I have literally taken a few thousand pictures without a hitch, but suddenly (thankfully at the end of my trip!) I start getting this message for no reason.
Do you have any suggestions before I consider sending it in for repair? Thanks a lot!

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:02:38 +0000

Excellent Ekendra. We use the “trickle down” technology method in our house as well although not with cameras, but with computers, iPads, iPhones. My wife doesn’t use a camera anymore, preferring her iPhone which is fine with me.

By: Ekendra

Ekendra — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:06:55 +0000

I do have a back up Richard.

I have given the 300D to my daughter and I purchased a 550D. There is a offer on at the moment for the 600D body at a little under GBP 350!!

I may decide to pass on the 550D to my daughter and buy the 600D!!

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:13:29 +0000

Great news Ekendra, thanks for letting me know we helped.

Make note though that the 300D is an old camera and at some point you may just have to get another one. Things wear out on cameras and the shutter on the older Canon bodies was a weak spot. Still, if you can keep it going for a while longer why not? Just don’t do an important shoot with it alone, consider a backup camera body.

By: Ekendra

Ekendra — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:12:55 +0000

I live in Sri Lanka and I received a gift of a Canon EOS 300D. It was originally purchased in the UK. After about 2 years I started getting the err99 message. I took it to the local agents and they told me that the camera would have to be sent to Singapore and that it would cost $XX! Crest fallen I came home and put the problem on the web. Your site came up and provided me with the solution.
The shutter had got misaligned! A very gentle push with the blunt end of a ball point pen did the trick!
Thank you Richard.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:04:54 +0000

dmatt: I suggest starting by trying to sort out if it’s a lens problem or a camera body problem. Take the lens off and shoot. Does the error happen?

Let me know how it goes.

By: dmatt

dmatt — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 00:04:34 +0000

Thanks for the information on how to try to fix Err 99. It recently started occurring on my Canon Rebel EOS. I just came from the local Camera shop to inquire what it would cost to repair. It is upwards of $250 and it would have to be sent back to Canon for repair. I am going to try the suggestions here. Will let everyone know how they work. I feel so lost without my camera.