5D MKII error code 20

DavidTO

I'm consistently getting an error on my new 5D. :cry All I have to do is try to shoot a bunch of shots quickly, and it pops up. I can continue shooting if I ignore it, but something is wrong.

Any ideas? Or do I have to return it or get it repaired? It doesn't matter which lens I have on.

Err 20
Shooting is not possible.
Turn the power switch to [OFF] and [ON] again or re-install the battery.

rwells

DavidTO wrote:

I'm consistently getting an error on my new 5D. :cry All I have to do is try to shoot a bunch of shots quickly, and it pops up. I can continue shooting if I ignore it, but something is wrong.

Any ideas? Or do I have to return it or get it repaired? It doesn't matter which lens I have on.

David,

I'm not sure what "a bunch of shots quickly" means when you say it, but I just tested my 5D Mkll for you:


Lexar Professional 8GB UDMA = JPG med - 3.9fps --> 85 shots. Buffer not full, no errors

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Lexar Professional 8GB UDMA = RAW+JPG med - 3.9fps --> 10 shots. Buffer full, no errors

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Lexar Professional 8GB UDMA = RAW - 3.9fps --> 25 shots. Buffer not full, no errors

---

Lexar 1GB 40X = JPG med - 3.9fps --> 25 shots. Buffer not full, no errors

---

SanDisk Ultra ll 4GB = JPG med - 3.9fps --> 25 shots. Buffer not full, no errors.

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SanDisk Ultra ll 4GB = RAW+JPG med - 3.9fps --> 10 shots. Buffer full, no errors.

---

Don't know if this helps or not, but there ya' go...

pathfinder

I would contact Canon Factory Service promptly, if it were me, Dave. Or the original seller.

That does not sound right, and has not been my experience at all. I have not seen any error codes to date with my 5D Mkll.

Sorry.

kdog

Looks like a common complaint. The general consensus seems to be send it back.

-joel

DavidTO

Thanks, all. Yah, I did a search, and found that it seems to be happening a lot. Thought someone might have a silver bullet for it.

Vanquiz

David, sorry to hear that, I would send it back as soon as possible if I were you, and get replacement.

I havent encountered that problem yet (Knock on wood), but I saw that some people get that error, and once it occurs, it seems the error will keep happening.

Im also worried if I encounter any problem with my 5D2, the 15 days period is almost over if I want to return it, but I think so far so good.

DavidTO

Thanks. And the rapid fire shooting thing isn't necessary to make it happen, I find. It happens for sure when I do that, but just plain ol' shooting does it, too.

sherijohnson

What a bummer, I hope you get it all worked out and update us when you find out what the issue is.

DavidTO

sherijohnson wrote:

What a bummer, I hope you get it all worked out and update us when you find out what the issue is.

Thanks. The more I shoot with it, the more I realize it's just a lemon. Back it goes. I guess I'll be another few weeks without it.

Vanquiz

I think now I found out the reason of your error, David, your time to play with the camera is expired.

DavidTO

Vanquiz wrote:

I think now I found out the reason of your error, David, your time to play with the camera is expired.

cjmchch

This was from another thread elsewhere related to the Error 20

Thank you for contacting Canon product support. We value you as a Canon
customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you. We are sorry to
hear that your EOS 5D Mark II is displaying an error code.

It is possible that this error is related to the CF card being used in
your camera. We recommend that you try formatting the CF card by
following these steps:

!!WARNING: Formatting the CF card will erase any and all images
currently stored on the CF card!!

1. Power the camera ON.

2. Press the button.

3. Using the , Scroll over to the [Tools #1] tab.

4. Using the , select [Format].

5. Press the button.

6. Select [OK].

7. Press the button.

The CF card is now formatted. If the issue persists, please try an
alternate CF card in the camera. If the alternate CF card works fine,
then your first CF card was the cause of the issue. If not, there may
be another issue with the camera.

If so, please follow these steps:

1. Turn off the camera.

2. Remove the lens, battery, and CF card.

3. Allow the camera to sit without power for approximately 20 minutes.

4. Insert a fully charged battery, and turn on the camera.

5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.

