5D Mark II Freezes / Locks up / Buffer Problem SOLVED

StormFactory

StormFactory

Well-known member
I've been having a problem with my 5D Mark II freezing on me in Video Mode. If you are unfamiliar with this problem basically a five bar panel to the right of the LCD lights up one bar at a time and when it hits the top, the camera stops recording and locks up with the screen frozen on the last image of video. Turning off the camera and even opening the CF door doesn't unlock it. The only way to get it working again is to remove the battery.

For those of you lucky enough to have never seen this screen, Oynk has example photos here http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1603401&postcount=91

It happens intermittently so it's been hard to pinpoint what exactly was causing the problem was but now I think I have it solved.

After reading a few posts where other people were having the same lock-up problem, I found a common thread. They were all using the SanDisk Extreme III 8GB CF card. That card is rated at 30 MB/s. So technically there is enough headroom to not be a problem. However, this card is the problem.

The problem is not about CF card speed. The manual says that you only need a card over 8 MB/s (if I remember correctly) to record video. I've read where people using 133x cards are having no problems.

I did a test a using a SanDisk Ultra II 4GB CF card -- which are much slower than the Extreme III -- and it didn't have a single problem. No buffer. No bars. No lock up. It recorded 13:15 straight and stopped with the card was full.

I think the problem is that the SanDisk Extreme III 8GB just don't play well with the 5D Mark II in video mode.

What cards (brand, size and speed) are you using to successfully record long takes (over 10 minutes) of video?
 
I use a 16 gb 133 Kingston and a 36 gb Transend 133. Both work well with me I have shot 29min with no issue.

Mule Ferguson
HPX2000
HVX200
Canon 5D MKll :thumbsup:
 
My Kingston 32GB (133X version) and Sandisk Extreme III 4GB both work fine in HD video mode on the 5D Mk II.

It's usually best (I've heard) to fill up a card up, then format it. Fragmented 133X cards are nothing but trouble. Not sure about the Extreme III, though.
 
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Interesting!

Interesting!

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

I'm using the sandisk extreme iii 8gb and haven't had any trouble (knock on wood).

I ran into one user having trouble with lexar cards (did I spell that right) and he sent them off to the vendor for evaluation - I need to try to get in touch with him to see the result.

I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if you have more trouble. Thanks!
 
I just noticed that in my photos the camera is powered off. That's how hard it locks up. You actually have to pull the battery out to restart.

I realized that this only happened with my 8GB (I have 1) and not my 4GBs (I have 3).


Thanks Storm for starting this thread.
 
I have also noticed this problem. I have 3 8gig cards and it has happened on all three.
so I think your hypothesis is right.
 
Funnily enough having a similar problem but it's with any type of Sandisk CF card and it happens while taking photos or scrolling through images.

The real problem is that I can't replicate the problem. I just not that it always results in the camera freezing and the card being corrupted. I then have to take out the battery and reformat the cards in another camera. It will then work again for a short while before playing up again.

I have had the camera with Canon and they replaced the cameras main logic board which seemed to have fixed the problems. Sadly it re-appeard after a couple of days. The camera is now with Canon again. Luckily I live near a Canon repair centre and have a Canon Pro membership. But at the end of the day this camera is pretty much worthless as far as using it for any commercial work goes.

If they can't repair the camera this time around I think I'll give them the option of either replacing it with a brand new one or refunding me the money for the camera.

I am really concerned that there is a fundamental flaw either in the chip design of the main logic board or some problem with the firmware. Either would mean the problem is inherent in all cameras and most likely won't be solved in a hurry.
 
Help Please

Help Please

I m facing the same freeze issue with my 5D Mark II, I m using 32GB SanDisk Extreme card. Any ideas how to overcome this problem. Thanks.
 
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Yasser said:
I m facing the same freeze issue with my 5D Mark II, I m using 32GB SanDisk Extreme card. Any ideas how to overcome this problem. Thanks.
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Hello Yasser,

Welcome to DVXUser! This looks like your first post. You'll find a wealth of information here and a very friendly and helpful community.

As for your problem with freezing, I'm going to say try different cards. I don't know why SanDisk has this problem but I have shot near 2 terabytes worth of footage with the $60 dollar Kingston 133x Elite Pro 32GB CF cards and have not had one freeze.

My Extreme III SanDisk 8GB cards won't make it through the whole card without freezing and locking up the camera where I ahve to take out the battery.

So as odd as it sounds, if not freezing up and loosing your shot is important, go with the cheaper Kingston cards. Avoid the expensive Extreme III for video.

Good luck!
 
Storm: I don't think your low volume stat is a definite prove of anything. I really fail to see the point of these "jumping to conclusion" threads because it does more harm to the issue in injecting confusion and unfound facts.

I don't own Sandisk extreme III 8GB cards and I've experienced the same issue. Don't know what card I used at the time but the cards I have a Kingston 133x 4GB and Sandisk II 4GB (both extreme and regular)
 
I'm using the extreme III 8 gig cards and have not had a problem. I'm not shooting anymore than 4 minute takes and it's been in the 640 mode.
 
Mod please change the subject of this thread.. it's obviously jumping to conclusion and incorrect assumptions.
 
booggerg2 said:
Storm: I don't think your low volume stat is a definite prove of anything. I really fail to see the point of these "jumping to conclusion" threads because it does more harm to the issue in injecting confusion and unfound facts.

