Just bought a second hand Sigma DL zoom 70-300 lens and when I connect it to my new Canon 350D sometimes it works and sometimes it comes up with ''error 99''. Looked in the manual and it says that it happens when a lens is non canon and not compatable? I asked the dealer I bought it from before he sent it and he said it was? Is there a way of getting rid of the error or do I have to send it back for a refund?

Your help would once again be appreciated.

Thanks

Gary

If you are lucky (relatively) it may only be dirty contacts between the lens and the camera mount. Have a look HERE (http://www.richardsnotes.org/archives/2005/04/29/50mm-lens-contact-points/) and HERE (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=100615&highlight=sigma+error) for a bit of background reading.

If it isn't dirt related it may be something more serious.
I seem to remember there being a problem with older Sigma lenses on Canon DSLRs also, if my memory serves the lenses had to be 're-chipped' by Sigma to get them to be compatible.


HERE (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/search.php?searchid=559877) is a search result from the Canon forum on problems with error 99 and Sigma. It is not only the Sigmas which throw up this error some Canon and Tamron do also.

If your Sigma is one of the older versions though and the lens clean doesn't work it may need to be re-chipped.
If that is the case I'd send it back for a refund as that would be the easier option.

I think the lens will be going back anyway. It was sold as mint but its difficult to get it to extend to its full 300mm. Stops at about 230mm and only goes the last bit of given a little jip. Shame as it was very cheap, think I know why now :D

Right back on the web to find a canon 70-300mm to replace it :D Did see one the other day, best find it again I suppose

Gary

There is someone on the photograhy-on-the.net forums in the UK selling a Canon 75-300 f4-5.6 IS USM lens for £ 200.

You have to be registered to view the marketplace threads, but the url of the thread is http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=111301

This lens has the image stabiliser system as well as the better focussing motor. Can't comment on the optics.

The lens I have seems to work fine indoors but once outside it only works one in ten times......obviously not right for the camera. Rang the supplier and he very kindly said just put it back in the post and i'll refund your money. Thats good enough for me. Shame though as it appears mint with special holder thingy and everything. Oh well.

Thanks for the comment about the cheap lens, I see you can get a new canon for £130, doubt its the same as the second hand one on the cam site but hey its new and HOPEFULLY should fit my 350D??????

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=143_155&products_id=1053

Gary

The Canon EOS mount has been in use for the last 15 years, but older lenses will possibly need re-chipping (if and only Sigma have relacement chips for them)

When I got my 350D I hoped to be able to use my Sigma 28-70, but I get an Err99 code regularly. My Tokina 70-210 works fine though - although this is very soft but maybe I'm srutinising the images more than i ever did on film?

I've got a modern Sigma 70-300 and am saving for a better quality version of roughly this range.

If you can spend the extra you may find the Image stabilising feature worthwhile. The guy is selling an as-new lens for £ 200 rather than £ 400.

I get the Err-99 code with my old Sigma 28-200 most of the time, but at certain places (noteably the M1 end of East Midlands Airport runway) I get the Err-99 with ANY lens on the 300D including all my Canon lenses! :mad: ( I don't get any problem with the EOS 50E loaded with Velvia though!):rolleyes:

Hopefully the EOS 20D I bought today will not suffer as much as the 300D but it's about time Canon made their camaras & lenses a little more bomb proof for EMC and their error codes a little more explanatory! :rolleyes:

Well...you can slag us Nikon users off as much as you want but we don't have any of your "err" problems" Ha! That'll teach you to buy inferior Canon gear! :):):)

Battery failures and non-zoom-repair failures'r'us :):):)

Seriously, I really hope you get your compatibility problems sorted out. I've had my fill of 3rd party lenses (Tamron, Sigma, Tokina [ugh!!!]) and have long since (25+ years) stuck to Nikkors, not only because of the build quality but the optics are outstanding and I've yet to see a 3rd party lens compare against a Nikon or Canon equivalent.. Good to hear your supplier is a good'un -- it's always good to deal with people who understand your concerns and not just some lackey in a department store!

I have two sigma lenses and the only time I have got an Err99 is when using flash?

that lens *should* work gary.

it is non usm which means it uses the older drive system which is noisier. whether it is any slower to focus i am not sure.

It may well be that it should work but it doesn't. It looks in mint condition and very well looked after but wasn't having any of it. I've sent it back now and replaced it with a cheap and cheerful Tamron jobby. It seems to do the job and hopefully will continue to do so until I can afford something a little better.

Gary

tip for future, before buying a lens check out reviews on fredmiranda and the ratings on photodo. there are some lemons out there :)

tip for future, before buying a lens check out reviews on fredmiranda and the ratings on photodo. there are some lemons out there :)

Have you got the full site addresses for those two please?


About to add extra sites to my favourites :D

Gary

http://www.fredmiranda.com/ under reviews

http://www.photodo.com/ under products

Thanks for that, very helpful.

Gary

I used to have one of those Sigmas, but it didn't work on my 10D either. Changed it for a Canon 100-400mm L IS and haven't looked back since :)