Strange 40D Behavior

[Will_Mass]

First to clarify, we format each memory card in computer after each download. Additionally, we format in camera every time a new card is inserted, to avoid cross numbering or renaming of files. The cameras are all set to "continuous" file naming.

Today while shooting a horse show I noticed when shooting a frame, the image displayed (on the LCD) was not the frame that had just been shot. When I saw this happen more than once, I realized something was amiss. After the third or fourth frame, that I noticed (I don't chimp every shot), a message was displayed on the LCD saying something to the effect of; The camera cannot continue shooting. Turn the camera off and remove the battery. The message displayed for a few seconds, then disappeared, which is why I can't remember the exact wording.

In reviewing the files on the card, It seems for some reason the camera started writing to the middle of the card. That is,
file #__ was shot at:
7296__ 12:01:53
7297__ 12:06:20
7298__ 12:06:47
7299__ 12:07:04
7300__ 12:07:21
7301__ 12:07:21
7302__ 12:18:54
7303__ 12:19:31
7304__ 12:19:56
7305__ 12:19:58
7306__ 12:21:24
7307__ 12:04:09
7308__ 12:04:23
7309__ 12:04:39
7310__ 12:08:47
7311__ 12:08:47
7312__ 12:10:47
7313__ 12:11:03
7314__ 12:11:16
etc.

Additionally, it is clear from looking at the files, that different riders were inserted in the middle of other rider's rounds.

Once confirming a problem I switched bodies. Now at home, the camera seems to be functioning normally.

Has anyone else had a problem similar to this?

[Noel_Carboni]

Uh oh, that sounds disturbing.

You may be one of the first persons to have put 7000+ images on a 40D clock.

Were you shooting Raw or JPEG images? Just curious.

-Noel

[Will_Mass]

Hi Noel,

Yeah, it's been a slow month. We frequently log 10K files/month.

These were all jpegs.

There may have been some in camera deletions. In the heat of battle, I can't recall, but that should not matter. Either way, this is the first time I've seen this behavior from a XXD body in 5 years of heavy use, dating back to 10's.

Perhaps Chuck will have some thoughts.

[ChuckWestfall]

Hi, Will:

That's a very odd report. May I ask some questions?

1. What brand and capacity of CF card were you using?

2. Was this particular card almost full when the error occurred?

[ChrisPerry]

I had this occur at the first wedding I used my 40D at. About 3/4 way thru a card I turned on HTP and took a second shot and wanted to see teh difference, if any. I noticed the file was not at the end, but in the middle someplace. I pulled the card and started a fresh card.

The files were numbered out of sequence - I have no clue why. I didn't lose any images as far as I know, and it has not happened since (4000 or 5000 shots I guess now).

I shoot RAW and use Sandisk Ultra 2 cards, 2 and 4 gb capacity.

I normally erase cards in the camera before the event and rarely format. After this I formatted all the cards in the 40D and seperated out some cards for my second shooter to use in the 30D (and formatted those in the 30D). I try not to 'cross polinate' cards now, but it still happens on occassion and the incident has not reoccurred.

[Will_Mass]

Hi Chuck,

The card in use was a 512 Sandisk. I was shooting Large Fine Jpg's, and there were/still are, only 24 frames on the card. I'm unsure if files were over-written, or if the numbering/time just went haywire. As I mentioned, the camera seems to be functioning normally (using the same card, with those files intact) at this time.

Last night it occurred to me, I had noticed a couple other oddities. First, when I purchased the camera, I set the day, date and time. However, on the camera's first outing, the date was wrong. I attributed this to operator error. Second, On at least 2 occasions, I have noticed the shutter, in Tv mode, has fired at a noticeably SLOWER speed. Both times that I was certain this happened, the frames were over exposed and showed motion blur, supporting my belief, the shutter was open too long.

Without knowing the internal workings, I'm wondering if these anomalies are related and there's something amiss with the internal clock?

I spoke with your awesome service dept this morning, and will be sending the camera in later today. I was going to send a cd with with the original files, but wonder if I should just include the undisturbed CF card instead.

Thanks for your help and advice!

[Dennis_Vied]

Uneducated though I am about this camera, it sounds like a memory/control malfunction. I wonder if the memory battery or its contact is faulty. (I am assuming that control settings and such are also preserved in memory, supported by the memory battery).