topic Re: 5D MKii Error CF in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

5D MKii Error CF

Kayla1 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 12:24:57 GMT

So what originally happened was I borrowed a card reader to load images that I later found out was corrupt. I didn't find out until I used the memory card back into my camera - busy, error CF, please format card. Go to format, says cannot format, change card. Ok. Change card (I have 5 Lexar's). Same thing. And again for all 5 of my cards now! Cards work on my old 40D which I had on me at my shoot this happened at. I was told to try and format the cards on my laptop.. I own a mac so I erased the partition under MS-DOS (FAT) on one of them and while the card seems fine on the computer, it's still the same error back in camera. Then I tried to format the rest of them, all but one would not read, the one that did (32gb udma7 bought this year) had an error saying the disk inserted was not readable by this computer, I clicked on Initialize and it brought me to disk utility where it said the name was Generic Compact Flash and capacity was 155gb?! Tried to erase partition, after a while it came back to say disk erase failed, unable to write to last block of device. There are no bent or missing pins in camera or my own card reader (not the corrupt one that originally started all of this) - everything was working perfectly fine before I used this card reader.. Is this an issue internally with the body? How could this be fixed?

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

Ray-uk — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 13:31:37 GMT

Have you tried doing a master reset of the 5D Mk II.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

Kayla1 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 13:34:18 GMT

Factory Reset? Yes.. I took it to my local Henrys outlet and we tried that. Didn't do anything.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

PaulSoebekti — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 14:43:35 GMT

Kayla: Shut down the computer and disconnect the card reader. Restart computer.

Format CF card(s) to FAT32 on computer. Full format preferred over quick format.

Insert CF card in camera, turn camera ON.

If no warnings come on, you're set to use the camera.

Note: whenever possible use your camera to computer cable to download pictures off the CF card - along with EOS Utility as its software. Install EOS Utility off the dvd that came along with the camera. Card readers often cause the file corruptions you described.

Hope it helps.

Paul

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

Ray-uk — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 14:44:47 GMT

I have seen cases where a faulty or cheap card reader has damaged cards but I have not heard of a damaged card causing damage to a camera but I suppose if it has done that then it may have damaged your own card reader as well.

I think the only way to find out is to get a new card that hasn't been used in any camera or card reader and try that in your camera. A low capacity cheap one will give you answer as whether the camera is at fault.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

shadowsports — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 15:29:47 GMT

@PaulSoebekti wrote:

Note: whenever possible use your camera to computer cable to download pictures off the CF card - along with EOS Utility as its software. Install EOS Utility off the dvd that came along with the camera. Card readers often cause the file corruptions you described.

Not sure I fully agree with this. I use card readers frequently. For images, video, to upgrade maps on the SD card for the navigation system in my car, as well as an OBD2 scanner I own. I've not had any issues. If you search the forums here, you will see many posts from others who also recommend using a card reader. I have them built into into 2 of my laptops. Works perfectly. To each his/her own.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

StanNH — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 17:33:57 GMT

OP is using a MacBook, which has a built-in SD card reader. He stated it was broken, so maybe something else is wrong as well.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

Kayla1 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:05:12 GMT

These are CF cards not SD. Therefore reader needed. I use a good quality reader myself and adobe to import images. Only one of my cards went into the borrowed corrupt reader then put back into my camera. So yes my card is corrupt and it's spreading, but the other 4 cards were no where near the bad reader, only went into my camera - so I'm worried my camera is corrupt if thats even possible?

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

StanNH — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 21:39:34 GMT

You did mention the CF card ... just a brain cramp here. Your issue is something I never heard of before. Have you tried a fresh card that was never in your camera?

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

Kayla1 — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 02:05:53 GMT

Its bizarre. Ive never heard of it either, trusty Google was also no help nor have the reps I've talked to at repair shops. Looks like I might just have to send it in. Its my main so I can't not have it working at its 100%

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

ebiggs1 — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 08:11:12 GMT

I have heard of, not seen it myself, that a CF card that has a short can cause the camera or reader to also short out. The only way to know this for sure is to contact Canon service. It is also advisable to use just the camera to format your CF cards. Never use a computer.

