CF card scare: question

KevinCarter · #1 04-17-2008, 08:22 PM

Just had my first time ever problem where a CF card (Sandisck 4GB ultra 2), would not mount on Desktop (Mac 10.4.1)

I solved issue by using Canon's software to get images off the card.

195 of the 200 large jpegs on card are fine. 5 are totally screwy looking -- like 1/2 a person's face and 1/2 image over bleached etc.

Question: all 200 looked fine on LCD during photo shoot.
My big worry in future: all 200 could look fine on LCD, and in fact be corrupted. Is this over panaoia?

captionsoflife · #2 04-17-2008, 09:44 PM

What camera are you using? (I assume cannon since you said you used cannon software to get the pics) I had a very similar problem with my Nikon D300 where on the lcd screen all the pictures looked fine, but when I got home, about 15 of the 450 where like you described.. except on mine it would show anywhere from 1/4 to 2/3 of the picture and then have a straight line down the pic vertically and the remainder of the picture was grey. I am using the compact flash made by Sandisk - the Extreme IV 2.0 gb. (I was thinking maybe the disk wasn't fast enough to capture the whole picture with a few pictures taken in sequence - then again - it didn't only happen when taking multiple pictures at once) I have not, however, had any problem downloading the pictures to the computer and this problem with the images was the first time I have encountered it... so, maybe it is the compact flash cards... sure hope its not the camera!

I too would love to hear from others and if they have experienced this same issue or something similar... what camera was used... when did it seem to happen most... and what memory card was being used.

It does somewhat concern me... especially if its happening to others out there.

DougAxford · #3 04-17-2008, 11:17 PM

What you see on the LCD is a thumbnail, at least that's how it's explained to me. Your image is separate from that.

I've seen a lot of corrupt files. I've had my share and lots of posts about them. Every one came back to a communication error. Usually it's the reader. Try multiple readers first. Next, it's the card, usually formatted for a different camera, then put in a new one and not re-formatted.

From there, it could be: corrupt card, bad USB or firewire link, bad mobo, bad wires from USB to mobo, camera. I've had most of those, including bad wires from USB to mobo that ended up requiring a mobo replacement. It's a matter of testing, re-testing until you find the problem and can replicate it. I've even had corrupt files when they are written to DVD.

Words of wisdom: You need to treat everything as suspect until you can verify the problem.

DougA

ChrisPerry · #4 04-18-2008, 09:26 AM

I shot an engagement session (in -studio) and used my Eye Fi SD card and Jobo adapter in my 40D. I did this as my laptop has an SD slot built in and I could shoot, pull the images and show them immediately (I don't have enough signal in my studio to do the wireless eye-fi reliably/quickly at this time).

NO probs, I shot s-raw and it all worked fine. I was up in my office and used the jobo and my CF card reader to pull the images off the eye-fi and they were unreadable...I've done this before and not had a problem. Fortunately they were still on the laptop, which could still read the SD card just fine.

This has been my only issue with cards and file reading issues.

Richard_Coyle · #5 04-18-2008, 02:12 PM

The only time I've had problems with corrupted images from CF cards, it's been the card. A few years ago, a Lexar card containing the last set of images from an event locked up and was unreadable. Nothing worked to access them, including sending the card to Lexar, who confirmed the card was corrupt and sent me a replacement.

The only other time, over a year ago a Sandisk Extreme III 2GB CF card did the same, with an entirely different DSLR. I was able to use PhotoRescue software to extract all the images correctly. Trying it again, even after reformatting in camera, it did the same, so I sent it into Sandisk, who confirmed the card was defective and replaced it.

Ron Metz · #6 04-18-2008, 05:12 PM

Richard,

Just curious, how long were you using both cards when they went bad? Was it the first time use for both or did they suddenly go bad after numerous re-formats? Thanks.

Ron

KevinCarter · #7 04-21-2008, 04:57 PM

I'm using Canon 5D. I'm getting a backup reader and will test on that and report back.

What is mobo mean?

Richard: Were you monitoring at the even the LCD? or are you saying yes, the images looked fine on the lcd, and then you never got them. Imaging an entire portrait/fashion session on one 4GB card this happens. You mention sending card to Lexar. For this alone I'm only buy Lexar in future as Sandisk has no such option. You would have to hire a private data recovery service with Sandisk.

Last Question: Even if I/you reformat a card ,and it seems it's working and downloading ok, should you keep it or discard it?

Ron, the entire shoot was just on one card, which had moderate previous use.