I have a 1 year old XTi, and i'm currently traveling in India. I went to use the camera at night and I get err 99 only when using the flash. This happens with my 28-135IS and 50mm prime.

Any ideas? will i need to replace the body or does canon cover this under warranty after a year? I can't call them up or go to a canon store for a couple weeks.

Maybe I should just pick up an external flash

Is it just with the flash that you get the error? Tried whiping down the contact points? Worth a shot.

hyunk702 wrote:
Is it just with the flash that you get the error? Tried whiping down the contact points? Worth a shot.

Happens only with the flash popped up. Cleaned the lens contacts as well.

I took off the lens, and tried clicking with the flash open. Says Busy with the flash symbol and then err 99. This is like the BSOD of windows :o

I got this on my old Rebel. The little switches inside the flash started sticking so the camera thought something was obstructing the flash. It was solved by cleaning and then lubricating the little switches. Not sure what they look like on the XTi but on the Rebel they were 2 little plastic pegs either side of the popup flash.

For a quick fix you can pop up the flash, turn the camera off and then on again and it should work fine.

Mike Farren wrote:
I got this on my old Rebel. The little switches inside the flash started sticking so the camera thought something was obstructing the flash. It was solved by cleaning and then lubricating the little switches. Not sure what they look like on the XTi but on the Rebel they were 2 little plastic pegs either side of the popup flash.

For a quick fix you can pop up the flash, turn the camera off and then on again and it should work fine.


Thanks.. Tried it out, no go

I sent the camera to canon finally. Got a quote back :

Examination / Request Details:





Summary of Charges:

ERROR 99. REPAIR TO GOOD WORKING ORDER. MINIMUM LABOR RATE, INCLUDES MINOR PARTS. PLEASE RESPOND TO ESTIMATE.


Parts


$ 0.00

Labor


$ 180.00

Service / Work Type:


Charge , Repair


Sub Total


$ 180.00

Equipment Received:


EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTI (BLACK)


Sales Tax


$ 0.00

Serial #:


Shipping


$ 16.31

P.O.#:


 


Total Due


$ 196.31



Thoughts?

If its only on the pop up flash then I would get the thing back from canon unrepaired and put the noney it would have cost into a 220 ex or better. The 220 is small enough to fit in your pocket and about twice the power of the built in flash.

Ian.Dobinson wrote:
If its only on the pop up flash then I would get the thing back from canon unrepaired and put the noney it would have cost into a 220 ex or better. The 220 is small enough to fit in your pocket and about twice the power of the built in flash.

Thats what I'm thinking.

Maybe I should do that, but what if its not only the in-built flash?

thats the big question. your choices are:
Pay for the repair or take the gamble that its just the flash thts giving the problem (from what you say it is but only you can know if it ever comes up without the flash). From what you say I would probably get the 220 ex flash, then if down the line the camera fails you will still have the flash to use on its replacement.

You could also send it to another (non Canon) repair center that may come up with a lower quote. You will have to ask some others on here for any recommended repaires.

I called canon last evening.

The initial rep told me she could only give me a 20% discount, but I could speak to her supervisor.

Supervisor got on the phone, he was nice, but not all that nice since I didnt get a free repair:o

He gave a 50% discount on the labor, so it came to 90$ + shipping and was surprised that its not due to the lens.