[PRODIG] Sigma lenses on Canons: Error 99

[Robin Scagell]

Yesterday a friend brought round his Canon EOS 300D and new Sigma zoom 
lens. I tried the lens on my 10D out in the garden in the bright 
sunlight but though it apparently took the picture it wouldn't save it 
and gave an 'Error 99' message. He then tried it on his 300D and got the 
same problem. It happened even if I tried shooting at a manual setting, 
so I deduced that it was caused in some way by the contacts on the lens. 
Error 99 in the Canon manual is at the bottom of the list and is 
described as 'Some problem other than the above' which is very helpful.

He has done a bit of research on the web and apparently it is a common 
problem with Sigma lenses on the 300D and 10D. Sigma will rectify the 
fault if you send the lens back to them at your expense.  It seems the 
fault appears when the lens is used considerably stopped down, as it was 
yesterday. We hadn't tried with fast shutter speed and wide aperture, 
though from some comments it appears that this will work OK. People say 
that they have had no problem with Sigma lenses on film EOS cameras, and 
I've had no problem with my Sigma 17-35 lens on the 10D. Most of my 
photography is astronomical so it is generally used at a wide aperture.

I mention this just in case anyone on the list encounters the same 
problem 'in the field'.

Robin Scagell
Galaxy Picture Library
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