Canon EOS350D + Built-in flash = Err99

[Almahadeus]

Hi everyone. Been a lurker here for while and here is my first post looking for some help from the experts on these forums.
I've started getting the dreaded Err99 on my EOS350D (out of warranty) whenever the flash is needed and automatically pops up or forced on. In all other circumstances, the camera is working perfectly well apart from, as mentioned, whenever the flash pops up.

I have done extensive search on the web but couldn't find an answer. Tried cleaning the lens contacts with the body (original lens supplied with Canon) and installed the latest firmware for the camera. Have also tested the compact flash card and contacts and all are working fine. The battery is fully charged and still manages more than a hundred photos on a single charge.

I am really frstrated because of this happening a year and a half after I bought this camera for £600 and would greatly appreciate any advice or help.

[jamesbryan17]

I found this on a website, its to do with the contact between the lens and the camera body.

"The guy at tech support listened and then told me that the lens contacts were dirty and to get a pencil with an eraser on the end, just a regular old pencil with a red rubber eraser. Detach the lens from the camera, hold it so that the lens’ gold contacts are pointing down and lightly erase their exposed surface, cleaning them of any hand oil that might have gotten on them.

Do the same thing with the gold contacts inside the camera body. This is a bit harder but it’s doable: just hold camera so lens opening points down so no gunk falls in. Erase lightly. I used a lens cloth and dabbed at the contacts rather than blow them so as not to blow the erasings inside the camera."

hope this helps, if not then check the cf card and format it, it could also be the flash not being able to pop-up.

[Almahadeus]

Thanks James for the rapid reply. I have already tried the pencil erasure trick and reformatting tha CF card to no avail.
As I said the camera works perfectly in terms of lens, body, battery and memory card but only freezes with Err99 when the flash pops up. Could it be the battery not being able to deliver the right amount of charge to the flash despite lasting a reasonably long time? (haven't perceived any deterioration in battery life since I bought the camera).

[jamesbryan17]

ahh i just thought could it be dirty contacts on the battery?

[alphaomega16]

Could be a sync error between the flash and the camera.

[garysherpa]

have you tried reseting the camera to the origanal factory settings

[alphaomega16]

Have you tried an External Flash ?

If not and you dont have one just go into your local jessops and say you want to try out one of their flashes before you buy one

[Almahadeus]

Originally Posted by garysherpa

have you tried reseting the camera to the origanal factory settings

I haven't but presumably installing the new firmware would have done so. I'll have a go at this anyway. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Almahadeus]

Originally Posted by alphaomega16

Have you tried an External Flash ?

If not and you dont have one just go into your local jessops and say you want to try out one of their flashes before you buy one

No. but how would this help with my situation? I mean would it help from the diagnostic point of view or would it mean that I'd have to use an external flash (instead of the built-in one) if this one works?

[senu]

Originally Posted by Almahadeus

No. but how would this help with my situation? I mean would it help from the diagnostic point of view or would it mean that I'd have to use an external flash (instead of the built-in one) if this one works?

I think you hit the nail on the head

If it works then you can narrow down the fault if you want to have it fixed

If you want to wait, you can use then buy and use an external flash

While this is an expense you may not have budgeted for, A external ( esp Canon , Sigma etc Not a cheap Jessops "digital") is way better than the ( albeit convenient )built in flash

[Almahadeus]

Originally Posted by senu

I think you hit the nail on the head

If it works then you can narrow down the fault if you want to have it fixed

If you want to wait, you can use then buy and use an external flash

While this is an expense you may not have budgeted for, A external ( esp Canon , Sigma etc Not a cheap Jessops "digital") is way better than the ( albeit convenient )built in flash

Thanks. Would these external flashes work automatically (i.e on demand) like the built-in one when needed? forgive me but I haven't used one before. Also would be grateful for some recommedations on good value ones to get.

BTW, have just tried and cancelled all settings (reset) with no success unfortunately.

[Almahadeus]

Originally Posted by alphaomega16

Could be a sync error between the flash and the camera.

Are there any potential causes for such an error? and what does it mean exactely?

[senu]

There is no cause for error between an internal flash and camera;
That would be down to a electronics malfunction ( which may be easy and cheap to fix: may even be a known recall problem which may be fixable for free) unless due to dropping it or a liquid entering the camera etc


Regarding External Flashes . No you dont just buy any old flash and put in on if there is to be any benefit at all.
Firstly the shoe contacts have to match they tend to be brand specific, Secondly in addition to contact,the flash's electronics have to have been designed for that camera or group of cameras in mind so that there is synergy of function
In general Canons Speedlights work best with Canons but in addition there are some 3rd part ones: Sigma DG Ef 500 super ( I have one of such) which have been designed to with the with Canon electronics in that the flash hot shoe contact is Canon specific and features like AF assist and ETTL-II work with it. Metz also make one (I think)

[alphaomega16]

Originally Posted by Almahadeus

Are there any potential causes for such an error? and what does it mean exactely?

Not sure but if you try an External Flash and it works then you can tell canon exactly what the problem is so they dont have to try to find one and it could be fixed a lot quicker if you decide to contact them.

[ahin4114]

I recall getting an error message on my 350D once in Greece. Like you it happened when the built in flash was used. In my case it turned out to be a bit of grit had jammed into the flash hinge and thatwas enough to throw the error. A bit of tlc and some light oil sorted it good as new.

Might not be the same error, but worth a try?