Canon EF 25-105 mm F4 L - Error 01

<p>Hi,<br>

About a month ago I had an ERROR 01 - faulty communication between the lens (EF 24-105mm) and the camera (5D Mk2). It happend to me pretty often within maybe 2 weeks. I checked the contacts on both camera and lens and everything looked fine. I was convinced that the lens had a problem since I found reports online of other people experiencig the same issue. Being lazy though I haven't sent it right away and kept shooting (at varoius apertures) and it's been a month with no issues.<br>

Question1: Since my warranty expires in August this year, should I send it to Canon just in case? Is there a risk in opening it and making it worst in case ther's actually nothing wrong with it?<br>

Question2 - unrelated to the Error. I am lookin into a 77mm polarizer. Should I go for the slim version or at 24mm I am fine with a regular one?<br>

Thank you !</p>

<p>I wouldn't be 'convinced' by 'reports online', since they are usually a form of mass hysteria; but if the error happened more than a couple of times, I personally would probably send it in while it's under warranty.</p>

<p>As for question 2, stacking filters at short focal lengths like 24mm is always a little chancy, but I've never had any problem with single, regular-thickness polarizing filters on my 24-105. I wouldn't pay extra for the thinner/slim version, myself.</p>

<p>It's obviously not psychological, since it actually happened to you. That said, there is a flex cable within the housing that can cause this problem intermittently (though usually once it breaks, it's done for), it's a problem that occasionally rears it's ugly head. It's possible that there is a crack in yours, or a loose connection (at a solder point) which temporarily is in continuous continuity. I wouldn't expect it to last in this condition, and I would recomend sending it in with the note that the problem is<em> intermittent. </em>That way, at a minimum, even if they cannot replicate the problem, they'll dissasemble and inspect this component (which is a common point of failure). </p>

<p>Yes send your lens in ASAP for repair...problem will not go away - and get worse. The repair cost for this is about $275....so get it done under warranty. And yes Marcus knows and has described the problem exactly...</p>

<p>I'd send it in too. However, don't be surprised if they can't replicate the problem and won't fix anything. (If possible, wait until the problem presents itself more regularly, but don't let the warranty run out in the process.) If they don't find the problem, at least you've established that you believe there is a problem. Then if the problem becomes more regular later, you can send it in again and argue the problem was never fixed under the warranty period. I think you could successfully argue that the fix should be covered under the expired warranty. </p>

<p>Mine failed in a similar manner, though it would shoot at 24 mm and lock up once zoomed. The flex cable is linked to the diaphragm and in mine they diagnosed that the diaphragm failed. <br>

As for filters I'd go for a thinner polariser that still had fromt threads such as a hoya pro 1 digital or HD. I have had a regular polariser vignette on the 24-105 and it wasn't overly thick, but I have also had some regular ones that don't vignette.</p>

<p>Regardless whether you send it in or not (talk to Canon first to set up the repair...) that error might be misleading and not lens/body communications related at all: I was getting it with the same lens type but on a different camera (40D) several years ago and removing and reinserting the storage card cleared it once and for all. You are dealing with a different camera model but it might be worth trying.</p>

<p>Daniel, If you use only one "normal thickness" polarizing filter, you shouldn't have much of a vignetting issue (depending on the specific filter of course). Also, be aware that most, if not all, "slim" filters lack front threads for stacking additional filters; so if you use more than one, the slim filter will have to be your top-most filter in the stack. Regarding the lens, if in doubt, I would have it checked out while under warranty.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the advice! I called Canon Service today and they mentioned some steps I should take before sending it in (like cleaning the contacts, set the camera to P mode, clear custom settings...). The lady on the phone said that if they cannot replicate the problem they most likely won't do anything. She also adviced me to send both the camera and the lens in if I decide to do so. I will try to go there in person (they have a location where one can do that) because I think I stand a better chance of convincing someone to take a look at it than if I mail it in. As for the filter I haven't made up my mind yet, but there's no rush. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.</p>

<p>Robert, Sarah and others have it right. Take it in. I just finished this exact process with Canon. I took mine to the Irvine service center. It is a flat fee of $269 total. My problems were exactly as you described. The Err 01 would come and go until finally it happened all the time...until the day I took it to the service center. It just would not fail on the camera. Even still, the guy took it from me, looked in the front of the lens, stopped it down manually and said he could see that it was failing. I say take it in.<br>

One thing though, if you've never been to the service center don't expect to run in the door, drop it off and be on your way. They don't rush anyone and so it can take some time waiting your turn.<br>

Gook luck.</p>

<p>I thought of updating the thread in case someone else is in a similar situation.<br>

I took the lens to Canon Service at the Mississauga location where I stayed for maybe 5 minutes for filling in a form and dropping the lens. It was a weekday around 12-1 pm. I got my lens back after almost a month though they initially said that I would have to wait only 2 weeks. Apparently they were waiting for some parts from Japan (3rd lens group) that needed to be replaced. As for the repair, so far so good, hope I won't have any problems in the future. I have also decided on a polarizer. I got the b+w 77mm xs-pro kaesemann CP.<br>

Thank you all for your advice!</p>