Problems reading 4GB SANDISK III Compact flash cards.

MKD

MKD

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Mike
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Problems reading 4GB SANDISK III Compact flash cards.

We have just started using 4GB Sandisk Extreme III Cards (having used 2GB Sandisk Extreme III) and have also switched to RAW+Jpeg

We both use Canon 5D MK1's and both have the same problem.

The cards failed to load in ACDSEE Pro 2.5 so I tried to copy from card to harddrive, this also fails, we have two of the same card readers and both fail. (the card readers were bought from Maplin for £16 and are 33-1 and USB 2.0).

The 2GB Sandisk Extreme III seem to work fine.

I bought the new 4GB Sandisk Extreme III's from play.com & Amazon.co.uk.

I have checked on the Sandisk site and various forums and am not sure if you can tell forged cards from real items.

Any idea's would be helpful as I do not fancy going out and taking pictures with the Sandisk 4GB cards as I may not be able to get them off the card!

Mike
 
Theres a fair chance your card readers are not fully compatable with the higher capacity cards, try a new reader designed for high capacity cards and see if that helps.
 
I had the same problem on 4GB SD cards.

My computer (which has built in card readers) could only read up to 2GB although it has no probs with 4GB CF cards.

As mick 123 suggested try downloading through your USB cable.
 
I think 4GB is the point at which SD cards start using SDHC so its likely your current card reader doesn't support SDHC. As stated above a test with a usb should confirm fault is with card reader not card.
 
Okay, I tried connecting camera via USB cabel to PC but can only get JPG off - not sure why.

Bought a new card reader and reformated the three cards using new reader then filled each of the cards with photographs , long process but fully tested for JPG/RAW/JPG&RAW.

All worked fine, put an old 2GB card in the reader and failed to get data off card, reformated card in reader and tested works fine.

So I think the problem was the older card reader and the FAT format it applied to the card. I use FAT32 from the new card reader and it works fine.

Got the card reader from PLAY.com for £5.99

Sepia-Multi-Memory-Card-Reader-SPA-550

Thanks for all the idea's

Mike
 
MKD said:
Okay, I tried connecting camera via USB cabel to PC but can only get JPG off - not sure why.

Bought a new card reader and reformated the three cards using new reader then filled each of the cards with photographs , long process but fully tested for JPG/RAW/JPG&RAW.

All worked fine, put an old 2GB card in the reader and failed to get data off card, reformated card in reader and tested works fine.

So I think the problem was the older card reader and the FAT format it applied to the card. I use FAT32 from the new card reader and it works fine.

Got the card reader from PLAY.com for £5.99

Sepia-Multi-Memory-Card-Reader-SPA-550

Thanks for all the idea's

Mike
Click to expand...

I think you should really use the camera to format the card rather than the PC...
 
there's not reason for that but it's something I stick to too!

the capacity issue could be relevant.
maybe the card was formatted NTFS somehow?
can't imagine how though really.


for fakes, look for a hologram on the front and for a serial number
 
In my manual it states that cards formatted in a pc must be reformatted in the camera before using.
 
DizMatt said:
for fakes, look for a hologram on the front and for a serial number
Click to expand...
Almost all fakes you buy from Ebay will have both - they'll come in the same box as the originals, with the CD and any associated free software. Spotting a fake is not that easy without having the card in front of you, which if you have it's too late.

Check the SanDisk website - there's (or was) loads of info on there about fakes, and you should be able to check your serial numbers to see if they are genuine or not.

PsiFox said:
In my manual it states that cards formatted in a pc must be reformatted in the camera before using.
Click to expand...

Yep, same here. Makes sense too - you wouldn't format a computer HDD in a MAC and then use it on a PC...:bonk:

Each camera manufacturer has a specific "ruleset" for it's formatting, and to me at least, it makes sense to allow the camera to format the card and ensure it's how the device wants it. :D
 
OutLore said:
I think you should really use the camera to format the card rather than the PC...
Click to expand...

PsiFox said:
In my manual it states that cards formatted in a pc must be reformatted in the camera before using.
Click to expand...


That is exactly what I do everytime, IMO it clears the file structure and then leaves it 'fresh' and then the reformat in camera sets up the card as needed.

I understand the CF (and other cards) are good for more read/writes/formats than most users are ever likely to need before cameras & technology leave such (small?) capacities behind i.e. I/we are unlikely to do this too many times :shrug:
 
I would format the card in your camera and then take a series of test shots and see if you can download OK. Repeat this a couple of times. If you can fill the card up, just to make sure it's not a problem with the controller on board the card.

If you are still unhappy contact whoever you bought the cards from to see about a replacement. I had a problem a few years ago with a card I purchases from Warehouse express. They exchanged it no problem.

A card that plays up, even once never really gives you confidence. Better to replace if you can
 
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