Lens contacts...

SycridSycrid Registered Users Posts: 10 Big grins
edited September 27, 2011 in Accessories
Hiya guys, I'm having a little trouble with a Tamron 70-300mm lens.

I can use the lens, so it's not a complete loss, yet. Sometimes the lens will work at any length, and then other times it will not work beyond 200mm, which by the way is really annoying considering I love photographing wildlife.

I used to use the lens on a 350D by Canon, and the error that returned was always err99 and we all know that this is just a generic error message right. Now that I have upgraded my body to a T1i, and getting please, clean contacts.

So my question is, is this really the contacts if it's just some times.. and if it is, what are the best methods for cleaning the contacts on a lens?

Sycrid.

Comments

  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2011
    First, what exactly is not working? The autofocus? Is it not responding at all, or will it just not lock onto the subject?

    If it is a contact issue, you can simply wipe them with a clean cloth... I've even seen some people do it with their finger (not that I'd recommend that :D).
  • SycridSycrid Registered Users Posts: 10 Big grins
    edited September 25, 2011
    What's not working, sorry, I forgot to add that part.

    The auto focus works, it locks onto subjects, but the shutter will drop, it will sound like a normal photograph has been taken, and then the error message turns up. The camera needs restarted to get rid of the error message as well.
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited September 25, 2011
    And this only happens with the Tamron 70-300mm? The error message never happens with other lenses?
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited September 25, 2011
    What happens if you press the DOF Preview button?

    What happens if you keep the aperture at maximum?
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • SycridSycrid Registered Users Posts: 10 Big grins
    edited September 25, 2011
    Never happens with any other lens' and has happened with both of my cameras, T1i and 350D, I've not tested with the aperture at maximum all the time, but usually it doesn't seem to matter what the aperture.

    The fact that it happens with both bodies, using this one lens', makes me believe it's the lens.

    I'll test with the aperture tomorrow, being at maximum constantly, but I seems strange that just one part of the lens would fail like that.. although it is often packed in my backpack whilst I'm mountain biking my way through forest terrain. I figure the lens would either fail completely, or work completely.
  • 20DNoob20DNoob Registered Users Posts: 318 Major grins
    edited September 27, 2011
    I've seen it recommended many times to clean the contacts with a pencil eraser, seems to do the trick for others. Lol, just make sure to angle it so eraser bits don't fall into the lens/body.
    Christian.

    5D2/1D MkII N/40D and a couple bits of glass.
  • SycridSycrid Registered Users Posts: 10 Big grins
    edited September 27, 2011
    Hiya user_online.pngziggy53 I gave it I try with different apertures... Seems you've highlighted to me that the lens will work at F5.6 but no higher F numbers, so as soon as I raise that to 6 or higher. I get lens failure. No idea what this means.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited September 27, 2011
    Sycrid wrote: »
    Hiya user_online.pngziggy53 I gave it I try with different apertures... Seems you've highlighted to me that the lens will work at F5.6 but no higher F numbers, so as soon as I raise that to 6 or higher. I get lens failure. No idea what this means.

    It sounds like the aperture is acting up on the lens.

    Assuming that you purchased from a Tamron dealer and assuming that you purchased the correct version for your market (not a gray market lens) and assuming you purchased in the last 6 years, it means that you should send the lens in for warranty repairs.

    Even if the lens is out of warranty, it might be worthwhile to send the lens in for an estimate. Tamron will advise an estimate before attempting repairs.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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