Canon 5D Won't Format Card

**oftpiste** · 10-16-2018, 08:55 AM

I have an OG 5D which doesn't get a lot of use. Pulled it out the other day to take a pic or two and after charging the batteries I couldn't get it to format the card. Tried formatting on the computer. No go. It worked fine last time it was out.

Do any of you photo experts either:
1. Know a trick for a fix?
2. Know a repair place in Seattle that can do it without a hoooj/hudge/large expense?

It's a very low priority item, but bugs me to have shit that doesn't work.

**ACH** · 10-16-2018, 09:00 AM

Did you try with multiple cards, or just the one?

**oftpiste** · 10-16-2018, 09:06 AM

tried every suggestion I could find on the interwebz! including different cards.

**ACH** · 10-16-2018, 09:17 AM

Beyond trying to update or reload the firmware I have nothing.

Except this stupid idea that probably won't work. Load the card (camera off) turn on the camera and try to take a picture to see if it forces it to locate a destination for the image?

Glazers is all I have for shop suggestions, not going to be the cheapest, but they will likely get it done.

**ACH** · 10-16-2018, 09:21 AM

I've had SD cards go bad, some times that little lock switch acts up too, but if your rig is behaving the same with all your cards then that probably isn't it.

**billyk** · 10-16-2018, 09:31 AM

The part I don’t get is you couldn’t format the card on the computer either? Or did you mean, you formatted the card on the computer, but the camera wouldn’t read or write to it?

If that’s the case, did you check for bent or broken pins in the CF slot? Or, it could be something else wrong in the card interface module. Might end up costing more to fix than that camera is worth these days. Money might be better spent on a new 6D. Unless it is just a matter of straightening pins.

**oftpiste** · 10-16-2018, 07:20 PM

Formatted card in the computer, but still not readable in the camera. I looked for bent pins and didn't see any....

**Buster Highmen** · 10-16-2018, 07:29 PM

blow out dust/ clean with a teensy brush.
After formatting the card in the comp, be sure the comp can read and write to that card.

Open nice burgundy, drink, contemplate.

**billyk** · 10-16-2018, 07:39 PM

Search on YouTube for canon 5dc card reader assembly repair. There’s at least one video on it, but I can’t get it to embed at the moment.

**billyk** · 10-16-2018, 08:01 PM

Here is the part you’d need
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-5D-CF...-/361577019957

**billyk** · 10-16-2018, 08:29 PM

Here’s a general guide to taking the camera apart:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum...d.php?t=875930

**billyk** · 10-17-2018, 08:27 AM

Since youtube is working again, here is the video. You could also just take the camera to a shop, but might end up costing as much as the camera is worth. I think it would be fun to tear the camera apart, myself.