Christian Photographers Community

I have a EFS 17-85 mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM lens that i am getting a Error 99 message when the camera tries to write to the card. This is the only lens that i am having a problem with so am assuming the lens is the problem. Was just wondering if anyone has ever returned a lens to canon for repair and if so how was the outcome.

I have tried everything i know to resolve the issue, cleaning contacts, different card ect. with no luck. Anyone here know of anything to try?

Thanks

Don 

Format the card. Should be on the first tool menu. I don't know if that will help, but no harm in trying. Just make sure your pics are off the card first, because they won't be the after the format.

Quote from: ScottyBoy on February 03, 2009, 12:38:12 PM
Format the card. Should be on the first tool menu. I don't know if that will help, but no harm in trying. Just make sure your pics are off the card first, because they won't be the after the format.

Thanks for the reply ScottyBoy, forgot to mention in the post i have already tried that. Guess i'll just have to send it to canon. Think their website said $100 for repair which isn't too bad for a $600 lens but i hate to spend $100 on it when i want to upgrade, just hard to come up with $1000 or more right now.

Don

Can you call support fist? it would stink to send it in and find out that it's not a lens problem.

Hi Don,

Have you upgrade your camera's firmware recently?  If not, you can do that at the Canon site for free.

The error 99 message is Canon's kind of "something is not communicating properly and it could be any of 99 things" error.  I got it a couple of times on my Canon Rebel XT when I strapped on my Tokina 12-24.  Took it off and put it back on and it was fine.

That 17-85 is practical, but has had some issues.  I am not a fan of zooms, so I would recommend you use this lens as a paperweight and save for a nice prime in the range you want.  Like my EF 400 F5.6L, or the wonderful EF 135 F2L.  With all the lovely wildlife around you, that 400 would be so nice.  I love mine!

I just switched from the Tokina, by the way, to the Canon EF-S 10-22, and I am amazed at how much better this lens is.  Should have gone with Canon to begin with.  And yes, this is a zoom, but the closest Canon prime is the new EF 14, and I could never justify $3000, although I did hear it calling my name a couple of times.

And lastly, I don't have any experience with Canon USA, but Canon Japan has outstanding service.

Sorry you're having problems.  Hope it works out for you.

In His Grip,
Kevin

I know this is older post but how did it go? I was just only going to ask/suggest-if it was still under warranty-wouldn't it be covered then?

Well its been a while but I finally made up my mind as to what I am going to do. I did want to try the lens a while longer to see what happened and found out as long as I shoot with it wide open it will work properly. If I stop it down any at all I get the error message so I finally called canon and the support guy told me it was probably the aperture motor. I sent it in to be checked. I should know something in a few days and will post back.

I bought the lens in 06 juanital so the warranty is long gone.

Thanks to everyone that tried to help, I really appreciate it.

Don

Got my lens back today and everything seems to be working properly.

This is what they old me
Service details
We have examined the product according to your request, and, it was found that the part was loose causing an error to be displayed. Replaced usm focus ass'y and power diaphragm ass'y part. Checked all, adjusted center/tilt/focus, cleaned all factory specs.

Got a 6 months warranty on the repairs they made. Guess time will tell.

Don

Great news, Don.  I am betting there will be no further problems.