I am REALLY growing to hate the 5D

I have an offroading trip tomorrow (technically later today) and my 5D decided to be difficult yet again. I have fairly new Sterlingtek batteries that have only been used a few times. I cleaned my camera thoroughly today and totally took it apart (as in, separated the grip from the body, removed the PocketWizard/Lens, etc) to do so. I then put everything back together and put the batteries inside (they were both charged). I turned it on, it worked fine, charge confirmed. So I turned it off. I then set it down and a few minutes later went to pick it up and it won't power on at all. The batteries are charged, yet nothing. I have tried all the following combinations:

- Each one of my three batteries, inserted in the camera itself, no grip.

- Various combinations of one battery or both batteries in the grip

- The little tray adapter that goes in the grip and allows me to use AA batteries, loaded with 4 batteries that were charged (I just had them in a flash unit earlier)

- Various lens combinations, in case the lens's electronics are faulty and somehow messing up the 5D.

Nothing works! The trip is tomorrow and my 5D decided now is the time to play dead. What gives? I love the 5D, but so far I have had nothing but problems with battery life. How can I fix this!? Luckily I am charging my XT which, for a 'cheap entry level dSLR' has NEVER given me a single problem compared to the 5D which is one headache after another. Is my charger just bad? Or did the camera keel over and die? If so, why? It's not wet, it's never been dropped, it's been totally babied.

The auxiliary battery is okay as well? I know that one doesn't do anything but keep the time, but you never know.

I think it's time to send it out. Sorry. I know my 5D did something weird last Sat. so I'm using my 20D instead, but it wasn't a battery problem. Doesn't work without the grip either?

SuzyView wrote in post #4030490
The auxiliary battery is okay as well? I know that one doesn't do anything but keep the time, but you never know.

I think it's time to send it out. Sorry. I know my 5D did something weird last Sat. so I'm using my 20D instead, but it wasn't a battery problem. Doesn't work without the grip either?

I can't figure out how to get to the auxiliary battery, I tried to look for it. And given that this camera is second hand and not under warranty, sending out means money, which I don't have. I can't even afford to get the focus motor on my Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 lens fixed, or to do data recovery on my 500GB hard drive which holds my entire photo portfolio. I've been in a complete financial rut lately, and have been trying to do photo shoots as means of making an income, but my 5D isn't playing nice. I suppose I can fall back and use the 350D/XT but I really have grown used to the 5D and all of it's features (ISO3200, large FF viewfinder, etc). Bah..

Why not shoot with out the grip at all?

Have you tried to use it without the grip?

it might just be the body, duds happen, the 5D is an amazing body.

I don't have a grip. The camera is large enough, I would prefer the MKIII than the 5D with grip, so I don't have a clue what the grip does, but I assume it makes holding it for off-road easier, that's why the OP uses the grip.

I don't know if this has been asked but have you tried it without the grip?

The OP says the first thing he tried is without the grip. The only thing I can suggest it to replace the internal battery. Otherwise I'm afraid you may have to find the cash to get it to Canon for repair.

StarFinder wrote in post #4030484
I have an offroading trip tomorrow (technically later today) and my 5D decided to be difficult yet again. I have fairly new Sterlingtek batteries that have only been used a few times. I cleaned my camera thoroughly today and totally took it apart (as in, separated the grip from the body, removed the PocketWizard/Lens, etc) to do so. I then put everything back together and put the batteries inside (they were both charged). I turned it on, it worked fine, charge confirmed. So I turned it off. I then set it down and a few minutes later went to pick it up and it won't power on at all. The batteries are charged, yet nothing. I have tried all the following combinations:

- Each one of my three batteries, inserted in the camera itself, no grip.

- Various combinations of one battery or both batteries in the grip

- The little tray adapter that goes in the grip and allows me to use AA batteries, loaded with 4 batteries that were charged (I just had them in a flash unit earlier)

- Various lens combinations, in case the lens's electronics are faulty and somehow messing up the 5D.

Nothing works! The trip is tomorrow and my 5D decided now is the time to play dead. What gives? I love the 5D, but so far I have had nothing but problems with battery life. How can I fix this!? Luckily I am charging my XT which, for a 'cheap entry level dSLR' has NEVER given me a single problem compared to the 5D which is one headache after another. Is my charger just bad? Or did the camera keel over and die? If so, why? It's not wet, it's never been dropped, it's been totally babied.

what make are the batteries - I have had problems with non Canon batteries

TMR Design wrote in post #4030697
The OP says the firth thing he tried is without the grip.

Hmm, so he did... somehow I missed that Sorry.

Try some canon batteries!

JBF wrote in post #4030823
Try some canon batteries!

exactly - did you try Canon batteries?

timnosenzo wrote in post #4030761
Hmm, so he did... somehow I missed that Sorry.

He is infact a she btw

asylumxl wrote in post #4030837
He is infact a she btw

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Cool.