What's with the error99 code mentioned in several of the Canon Rebel XTi reviews?

I'm in the market for a digital SLR but don't want to buy something that seems to have a frequent problem with no explanation as to why it happens or how to fix it. Maybe it's a novice user thing, but hey, that's me!

If you read the reviews, and obviously you have been doing that, you probably have come across Richard's Notes.

Richard started by saying that error 99 ' can ' be cured by cleaning the electrical contact points between the body and the lens and claimed success for that.

Well, this attracted a lot of response, a total of 145 pages to-date. Some agree with Richard, some don't. A few said they solve it with switching the camera off and on again, others traced it to the compact flash cards, while one of two more adventurous ones opened the camera, lift up the mirror and touch it with the bristles of the blower brush, ending with one saying that Canon changed his shutter and that stops the problem.

It appears that this error is not confined to one model alone, but with so many loyal Canon fans around, I hesitate to say you should look to Nikon or other dSLRs if you are worried.

In fact I have a few friends using Canons and have not come across this problem, touch wood. Call it luck, good habit or what, it does not happen to everybody and should not deter you from buying a Canon, while of course buying Nikon may be a good alternative.

I'm new to DigitalAdvisor and haven't seen Richard's Notes. How do I get there?

Sounds like this code could be a generic error message for any number of camera/operator issues. I've owned a 35mm Canon SLR since 1993 and never had a problem with it, but I want to give Nikon a fair shake at my pocketbook. I'm considering only the XTi and the D80, so consumer reviews are very important to me.

Thanks for the prompt response!

Just got the new xti brand new out of the box. First picture I get error 99. Anytime the flash is activated I get error 99 with or without a lens. Now I have to deal with the hassle of sending it back or living with this piece of crap. I good camera should not have problems like this. I wish I had seen these reviews before I bought it. I only found them doing a search for error 99. Save yourself the hassle of "maybe" getting one that works. I should have gone with the Nikon.

I would agree with Geoff. I just received my brand new Canon EOS 350D Rebel XT, and after only 4 shots, I got this Error 99! I'ev tried everything on the web sites (cleaning the connections with an eraser, disassembling the camera and reassembling it) and nothing has worked. I still get the error. I can't believe I bought a new camera for $600 and it is a piece of junk! Part of my irritation is that I am leaving on vacatoin in 4 days and that is the reason I bought this camera, which now I can't even use!

I'm having the exact same issue with my XTi. First shot out of the box is an Error 99. It'll take good pics so long as the flash is not involved. I'm disappointed because I was debating between a Canon and Nikon, and then finally decided to go with the Canon because of it's "good" reputation. Now I'm seriously wishing I would have picked the Nikon.

I'm so piss right now. I just got this junk of a camera... I'm oversea shotting pictures for my company, there goes this error 99... god****

try a different lens. i get an error 99 message but only with one lens and only when i am not at a large zoom, i agree with Juliene, it it probably a generic message and any number of issues can cause it

I also have the 400D, bought it Jan this year. In the last couple of weeks I have had the err99 message and just turning it off and on fixed it the first time the next time I had to take the battery out. The time after that I had to clear all settings turn it off and on. I had the message yesterday and now there is nothing, it won't go away and it will not work . It does everything but take a photo. I am taking it back to where I bought it from today, maybe I will have some answers...

If you're having camera problems I feel bad for you son. They got 99Errors and your canon has one!