You need to purchase a good high quality CF card reader. Not one of the cheap charlie's!

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

Kayla1 — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 14:27:31 GMT

I physically cannot format the cards in the camera. That's part of the problem. Like I said I do use a good quality reader. I have never used my computer to delete files ever on my CF cards - only ever format in camera. Until the errors came - error CF please format, then when try to format in camera it says cannot format, change card. So I tried to format the partition using my disk utility but 3 of my cards won't even register as a volume on my MacBook, and one is showing as a crazy odd incorrect amount of storage on the volume. This whole thing is the most bizarre thing I've ever seen, and it seems like the camera was the one to spread the issue from one card to all of them. I'm just going to take it into Canon.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

RobertTheFat — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 16:03:08 GMT

Kayla1 wrote:
I physically cannot format the cards in the camera. That's part of the problem. Like I said I do use a good quality reader. I have never used my computer to delete files ever on my CF cards - only ever format in camera. Until the errors came - error CF please format, then when try to format in camera it says cannot format, change card. So I tried to format the partition using my disk utility but 3 of my cards won't even register as a volume on my MacBook, and one is showing as a crazy odd incorrect amount of storage on the volume. This whole thing is the most bizarre thing I've ever seen, and it seems like the camera was the one to spread the issue from one card to all of them. I'm just going to take it into Canon.

I hope they're still willing to work on a 5D2.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

jrhoffman75 — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 17:03:04 GMT

Kayla1 - please report back what the problem was so the forum can learn.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

Kayla1 — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 18:07:27 GMT

I hope they are too. Thanks

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

blazeracer — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 21:13:58 GMT

Hello, I realize this is an old thread, but was this ever resovled? I have a 5D Mark ii that did this exact same thing today. I have alway loaded photos to the computer using a cable, but this morning I wanted to finally get to doing a firmware upgrade. The ONLY way to do this is to connect a CF card to the laptop via card reader. I went and got one from Walmart, and it never did read any of my cards. NOW when I put any of my cards in the camera I get the same error where it says it cannot format, change card. I have NO bent pins in the camera's card slot.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

blazeracer — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 01:57:03 GMT

EDIT: Ok, blew up a photo of the card slot and a pin got pushed in. It's screwed. I don't know that it's the fault of the card reader, just dumb luck. Looking at it straight on, you would be hard presed to spot it.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

shadowsports — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 15:08:59 GMT

@blazeracer,

The OP never responded after her last post in 2017. To ensure a timely response, its best to start a new thread and include the information specific to your device and issue. When you insert a comment or reply in the middle of a old thread, it might not be seen or replied to. Its also not easily searchable by others.

Bent pins in in a SD card slot usually happen when a card is not 100 aligned and is pressed into the slot. CF cards can have the same issues. They need to be inserted and removed with gentle even force. Over time media can fail and data cannot be read from or written to a storage device. I do not believe Canon still services 5D2's. You can try midwestcamera dot com or retire the device if the cost for repair is prohibitive.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

ebiggs1 — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 15:28:55 GMT

You can try, what do you have to lose, a pair of Precision Tweezers or Hair Removal Tweezers to try and straighten the pin(s). If you are successful put the CF card in carefully and don't remove it again.

Re: 5D MKii Error CF

blazeracer — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 20:08:04 GMT

Ok, so took a chill pill and relaxed a little, then got to digging into this thing. I got the main board out and the cover off of the card slot, and sure as anything, a pin got pushed in. I put on my magnifying visor and was able to get the pin out all the way undamaged. Amazon sells a highly conductive silver epoxy that will be here tomorrow night. I'll attempt the repair then.

Sooo, in the process of diassembling the camera, I reset the pin and tried all three of my CF cards. One of them pushed the same pin right back out. I popped the cover off the guitly card and shined a light throught the holes. The associated hole for that pin is plugged with a broken off pin from the cheap ass Walmart card reader. Card reader and card are now in the trash. Lesson learned.