Err 99 - how can I check if it's the CF card, the lens or the battery?

SOURCE: Err 99

cleaning the contacts ought to be done using a pencil eraser(i am very specific about this)to fix this error
vigorously scrub the lens contacts with an eraser. Then  gently use the eraser to clean the camera contacts (holding the contacts face-down to prevent eraser rubber from falling into the body).Put the lens back on… and the camera shoudl be fixed!
Try this and post back before you rate..

SOURCE: Err 99

Although you may have cleaned the lens contacts, did you clean the camera contacts? This is a bit harder but it’s doable: just hold camera so lens opening points down so no gunk falls in. Erase lightly. I used a lens cloth and dabbed at the contacts rather than blow them so as not to blow the erasings inside the camera.

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Remove the lens, battery, and CF card.
3. Allow the camera to sit without power for approximately 20 minutes.
4. Insert a fully charged battery, and turn on the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.
Does the “ERR 99′ message appear? If it does, then the camera should be
serviced. If it does not, then please proceed to the next set of steps:
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Insert the CF card.
3. Turn on the camera.
4. Format the CF card in the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.
Does the “ERR 99′ message appear? If so, then the CF card is the most
likely source of the issue. Try using a different card.
If the message does not appear, please complete the following steps:
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Clean the lens contacts by gently rubbing them with a pencil eraser
or soft cloth. Be careful that you do not let any debris fall into the
camera body.
3. Reattach your lens.
4. Turn on the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.
If the “ERR 99′ message only appears when one particular lens is attached, then that lens should be examined by a service technician.
If you see the “ERR 99′ with a different Canon lens attached, then the camera should be serviced.


From RICHARD'S NOTES

SOURCE: Err CF

Observe the connector inside camera, using a flashlight. If there is a bent pin take the camera to service immediately. Don't turn it on any more as we did in one similar case - creating a short circuit that damaged the camera electronics and voided the warranty.

If no visible problems, remove battery and leave it out overnight.

SOURCE: err 99 & err cF in my canon 350d camera

had the same problem before

found this guide online

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Remove the lens, battery, and CF card.
3. Allow the camera to sit without power for approximately 20 minutes.
4. Insert a fully charged battery, and turn on the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.
Does the “ERR 99′ message appear? If it does, then the camera should be
serviced. If it does not, then please proceed to the next set of steps:
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Insert the CF card.
3. Turn on the camera.
4. Format the CF card in the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.
Does the “ERR 99′ message appear? If so, then the CF card is the most
likely source of the issue. Try using a different card.
If the message does not appear, please complete the following steps:
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Clean the lens contacts by gently rubbing them with a pencil eraser
or soft cloth. Be careful that you do not let any debris fall into the
camera body.
3. Reattach your lens.
4. Turn on the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.
If the “ERR 99′ message only appears when one particular lens is
attached, then that lens should be examined by a service technician.
If you see the “ERR 99′ with a different Canon lens attached, then the
camera should be serviced.

SOURCE: error message 99

ouch ...look inside the camera where the CF plugs in .. you may have a bent pin ... some CF cards have a nice lead in taper so it centers the pins as you plug it in .. but some have hardly any taper (no idea why they make some this way) .. if the pin is off just a little with such cards then it bends the pin ... you might see a mark on the CF connector where the pin hit ... also if the card is forced in backwards or out of position you can bend pins ... i have one really nice camera that has 12 missing or bent pins .. someone tried to plug in an adapter that was poorly made (over and over) backwards and forwards .. that camera is spare parts now ..

Testimonial: "I am hoping that this is not the problem but looking into the slot it appears that one pin may be missing or bent. I will send it out for a check up."