17-85 f4-5.6

<p>I've gotten an err1 message, and to 'clean contacts' recently. I have googled for an answer, but not sure how to go about it? Anyone. The lens is abut 3 years old, not much usage. Or is it giving up the ghost?<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p>Do a search on <strong>clean contacts</strong> within photo.net. A lot shows up on how to clean them.</p>

<p>Send it to canon, I suspect a flexible wire inside snapped due to zooming action and old age, Causing the aperture mechanism to malfunction, Which then results in error 01 message on the lcd screen.</p>

<p>Happened to me on my 24-105. A common problem with these lenses.</p>

<p>I'd start by cleaning the contacts, its free and easy, then go from there. Use a pencil eraser and just rub it across the brass contacts on the lens as if you were erasing a mark on a paper. If this doesn't help, then I'd either call Canon or sell it "as is" and get another one, they're around $250 used now.</p>

<p>ll try the eraser thing. It worked today for a couple shots, I plan to replace it at any rate with the 24-70 2.8 or similar, but its never malfunctioned before. I found the thread on cleaning as well. Thanks.</p>

<p>If the camera mount contacts are dirty--usually from a greasy fingerprint--even your new 24-70 can have difficulty. I'd do an extra good job with proper electrical contact cleaner and micro-fiber cloth. The eraser technique is for emergency use in the field and prone to spreading eraser crumbs in bad places...</p>

<p>oh ok thanks, I thought about eraser dust too, not being a great thing in the camera itself. I suppose you can use it on the lens though and just wipe it off.</p>

<p>I probably don't need to say this, but.....<br>

Remember there are contacts not only on the lens, but in the body as well. Either or both can be the source of problems like these.</p>

<p>I had this same exact problem on my 17-85. Sent in to Canon, and they replaced the diaphragm assembly, which is the aperture assembly including the ribbon cable that goes with it.<br>

Try cleaning the lens and body contacts first with an eraser. Do it mount-side-down so no crumbs fall inside. If it doesn't fix it, send it to Canon.</p>

<p>I did the eraser thing and all is well..so far Thanks.</p>