Canon 20D and Sandisk Extreme III 1GB problem

[olevik]

Hello,

/my first post here/

I have experienced a problem with Canon 20D and Extreme III 1GB CF card.
Camera just cannot recognize this card, gives me "Err CF".

On my PC, the Extreme card is working perfectly, format-reading-writing - all OK.
But on the camera - nothing, I cannot even format this card.
A 256MB CF card is working well on this camera.

And, the Extreme 1GB card is working perfectly on my Canon G3 camera.

Canon 20D's firmware is updated to 2.0.0 and other functions are working (as much as tested yet).

Is there any known compatibility trouble or ...?

Thank you any advise in advance!

Olev

[RockSlut]

have you tried formatting the card in camera?

I use Extreme III 1GB cards in my 20D with no problems, although I am not presently at 2.0.0 on my firmware.

[olevik]

yeah, I have tried
but, as I said, camera doesn't recognize the card at all.
No operations could be made, just "err cf" will be shown.

I already sent a message to Sandisk.

[robertwgross]

Have you tried a different CF card (besides the one 256) in the same camera?

If most CF cards fail the same way there, then the problem is obviously in the camera.

---Bob Gross---

[RockSlut]

Originally Posted by olevik

yeah, I have tried
but, as I said, camera doesn't recognize the card at all.
No operations could be made, just "err cf" will be shown.

Olev, I'm sorry that's all I can think of. I hope that you are able to resolve the issue. Maybe try Canon also.

[Jesper]

Do you get the error only with one particular CF card? (Or do you have only one CF card?).

Open the CF compartment door on your camera and look inside to see if there are any bent or broken pins on the connector. If that's the case, you'll have to send your camera to Canon to have it repaired.

If you're not careful with inserting or pulling out the CF card (or if you force it in the wrong direction), you can easily damage the connector in the camera. You wouldn't be the first one who has a bent or broken pin...

[olevik]

yes, I had problem only with this particular one.

I used a 256MB card for firmware update and it worked perfectly.

O.

Originally Posted by Jesper

Do you get the error only with one particular CF card? (Or do you have only one CF card?).
Open the CF compartment door on your camera and look inside to see if there are any bent or broken pins on the connector. If that's the case, you'll have to send your camera to Canon to have it repaired.
If you're not careful with inserting or pulling out the CF card (or if you force it in the wrong direction), you can easily damage the connector in the camera. You wouldn't be the first one who has a bent or broken pin...

[Longwatcher]

This may not be helpful, but I remember reading something about FAT16/32/NTFS and cards versus cameras. So your computer might recognize it, but the camera might not. I am thinking you can't format a card in NTFS, but just in case (haven't tried it). Try formating in a different method on the computer.

Just in case before giving up try seeing if you can figure out how you formatted the card in the computer.

If that doesn't work and nobody else has better idea, since it is an extreme III card contact Sandisk and they should replace it. Both of my extreme III cards say they have lifetime warranties.

[Mark_48]

Since you can see the card in your PC, try right clicking on it and then click Properties. From here click the Tools tab and perform an error check on the card. Not sure if this will show much, but worth a try.


Mark.......

[fivegallon]

Longwatcher may be on the right track. I just did some research on firmware specs for the camera and also card specs. The camera firmware suggests support up to FAT32. IF your card has been formatted in NTFS the camera is not going to deal with it

[fivegallon]

Originally Posted by olevik

yes, I had problem only with this particular one.

I used a 256MB card for firmware update and it worked perfectly.

O.

Have you used the 256MB card again AFTER the update? (in the camera)
Been reading more on the Canon site and it is possible that the firmware upgrade has failed.
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/eos20d/e...irmware-e.html

[Medic1]

Interesting.....I just bought an Extreme III 1GB in anticipation of my 20D purchase next week....I will have to see how it goes. Fortunately, I have 3 CF cards, so if I need to update it shouldn't be a problem...

[Sicily1918]

I have the Sandisk Ultra II and the Lexar 80x (both at 1GB). XP will not let you format them as NTFS, but you can format as FAT or FAT32 (FYI -- the 20D formats in FAT). I've formatted the cards as FAT32 (slow format as well as quick) and my 20D still recognized them (although they registered slightly less capacity (250-something instead of 263/266 (San/Lex)).

In both cases the 20D was able to re-format as well...

Try these things:
1). Format the card (slow format, FAT, and rename it to something other than [blank] or EOS_DIGITAL) and see if you can read it/re-format it in the camera.
2). Re-flash your camera (as stated above by fivegallon). A number of people found that the first time the flashing didn't work and the camera behaved erratically.
3). Take your old (working) card -- see if the camera can read it. If so, try formatting it in your computer and see what happens when you re-insert it.
4). Format the Sandisk in your computer (FAT or FAT32) and then start copying things into it -- fill it up; see if it generates an error.

Edit:
5). Tell us what happened!