To anyone who is awake....

I'm hoping to call Canon tomorrow around 11:30am, but if any of you have thoughts on this, they'd be appreciated...

I've had to send my 30d in for a check up before-- had that infamous "Err 99." I shot about 5 shots, and they were REALLY dark, and I was confused, then the Err99 came up. Followed all the instructions to fix it, but the shutter was just messed up, so I had to send it in.

Fast forward to now: Few things that have been happening that aren't normal. I dont' know if any of you have experienced these same issues. It's also possible that they are un-realted, individual problems. (That would be my luck actually, to experience them all!:)). Could be problems with my flash, battery grip, AND camera AND mem card. There are just too many variables. I'm hoping any of these problems might have been something you've experienced/heard about...

1) While using the 580x II on the 30d at a senior portrait shoot, the pilot light never came on. The batteries were new. At a wedding, it seems to have not been firing (even with the pilot light on). It wasn't low light, or anything. so I switched to my 580, and that worked fine. Tried the 580x II at the next wedding, and it was going off, but it was like the camera wasn't responding to it... the photos were really dark. Put in new flash batteries, then it worked fine. (But it's not like it made the flash extra bright....)

2) I had a brand new 4GB card (SanDisk, Extreme III). After 3 weddings, it became corrupted. I have the software to fix it, and I'll do that... but would a faulty camera have anything to do with that? (I would assume not, but thought I'd ask. This is not the first time I've had corrupted cards. Am I the only one who has experienced this 4 times in 2 years? What gives? Thank God for rescue software, but it's just like... "WHY ME!!" Still stresses me out!

3) Battery/vertical grip shutter button is not working. The wheel IS turned tightly. This is been going on for about 6 shoots now. Not necessary to have it, but it's easier to have it work.

4) 2nd shooter was using my camera and an "Err" message came up. We were at a wedding, and I didn't want her to panic, so I just took it from her, took out the batteries, and put them back in, and it was fine. I had actually forgot about that until writing this now-- But I didn't check which Err message it was.

5) At the senior shoot I mentioned that my flash wasn't firing, I put my 50 1.4 lens on, turned the camera on, and the lens wasn't focusing. Took it off, put it back on... still nothing... checked if it was on AF, and it was... Just ended up shooting with my 20d for the rest of the session (which is just as good, but annoying that the screen is so small!).

6) Last night I took a photo in my office (just to see if I could figure out any of the issues), and went to check it, and the review ("play") button wouldn't show the image. Took another image, nothing came up. So, I shut off the camera. The top screen (where the ISO is) was stuck on, and so was the red light by the wheel on the back of the camera. Took both batteries out, and that finally did it. Just shot a couple pics now, and it seems to be fine.

Sooo....
Any thoughts on these issues?

If I send it into Canon, any idea how long it takes? (I live in MN).
Last time I sent it in, FedEx messed up the order number, and Canon never got the repair info I submitted online... once they finally found the camera, it was shipped back to me 2 days later, and was fixed. I'd love to have it back before an e-session on Saturday...If I send it in the AM (wednesday), any thoughts on when it'd be back? And... should I send the grip and flash too?
I can see if I can borrow a friends' cam, cause otherwise I'd be without a backup, and I'd be shooting with a 20d (that little screen... oy).

Thank you in advance!

I had some issues with my 30D the other day too. when in P mode it was giving me f32 and screen was black, was fine when I shot in manual. I have had issues with error 99 on my rebel xt way back. That was doing that because the ring where the lens and the camera met was dirty.

If you have the funds, I would get another 30D and send that one in, so this way you have two 30D's. When the other gets back from the shop sell the 20D and this way it didn't cost you too much to have another 30D.

Thanks, Jayme!

We have issues with the 50 1.4 on our 30d, too. It's frustrating