Canon 20D error lock-up - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/09/2005 11:56:24 AM · #1

I keep having issues with my 20D locking up. By locking up I mean giving an error code (usually 00, 01, 09 if i recall) and not letting me adjust any settings and having no response to the shutter release button.

(No, this is different that the "not enough light to focus so camera won't shoot" issue. I understand that. And all one has to do there is slip the lense into manual mode.)

The solution has been to turn off the camera and to unhitch the lense and re-lock it. Then turn the camera back on. However, this is extremely annoying and often happens at the most inopportune situatiosn (ie: cutting of the cake, bride kissing the groom, etc.)

It occurs most often while using my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS but seems to occur occasionally with other lenses. It occurs most often when I've swapped lenses. And although occasional. It is way too common. I had to deal with it at least 5 times this weekend. That is too much on a $3,000+ investment.

Has anyone else had this occur? found a solution? I am going to try to update the firmware this week and see if that resolves matters. But if not I am going to call Canon.

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/09/2005 11:59:47 AM · #2

Could it be something to do with contacts for the lenses?

Manic

DJI Mini 3 Pro

Kamlan 28mm F1.4 MF for APS-C

08/09/2005 12:04:13 PM · #3

The only time I've ever had problems with my 20D were when the lens wasn't mounted quite right, and it takes a quick poweroff & remount to resolve. Other than that, the only thing I can think of is (and this is more speculation rather than from experience) if your camera + lens - esp if you have IS active - is drawing too much off the battery causing it to underpower, so it may be worth trying with a different battery (if you have one).

Zed Pobre

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

08/09/2005 12:06:58 PM · #4

A faster method is to just pop the battery for five seconds, and then pop it back in.

*Very* old firmwares had a problem with this; it was corrected around 1.0.5, if I recall correctly. Are you using the BG-E2 grip? There has been a recall on that grip, as it could cause that kind of problem and also cause power loss issues. The next thing is to check the contacts on your lenses and body to make sure they're clean. The next thing is to always make sure that the lens is very solidly connected. I've gotten Err99 a few times when the lens wasn't twisted on the entire time, but that was a blessing in disguise because there was light leakage that ruined all the shots until it errored out.

I've you're getting the error five times a day, though, something is definitely wrong, and if cleaning and checking the lens connection and batteries doesn't help, it's time to call Canon.

janbruder

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

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

08/09/2005 12:38:44 PM · #5

I had this sort of problem with my 300D. I ended up adding a tiny amount of solder to the tips of my lens contacts on the camera -- I haven't had any problems since.
J

Telehubbie

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/09/2005 12:50:17 PM · #6

I've had this happen a few times, with "ERR99" on the display. I've noticed it happening a little more with the 70-200 2.8IS and the grip attached. No big deal, I just take the batteries out for a few seconds and put them back in. Luckily hasn't happened on a paid gig yet. I'm going to clean the lens contacts on the camera and the lenses and see if that helps.

08/09/2005 12:51:42 PM · #7

Originally posted by Makka:

Could it be something to do with contacts for the lenses?

It could, but realize this problem occurred with botht he camera and the lens being new units.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/09/2005 12:52:58 PM · #8

Originally posted by Manic:

if your camera + lens - esp if you have IS active - is drawing too much off the battery causing it to underpower, so it may be worth trying with a different battery (if you have one).

Running two batteries with grip....newly charged...should be sufficient power.

Originally posted by Zed Pobre:

Faster....??? that takes a lot more time then simply turning the camera off, pressing the lens release, turning the lens a centimeter and back and turning the camera back on.

I will check what version of firmware I have. And see if that makes any difference. Perhaps the battery grip is part of the problem. If the firmware doesn't fix it I will call Canon.

(But they better cover the shipping costs because it's like $40 shipping and another $35 just in "shipping insurance". )

Message edited by author 2005-08-09 12:57:28.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

08/09/2005 12:59:23 PM · #9

Look in your manual, they have explanations for the various error codes. If it's error 99 it's most often a problem with the lens. If it's only with the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, then it's most likely the IS unit of the lens. Canon will change it if it is still under warranty.

Message edited by author 2005-08-09 12:59:37.

Brent_Ward

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

08/09/2005 02:01:31 PM · #10

I had a problem one day during a magazine shoot. The 20D battery grip had come a little loose. A quick tighten and I was back on the road. Much better then when the 1Ds had the same error. I ended it up sending it back to Calumet for a new one...

LindaLee

08/09/2005 02:35:13 PM · #11

Have had this happen a number of times, my firmware updates are the latest ones, and it still happens occasionally.

Just like telehubbie said: pop the battery out for a few seconds, put it back in. This has always fixed it for me.