I don't own Sandisk extreme III 8GB cards and I've experienced the same issue. Don't know what card I used at the time but the cards I have a Kingston 133x 4GB and Sandisk II 4GB (both extreme and regular)
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Do you work for SanDisk?

Facts are facts, booggerg2.

My conclusion was made after doing my research into the problem and finding that 100% of the people who had the same experience were using SanDisk Extreme III at the time. I'm no scientist but evidence is evidence dude.

If I'm paying 5 times more for a CompactFlash card, then I expect it to work without problem compared to the cheap card and that is not the case with the card I have mentioned.

And though my 2 terabytes worth of 5D Mark II video shooting is a "low volume stat" and not a lot in the big scheme of things, how much video have you shot with your 5D Mark II? And are you doing long takes? Because that is when you see the problem. If you are doing short takes, you may never know that a problem exists.

But hey, if you want to trust your long 1080p shots to a card that could lock-up, freeze your camera to the point where you have to take out your battery, and destroy your shot where to the point it is unrecoverable, that is fine by me, but others may not want that.

I don't care whether you like what I say or not because I'm just the messenger. You want to complain, call Canon or SanDisk. You want to avoid your camera freezing up, see the first post. Thanks.
 
Your conclusion was based on "several posts" you found and your personal experience. That is horrible advice to pass on as "problem solved".

"And though my 2 terabytes worth of 5D Mark II video shooting is a "low volume stat" and not a lot in the big scheme of things, how much video have you shot with your 5D Mark II? And are you doing long takes? Because that is when you see the problem. If you are doing short takes, you may never know that a problem exists."

Hey guy- hilarious.. how does my shoot volume have anything to do with it? I've already proven to you that the problem you described occured with cards other than the one you're proclaiming to be causing the problem. Hence, problem NOT solved.
 
I had a different set of issues with the 32gb sandisk. Everyone is saying kingston is the way to go. Strangely, I've had several camera reps and camera store employees tell me that they're manufactured at the same plant, and are basically the same thing. Whether those people are right or not I don't know. Either way, weird.

That being said, I sent my card back, got a replacement, and so far so good. Knock on wood, I hope it stays that way.
 
booggerg2 said:
Your conclusion was based on "several posts" you found and your personal experience. That is horrible advice to pass on as "problem solved".

"And though my 2 terabytes worth of 5D Mark II video shooting is a "low volume stat" and not a lot in the big scheme of things, how much video have you shot with your 5D Mark II? And are you doing long takes? Because that is when you see the problem. If you are doing short takes, you may never know that a problem exists."

Hey guy- hilarious.. how does my shoot volume have anything to do with it? I've already proven to you that the problem you described occurred with cards other than the one you're proclaiming to be causing the problem. Hence, problem NOT solved.
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What proof did YOU provide? You stated that you couldn't even be bothered to know what card you used. You did not detail the problem that your mystery card caused. And you said you are only using 4GB cards not the card that I mentioned. Seriouly, how do you call that proof?

Your shoot volume is in direct response to your claim to my "low volume" stats. Since my volume is so low, I would expect for you to back up your opinion with something other that just your opinion. But maybe I'm expecting too much.

If you have shot long 10+ minute clips with SanDisk Extreme III 8GB or 16GB or 32GB cards then your musings might actually hold some weight. Otherwise why are you even bothering to comment on something you know nothing about?

You are hardly more credible. At least if you're going to flame a post, back it up with something other than thin air.

Thanks though.
 
The proof's in the pudding.

My point was the counter proof your statement of problem resolved. You asserted the 8GB Sandisk was the culprit of this issue and without said card, the problem will not occur. I gave my example of the same problem occuring with cards other than the one you've alluded to. In addition, I pointed out your ridiculous conclusion based on a handful of testimonials. You need large statistical number to prove your point, and I only needed my own experience to disprove your point.

Get it?

StormFactory said:
What proof did YOU provide? You stated that you couldn't even be bothered to know what card you used. You did not detail the problem that your mystery card caused. And you said you are only using 4GB cards not the card that I mentioned. Seriouly, how do you call that proof?

Your shoot volume is in direct response to your claim to my "low volume" stats. Since my volume is so low, I would expect for you to back up your opinion with something other that just your opinion. But maybe I'm expecting too much.

If you have shot long 10+ minute clips with SanDisk Extreme III 8GB or 16GB or 32GB cards then your musings might actually hold some weight. Otherwise why are you even bothering to comment on something you know nothing about?

You are hardly more credible. At least if you're going to flame a post, back it up with something other than thin air.

Thanks though.
Click to expand...
 
I've shot long clips (the maximum I could record) on a SanDisk Extreme III 8GB and a SanDisk Extreme III 16GB - since December 08, must have shot hundreds of clips (although not all 10 minutes +) - not had a single problem with the cards at all.

But I did get the lock up problem (bars up the side . . . battery out . . . etc) with a Kingston 8GB, I just presumed it was the card and tossed it into a drawer, the SanDisk Extreme IIIs seem to be much more trouble free (for me at least).

I might dig out the Kingston and try it with the new firmware - might help (??)
 
Lee, you're not sleeping and you won't have light on your new Iscorama for daylight footage later. Not even with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 going on the 5D MkII ISO range ;-)
 
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