EOS 300D - Error 99

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Just bought a sigma 70-210 to use with my 300d. (Can't afford the proper
Canon lens)
It works OK from 85-210 on "P" and most of the Image Zone presets.
In any of the "Creative Zone" settings or on any setting using a focal
length less than 85 it freezes, with the message "Error 99"
The instruction book gives no help at all on error 99 - it appears to be a
"catch-all" for "oops - I cocked up"
I've tried changing from auto to manual focus and defining the focus and
meter zones, but it still freezes.
Any helpful suggestions? (Buy a Canon lens is not a helpful suggestion....
;o) )

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <csqrsr$572$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk>,
Tumbleweed <Shovels@five.paces> wrote:
>Just bought a sigma 70-210 to use with my 300d. (Can't afford the proper
>Canon lens)
>It works OK from 85-210 on "P" and most of the Image Zone presets.
>In any of the "Creative Zone" settings or on any setting using a focal
>length less than 85 it freezes, with the message "Error 99"
>The instruction book gives no help at all on error 99 - it appears to be a
>"catch-all" for "oops - I cocked up"
>I've tried changing from auto to manual focus and defining the focus and
>meter zones, but it still freezes.
>Any helpful suggestions? (Buy a Canon lens is not a helpful suggestion....

It may not be helpful, but it's essentially the right answer. Some Sigma
lenses are not fully compatible with all EOS cameras, and some camera models
are fussier than others.

If the lens is relatively new, you may be able to get Sigma to rechip it for
you. If they won't, or can't do this, then you're stuck, I'm afraid.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Tumbleweed" <Shovels@five.paces> wrote in message
news:csqrsr$572$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Just bought a sigma 70-210 to use with my 300d. (Can't afford the proper
> Canon lens)

Sell the Smegma and buy a second hand Canon 75-300. Much cheaper, better
quality and will work with the 300D and your next camera too. ( You can't
afford to buy Smegma! )

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"AK" <anyoldmail@gmail.getridofme.com> wrote in message
news:csreik$bfq$1@news.freedom2surf.net...
> One of my Sigma lenses won't work on the 300D, works frin on my EOS so it
> looks like it needs to be rechipped. This may be the same for you.
> Unfortunately not all older Sigma lenses work on canon DSLRs

For that matter not all Sigma lenses will work with all Canon cameras
period, be they film or DSLR.

Sigma reverse engineers the Canon EOS EF interface instead of licensing it
from Canon, and for the most part they do a pretty good job of it. It
generally works with all EOS cameras that are out at the time the lens is
designed. But, Sigma has no way of knowing what new cameras will use what
features of the EOS EF lens interface, and so as new Canon cameras come out
the older lenses may, or may not, be compatible.

The nice thing about buying a Canon EF lens is that you can be sure it will
work with new Canon cameras when they come out.

C!