Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

My CF slot on my Canon 7D MKII has a bent pin. I use the CF as a back up but never had to use it. From what I’ve read this this a common problem. I can see the bent pin but I’m afraid I’ll do more damage. Going forward I doubt I’ll use it again. However, I’m very finicky with my gear, and will have it repaired.

Do any of you folks have any idea on the cost to repair it? My local shop doesn’t know and will send it to Canon. I contacted Canon and they won’t give an estimate either. The Canon repair center is about a 1/2 hour from me and I’ll probably take it to them. I read the repair can be between $100 to $350! That’s a big spread and just wanted your opinion if this is the price to have the repair made.

Thanks for your help, and Happy Easter to all.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

They are brass and can break off if bent. On several Canon bodies I have bent these pins back into alignment and they have worked just fine. Typically the pins that bend are one of the 6 longer "guide" pins and are not communication pins so if they do break off the card reader will still work. ALWAYS do this ONLY with the battery removed from the camera though! Two of your 52 pins are hot even when the camera is turned off so you do not want to short them out.
What have you got to lose? Try it. Be very diligent about the rebent pin alignment though as it will just bend again if you dont get it straight.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

Thanks MT, I am tempted to try and fix it, but concerned I may do more damage. I don't know how I bent it, I don't force anything into it's slot. I just have to find a thin enough tool to fit the slot. All I know is the card is not being recognized by the camera.

Chefneil

I had the same problem with an old 40D and tried to bend it back. I had no luck though. My local shop charged me $150 to fix(this was a few years ago). They have a web site: http://www.crystalcamera.com Go on over and maybe they cam help you out.

olc

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

Thank you, I’ll probably take it to the Canon repair center and drop it off personally. I’m very leary of the USPS. They have lost and or sent my packages to the other states half way across the US.

Chefneil

Can't blame you. At least now you have an idea of cost.

Joe Blow

The #1 cause of card failure can be traced to inserting and removing them. Put them in your camera and leave them there. Use the USB to d/l your photos. Cards are cheap enough that you can pick up a 64 or 128 GB fairly cheap. While there may always be a reason to remove a card, do it as little as possible and never force a card into its slot.

Good luck.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

Thanks Joe,
I'm perplexed as to how the pin got bent, but I'll get it fixed and leave the card in the slot.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

They make tools to straighten bent pins in the automotive field, I would look at electronic stores and check with a Snap On or Matco tool dealer.

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

If you make use of a Card Reader in order to download to a computer, you have to remove the card from the camera in order to insert into the reader.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

I do use a card reader, but I don’t have a problem keeping the card in the camera to avoid this problem from happening again.
Thanks

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I have had bent CF pins if a media backup drive. I used a small driver and gently bent the pin in position. Perhaps a very tiny tweezers may help too. Why not take a ride to the Canon repair facility and inquire. In NJ, mine is about 45 minute drive. I once brought my Canon 70 - 200 f/2.8 lens there. They checked it out and indicated there was no issue and not to be concerned. There was no charge.
Mark

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

First, which pin is it? If you’re VERY lucky, it could be one of the ground pins which are duplicated, and the camera will still function. If not, As MTshooter suggested, if you remove the battery and attempt to straighten the pin, you have nothing to lose as long as it isn’t touching another pin after you reinsert the battery. If the pin isn’t completely flat, bending it straight can be done with either needle nose pliers or sometimes a piece of small brass tubing (available at hardware stores and hobby shops) slipped over the pin. You’ll need to get it exactly lined up or it will just bend again when you insert the card. If the pin is completely flat, then you’ll need to lift it with needle nosed pliers before final straightening. You can usually get away with straightening it once or twice, but multiple bends will cause it to break off (but you’re still no worse off than before). Replacing the connector by Canon is ~$300, but that’s 2-3 year old pricing so it may be different now. You might consider getting an independent repairman to do the work -the connector is not especially expensive or difficult for a pro to install. Btw, the pins get bent because there is enough slop in the card guide rails to allow slight misalignment when inserting the card. Be careful when slowly inserting CF cards and don’t push hard. If you feel more than the usual light pressure when the pins seat in the card’s connector, STOP and inspect for misaligned pins.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Your replies are so good!!
Mark

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Contact Tempe Camera in AZ.