View Full Version : Canon 1D Mk11N SD Card Problem.
I thought I'd better post this in case anyone is thinking of buying this camera, they can at least check for the problem. My one week old camera isn't letting me format any card at all in the SD slot, although the CF slot is fine. I've lodged notice of the problem with Warehouse Express who are happy for me to return it at any time, but they don't know when they'd be able to replace it due to them being in short supply at the moment, so I'm hanging onto it for the moment as it's not a real problem for me.
I've spoken to Canon UK also, who say they have no knowledge of the problem despite the fact that a search of the web revealed quite a few new owners having similar problems, but they say they're going to investigate.
As usual, the camera manual advises changing to a Canon card if you experience this problem, despite the fact that Canon don't offer any cards of the speed or capacity suitable for these cameras. I discussed this with Canon UK who say that they recommend Sandisk for use in their cameras, so this is one area where the manual needs updating.
As this is a minor problem I can get fixed any time during the warranty period I'm not too concerned at the moment and it may even be resolved with a firmware update. Other than this minor niggle I couldn't be more pleased with the camera - it has so many nice features which make it just about the best photographic tool I've used to date.
Its a very strange "fault" that, The camera can write to the card to put the photos on there but seem unable to format it which is essentially the same procedure. I would say that it is very likely to be fixed with a future firmware update.
Incedentially, is there any reports of this happening on the 1D MKII (NON "N") model?
Have you tried downloading any software updates?
The unit you have may not be up to date...
It's not writing to the card at all Steve. What happens is if I change over to the SD card I get a 'Card Not Formatted' message. If I then try to format the card either low level or normal, I get an 'Unable to format - change card' message.
I've no idea if there was a problem with the previous model.
Ahh sorry, I misunderstood.
So it appears to "see" the card but cant write to it at all?
Have you tried downloading any software updates?
The unit you have may not be up to date...
I have Ron, and I can't see anything out there yet, although the camera is a very new model so I'd think it's early days for a firmware upgrade and Canon UK didn't know anything about the problem.
If anyone knows any different though I'm using Firmare Version 1.0.0 :)
Ahh sorry, I misunderstood.
So it appears to "see" the card but cant write to it at all?
Persactly - that's the bit I find strange.
Just had a look around for any firmware upgrades or Adjustment programs, as you say there is nothing showing at the usual trustworthy sites, either official or unofficial. I guess with Canon not yet saying that they are aware of the issues though, a fix is unlikely to be available.
Thanks Steve. As I say - no big problem at the moment. Some owners are finding they shoot so many images on the SD card and then they start to get corrupted images, so I think I'd rather have a duff slot than that problem, at least I'm not going to lose any shots.
Interestingly, I just checked the list of tweaks in the 'N' model and one of them is to improve communication between the camera and some cards, so it appears there were some issues with the earlier model.
Gary Bagshawe
08-11-2005, 11:43
No probs with the 1d mk 2, although just a thought, can you format the card in any other way, (pc other camera etc) and then try it again in the 1d mk2 n?
I take it you've tried different cards?
I've tried the three different cards I have (including a brand new one not formatted previously in other devices) all with the same result. I've also tried formatting the cards on the PC and in a PDA .... no go.
Thats a bugger ill have to put off buying a 1D Mk2N a little while longer now ! LOL mind you by the time i could afford it it will be obsolete ! ;) :coat:
busterboy
08-11-2005, 15:59
CT. I have the 1DMk2 and can obviously read, write to, and format both the Compact Flash and the SD card with no problems from the camera.
My brother has the latest N version and that works just the same mate.
I feel you most certainly have a faulty camera and as soon as this model becomes more available should take it back and change it, Although I would notify the seller with immediate effect.. :thumb:
CT: is this you posting? :http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=111586
If not, might be worth looking at: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=109138
CT: is this you posting? :http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=111586
If not, might be worth looking at: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=109138
Tis moi! :)
Well Warehouse Express are collecting the camera by courier tomorrow which is pretty good service, but.....
Bugger!!! :annoyed:
That'll teach you to come on here showing off with your fancy new camera!
;)
Still, one way to look at it is that it's better to be in the situation that you have a 1D MkIIN to send back rather than not!
Hope it gets fixed soon!
Me too - I just love the thing.
They seem to think it's a camera software problem.
Well Warehouse Express are collecting the camera by courier tomorrow which is pretty good service, but.....
Bad luck CT but better to get it sorted now.
Bad luck CT but better to get it sorted now.
Quite. Funnily enough the first 20D I bought had a card read problem. It's times like this you wish you could go to Jessops et al and chuck it back over the counter. ;)
Have they given you any time scale for a repair/replacement? Actually are you having a replacement or a repair or are you happy with either?
Well Steve WE are saying they'll look at it on site and if it's not something silly they'll return it to Canon who will either repair or replace. WE don't have any in stock at the moment and a fair list of people waiting with back orders.
I'm not fussed either way to be honest, I bought it on 9 months 0% credit, so until I've got a fully functioning camera, they dont get the dosh! ;)
Its not so bad as you have the 20D to fall back on, it would be a complete nightmare if it was your only camera.
