What's Causing this???

I recently bought a used Canon 5d II and noticed that on about every 20-25 pictures I get results like the ones posted (these are two photos side by side). I thought it was the memory card (32 gb) but I tried a different brand, even formatted it, still have the problem. I have my camera mounted on a flash bracket and use a two foot extension cable. Maybe this could be the problem? I was just wondering if anyone on the forum has seen this before?

Wow. I have a 5D II and I have never seen anything like that before!! Looks like you need to send it in to Canon for service/repair.

I've had that from time to time and chocked it up to a bad card. I did check with Canon and they said it was a corrupted file that could happen for a variety of reasons. I haven't had this problem since getting my most recent bodies. It seems to be a hit and miss thing for me. If you are getting it consistently you have to try and eliminate the things that could cause it. I seriously doubt that it would have anything to do with a flash extension cord. I would try resetting your camera in the menu system and if that doesn't work and this still bugs you I would send it in for repair.

Is this happening as you view them in the camera, or only after you download them to your computer? If they look ok viewing them in the camera it might be your card reader.

It's a corrupt file and could be caused by a number of things. In most cases, it seems fairly unlikely that it will end up being the camera itself (although it is a possibility). It could be a bad memory card (but it seems that you've ruled that out). It could be a bad card reader or connecting cable or it could even be your hard drive.or computer. To rule out the camera, after you download your files, don't make any changes to the card (don't format or delete anything). If you get a corrupted file, delete it and try downloading it again....repeat several times. If you are able to eventually download the file successfully, then that will tell you that the camera is writing it properly and the problem lies elsewhere. You may even want to try another couple of memory cards just to be sure. Even in the best circumstances, I'll occasionally come across a corrupt file....but it's usually pretty rare.

The pictures look fine on my camera viewfinder. Now I'm thinking its the card reader and will try another reader.

Well, chalk it up to a bad card reader! I can't thank you guys enough and am so so so thankful it wasn't my new camera

Could it be that you're not formatting the card? I had this similar problem with my Canon 400D

5D mkII - 2600 bucks
L lens - 1250 dollars
Having it all go kerblooey due to a bad card reader or corrupted card- 25 bucks or less.

But I still like technology. Always and forever.-Kip Dynamite

John E wrote in post #14461503
Well, chalk it up to a bad card reader! I can't thank you guys enough and am so so so thankful it wasn't my new camera

Well, good you found out sooner rather than later!

So you know, the three most common causes are the card, the card reader, and then the cable. Least common would be the camera, from what I've seen, and occasionally some corruption of the hard drive. But fortunately the simplest and easiest causes to resolve are the most common!