Help - Error 99 - Canon EOS 50D

[FallingHorse]

Yesterday at the races I went to shoot and got an Error 99 which said to switch offand on again. I did that but got the same message. I swapped batteries (both were fully charged the night before) and still ... Error 99. I tried a different lens - no luck. I wiped down all the terminals/connections and still received the same error.

After my initial panic - I tried the same lens on my other camera body with out any issues and shot with my back up for the remainder of the day. Between races, I tried the camera again but still continued to get the same message.

When I got home I tried shooting without a lens on - just the cap and there was no problems ... it chattered away in high speed.

Can anyone help with what might be wrong before I take it to the shop - I though that the lens connection might be dirty but the same happened with another lens and both lenses worked fine on my back up.

I have read a number of other posts where people have got the same error only to have the camera go to the shop and nothing wrong can be found with it. I don't wan't to make the 200km round trip for the same.

[camerasnoop]

This is the problem with Canon's Error Messages....

Err 99 is a general error that gives you no specific clue as to what causes it, When Canon look at it, they get a more detailed report from their diagnostics software. Unfortunately, if the error keeps happening, you have no choice but to take it to the shop. One last thing to try though, is to remove the back-up battery and replace it too. You'll lose all of your custom settings and stuff when you do that, but it's your choice.

[FallingHorse]

Bummer I will try removing the date/time battery and replacing it when I get home from work. Will let you know how I get on. The custom settings aren't that much of a problem compared to not being able to shoot at all

[camerasnoop]

Well some models allow you to export your custom settings to a CF card, so check that first. No point in going through the process of setting them up again if you don't have to. This may not fix your problem anyway, but IS a hard reboot, so here's wishing you good luck!

[FallingHorse]

Well some models allow you to export your custom settings to a CF card, so check that first. No point in going through the process of setting them up again if you don't have to. This may not fix your problem anyway, but IS a hard reboot, so here's wishing you good luck!

Wooot!!! It done the trick I took the little backup/clock battery out and wiped it down with a cloth & cleaned the terminals. Put it back in and Bob's you uncle! Thanks heaps for the info Saved me a trip to the camera repairman not to mention the $$$

edit: and I forgot to mention - I didn't have to save/restore my settings, only the time/date

[camerasnoop]

Well don't go counting those chickens yet. It may only be a temporary fix. If there is another underlying cause, it may raise it's ugly head again.

[bricat]

This is the problem with Canon's Error Messages....

One last thing to try though, is to remove the back-up battery and replace it too. You'll lose all of your custom settings and stuff when you do that, but it's your choice.

I will put that little gem in the back of the memory bank cheers Brian

[FallingHorse]

Well don't go counting those chickens yet. It may only be a temporary fix. If there is another underlying cause, it may raise it's ugly head again.

Bummer..... I prefer the chickens Well fingers crossed that it is a while between Error 99's

[FallingHorse]

I will put that little gem in the back of the memory bank cheers Brian

I wrote it down in my camera's manual which is usually in my bag