Err 99 on EOS 350D

CraggyIslander

I've been getting the dreaded 'err 99' on the eos350D very regularly over the weekend. But only when I'm using my old Sigma 75-300mm EF lens, not when using the standard 18-55mm EFS lens.

Also it only happens when I've swiched to one of the manual programs and not when it is on 'green'.

For instance yesterday there were a few pidgeons perched on a chimney across the road and they caught the light perfectly.... brought out cam, set the aperture to bring them out sharply and adjusted shutter speed to overexpose as the light came from behind them........ hit the button and nothing After resetting did get one shot on the 'green setting' but it misses the sharpness I was looking for.

Any ideas what may be causing this, can I get a firmware upgrade? Or do I need to replace the lens?

rymus

some of the older sigma lenses will cause this. Problem is that they need to be re-chipped by Sigma to make them work. Chances are it's probably not worth it. I've got a similar old sigma 75-300 around at home that I use on a film slr but it wont work with my 20d. No point getting it rechipped, its a god awful lens.

PaulieC

as far as I know, you will need to get the sigma lens 'chipped' to avoid this error. If you google (or your choice of search engine) for 'Err 99', you will get a lot more information on why it happens and how to avoid it

CraggyIslander

whoah, that was quick. Thanks guys, figured it was the lens allright... unless re-chipping is only a fiver I'll be investing in another lens.

And yes rymus you're right it is an awful lens by todays standards, a real light hog and slow autofocus But it was half decent when I got it 15years ago

elven

I get that with my sigma 28-80, but only when not at maximum aperture... might be worth checking if you can still use it with the aperture wide open, use it on aperture priotiry mode to keep you going in the meantime if you can't get a new lens quickly...