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Barry S Moore | profile | all galleries >> All My Images >> EFS 17-85mm IS f4-5.6 Err 01 Err 99 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

EFS 17-85mm IS f4-5.6 Err 01 Err 99

July 2013 - Peter Parnell pedro.parnell@gmail.com has advised me he can do the flex cable repair for the ERR01 problem or the "focus hunt" fix that I just did on my lens. If you have a "focus hunt problem only" I may be able to do the cleaning if you can get the lens to me in SW Sydney for a reasonable hourly rate (2 hours to clean and reassemble). No fix = no charge!


July 2013 - My fixed EFS 17-85mm IS had developed a "focus Hunt problem" not related to the Aperture (power diaphragm) flex cable breakage. At 17mm the unit focus normally but at any other zoom if hunts like crazy and settles in an out of focus location (Live view focus does the same as well). Manual focus works with a half press. The manual focus had also started to stick at 3m on the focus dial.

Searching the web I discovered that there is a clear plastic optical feedback mechanism that can get dirty or scratched or LOOSE. A post on Flickr explains the problem and fix....

I am happy to report my lens is fixed (July 2013)after cleaning the semi circular clear optical sensor and re-gluing the loose end of it. (See quote below from link as indicated.....)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/canonlens/discuss/72157604875873045/

I joined this group because recently I bought a used camera that comes with a copy of the 17-85mm having this very issue. I was able to fix it with a DIY method.

I spent two days reading various tear-down instructions and tearing down the USM unit completely. I eventually found that a component inside the motor unit is used for measuring the amount of rotation, and is critical for the focus motor to rotate precisely. For further details of this component, see the section "photocoupler" at this webpage by Steve Weixel:
www.photoscene.com/sw/tour/inside.htm

In the 17-85mm lens, the plastic strip seems to have etched grooves instead of reflecting strips (as was explained by the above webpage) and mine shows a deep scratch in a portion of it, right down middle. I'm guessing this scratch destroyed the grooves; without the grooves the motor was unable to tell how much it has rotated, and refused to come to a stop even if focus was achieved. The manual focusing ring is quite near to this mechanism, so the scratch, I assume, must have been caused by a grain of sand that worked its way between the sliding photocoupler and the plastic strip.

My solution was to shift the photocoupler slightly off its track, by putting narrow strips of tape as shims at the photocoupler's mount. Apparently, this minute adjustment of the photocoupler's position was enough to allow it to read the "perfect" grooves, and the AF functioned properly again.

I would venture to guess that any dirt and/or blemishes in the photocoupler or plastic strip can cause erratic focusing behaviour.

I have created a set of photos for your reference:
www.flickr.com/photos/nivek_woods/sets/72157630430286912/

I Hope this may help somebody. Success stories would be much appreciated - we will then be able to further confirm whether this is the cause of this common problem!
Posted 13 months ago. (permalink)


.... My LENS is fixed for the second time(Barry)
ALSO VISIT THIS blog regarding a fix if you lens is stuck at 17mm Zoom position due to a screw becoming loose and falling out. http://thydzik.com/canon-efs-17-85mm-is-stucklocked-zoom-repairdisassembly/


Dec 2012 - There is a good fix and description at http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/40439217 which does not disassemble the front element. - Barry

Oct 2011 my EOS 50D has a delayed shutter button. You need to press harder to get it to release. Another Canon "not happy Mr Wong" moment. It wasn't the lens this time but a dirty switch contact in the shutter button.
I found a fix on youtube that worked first time. Well worth a look. It will save you heaps on a Canon Service.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VQ6oKFxSzA

Please Note this offer from Peter.... (see quoted comments below)

Peter Parnell pedro.parnell@gmail.com
For anyone too scared to try this for themselves I am offering to replace your flat flexible cable at a much cheaper rate than that of Canon service. I will not diagnose or calibrate but just replace the faulty cable. I am an electronics technician and I have successfully repaired 2 lenses using Barry's findings and genuine Canon spare parts. So as long as Barry is happy to post this message I am willing to repair your lens. I'm in Brisbane, Australia.

FIRST 8 photos was the disassembly to find the fault, REST of gallery is final fix to lens.
EFS 17-85mm IS f4-5.6 showed Error 01 or Error 99 - cannot communicate with the camera check contacts. Its dead .... after 3 years usage.
This is caused by a broken flex cable that connects to the EOS aperture.
The lens will only work in manual focus with AV or M mode and lens set to maximum aperture (f4.0 @ 17mm). The Image Stabiliser still seems to work but autofocus is intermitent or dead. Sometimes the Iris is stuck closed (around f22 to f8).
To prove the fault set to F8 in Av with autofocus off (IS shouldn't matter) and try the "preview button". Look at the Iris from the front of the lens and see if it moves. Try small movements in the zoom from 85mm down to 17mm. The Iris (aperture) might close and open between 35mm-28mm (it might rapidily hunt a lot too if intermittent in the cable!!!). At this position the stress (bend) in the flex cable is minimal and the flex cable becomes continuous as the crack in it closes up. In normal operation the Iris should close to f8 and stay at that setting with the "preview button" held down on the camera. There are many many accounts of this fault on the net. Leave a comment and we might get a product recall from Canon for this design fault. Photos below show dissassembly to show the flex cables crack. Lens will work only at maximum aperture (wide open) and with manual focus. You can set the focus using "live preview" and turning the manual focus ring by hand. The camera autofocus "targets" will also help guide you to a manual focus if you do not use "live preview" but use a half shutter press. Lens will be f4.0 at 17mm or f5.6 @ 85mm.
related web pages...(the information below would form the basis of a Canon Lens EFS 17-85mm IS Err 99 & Focus repair manual )
Note: a complete power diaphram and flex cable is available on the internet at this link..(thanks to Kristian)
http://cgi.ebay.com/OEM-NEW-CANON-17-85mm-IS-USM-POWER-DIAPHRAGM-REPLACMENT_W0QQitemZ220433722308QQcategoryZ64352QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6711719940824755726#ht_1230wt_738
http://doekle.nl/canon_17_85_IS_repair.html
http://thydzik.com/canon-efs-17-85mm-is-stucklocked-zoom-repairdisassembly/
http://www.fixya.com/support/t987082-17_85mm_mechanically_stuck_17mm_will_not
http://www.fixya.com/support/t4972139-error_lens_camera_body_connection_not
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8TgcLyGj9c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzqN_GrqSQg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnXkY9wkHOQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb1opb_Bw6M&feature=fvw
http://www.flickr.com/groups/canonlens/discuss/72157604875873045/
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/694090
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=33969729
http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/thinktecchina
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=37988233&q=err99&qf=m

"THE FIX" 16-July-2010. I bought a replacement cable and spent over 12 hours replacing the cable in a second disassemble. This exercise is not for the inexperienced. During the "fix" I damaged one of the coils on the aperture (power diaphram) and then had to repair that by running off two turns of wire in order to have something to solder to the flex cable. Soldering the cable onto the aperture unit is very very difficult. Also the old (broken) flex cable had two open circuit tracks on test before I changed it.
EFS 17-85mm Focus Hunt Problem Fix
EFS 17-85mm Focus Hunt Problem Fix
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EFS 17-85mm IS f4-5.6 err 01 - broken flex cable
EFS 17-85mm IS f4-5.6 err 01 - broken flex cable
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EFS 17-85mm IS err 01 fault
EFS 17-85mm IS err 01 fault
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