EOS 5D classic DIY repair (partial disassembly instructions)

NOTE: I don't recommend that anyone disassemble a camera body unless you are familiar with the proper precautions and techniques to avoid injury to yourself and/or causing damage to your camera. I will not be held responsible for any damage you may cause to your camera or any injury you may sustain if you choose to do what I'm about to describe.

I bought a used EOS 5D classic body about six months ago and was very happy with it. I started having Err99 problems about a month later which I was able to fix by cleaning the lens and battery contacts with Eclipse (methanol). I thought my problems were over but a few weeks later I noticed that something was rattling around loose inside the camera body. I didn't think much of it until I started having a problem where the DOF preview was randomly turning on and off by itself. I tried to see if I could remove the loose object by removing the battery and CF cards and shaking the camera but that did not work.

I did a little research and discovered a web-site where I could download the EOS 5D service manual that contained a complete parts list and full disassembly instructions. After reading the service manual, it became obvious that removing the camera body covers was pretty easy to do.

You should probably wear an anti-static wrist strap when working on any type of electronic equipment. I also recommend using an ice cube tray or something similar to keep the removed screws and small parts organized. You must be careful when reassembling to make sure a long screw isn't used where a short screw should go or you will probably ruin your camera's electronics.

The first step was removing the side cover (interface cover) using these steps:

1) Remove the BP-511 battery and the date/time button cell battery as described in the EOS 5D user manual

2) Remove the long black screw that's to the left of the short black screw that held the date/time battery case in place

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5) Remove the short black screw on the left side bottom edge of the back cover

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The second step was removing the back cover using these steps:

1) Remove the short black screw on the right side bottom edge of the back cover (the left side bottom edge screw was already removed)
2) Remove the eyecup by sliding it upward
3) Remove the two long black screws under the eyecup

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6) Gently pull back the rear cover (the leather grip tape may require some loosening near the top cover LCD panel). Be very careful to avoid tearing or kinking the two flex cables that connect the back cover LCD and controls to the internal PC boards. Once the back cover leather grip tape is detached from the top cover, lift the back cover from the top edge (viewfinder) as if the bottom edge was a hinge. This allows access to the flex cable connectors.

7) lift up on the darker part of the two flex connectors on the internal PC boards to release the two flex cables.

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This is the back cover with the two flex cables:

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Here's the EOS 5D with side and back covers removed:

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OH GOD PLEASE NO!

Good work, and nicely documented! only thing I'd add would be the screwdriver size required - 00 Philips?

not a lot of use to you now, but there's also some useful tutorials on the lifepixel.com website that shows how to modify 5d's (among others) for IR working that would have also shown how to take the back covers off.

Very cool! I wish there was a site where you could buy replacement OEM Canon parts online (like car parts).

Keith

Very nice. Thanks

There is... it's called Canon!

Call canon parts line at 1866-481-2569

Chillybanana wrote in post #10214762
Very cool! I wish there was a site where you could buy replacement OEM Canon parts online (like car parts).

Keith

joeseph wrote in post #10214412
Good work, and nicely documented! only thing I'd add would be the screwdriver size required - 00 Philips?

not a lot of use to you now, but there's also some useful tutorials on the lifepixel.com website that shows how to modify 5d's (among others) for IR working that would have also shown how to take the back covers off.

Yeah, probably a 00 Phillips head.

Thanks for the info about lifepixel.com. Here's a link to the 5D IR conversion that shows more pictures for disassembly:

http://www.lifepixel.c​om …nversion-instructions.htm

The 5D service manual is still nice to have since it contains much more information besides service and repair, plus it shows how to remove the front and top covers and pull everything else apart. This is required reading if you want to replace your own shutter assembly!

I'm curious - How far would I have to get into this to get behind the viewfinder to clean dust from behind it?

chammer wrote in post #10215884
I'm curious - How far would I have to get into this to get behind the viewfinder to clean dust from behind it?

That's different, you clean the viewfinder and focus screen through the lens mount opening. There are instructions to do this for the 20D on the net somewhere. I might try doing it on my 5D.

Yea, I've went through that way. I did a good cleaning when I got the camera this past weekend which included cleaning the mirror and focusing screen very carefully. However, the piece of plastic behind the eyecup has dust behind it (in addition to dust when looking through the VF). My goal is to take care of this myself versus sending it to Canon unless I have to. Mine still needs the recall service done, and I've been in touch with Canon. I was considering having them do the recall service, shutter replacement, and a complete cleaning of everything while they had it. However, knowing how to do a complete cleaning of everything myself would be handy.