cf card fail

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desertjunkie

New member
For some reason this weekend I had a few cards fail on me. By fail, I put them in my camera (7D) and the screen said... "CF CARD FULL". I then proceeded to try and erase the images, and there were not any on there. Before leaving on my trip I checked all of the cards to make sure there was nothing on them, and tested them in the camera as a way to double check them. All was good at the time.

I dont know what could have happened. The card that I kept in the camera during transport was fine, and my 2 16GB cards were fine too. I'm totally baffled.
I keep the cards in my Lowepro bag in the provided cases.

All of the cards were the Sandisk 8GB 60MB/s Extreme.

Is there something I might be doing wrong or no being careful enough with how I handle and store them?

I tried a search for some answers, but couldnt find anything. So any help is appreciated.
 
Sounds like the file structure on the cards is messed up. I'd try reformatting them via pc. I think CF uses FAT32 for the formatting, but check (my Nikon uses SD cards)

as far as handling, all solid state media is practically indestructable in my experience. I've taken them out from -30 degrees to 110, dropped them in snow, ect ect...and they always lived
 
You didn't mention whether you formatted them in your camera or not. Always format inside the camera. Not PC. Also I never take my cards out while the camera is running (G). Simple, but you never know what people are doing. I shut the camera off, then remove the CF cards.
 
awbacon said:
Sounds like the file structure on the cards is messed up. I'd try reformatting them via pc. I think CF uses FAT32 for the formatting, but check (my Nikon uses SD cards)

as far as handling, all solid state media is practically indestructable in my experience. I've taken them out from -30 degrees to 110, dropped them in snow, ect ect...and they always lived
Click to expand...

The first time this happened, I did reformat them on a PC. I forget the exact steps of what I did, but I do remember the FAT32 setting being used.
Well that makes me feel better about the temperature change theory. The first time this happened I was in 114 degree weather, and this weekend it ranged from about 20-50 degrees.

8string said:
You didn't mention whether you formatted them in your camera or not. Always format inside the camera. Not PC. Also I never take my cards out while the camera is running (G). Simple, but you never know what people are doing. I shut the camera off, then remove the CF cards.
Click to expand...

I hate to sound dumb, but what do you mean about formatting the card for the camera? I've never done anything other than slide the card in and shoot when I first get it. It does make its own file folders when new.
And yeah, I never take the cards out when the camera is running or before ejecting from the computer.

Thanks for the input so far guys!
 
I think he just means "as a general rule, use the camera to format the card, instead of using the PC to format the card"
 
desertjunkie said:
I hate to sound dumb, but what do you mean about formatting the card for the camera? I've never done anything other than slide the card in and shoot when I first get it. It does make its own file folders when new.
Click to expand...

You should never take a new card, just slide it in the camera and shoot. First thing you should do with a new card is format it in the camera. This "initializes" it properly for that camera. Also it can be a bit "risky" to delete files from the card in the computer. Computers don't always setup the card the way the camera wants to "see" it.

After copying the files from the card to the proper folder on the computer hard drive (preferably more than one drive, I use a "mirrored" pair of 2TB external drives for storage of video files), and verifying the data is "safe" on them, the card should be put back in the camera and reformatted. This insures you start the next project with a fresh file structure.

The only time you should try to format a card in the computer is when the camera will not recognize it. If formatting in the computer works the next step is to put it in the camera then reformat there.

The problem you've experienced has happened to others who bought new cards, put them in the camera and began shooting.
 
As an extra ounce of precaution, I tend to only format cards when I'm packing for a shoot - part of the process of charging batteries, cleaning glass, etc.

It's never happened to me, but I figure if I have some sort of data trouble on my workstation, or just can't find a file... it's an extra day or two or three where there's an original copy of the data.

One other card tip that's worked for me - when you're organizing for a shoot, get a roll of 1/2" blue painter's tape. As you format each card, put it in its case and seal the case with a tab of blue tape. If you have a busy set (most of 'em are) you'll know at a glance which cards are fresh (the cases are taped shut) - used cards will be in an un-taped case.

I do the same thing with batteries - strip of tape across the terminals.
 
^ Good ideer. An alternative is to number the cards and batteries. This has the added benefit of assuring you don't use the same ones exclusively.
 
Michael Carter said:
As an extra ounce of precaution, I tend to only format cards when I'm packing for a shoot - part of the process of charging batteries, cleaning glass, etc.

It's never happened to me, but I figure if I have some sort of data trouble on my workstation, or just can't find a file... it's an extra day or two or three where there's an original copy of the data.

One other card tip that's worked for me - when you're organizing for a shoot, get a roll of 1/2" blue painter's tape. As you format each card, put it in its case and seal the case with a tab of blue tape. If you have a busy set (most of 'em are) you'll know at a glance which cards are fresh (the cases are taped shut) - used cards will be in an un-taped case.

I do the same thing with batteries - strip of tape across the terminals.
Click to expand...

Very good advice on the battery. i usually use Green for fresh batteries, yellow for batteries that have been used but are not dead, and red for batteries that are spent (i try to recycle them if I can, so I keep them in my gear bags till I get back from a shoot)

I apply a piece of green tape to my cf cards. Its thin enough so it is fine in my nikon body. Once the card is full, I remove the green tape, then pop the card back into the case and seal it with red tape.

But whatever system you use, being able to quickly visually identify what has / hasn't been "used up" on a shoot makes things go much quicker / avoids issues
 
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