Last week-end, while using my year-old Canon 40D, I encountered several Error 01 and the screen displays “Communications between the camera and the screen is faulty. Clean the lens contacts.”
I thought my camera got broken and I remembered last week the camera bag dropped after going thru the airport X-Ray scanner in Singapore. I switched lenses from the default Canon EF 17-88mm to the wide angle EF-S 10-22mm and it worked flawlessly so it must be in the lens.
I Googled about it and found tons of similar problems:
- Battery problems — needs to add battery grip as IS uses more power to operate. This doesn’t make sense since the 17-85mm has IS but have been using it for more than a year. I was also using a battery grip with two fully-charged original batteries in it.
- Lens contacts need cleaning. Took a pencil eraser and cleaned the contacts in the lens (the gold-plated part inside) to no avail. I did the same with camera body. Both contacts look like they’re in pristine condition with no hints of oxidation or whatever.
- IS motor problem. Tried turning off IS and set the lens to manual and still the same. Then, I discovered that when the lens is half to fully extended, it works fine but when set at about 17mm to 35mm, the problem occurs.
- Loose screws. Check the entire lens and all the tiny screws in it but everything is intact.
I’ve exhausted all possible solutions and quick fixes so all I can do now is send it to Canon’s Service Center. This is on top of that Speedlite EX430 flash I had sent for repairs 3 weeks ago (chipped shoe mount).
I have the same problem but it is not the first time this has happened to me with this lens. The last time from memory it was a faulty chip in the lens? The lens is about 4 years old and this first happened when it was around a year old, the day I was going to shoot a wedding. Surely if it is the same problem I shouldn’t have to pay to get it fixed but I don’t like my chances.
same problem, happy I am not alone, dissapointed that there is no obvious solution than buying a new lens, NOT the 17-85
I HAVE A CANNON 450D AND MY CANNON EFS 17-85 COMES UP AS ERROR 001. BY READ THE REVIEWS IT SEEMS THESE LENES ARE NOT A LOT OF GOOD. MY LENSE IS ABOUT 15 MONTHS OLD
same thing happened to me with the 17-84 mm on my 40D my camera is 3 or 4 yrs old and just this year it started to do it i would just take the lens of and put it back on and it would be fine then I went to China for a photography trip and it did it to the point where i could no longer take pictures, and my only other lens was only good for zooming far so thank god someone i was on the trip with had a lot of extra lenses.
I too am experiencing the same problem.
I’ll suggest that ‘Barry Moore’ [dated Jun 24th, 2010] may have actually found the design error and/or assembly issue.
He notes the ribbon cable is difficult to thread through the zoom barrel past the IS unit.
This may be the main issue that Canon needs to address to support those of us that stand by Canon, even endure the cost of repairs to their defective and/or low quality control standards.
I’d bet that Canon lurks around these forums. To that end the following is meant to those in power at Canon…
I have elected to have my livelihood supported with the tools Canon manufactures.
Based upon the frequency and quantities of similar error issues found by a simple Internet search, it appears the error has been created by poor design or assembly quality control/standards. There are too many similar lens errors to be created by improper use, storage, etc.
Your gear should be built to withstand it being used!
Canon can learn from Toyota; ignore quality and it causes brand loyalty to become abandoned.
It always surprises me that there’s always enough time to do the job over but never enough time to do it right the first time.
Two of my close friends who also use(d) Canon have jumped to Nikon for the very quality issues I am now being confronted with.
My friends are close to convincing me to jump as well. Issues such as this (01 error) are helping Nikon win. I’m not quite ready to abandon Canon yet as I’ve enjoyed your gear for many of years. Features are second nature and I’m familiar with the controls…
With my recent issue (01 error), Why do I need to pay Canon to fix what should not have been introduced by poor manufacturer standards?!
Issue a recall or at very least drop the current fee by 50%!
Canon is asking too much money to repair a defective manufactured piece of equipment.
Larry (California, USA)
i too have a eos 40D 17 -85 lense with this error 1 problem. I am very carefull with my gear. my 70 – 300 still works fine but the 17 – 85 only seems to work on portrait. as it has only just occurred i have not yet contacted canon.
Same problem here – 40d and 17-85mm lens. I am getting Err 01 for all settings now but originally was just between 17 and 35mm.
This is really annoying as I only own 2 lenses, this one and a prime lens.
I have the same problem now. The camera is 40d canon and the lens is 17-85…at 17 gives me error 01…at more then 17 its working…but not ok with focus. I am very disappointed.
Excellent info Barry, thank you. Yes my lens has problems with auto focus now aswell. At least i know whats causing it now, don’t think i’m brave enough to dismantle a lens just yet :-/ lol
Pete
The description of the fault in previuos post match the fault in my EFS 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS lens perfectly. I have seen the broken flexible cable with a distinct crack in it. If the Iris (diaphram) moves at all it is working and the cable is intermittent. This also affects the auto focus. See more comments on my pbase link. http://www.pbase.com/barry_2718/efs1785mm which describes all the symptoms and shows the broken flex cable. I have ordered a replacment cable off ebay.
This is most probable caused be a design faultand a cracked flexible cable in the lens.
Look at my pictures and description at http://www.pbase.com/barry_2718/efs1785mm
I have the same problem with my lens. i’m using a eos 50D with the 17 – 85mm IS and i got the error message last week. It’s fine at 17mm if i only use at f4.0 and anything over 35mm seems ok….
I’m also sure there is many more people out there with the same problem :-(
Pete
HELP – I too am having these problems that are mentioned above, does anyone know of a solution without it being sent back to Canon?
I also own a canon 40D body and 17-85 mm lens. i started getting the same message last week . it only happens when the zoom is set between 17mm and 25mm. when i change to a 50mm f1.8 it works perfect. so it must be a lens defect. does anyone know can it be fixed in ireland.
I have the same problem with my 17-85mm IS on my 40D, my camera and the lens have been handled with care, the lens is just over 14 months old. The aperture/diaphragm is stuck also with only a small hole and the AF just drops down the scale with each press of the shutter button, no problems with 18-55 IS lens Cannon should admit this issue and recall this lens and stop ripping off loyal and new canon users for repairs on obvious substandard lens design or build quality, if I am to get ripped off for a repair I will put the money towards other lens I will stop buying canon lens in future, maybe if canon customer service\care was aware of customers migration to other manufactures they might recall this iffy product.
I have the same problem with my 17-85mm IS on my 40D too :( . And, the camera and the lens have been handled with the utmost care, it’s not even an year old. The aperture/diaphragm is stuck into a small hole. Going to the service center tomorrow.
Same problem here. Canon service confirm it’s the power diaphragm for my EF-S 17-85mm lens.
I do not think that anyone here dropped or abused their Camera, I have had many cameras that were much better and only cost a fraction of what this piec of crap costs. I will never own another Cannon and will not reccomend one to anyone. You must be employed by Cannon or they paid you for the testomanial.
I’m having the same problem with my 17-85mm lens. If I shoot above f/4.0, I encounter that problem.
I am thinking the problem is the EFS 17-85 and I am not having a problem with EF 75-300. I had a Canon EOS 20D and ERR 99 and no documentation about this. Then purchased the EOS 7D now getting the err 01 on the same EFS 17-85 lens.