Canon 5D Mark II - Canon Lens Error 01 - Unable to Communicate with Lens

If you have suffered from Error 01 on your Canon lens, shown as a message on your camera as Unable to Communicate with Lens or similar then you may like to see what causes the error. This error is particular prone to occuring on the Canon 24-105 f4 EF lens and also on the Canon 17-85 EF-S lens.

These shots are of the internal iris mechanism that had failed on my Canon 24-105 f4 lens.

 

The point of failure is the cord that attaches the iris mechanism to the lens body. With the constant motion of the lens barrel for zooming and focus it can fracture or fray and the communication error Canon Error 01 is generated.

Canon Camera error 01 problem with 24-105 f4 lens

It doesn't even need a complete break in the cord to generate error 01 in your Canon lens, sometimes it can occur at certain points in the zoom range when the cord is either stretched or compressed more which causes the fracture to widen and break the communication link.

Photos of 24/105 lens with Canon error 01

Canon 24-105 lens error 01 Canon 5D2

Canon Lens repairs

After an unfortunate incident a few weeks ago where some of my cameras dropped out of a bag and down some stairs  I needed to get one of my Canon lenses repaired. Luckily only one lens was seriously damaged - the Canon 5D and 5DII were both intact after the fall along with the 70-200 IS lens. The 17-40 L was less fortunate and needed a repair to the rear mount.

I can highly recommend Miles Whitehead camera repairs in Kent. Miles did a great job replacing the mount that had broken internal lugs. The lens is now good as new and safely stored in a new kit bag!!