Name that data corruption

Hey everyone,

Hoping this is the right place for this question. I've noticed a similar issue now on two files, but only after reviewing the images in LR. Now, I've been frustratingly efficient at deleting the images off my memory cards, so I can't confirm that the image isn't fine on the card and problematic in LR. But when I import images I make copies to a RAID array (working copy) as well as a backup HDD, and both of those look the same, so I'm leaning towards a problem with either the camera or the memory card. My question is, has anyone seen anything like this before, and do you think it's the card, or the camera, or my hard drive? I know 2 is an impossibly small sample size to say anything for certain, but I've only seen this with my 5d2, but I also only use 1 CF card in that camera. The fact that I haven't seen it with any other camera leads me to think it's not likely anything else in the workflow.

Thanks!!

-Brian

As you say, if you could go back and recopy from the original you could narrow it down.

Without that option, just buy a new card and see what happens, imo that is the most likely culprit.

Thanks. I'm at work right now, was looking for a photo to show someone, saw this and my heart sank a bit. Will try a different card going forward, but would much rather it was that than the camera...

bseitz234 wrote in post #18831953
...but I've only seen this with my 5d2, but I also only use 1 CF card in that camera. The fact that I haven't seen it with any other camera leads me to think it's not likely anything else in the workflow.
Thanks!!

-Brian

Brian, how do you typically move images off the card to the RAID array? Card reader or direct camera to PC connection?

By the way, should you be interested this deal on a Sandisk CF card is good until end of day the 23rd...https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_extreme_pro_co​mpact.html

Ooh, interesting idea... I use a card reader- I have one of the Lexar modular ones, but it’s just the CF reader and USB cable, not the whole dock.

Have been looking at B&H, did also reach out to SanDisk since apparently their CF cards carry a lifetime warranty, to see if they think it’s bad and they’ll replace it.

Thanks!

I once had a similar issue.
I blamed it on the El Cheapo cardreader I used back then.
Threw away the cardreader and bought a cardreader from the same brand as my CF cards.
Never had that issue again.

Good to know, I generally trust Lexar, but shoot all SanDisk cards, I’ll get one of their readers while I’m at it!

bseitz234 wrote in post #18832045
Good to know, I generally trust Lexar, but shoot all SanDisk cards, I’ll get one of their readers while I’m at it!

As a test, I would do a direct camera to PC transfer of the image; that would take the reader out of the picture. Use a different cable as well.

By the way, when you delete images, are you doing this with the camera, PC while card is in reader, or perhaps both?

John from PA wrote in post #18832248
By the way, when you delete images, are you doing this with the camera, PC while card is in reader, or perhaps both?

another good point.

card
card reader
card write to computer
camera write to card

that is probably the order of potential errors, with bad card maintenance as influencing all of the above. 90+ percent of the time I leave all images on the card until I have them processed and backed up to another hard drive. I then double check that all the images are indeed off the card and in my computer workflow. Once I am confident I haven't missed anything I format the card in the camera to erase the images.

btw, I use a Lexar reader with usually San Disk cards. While I have had crappy readers, I don't think brand compatibility comes into play between card and reader.

My usual workflow is to transfer images to the computer using the card reader, pop the card back in camera and then use the camera’s Erase Images function, with only a periodic Format (once a year or so). “bad card maintenance” does make me wonder if I should be formatting more often?

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18832406
.Once I am confident I haven't missed anything I format the card in the camera to erase the images.

bseitz234 wrote in post #18832438
My usual workflow is to transfer images to the computer using the card reader, pop the card back in camera and then use the camera’s Erase Images function, with only a periodic Format (once a year or so). “bad card maintenance” does make me wonder if I should be formatting more often?

If you are certain you've got the images on some external device, then do a format as opposed to image deletion (just my opinion however).

Since you are dealing with CF cards, I'd also on a regular basis start examining the pins in the card slot and the condition of the mating holes on the cards. Bent pins do occur.

bseitz234 wrote in post #18831953
I've been frustratingly efficient at deleting the images off my memory cards, so I can't confirm that the image isn't fine on the card and problematic in LR.

I wouldn't be sure of that - if you haven't filled the card again since the file deletions, then you may still be able to recover the files using a file recovery tool and see whether the original file is corrupted...

you would need to use the suspect cardreader though

Could be the camera, the card, the cable, the card reader, RAM, CPU, hard disk, or motherboard. First try copying the photos to another computer using completely different hardware / reader / cables. Also run "memtest x86" (it's free) and "HCI memtest" each overnight. Note that you need to run one copy of HCI per 2GB, but leave 1GB for the OS. So if you have 8GB you run 3 instances at 2GB and one running at 1GB. Read the FAQ for it. HCI found bad RAM for me where memtest missed it.

The only file transfer issues I have had were due to a dodgy card reader. In my case, it seems the reader did something to the card that made it appear it was empty. I downloaded a file recovery program and bingo - there they were.

Old reader binned, bought new (and better) version.

Update for anyone still following along: New corrupted file, from a different camera, with a different card, and I was able to confirm that the image on the card was fine (noticed the corruption before I deleted the images off the card.)

I also realized, not sure why I didn't think to check this earlier, that LR makes a backup copy to a second disk every time I import. The images on that disk show the same corruption, so it's not an issue with storage media. Based on suggestions here, I think that narrows it down to card reader (including USB cable), or computer itself. Since the issue only seems to pop up once ever 1k photos or so, it's going to be really hard to rule out the computer (I don't feel like importing every picture to my laptop, and then my desktop, until I see corruption on one but not the other). So, I'm going to try Lexar and see if they'll warrantee the card reader, and switch to a direct USB connection in the meantime!