HELP! Major problems with the Rebel XT/350D

04/19/2005 11:28:17 PM · #1

Hi-
I'm currently experiencing a major problem with my XT...

I have a 75-300 IS USM Canon lens. The first week I had the XT, I shot with the crappy kit lens and it was fine. When I decided to go out shooting with my 300mm lens, it was alright for about 100 shots and then I got the dreaded 'err 99'!!!! Everything froze up, it gave that half hearted hollow sounding shutter, and nothing would record to the card. I turned it on and then off, and it was okay for another 20 shots or so, then the same thing happened. It happens on and off, only with the 75-300mm IS lens. Pretty annoying! I figured it wasn't the lens having a problem though, because it works fine on my Elan 7ne film body.

Well, last week I shelled out $600 to get the EF-S 17-85 IS USM lens. It worked for again, about 75 shots and then it DIED. I am telling you, the camera will not work! The shutter will not depress, the aperture reads "00" (?!?!?!) and I get the 'err 01' (Which means lens communication error, clean the contacts, but both the camera and the lens are literally brand new!)
It doesn't happen on and off with the 17-85 lens, it's completely dead to it and non-functioning.

Also, when the 17-85mm is attached, anything I do the camera, wheater it's turned on or off, it makes an electronic clicking noise. Not a focusing noise, but this strange clicking and churning (not the IS either) If I open the CF door (while off) it makes the noise, if I take the battery out or put a new one in it makes the noise. VERY strange since none of the other lenses do that. If I weren't so mad at all of the money I've speant, it would actually be slightly funny that the camera is having such a hard time being 'compatible' with Canon lenses...

As to be expected, I'm extremely upset. I've tried reformating both of my 1GB sandisk cards, trying two different batteries, changing lenses back and then forth, but nothing works! I'm thinking it could be an electrical problem because of the strange clicking/chirping noises. Maybe the camera is having problems with IS on the lenses? The ONLY lens that will work with the camera now is the crappy non-IS kit lens which I don't want anyways!

Has anyone else out there experienced such a problem? I know there were firmware upgrades for the 20d but its way to soon to have a firmware upgrade for the XT. I mailed it off to Canon in NJ yesterday, I guess I'm just going to have to wait a few weeks and see if it's fixable. Aside from this, I was really loving the camera and the quality, but man... Ugh, this is so annoying.

Thanks and please respond if you've had any similar problems so I know I'm not alone!!!

-Laura

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/19/2005 11:32:34 PM · #2

You mighta got a lemon... I won't buy a new car the first model year. Don't know if I'd shell out the money they want for the new rebel so soon either, but that's just me...

papa

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/19/2005 11:33:50 PM · #3

Hey, you can send me you crappy kit lens if you want, I'll pay shipping!

Seriously, I will be keenly watching this as I have the 17-85 IS. Contact Canon, it will most likely be a warrenty issue.

mirdonamy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/19/2005 11:34:19 PM · #4

Call Canon Tech Support. I have had some amazing people help me with err 99 issues! And talked to a few who've been with canon over 20 years! :)

04/19/2005 11:55:43 PM · #5

Originally posted by papa:

Hey, you can send me you crappy kit lens if you want, I'll pay shipping!

Seriously, I will be keenly watching this as I have the 17-85 IS. Contact Canon, it will most likely be a warrenty issue.

Haha thanks for the offer :) I would send it you but I already sold it on ebay... Can you believe someone paid $70 plus shipping for it?

I really hope they can fix whatever is wrong with it quickly... :(

Thanks for your reply
-Laura

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/19/2005 11:59:13 PM · #6

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

Call Canon Tech Support. I have had some amazing people help me with err 99 issues! And talked to a few who've been with canon over 20 years! :)

I did yesterday. I found it interesting that the nice man I spoke to didn't try to have me do the elementrey standard rountine of 'Well try changing the battery, try cleaning the contacts' I explained a short version of the problem and he immedietly said 'Well that will need to be sent in for service. Pack it up and send it out.' It pretty much sounded like this is a well known problem...

I do hope the turnaround time is quick... have you had any experience sending your camera or lenses to the factory service to be worked on?

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

04/20/2005 12:08:51 AM · #7

Sorry to hear that (especially since I have one on order). Did they pay for shipping?

fulgent

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/20/2005 12:13:41 AM · #8

Originally posted by roxystar:

Thanks and please respond if you've had any similar problems so I know I'm not alone!!!

-Laura

I have had some of those problems when I would forget to shut off the power before I changed lenses. It would not focus, or shoot, and do weird things. The clicking problem was not one of the symptoms.

It seemed to help when I would shut off the power. Remove the lens. Remount the lens. Turn on the power. And if it still didn't shoot or focus then redo the same steps again.

Figuring it works like a computer, the RAM memory instructions may get corrupted by switching lenses when the power is on. RAM memory can linger awhile so give it 20-30 seconds for RAM to really clear before turning it back on.

So now this is my standard procedure when things don't seem to function correctly and the battery is Ok.

If it doesn�t help with your current problem, keep it in mind for the future.

Rod

04/20/2005 12:16:25 AM · #9

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Sorry to hear that (especially since I have one on order). Did they pay for shipping?

No :( $4.55 2 day Priority shipping plus an additional $21.00 to insure the camera and the lens ($1600 worth of equipment being sent out!) plus 0.55 for delivery confirmation. They did say they would pay for return shipping, by way of 2 day FedEx.

I have a sinking suspicison that my problems are related to having gotten the first batch of XT's, I got mine the last week of March when they first shipped out, so maybe yours will be alright since it's a month later. It's a wonderful camera, but having to deal with this really sucks!

Thanks for the reply
-Laura