topic Re: Serial Number won't work for software download in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 5D Mark II Serial Number won't work for software download

mergus — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:09:35 GMT

I have a 5D Mark II and I'm trying to download software but my serial number is being rejected. I can't see the bottom of my camera because I've got a Wimberley plate attached that I don't want to take off. The EXIF data in Lightroom gives me nine digit serial number but that doesn't work. Any help would be appreciated!

Re: Serial Number won't work for software download

Peter — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:02:52 GMT

10 digit serial nr is what I see from some 5D II.

Re: Serial Number won't work for software download

LeeP — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:21:12 GMT

I had to Google "Wimberley plate" but unless I'm not seeing the right one, it seems that taking it off and putting it back on is simple and not time consuming.

Re: Serial Number won't work for software download

FloridaDrafter — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:43:35 GMT

@LeeP wrote:

I had to Google "Wimberley plate" but unless I'm not seeing the right one, it seems that taking it off and putting it back on is simple and not time consuming.

Lee, I have the Wimberley II gimbal and different sized (length) plates, made by Wimberley, for each of my long lenses. The system is made so it can be balanced by the user by adjusting pivot points and by sliding the base plate, which is an Arca Swiss design. By balancing, you can move even the heaviest rig with a finger and it will stay in the last position you left it or have it return to the level position when you let go. Another advantage to a gimbal, and not just the Wimbeley system, is your rig will stay level, particularly when you are shooting video while using a suspended and hand-held device. I suspect that this is why the OP is hesitant to remove the plate. It can be a PIA to re-balance it, I mean, not awful, but it does take a few minutes of trial and error.

@mergus

Since I don't keep the plates attached to my cameras or lens feet all the time, I use a small piece of white surgical tape (it's waterproof) and mark it so that it's easy to line up the marks for each lens or camera. I can re-balance any of my rigs in a few seconds.

Take a small piece of tape, one for the camera and one for the plate, put some alignment marks on the tape, remove the plate so you can see your s/n, reattach the plate using the alignment marks.

Newton

Re: Serial Number won't work for software download

LeeP — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:56:30 GMT

Makes total sense now.

Re: EOS 5D Mark II Serial Number won't work for software download

p4pictures — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:35:12 GMT

Canon camera serial numbers can start with a zero, so try adding a zero in front of the 9-digits you have.

Alternatively if you can share an unaltered image from your camera using dropbox or google drive then I can take a look at the serial number for you with the Canon DPP software. All I need is a camera original small JPG image, can be a black frame with the lens cap on.