Hi there i have a auto focus problem. i used mt 50D for the first time on saturday, after about 100 shots Err99 appeared, i turned the camera off and took the battery out an the error message never occured again, however since then the camera will not auto focus correctly with my 17-40 IS lens. the lens has worked perfectly on my 20D for the past couple of years. When going from close focus to distant focus (and distant to close) there is no autofocus whatsoever. the focus points highlight in red but the image is totally out of focus in all areas. i cannot shoot quickly and the camera cannot locate a focus point. Have you heard of this problem?

You did not say which lens or lenses you are using, but most auto-focus lenses have a switch for selecting manual or auto-focus. First, check your camera's menu settings to make sure auto-focus is enabled and then your lens to make sure you did not accidently leave it in the manual focus position? If it is in the auto-focus position and still not taking sharp pictures, switch it to manual and see if you can get it to focus correctly. It is also possible that your auto-focus alignment is out because your camera was bumped, jolted or dropped. If realignment is necessary, you can send the camera and lens to Nikon for repair or find a knowledgeable camera repairman.

The focus frame does not appear on the monitor screen while following conditions.
• In the Auto mode, while the following settings are configured.
- Face Detection : ON
- Effect : Make-UP
- Auto Shutter : Detect Smile
• "MF" or "∞" selected for the focus setting.
• BEST SHOT scenes that use the above settings.
Example: "4 Portrait" BEST SHOT scene

* Changing the above settings will cause the focus frame to reappear.


If your camera wont keep the memory settigns after turn off the camera, its possible that you have some problem with the internal battery and need to be replaced.

The focus screen might be loose.
Here's a video about focus screens. Maybe you can adjust it.
Happy Shooting!

try cleaning the contacts on the lens and on the camera. Remove lens first.
Use electrical contact cleaner. if you don't have any, try rubbing alcohol.

"Canon has announced v1.03 firmware for the new EOS 50D digital, which they claim fixes a number of problems. The most notable of these is the 'Err99' issue that prevents the camera from taking pictures.

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos50d/firmware.html

PLEASE NOTE: Please follow all instructions carefully when upgrading firmware and always use a mains power supply. If the update is not performed according to the instructions provided, the product may not be updated correctly, and may, in some cases, prevent the camera from operating."

Hope this helps. =)

Hi, The lens requires manually resetting. If you are in the U.K I can help you out.
p.m at [email protected]

err99 is a generic error code that the camera cannot identify to a particular component.

One thing to try is to switch off, remove the lens and clean the gold contacts on the camera and lens.

This is a common cause for err99 and in a lot of cases cures the problem

Make sure the AF/MF mode button on the lens is set to AF.
What focusing mode do you have selected in the camera? Single Shot, AI focus or AI Servo? 
If Custom Function "C.Fn IV -1 Shutter button/AF-ON button" is set to option 2 or 3, the AF will start when you press the AF-ON button.
I hope this help you!
/Chris

Digitak cameras have an auto focus in which you hold the button half way down and it will focus. a green light will appear at the top of the screen if the light is ideal for the shot. You can push the button all the way down without the half way for auto focus but you will have to hold it down for a few seconds for it to take the shot. It sounds as though you just may not be giving the camera enough time to actually take the shot.

Pictures get blurred because of several reasons:

Low shutter speed - occurs in low lightning conditions.
Auto focus not focused - occurs when pressing the shutter button all the way without waiting for the auto focus ready signal (green box)

To speed up the shutter do the following:
In Camera menu-Quality- Set ISO 100 for outdoor, ISO 400 indoor.

To avert focus problems, set camera menu-Rec- Focus-Infinity, Rec-Quick shutter-On

Hope that helps.