CF card on 20D -- images gone!

[mikolaj]

Hello all, I have recently purchased a 20D (Highly recommend!) and I shoot weddings with my range of CF cards. However, with my "Lexar 1GB 40x High-Speed" CF there was an error right in the middle of shooting: "Error CF" and "Error 02." I quickly exchanged to another backup card.

Back at the office I looked in the manual, yes, but when I connected the card reader to the computer all the images were gone. Zilch. This was the heirarchy: EOS_DIGITAL / DCIM / 100CANON / .... and no images where there should be.

Anyway, I've used this same exact card plenty of times before (bought it a month ago), and have never had this problem. I need those images back -- and I know lexar has the image recover software (which i do not own; i thought they included with my purchase?)

So: How did this happen? Why? and how can I prevent it again? This would be a total disaster if I didn't shoot duplicates on my film camera (Nikon-- I know, I know) before this error happened.

Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

[defense_team]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=52885

[zec6]

I was shooting with another photographer at a wedding and he had commented that Lexar had a bad batch of CF cards. He checked the serial on the side of my cards to look for a specific letter. Sorry I don't remember of the top of my head which letter, but you might be able to check with Lexar Support in regards to the bad batch..

[mikolaj]

Thanks for the link defense_, I have a Mac-- unfortunately those programs only work on Windows.That's funny, he had the same exact problem and with a 20D too...

I sent an email to Lexar-- perhaps I have a bad card.
We'll see what happens from them, if they ever reply. I'll keep you guys updated.

I ordered another 1GB card that includes the recovery software from Lexar.
That might do it, but i need these images recovered ASAP.
What's going on?

Again, I now this is common but I want to know why this is happening to this specific camera / card, or if it was something I did wrong (which I have to say I was shooting normally).

[defordphoto]

There sure have been a rash of Lexar failures lately...:shock:

[defense_team]

http://www.digitalfilm.com/drivers/instruct_macIR.html

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

When it comes to Lexar and Customer Support, I'll follow my mother's advice.

"If you can't say anything good, say nothing at all"

I have no comment regarding Lexar products or support.

[defordphoto]

Really? I had heard they have great CS. The only Lexar card I have is the free one I got from Canon. And one of my CF readers is Lexar.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Several months ago the co. I work with purchased a dozen 512K JumpDrive Secure USB storage devices.

Secure feature did not load properly on XP and would not properly access. If you tried to install the Secure feature in XP it crashed the drive. Needed to access using W2K to "fix" the secure feature by disabling it.

Customer service was accessed on line and by phone with nothing but run around, transfers, no call backs and finally; no resolution.

Purchased SanDisc and everybody is working quite happily along.

This was not the first issue here.

Lexar product are on the "do not purchase" list here. Considering that we are taking 911 to IP, we use a lot of memory and storage products.

[S230]

You may try downloading a trial version of the recovery software. It's worth a try.
The Lexar card I purchased comes with the software on the card. Sometimes it makes me wonder why...

[DieselGirl]

The same thing happened to me the first time I used my Lexar card, the same one you have. Itried to do a software recovery of the images but failed.

I use only Sandisk CF cards from now on.

[mikolaj]

Well, guess what happened now? Thanks for the software link, defense_t. I downloaded it, but now when i plug my Lexar Card reader with my card... it goes dead.
The light on the reader is green and goes out. It can't mount the disk. Nothing to do with the Recovery progrm, I can't even open the disk.

I tried on my XP box, same problem. Nothing is recognized. I put the card back into my 20D and says, "Error CF". What are trying to pull Lexar?

Also forgot to mention this-- a little while back I shot some images and connected the 20D to the TV for a slideshow, right? Then while scrolling through the images it says "Corrupted File" with a question mark icon. I was scared then (I shouldv'e known better to ditch the card right there, but) when I connected the card to the computer the files were fine. So that's why I thought the files were OK when shooting that wedding-- I would connect the card to the computer and transfer... but I was wrong.
Anyway, I reformatted the card after the slideshow and it was fine.
This Corrupted File thing happened many times before. I thought it was a 20D problem ... or is it?

So that's it. Sorry Lexar, you've failed me.

[mikolaj]

Here's from Lexar:

Thank you for contacting Lexar. We apologize for the inconvenience
encountered while using our product.

Here with we are attaching the software which you required.

The only way to retrieve the message is through "image rescue" software,
which too is possible only if you are able to copy the images to the
computer. You need to buy the software from the following address
http://www.lexar.com

Otherwise you please format the card using your card reader

uh ... speaka uh engalish? engrish?
i need to recover the photos? really?

Anyone have that slideshow Corrupted file problem as well?

[rufis6]

I had the exact same thing happen to me, don't despair. Go the the Lexar Website and contact them by email. They will give you an RMA # and you can send the card to them; the problem is with the card, not the camera. I also have a Canon 20d. Not only will they repair the cf card, they will also recover and save any images you have on it. There was no charge in spite of the fact that I no longer had my receipt. They retuned my card by mail within a reasonable amount of time. It's been a few months now and I do not remember the exact number of days. The bottom line is: you'll be all right.

[hickory]

I'm curious, how did this end?
I have a 1 gb Viking card that just went error 02. Its maybe a year old.

[S230]

I once had to contact Lexar and was able to get Live support using a text messaging like feature through the web. They were immediately able to issue me an RMA for the card. The card I did not have any receipt nor know of warranty left but still got service. From service point, they are pretty good. I am currently using Lexar for most of my cards but I am quite concerned at the recent amount of bad cards lately.
On top of the bad news, what I had been hearing is something about bankrupcy... this scares me a lot. Can someone confirm this? And can someone with experience tell me which card is better? Lexar or Sandisk (professional series comparing with each other.)