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Just managed to finish shooting the carnival in London over the weekend and even on the day I started noticing the odd "Error 99" message coming up on the screen just after I powered up the camera. Now the problem is worse, it won't shoot at all and I have googled the problem and tried everything sensible.
I will have to fork out to send it in to a canon repair shop (which frankly is disgusting on behalf of Canon!) but I am just wondering if anyone else has also had to do this and crucially how much it cost? The camera is no longer in warranty but there is a note on the official canon website that error 99 problems should be fixed for free. How true this is..I find doubtful!
So how much is this going to lighten my wallet?
Thanks!
James
Have you tried another lens? This is a common error message when lens and camera don't communicate properly, though I am thinking this is a lens AF problem, so clean the contacts (very carefully) on the lens and camera
ive tried everything, three different lenses, cleaning contacts, calibrating battery, different memory cards, no memory card, no lens, swearing at it, threatening it with unspeakable violence... nothing works.
Then a trip to the Canon repair shop is needed, I really don't know how much it will cost to repair, but if your insurance covers repairs then I would call up your insurance
I'm sure you've tried seeing if there is a firmware update to cover this, and that you do have the current firmware.
Copy a screenshot of the page saying this is a free repair, call the Canon repair outlet closest to you to get an RMA number (depending where you have to send it for your area this might not be necessary to get), and ask if they will cover return postage, then send the camera packed good (in the original box if you have it), with everything removed that isn't secured to the camera. Remove the battery, memory card, strap, lens, and anything else you've added to the camera, the body cap should be the only thing removable included.
Put all this, with the screenshot of the free repair page inside a box with a description of the problem, your phone number, return address, and postage to cover the return after they have fixed it. Do not seal this box. Put all this inside another box, and send it to Canon if they have said they will not cover return postage, or give you an alternative on what to do.
My friend is a senior technician with Canon repair in Toronto, and recommended doing it this way. Canon might pay for return postage, but he says it is unlikely in your case. They will do the free repair though if you have the latest firmware update, and it still has this 99 error. He says it is a quick fix on their part, just having to reload the software on the chip that became corrupt.
He did say though that if it is a hardware problem (a chip going bad), and not a software problem then it will cost you money. He could not say how much not knowing what he was dealing with, but gave a $50 - $300 Canadian dollar range just to have something to go by. They will send it back to you put together if you decide not to have it fixed. They will call you if it is going to cost money to have it fixed to get your approval, and details on how you will pay. At least at the shop in Toronto they do not make up problems to get more money from you. They are too busy to bother with that, then he laughed.
It's a big bummer not having your camera, then having to wait for the fix when things are happening around you that you can't record, and send in to Demotix.
Steve
Just a Traveler With a Camera
Wow thank you steve for your great response there! I will do as you say! I did contact the local repair centre and they said it could be a free fix depending on what they find ( they mentioned a code within the camera that I wouldn't be able to check myself) so im keeping my fingers crossed.
It's especially annoying at the moment since I have had to postpone a number of arrangements ( i run my own photography company in Kent called www.lifeinkent.com) and my usual back up camera has developed its own unrelated fault. Its not going my way with technology this week at all!
All the best Steve and Richie!
Hi, James, I am having the same problem now - Error 99 on my 40D. I am in Toronto. May I know where you found the message on Canon's Web saying that Error 99 will be fixed for free? Did you have a happy ending? Did the repair centre repair it for free?
Please shed some light, much appreciated!
Hi, James, I am having the same problem now - Error 99 on my 40D. I am in Toronto. May I know where you found the message on Canon's Web saying that Error 99 will be fixed for free? Did you have a happy ending? Did the repair centre repair it for free?
Please shed some light, much appreciated!
Hi, James, I am having the same problem now - Error 99 on my 40D. I am in Toronto. May I know where you found the message on Canon's Web saying that Error 99 will be fixed for free? What happened finally? Did the repair centre repair it for free?
Please shed some light, much appreciated!