And FYI, the "error" message that I get has not always been the same one. This just happened on Saturday, and it was Error 99. The battery trick fixed it.

08/09/2005 02:59:02 PM · #12

Ihall, sounds like you and I have had similar experiences. It is quite bothersome. And frustrating as 80% of such instances have happened while I was at "weddings" or other memorable events.

:|

LindaLee

08/09/2005 03:12:40 PM · #13

Originally posted by theSaj:

Ihall, sounds like you and I have had similar experiences. It is quite bothersome. And frustrating as 80% of such instances have happened while I was at "weddings" or other memorable events.

:|

I agree - it almost always happens to me at an "event", and hardly ever when I am just out shooting for fun!

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

08/09/2005 03:46:22 PM · #14

Found this discussion in another forum:

//www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Cosm&unified_p=1

Message edited by author 2005-08-09 15:46:29.

Rando D300

08/09/2005 04:46:01 PM · #15

The saj It is err01 for me ,and the fix is the same as you do
Many times this has happened to me with 70 200 lens on the 20D ,always when it is stand by mode. I find that if I hold the lense from the bottom in my hand instead of just letting it hang from neckstrap that it helps prevent it from doing it ,I am wondering if it is the weight of lens causing the contacts to shift just enough to screw things up for the next shot! If I hold the lens in my hand and the camera straight it seems it never happens, but let it hang and the err01 shows up almost ever time
I am taking the camera and lens back to the Canon Service Centre first chance that I get,I will let you know what the head of the service dept says about it after I drop it off .

moswyn

Canon EOS-7D

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for Canon

08/09/2005 05:17:10 PM · #16

I had this with my 70-200 IS, seemed to only happen with this lens, and only when IS was switched to "on". It was under warranty, so I called Canon and asked them about it - they had me send it in to be fixed. It's been three months and so far, no issues. Of course, I noticed it when I was shooting big tournaments - couple thousand pictures - and sent it in after the season was over. I have used it for several weddings since, but nothing on that large of a scale. Hoping it doesn't come back, but if it does, at least Canon has a racord of the issue.

wanted to add: What the original poster has described with their 70-200 is *exactly* what I noticed with my camera.

Message edited by author 2005-08-09 17:18:19.

LindaLee

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/09/2005 06:44:16 PM · #17

Mine seems to happen the most with my Sigma 70-200.

I just got my camera back from Canon service a week ago, (and the lockup problem was one of the issues I asked them to address), and it did the error thing on Saturday, so I don't know that factory service is the answer.

I am considering sending the thing back, but, sheesh, I hate being without it for so darn long, and having to use the 10D - it just isn't the same.

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

08/09/2005 06:51:28 PM · #18

I get this same error on the 10D when I'm using the 100-400 IS 'L'. Its usually when the IS is 'ON' and the battery is low on power. I usually change the battery to a fresh one and it clears OK. However, having read 'the battery trick' above, it may be just taking out the battery which is fixing it.

I dunno - but try using a fresh set.

08/09/2005 07:35:04 PM · #19

Not a "dead battery" issue. Might be a "grip" issue.

Can anyone state whether they've had this issue occur without a "grip"?

Rando D300

08/09/2005 07:41:19 PM · #20

Originally posted by theSaj:

Not a "dead battery" issue. Might be a "grip" issue.

Can anyone state whether they've had this issue occur without a "grip"?

I don't have a grip ,I don't think it has anything to do with the battery,the err 01 is communication between camera and lens is faulty

08/09/2005 07:56:19 PM · #21

a note of reference...

I often use a monopod, so the lens is well supported. And the only weight is that of the camera body itself. (Kinda the inverted of the weight contact situation expressed below.) I've used it without the pod as well. Issue occurs during both.

08/10/2005 12:29:24 AM · #22

Well...i just updated my firmware from 1.1 to 2.2...

*finger's crossed*

08/12/2005 03:08:13 PM · #23

Firmware didn't help....

In fact, last night was first time using it since I updated it. At first everything seemed find. No problems for the first hour. Then I had 4 failures in about an hour.

Not happy, not happy at all. And Canon states "ship us the unit" we don't issue RMA's. So they expect me to have to eat $100....um...i'll stop there before I say something stupid.

Message edited by author 2005-08-12 15:08:33.

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

08/12/2005 03:41:26 PM · #24

i might have missed the answer to this somewhere in this thread but what kind of card are you shooting with?
I have always used lexar 1gb 80x and then recently bought a san disk 1 gig ultra ll . I had problems several times the day i used it ...on a job of course. Havent tried it during a job since so dont know if it was a coincident.

I guess I am lucky because I happen to live about 20 minutes from Canon. Last time I brought a camera in it was ready in less than a week. See, there's something good about living in NJ :)