5D Mark III Not Recognising CF Card in Slot 1.

[Philushka]

I recently inserted a CF card into slot 1, but the camera cannot see it or format it.

I've tried two known, good, error free CF cards, but the camera just tells me they cannot be accessed and to change them or format them in camera.

I've checked for bent pins in the slot, but they seem ok from what I can see.  I contacted Canon Support who told me to revert all camera settings to factory default, which I did, but it failed to solve the issue.  Failing that they advised to have the camera checked at a Canon Service Centre.  The problem is I'm currently living and working in a country that doesn't have a service centre.  I can't afford the downtime involved in sending it to another country to be repaired, so I wondered if any other Mark III users had come across a similar issue and solved it without the need of a service centre?

The SD cards still work, so all is not lost, but I'd like the option to use the CF cards, particularly for high speed shooting, which they seem to handle better than SD cards.

Any tips, suggestions, ideas welcomed.

Mant Thanks

Phil

[Copperhen]

Just want to say thanks to JoeN. My sd slot was not reading at all, said there was no card in the camera. After trying several different cards with the same result, I found your suggestion. I removed the CF card, turned on the camera with only the sd and HOORAY. Many thanks.

[barrisster]

The only thing I can suggest is that you either have a bad CF card or one of the pins is bent.  Change cards.  if that does not work look to see if all of the pins are straight.

[dalegriner]

I just bought the Mark IV and I am having the exact same problem.

[Philushka]

Tried several cards.  Pins not bent.  It turned out to be a problem inside the camera.  

Thanks for your response though, Barrisster.  Much appreciated.

[santrupt1]

I just purchased Mark IV and barely used it for one trip; took out Lexar CF card to transfer pictures to my computer. Now I am getting same problem, the CF card is not accessible. Camera doesn't even format the CF card. Any suggesstion where to seek help? Thanks.

[Towfiq5472]

Same problem with my Mark III. I use Sandisk class 10 card. When this problem first appeared I reset all the camera settings and then it was solved but now it’s stuck. I don’t know how to solve this

[sin41]

should be the bend pin in your camera. I had the same problem and fix it with a tiny crew driver.

[gavin2411]

Hi Philushka! I have the same problem with my 5D3. Can you please share what the service center told you? And the cost to repair? Thank you so much! Looking forward to hearing from you. 

[Philushka]

Hi Gavin, I had the camera checked over and they said it was to do with the connection point of the CF card unit.  If it was a simple connection problem it would have been a very cheap fix, but they also suggested it might involve replacing the CF unit, which would have been more expensive and would have taken over a month to get the parts from Canon.  In the end I gave up and just used the SD slot, so the CF slot still doesn't work to this day.  Sorry I couldn't have been of more help.

[gavin2411]

Thank you for taking the time to reply back. I appreciate it! I'm currently debating whether or not to fix my CF slot. I'm just afraid of the cost (and if it's worth fixing an older camera). Since my SD slot works, I'll just follow in your footstep. Thanks again!