Is this possible to fix?

[richyirich]

I'm looking to purchase a used Canon 5D Mark I + Canon 24-70mm f/4 L IS USM lens as a package deal locally. When I asked the seller what the shutter count was, he/she gave me an estimate number and mentioned that at one point the USB cable was attached to the body, in which it fell by accident and subsequently broke the cable with USB jack stuck inside the port. See the attached photo for details.

I'm wondering if this would be an easy fix or if I should pass on the deal. Is the USB port necessary? I'm interested in the package because I've been wanting to try out full-frame without breaking the bank.

 

[UnluckyXIII]

I’ve never used the side ports on any of my cameras (been doing photography for over 15 years) so it’s very much a none issue if you don’t think you’ll need it and as long as no other components have been damaged in the process.

The port itself should be fixable but it will depend on if you want to try yourself, take it to a local repair shop or have it sent back to the manufacturer, each will require a different level of skill/cost to get the fixed result.

 

[Mark0]

I had a 5D mk1 for nearly 8 years and I never used the USB port at all. What you want to check is for the reinforced mirror repair. It was a free warranty repair for early 5D’s that fixed s problem where the adhesive that held the mirror in place loosens off, fails and causes the mirror to fall off! It happened to me but read about the warranty repair and got it sorted.
[doublepost=1531031689][/doublepost]This page shows (after a quick google) what the repair looks like. It also says that it was free up to 30th September 2015 in the US but I’m not sure about anywhere else.

https://www.photoxels.com/canon-adv...reinforcement-at-no-cost-before-sept-30-2015/

 

[kenoh]

I too couldnt tell you what ports are on my cameras. I shoot stills 99.9% of the time so no need for hdmi out or headphone jacks etc. On the 5D mKi i dont know whether it is a usb or jack connector for cable release - you will likely want that at some point. Other than that you can work around the usb port issue like popping memory card out to transfer images etc. Firmware updates have stopped for the mkI right? So again not likely you have to connect it to a computer to do an update. Again means USB not critical.

Only port I use is the micro usb one for my cable release. If the camera works and you dont think you need it then let it ride but use it as leverage for discount anyway. I would pay attention to the comment above though about the mirror.

To fix the port, it will likely be a strip and swap of the motherboard which will likely be a fixed fee of a few hundred pounds/dollars. There is no guarantee the connectors arent gubbed and so a cosmetic surface fix may not suffice. Further you want to make syre if it is stripped then someone who knows what they are doing does it to maintain integrity of seals etc.

The 24-70 f4 is a nice lens but you will likely want to go for the 2.8 at some point so factor that into your decision too.


Hope this is helpful.

 

[Fishrrman]

Hmmmm....
If the camera fell hard enough to damage the USB port like that, what other "unseen internal damage" might have it incurred?

Unless the price is REALLY "right", I think I'd pass on this one...

 

[OreoCookie]

Stupid question, but did the camera fall with the 24-70 attached to it? That might also be worth considering here, if the lenses are no longer in perfect alignment the lens may not be worth much anymore.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

I would pass on this dropped camera. Internals (like the mirror) could be damaged/misaligned. If the lens was attached to the body, the insides of that could be misaligned/damaged also. I have to agree on passing with @Fishrrman here (unless it is a really good deal, like almost for free).

 

[kenoh]

I would pass on this dropped camera. Internals (like the mirror) could be damaged/misaligned. If the lens was attached to the body, the insides of that could be misaligned/damaged also. I have to agree on passing with @Fishrrman here (unless it is a really good deal, like almost for free).

Very good point.