I've made a search on this topic, but I need advice. My Canon 75-300 kit lens for the Rebel T2i is currently my only real telephoto zoom. I bought a 7D MII in January, and I've been using the kit lens for that one (18-135), a Sigma 35mm (fits full frame as well), and this older zoom. Everything has been fine except for the last few times on my new camera, I've been getting the Err 01 code that says the "communication between camera and lens is faulty--clean the contact points"
So today, I went to the store to get some cloth and cleaner for the job, did it, and no result. The camera works fine with the other lenses, so I'm inclined to think it is the lens. I have used it heavily for 2.5 years now. I had it for about 2 years before that, but barely used it.
Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated. It's a cheap lens, so if I have to replace, I'm in a bit of a pickle because I don't have the money for the L series yet (would really like that one) but the mid-level would do the job, but I don't want to spend half of the total on a lens I'm not sure I'll want...
AND, I'm leaving for Japan/Bali for probably my last ever real out of country trip. I've been prepping for this trip with the idea that this lens will get some great beach shots (surfing, etc).
i haven't a clue... but... i thought you couldn't use non L lenses on the full frame? i would have been surprised that it worked in the first place! hopefully someone can help you out... and i'm gonna monitor this thread because i've been thinking about full frame of late, and if there's a possibility of using non L glass, that would be good to know!
@northy the 7D M2 is not full frame. My full frame Sigma 35mm works in my camera. Have been trying to commit to full frame lenses going forward so i can get the benefit of distance on the 7D but if I buy a FF then they will work for both.
ah - got it... somehow i thought all the "mark" series were full frames... shows a lot i know! still can't help you though :( sounds very frustrating... was there no help for you at the store where you purchased the cleaning thing?
one option to consider is a second hand L lens, or a second hand cheap one... or maybe you could rent?
@northy right now I'm thinking rent for the trip. I can buy a refurbished replacement of my own one for about $100 so it's a crappy lens. Just didn't want a crappy lens. The mid range quality is only crop sensor capable. Still looking at $1000 fir a qualiy lens. Ugh. Store person said if the cleaning does not work, check firmware. He said it could just be a worn down lens. Wahhhhh
@taffy I'm a bit crushed at the moment. I'm wondering if an 18-135 and a nifty fifty are enough for trip? Renting for two weeks is still costly. I could just bite bullet and by a refurbished replacement of exact lens for. $100. It could still go with Rebel if ever someone in my family takes up photography. Ugh. Spring is always so crazy and my most used lens is out of commission. If it's a camera issue, I might just faint!
@darylo For what it's worth, I primarily used my wide angle, 50, and 24-85. I used my macro one day at the start of the trip, and once at the gardens in Tokyo. I think you can do people watching easily with the 135 zoom. In Bali, you may wish you had one, but I don't know...there's the easy of carrying just the main lens in the 50 and a long-range walk-around. Do you know anyone you could borrow from? What are you thinking you need the longer lens for besides surfing? Seems a hassle to carry a lens solely for that when there is so much else going on. You could almost use a P&S with a long telephoto for that and it would be a lot more flexible for the days you don't want to carry a lot of equipment.
@darylo BUT, having said all that, if it's your most used lens, maybe that's your answer and you SHOULD get a refurbished one for the trip as then you'll have it, rather than investing $100 or more on renting. If you were just trying out a new lens, I'd go for the rental option.
@northy I presume you realise it doesn't have to be an L series lens for a FF? Any EF lens will fit - it's the EF-S that don't. The L (Luxury) series are just the lenses that Canon consider to be their best EF lenses. There are plenty of other very, very good EFs (including the likes of Sigma and Tamron as well as Canon) that many consider to be just as good, and for cheaper. As with all big purchases, research will show what are the best ones to get. ;-)
@darylo Can't help with that error sorry, but if it was me, I'd get the refurbished lens - it's much cheaper than the trip costs, and photos are what you will have to be able to remember the trip for ever - you want to get the shots you are happy with.
i've had the dreaded Err-01 before and first thing first.. we need to absolutely guarantee that the issue is with your lens and not the camera. Just ot check though, when you cleaned it, did you clean the contacts on BOTH lenses as well as the camera mount?
