C500: Faulty SanDisk CFExpress Reader Bundled with C500MKII?

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nagymatt

Member
My C500MKII came bundled with a 512GB SanDisk CFExpress card and a SanDisk CFExpress Reader. I was doing my first tests with the camera this weekend and after finishing a few shots, I came inside to transfer the footage. Upon inserting the card into the reader, the card failed to mount. I tried several times and on several similar machines (Macs and a PC) and could not get the card to mount.

Upon doing some research online, there appear to widespread reports of faulty SanDisk CFExpress Readers bundled with the C500MKII. They all say the same thing...you must PRESS AND HOLD the card into the reader! Once I tried that, I was able to get the card to mount and transfer the footage, however I had to hold the card and apply pressure, otherwise the spring would push the card back slightly and it would unmount. QC seems to be quite bad with these readers, which is a shame since Canon chose to bundle them as a promotion. The 512GB CFExpress card works just fine.

Reports of the same problems over at Amazon & B&H:
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extr...d=1578871187&sprefix=CFexpress,aps,124&sr=8-4
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...compactflash_express_card_reader.html/reviews

Anyone else who has a C500MKII running into this?
 
Yes, I got one. Its faulty as well. The only way I can get it to work is by rubberbanding the card into the reader. I got in contact with canon, they are aware and trying to come up with a solution.

20200110_144644.jpg
 
Found a user on YouTube who apparently went to Canon Burbank to troubleshoot this issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5WIu0-LZXM

Unlike his issue, my cards would unmount as soon as pressure was released. Didn't matter if it was after a few seconds or a few minutes.

He says it's a batch issue, so hopefully we can get a replacement from Canon. I've ordered a ProGrade CFExpress Reader in the meantime to test.
 
I just had another Sandisk SSD fail on me last week.
I have had so many Sandisk SSDs fail I stopped buying their products years ago.
When I saw Canon was going to provide Sandisk media and readers on the C500 Mark II I said to myself, uh oh.
Good luck, y'all.
 
nagymatt said:
Found a user on YouTube who apparently went to Canon Burbank to troubleshoot this issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5WIu0-LZXM

Unlike his issue, my cards would unmount as soon as pressure was released. Didn't matter if it was after a few seconds or a few minutes.

He says it's a batch issue, so hopefully we can get a replacement from Canon. I've ordered a ProGrade CFExpress Reader in the meantime to test.
Click to expand...

Just received my C500 II and the reader did the same thing the first time I tried to use it...this morning, as I was configuring the rubber bands, (mine needs two) somehow the card clicked into place, and is working just fine.
 
This card reader issue is a pain. The rumor is that it is holding up shipment of the next batch of C500 II's.
 
cpreston said:
This card reader issue is a pain. The rumor is that it is holding up shipment of the next batch of C500 II's.
Click to expand...

I wonder where that rumor came from. :-) I guess it pays to have a 30 year relationship with your camera dealer. I just called him about it, and they’re sending a new reader out. No big. Seeing as the readers and cards are sitting loose in the top of the box, my bet is they are being tossed in by canon USA, and have little to nothing to do with the supply chain of the camera.
 
Just tried to download my first batch of test footage and.......nothing. Hold the card in - nothing. Rubber band the card - nothing. Restart the computer - nothing. Unplug all cables, plug them back in, make sure all connections are good and firm.....nothing.

Lensrentals called me when I ordered it and let me know about the possible issue and said they'd overnight a different card reader, but not going to lie its going to be awkward when I tell the producer that I need to ship a card reader to our first location so we can capture the cards.... Wondering if I should overnight the ProGrade reader as well as a back up?

**Edit** Just found that Amazon can ship the Pro Grade reader same day to an Amazon locker in town so I'm going to pick one up tomorrow and hope that it works for my shoot on Tuesday.
 
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