20D and Rebel XT strange image corruption

[candjphoto]

Hello! I am going to send both Cameras in to Canon soon - but quickly wanted to know if anyone else has had these problems. It only happens in the 20D with RAW settings, but now it's happening on the XT with jpeg settings. An entire shoot my wife did with the XT is ruined - even though the pictures look great in the camera. We use different memory cards (no lexar in sight) and even different card readers... I've included full-resolution shots on the links provided - the jpg is from the XT and the CR2 from the 20D RAW file. It's just extremely strange that it's happening with both cameras at the same time - but one with JPEG and one with CR2... I would think there has to be something consistent we are both doing or some problem with equipment... but like I said - different memory cards (and reproducable on four different memory cards with the CR2 files), different compact flash readers, and even different desktop computers. Also - we're not new to this. We've been using digital for years, we keep our equipment in great shape, and we're always careful with the entire process. I'm not sure what the possible connection could be. Thanks in advance!

http://members.cox.net/mrzclass/_MG_8820.JPG
http://members.cox.net/mrzclass/_MG_5719.CR2

[Hobbes330i]

Do you erase the files by using the format on the camera or using the computer?

[candjphoto]

Usually on the computer - but sometimes on the camera... I think it usually depends on who does what.... would that make a difference?

[PhotosGuy]

would that make a difference? Why not try it? I never erase in the computer & have had no problems like yours, but have heard of them the way you're doing it.

[candjphoto]

Sounds good... so just in case, should I format every time I put it back into the camera? That's what you're saying, right?


I appreciate it!

[Nightcrawler]

I had a similar problem a couple of weeks back. Before it happened, I had been religiously formating the card everytime. Right before it happened, I hadn't been formatting. I got some corrupt RAW files. After that scare, I have been formatting everytime and haven't noticed it since. By the way, I am using a cheap Viking 1GB card, which could be the problem also. I haven't had any problems with it before though.

[davidfig]

I delete the files in my computer (HP A810N). I have taken over 1100 pictures since I got it a few months ago. I've lost only one picture, on my 1GB Lexar which went back for repair. None since the repair. I think there is something wrong with the camera. But cannot answer why both do this.

Have you used these cards in other P&S. I have a A75, and when I moved a card into my former DRebel it changed the picture count. In the P&S there are CFG files, that are not in my XT or Rebel (If I remember right). So if your card has extra directories it may get confused. I'm with Hobbes, format in the camera. Canon has tested this combination.

[PhotosGuy]

Sounds good... so just in case, should I format every time I put it back into the camera? That's what you're saying, right? Can't hurt, can it? There's a bonus, too. I rotate my cards & don't format 'till I'm going to use them. So, if I have a crash before I've backed up the pics, there's a backup on the card. ;-)

[candjphoto]

OK. Sounds good. Here's what I'll do before sending to Canon - I'll shoot today with all my memory cards. Before shooting, I'll format all the cards on the PC. Then I'll format in-camera and fill up the cards. I'll try that. Thanks for your help!

[Johnny V]

I'm sure sharing non-formatted cards between two different cameras didn't help either.

[puttick]

I can't see your images, but never mind. If they are corrupted in some way but everything else seems normal, and you have not been reformatting your cards, the problem may be due to files being saved discontinuously on the card (ie fragmented) rather than in single contiguous blocks of data. Try running a photo rescue program on the card, such as you would use on an accidentally erased/formatted card - you may well find that it will piece the files back together correctly and restore the images.

Good luck

[Tom W]

FWIW - I always use the camera to erase and/or format the cards. The computer may or may not format the card in accordance with the way Canon's cameras require, but the camera will do so correctly and will set up the FAT area correctly.

I don't always format to erase images - often, I just erase them. But I always use the camera.

Also, the formatting on the XT and 20D may (or may not) be different so format on the camera on which you are about to use the card. Don't format them all on one camera and then use them on both.