topic Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

How to clean terminals between lens and body

MANKAN928 — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:42:10 GMT

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ezpop — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:08:19 GMT

I used Q-tip and very little 99% isopropanol to clean the contacts. Not sure if it is right. But it works.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ebiggs1 — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:42:35 GMT

It is something that is rarely a problem. The gold contacts are fragile as the gold is very thin. If you change lenses regularly, the contacts are probably "clean". Why do you think they need to be cleaned?

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

MANKAN928 — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:13:48 GMT

When set on shutter priority or aperture priority, the camera will frequently not fire. A message (Err 01) appears on the screen that says communication between lens and camera is faulty. Clean terminals. If I switch to a "P" setting, it will often work fine for a few exposures, then I get the same message. If I switch back to "Av" or "Tv", again it will work for a few exposures but then the message reappears. It seems to happen more with the 17-85 mm lens than the 10-22 mm.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ebiggs1 — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:45:13 GMT

Might I suggest it is the lens and not the camera? Has the lens been dropped or some other malady? Recently? Hmmmmm.

If you must clean use a qtip and denatured alcohol and be gentle. Do not use a pencil eraser like some suggest.

You should clean the lens at the same time. Hope it cures the problem for you.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ezpop — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 20:16:56 GMT

This problem happens several times to my different camera combinations when I used the gears in very humid places. Several times in asia -different countries and twice in San Juan.

Watch out also for the temperature difference indoor and outdoor. This will cause condensation and thus the problem.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

MANKAN928 — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:54:24 GMT

It could well be the lens. But, it hasn't been dropped or even handled roughly. I've used the lenses for many years and only recently has the problem arisen. I have been reluctant to use any solvents on the contacts, but I will try a bit of alcohol. Do you think I should only clean the lens contacts and not those in the camera?

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

MANKAN928 — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:57:23 GMT

Are you thinking that condensation might appear on the surfaces of the contacts where I could see it or perhaps dry it out with a hair dryer? Or, are you thinking moisture may have gotten inside the lens somehow?

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ezpop — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:19:46 GMT

I cleaned both. 99% alcohol evaporated in seconds. Never any harm. If you worry, don't do it.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ezpop — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 00:08:20 GMT

I saw condensation on the surface of the rear element. I then returned to the hotel room with a/c turned to maximum. The lens rear element dried up in a short while. No more error. But bear in mind, if you go from a cold area to a warm area or vice versa, condensation will reappear.

That may be a rare case but in some places. Humidity will kill your camera gears. Google condensation causing damage to camera - even the expensive 5D3.

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=16121.15

I wouldn't use a hairdryer. you will risk blowing something into the sensor. overheating may cause damage to the electronics.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

MANKAN928 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:34:52 GMT

Thank you, ebiggs1. I appreciate your good help.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

MANKAN928 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:35:31 GMT

Thank you, ezpop. Your help is much appreciated.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ebiggs1 — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:43:28 GMT

Yes, by all means, clean bot the lens and the camera. And do use denatured alcohol not regular off the shelf rubbing alcohol. It is not the same thing.

A word of caution, if you are in a risky situation, like high humidity or dusty, dirty, cold or hot, don't change your lens! At the very least be careful and mindful of your surroundings.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ezpop — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 16:48:34 GMT

Very intersting and useful info from ebiggs 1. I am learning everyday.

Could n't distinguish the differece between "denatured alcohol"and the 99% Isopropyl. Do we have a chemist here ?

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

RobertTheFat — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:27:52 GMT

@ezpop wrote:
Very intersting and useful info from ebiggs 1. I am learning everyday.

Could n't distinguish the differece between "denatured alcohol"and the 99% Isopropyl. Do we have a chemist here ?

Denatured alcohol is ethanol to which a poisonous adultrant (isopropanol, in the example cited here) is added to make it undrinkable. The purpose is to keep it from being taxed as liquor or (in puritannical countries like the U.S.) subjected to sales restrictions.

Further clarification: Propanol is propane in which one of the hydrogen atoms in the molecule has been replaced by an OH radical. (The OH radical makes it an alcohol.) Isopropanol is the isomer of propanol in which the OH radical is attached to the middle carbon atom rather than to the one at either end.

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

MANKAN928 — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:22:38 GMT

Lordy, Lordy! I cleaned the terminals as suggested. Everything worked well for about a dozen exposures, then it reverted to the "clean terminals" message again. I did reclean them once more and it worked for five exposures then the message returned. It is very frustrating. I have an old 40D and can use that body and don't get the same error message so it seems it must be in the body rather than the lens. Any other ideas?

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

ebiggs1 — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 14:34:26 GMT

Like I mentioned, this usually doesn't work or help. I suppose there are times especially when somebody doesn't change lenses very often or at all. But the mere act of removing rubs the contacts enough to "clean" them.

Time to send this body in. What body is it anyway?

Re: How to clean terminals between lens and body

MANKAN928 — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 19:42:51 GMT

It's a 7D.