If the message does appear, your camera may require service If not,
please complete the following steps:

1. Turn off the camera.

2. Clean the lens contacts by gently rubbing them with a pencil eraser
or soft cloth. Be careful that you do not let any debris fall into the
camera body.

3. Reattach your lens.

4. Turn on the camera.

5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.

If the message still appears, your camera will require service. We
apologize for any inconvenience.

For factory service, please forward your digital camera to the Factory
Service Center shown below. When shipping your camera, please be sure
to remove the memory card and batteries. You are not required to send
any accessories or manuals when shipping the camera. Be sure to include
your name, street address (no P.O. boxes, please), telephone number, and
a letter describing the issue with the product. If it has been less
than one year since the camera was purchased, we ask that you also
include proof of warranty in the form of a copy of your sales receipt.

As we do not provide RMA numbers for service, we suggest using a
trackable and insurable service (i.e. UPS, Federal Express, Priority
Mail) to ship your camera. Please package the camera very securely in a
sturdy shipping box to prevent damage during shipment.

Please send your camera to the following Factory Service Center:

Canon Factory Service Center
15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618

Upon arrival at the Factory Service Center, your camera will be logged
in to our repair database and assigned a repair number. Next, the
camera will be examined and you will be advised of the findings. If the
required repairs are covered by the warranty, the repairs will begin
immediately, and you will not be contacted. When the repairs are
complete, the camera will be shipped back to you via Federal Express.
The length of time for the repair will be dependent upon the nature of
the repair and availability of parts, if needed. Usually, warranted
repairs are completed within approximately ten to fourteen business days
of the camera's arrival at the Factory Service Center.

All decisions regarding warranty coverage are made by the Factory
Service Center at the time of repair. If the repair entails something
that is not covered in warranty, a written estimate will be sent to you
at the address that you have provided. The repairs to your camera will
not begin until you approve this estimate and make payment arrangements.
If, after receiving the estimate, you do not wish to have the camera
repaired, please inform the Factory Service Center of your decision as
soon as possible. If you decline the estimate, the camera will be
shipped back to you unrepaired.

Once you have confirmed with your shipper that the camera has been
delivered, you are more than welcome to contact us for repair updates.
Please include your name, address, and telephone number, as well as the
serial number of the camera, in all repair status inquiries.

Please note that our U.S. Factory Service Centers are unable to accept
packages from or return equipment to addresses outside the United
States.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your EOS
5D Mark II.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,


--
Matt

ivar

DavidTO wrote:

Thanks. And the rapid fire shooting thing isn't necessary to make it happen, I find. It happens for sure when I do that, but just plain ol' shooting does it, too.

That sucks, sorry man I hate it when new toys are doa.

DavidTO

Thanks, Ivar.

So I had swapped lenses, taken out the battery. I really didn't suspect the card, because there's a hiccup that happens, it seemed more mechanical, the error.

But I swapped the card and couldn't get the error to come back. I put the old card back in, and the error still didn't show up. I'm burning through shutter actuations, and I really had my hopes up. But then the error showed up again.

Next I'm trying the full power down thing. Wish me luck! Thanks for the info, Matt!

Moogle Pepper

Keep us informed, David!

Sucks that you are going through that! It also is keeping me on my toes, I already have the black dots!

DavidTO

No go. I did all of the above, and the second shot I took resulted in the error. Sending it in!

DavidTO

I called Tallyn's this morning about this issue. I gotta say, their customer service really impresses me. The sales rep immediately fired off an email to their Canon rep asking for a replacement, and CC'd me on the email. Tallyn's has been really nice and responsive.

I guess the Canon rep isn't in till Monday, so we'll see then.

keeton10

pathfinder wrote:

I would contact Canon Factory Service promptly, if it were me, Dave. Or the original seller.

That does not sound right, and has not been my experience at all. I have not seen any error codes to date with my 5D Mkll.

Sorry.

keeton10

:ivar

keeton10 wrote:

DavidTO

keeton10 wrote:

:ivar

Uh, welcome?


Care to add anything to the conversation?

poker

I just got my 5D2 back from Canon service to fix the Error 20 problem. According to the notes, they replaced the mirror box and made electrical adjustments. I hope it's really fixed.

I'm really lucky that they fixed it for free because I was a few days out of my warranty.