Do both lenses produce this error or is it just consistently one lens? how much time exactly do you have till it goes? If its both lenses, then the issue is undoubtedly the camera... take it back and tell them youre going on a holiday and get a new replacement body
If it only consistently works on one lens, there's a chance that there may be a loose connection in the lens. I would actually call up the canon repair centre and tell them exactly your problem and your time frame and see what they recommend... i'm pretty sure they'll ask you to bring both the body and the lens in.
Essentially what i'm worried about here is if the problem is wiht the body and not the lens.. you go and buy a new lens and then the body fails on you on your trip.
@toast Thanks for the info. It's the one lens. I just got off technical support with Canon. I did notice that this error often occurs after I use the the Sigma 35 (full frame mount--although I use it on the 7D M2). The support team asked me to clean both lens and camera contacts, which I have done. Right now it is working, but they also suggested when switching to the Sigma to turn camera off and then remove the battery when using it, and then when taking it off. While that might be a pain, I can learn to do that. It might be something with the firmware of the Sigma. I'll work on it for 2 days to see if that seems to be the problem. Otherwise, they said I could send in the lens to them with quick turnaround time.
I wasn't going to do this, but I may just include the Rebel T2i body in my camera bag for the trip, JUST IN CASE things cause problems.
I definitely hope that it is not the camera--it's pretty new, so that would be a real downer as I like to do sport/action/wildlife photography. I don't expect to use it so much in Japan/Bali that way, but I'm hoping to do some awesome street shots that could include movement.
Thanks very much for your suggestions. Will keep everyone posted if they are interested in results. If Sigma is triggering the problem, I can at least try the method they suggest.
@taffy I'll put out feelers for borrowing someone's as well. I think your suggestion of taking the other camera body, and the Canon support suggested the same thing. My bag at this point is about 15 pounds with tripod, and I've been walking long distances now with it all to gain the strength for those few days when I plan on being "fully loaded" -- not many. Also taking a Nikon point and shoot and my Canon underwater camera for snorkeling or for general fun shots. Love my bag--it was the best investment along with the tripod, which I love equally, even if it is heavier than I'd like! Thanks so much Taffy.
@darylo i'd second taking your second camera body. You can stick it in a secondary small padded cmaera bag and then roll some shirts around it and stick it in your luggage and it should be fine.
Good luck!
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one option to consider is a second hand L lens, or a second hand cheap one... or maybe you could rent?
@darylo Can't help with that error sorry, but if it was me, I'd get the refurbished lens - it's much cheaper than the trip costs, and photos are what you will have to be able to remember the trip for ever - you want to get the shots you are happy with.
Do both lenses produce this error or is it just consistently one lens? how much time exactly do you have till it goes? If its both lenses, then the issue is undoubtedly the camera... take it back and tell them youre going on a holiday and get a new replacement body
If it only consistently works on one lens, there's a chance that there may be a loose connection in the lens. I would actually call up the canon repair centre and tell them exactly your problem and your time frame and see what they recommend... i'm pretty sure they'll ask you to bring both the body and the lens in.
Essentially what i'm worried about here is if the problem is wiht the body and not the lens.. you go and buy a new lens and then the body fails on you on your trip.
I wasn't going to do this, but I may just include the Rebel T2i body in my camera bag for the trip, JUST IN CASE things cause problems.
I definitely hope that it is not the camera--it's pretty new, so that would be a real downer as I like to do sport/action/wildlife photography. I don't expect to use it so much in Japan/Bali that way, but I'm hoping to do some awesome street shots that could include movement.
Thanks very much for your suggestions. Will keep everyone posted if they are interested in results. If Sigma is triggering the problem, I can at least try the method they suggest.
Good luck!