Lightroom doesn't see the CR2 files on my 30D during auto-import

[Triptoph]

When I connect my 30D, Lightroom (v1.2) will automatically import all my jpeg images fine, but CR2 files are not being imported. "Import from Disk" and selecting the camera directory doesn't show the CR2 files when "show supported formats" is selected. However, when I move the images manually to the HDD, then "import from disk" it does work, but I'd rather not have to do this each time. Anyone know what's going on here?

[In2Photos]

This is the way your camera works. Only the Canon software can "see" the RAW files when connecting the camera to the computer. You need to get yourself a card reader which is a better methd for several reasons:

1. It does not require batteries like your camera.
2. It does not tie up your camera so you can keep shooting while downloading other cards.
3. It acts like a drive on your computer so it is much easier to use.
4. You can copy images from your HDD to the card if you want.

Look for one that is USB 2.0 Hi-Speed. I use a SanDisk (about $20 from any electroincs store).

[Triptoph]

Actually when I plug in my 30D it works exactly like a USB drive in Vista 64, where I can open, view, move, etc all files, including those CR2 files. It's only in Lightroom that I have a problem in that it doesn't see the CR2 files...

[In2Photos]

Actually when I plug in my 30D it works exactly like a USB drive in Vista 64, where I can open, view, move, etc all files, including those CR2 files. It's only in Lightroom that I have a problem in that it doesn't see the CR2 files...
Still, get a card reader. This is a tried and tested method that works for all of us, regardless of OS, camera, or software.

[davidcrebelxt]

I know it probably sounds frustrating, and you may be thinking "its SUPPOSED to work." Fact of the matter is that many of us have found that connecting Camera to computer directly can be awfully flakey (and not just with Lightroom.) And when you upgrade one piece of the software or another, or OS itself, suddenly the RAW files don't get recognized again. Many of us have decided rather than trying to constantly battle these problems, just to use a card reader.

[Triptoph]

Hmm Thank you for the ideas. I hesitate to get a card reader for my PC as it increases the number of times i'm going to be pulling the card in and out of slots, which i would think would wear down the contacts a bit and could eventually contribute to card failure in the future. For small trips where I may not swap cards, using the USB cable means I never take it out. If this problem gets worse though, I'll definitely try that option.

I didn't know people had such random issues via direct connection, but it is good to know that a card reader seems to get around it.

[davidcrebelxt]

Honestly, I've never even HEARD of anyone having problems with taking cards in and out of cameras...

I shot with a point and shoot since 2000 til this year (when I finally dropped and broke the whole camera!) And that was back when I started off using 16-32mb CF cards cards... needless to say that on a trip you'd be using pulling them in and out of the camera quite often + using a card reader; and multiply that by 5-6 years of use. They still all work fine to this day. (A couple even went through the washing machine at least TWICE.) I've never even heard of anyone bending the pins in either the camera or card-reader, since the cards are keyed to go int the slots only one way.

[Triptoph]

I guess the reason it came to mind is because I've had a bad experience with a connector that used pins in a similar manner, but the manufacturer used gold, apparently better in some regard, but after a lot of use I found the connection to be a bit flakey. Anyways, its good to hear that this isn't a problem for CF cards.