Lets just hope it is something silly and can be sorted on site.
Yes and the 20D is still the nutz!
Incidentally if anyone wants to avail themselves of this 0% option with WE, it's a very quick process. They pass your brief details taken over the phone to the finance people on site, who do the credit checks. I received the forms (already approved) for signature the next day, with a return envelope and 1st Class stamp.
All you pay is 10% deposit and nothing for 9 months when you have to settle up or it goes on 3 yrs finance, when it would get really expensive! :icon_eek:
Well it's gone (sob!) Picked up by City Link courier at 8am this morning. Excellent speedy response though from Warehose Express, and it saves me the postage and insurance expense. :icon_eek: I reckon that means I can have a walk up to the pub at lunch time on what I've saved. :beer:
There, there, it'll be back soon.
...and that new barmaid!! :icon_eek: :naughty:
There, there, it'll be back soon.
Either that or it will get lost at Canon and never been seen again :whistling
Obviously we hope for the former not the latter ;)
That's it - now I'm gonna get bladdered!
That's it - now I'm gonna get bladdered!
There's an old age joke in there somewhere :Ponders:
Not that I would ever think of it of course :)
...and that new barmaid!! :icon_eek: :naughty:
Is she nice ? ;) where was it you live again ? ;) LOL :coat:
There's an old age joke in there somewhere :Ponders:
Not that I would ever think of it of course :)
You wouldn't want me for a lodger! :D
That's it - now I'm gonna get bladdered!
Glad I could help :lol:
All you pay is 10% deposit and nothing for 9 months when you have to settle up or it goes on 3 yrs finance, when it would get really expensive! :icon_eek:
When I was speaking to them about the various options the guy on the phone said about 75/80% of people actually go on to the 3 years option
Stuff that! :icon_eek:
I suppose the finance company is hoping they'll do just that though.
Should have bought a Nikon...:)
Should have bought a Nikon...:)
:lol: There is always one :nono:
Warspite
11-11-2005, 12:13
Should have bought a Nikon...:)
There's always one joker;)
busterboy
11-11-2005, 16:53
Should have bought a Nikon...:)
HOW RUDE.... :nono:
Whoa... it's just a leg pull. ;)
busterboy
11-11-2005, 18:42
Whoa... it's just a leg pull. ;)
I know mate, I was pulling the same leg..
Settle down now chaps.. :lol:
hehehe...this has been going since the 1930's :)
The good news is the camera has been deemed faulty and is to be replaced. The not-so-good news is they're still harder to get hold of than rocking horse crap at the moment, so I'm hoping I'm going to see the replacement this side of Christmas. :annoyed:
I'm not too bothered though, haviing used the camera for a short while, I'm happy I made the right choice. :)
Well at least now your suspisions have been confirmed. A nice shiney new camera to look forward to all over again. If it arrives just before Christmas it will feel like a proper Christmas present as well. :)
I am glad it has been resolved mate.
yep, better sorted now rather than later
Talking to Warehouse Express, it's seems the whole Canon DSLR range is in huge demand from the 350D upwards and they just can't get enough of them quickly enough. Business must be good.
A few quick comments on the 1DMK11N.
They've replaced the rather complicated color matrix settings with custom settings..
- Standard: for crisp, vivid images
- Portrait: optimizes colour tone and saturation and weakens sharpening
- Landscape: – for punchier greens and blues with stronger sharpening
- Neutral: – ideal for post-processing
- Faithful: - adjusts colour to match the subject colour when shot under 5200K
- Monochrome – for black and white with a range of filter effects (yellow, orange, red and green)
- Monochrome - toning effects (sepia, blue, purple and green).
Neutral is the obvious choice for RAW processing with the other settings giving great results with jpegs with the minimum of post processing. These same custom settings have been adopted in the 5D so no doubt will find their way into all the new cameras as they're introduced. So far I really like this idea, it's really quick to select a custom setting for a particular type of shot, and you can alter the parameters anyway if you wish. Further custom settings will be available for download from Canon, but there are none on their site as yet.
The 1:3 crop ratio is more significant than you may think - apart from the brighter viewfinder, my 50mm lens is effectively an 80mm on the 20D, while on the 1D it's 65mm, so there are quite substantial gains in FOV with wider lenses, though you'll just crop more at the tele end so you 'lose' a little there.
Spot metering and multi spot metering is a huge bonus. You can take up to 8 spot readings from key parts of your subject with the camera working out the optimum exposure as you go - really convenient for difficult situations.
One of the things which bugged me before I took the plunge and bought the camera was whether I'd see any significant jump in resolution from the 20D and I think the answer has be .." No ...hardly any", although the camera has a colour correction filter on the chip for more faithful colour rendition and it's supposed to produce slightly less noise, but let's be honest, the 20D is no slouch for producing low noise shots anyway. All that moolah just goes into making the camera, a fantastic photographic tool which is a pleasure to use, coupled with the weather proofing, and build quality, 45 point auto focus system, very logical operating system, you wont necessarily get better shots - you'lll just have less excuses for missing 'em. :D
I'd highly recommend one, just make sure the SD card slot works.
busterboy
18-11-2005, 16:01
yep, better sorted now rather than later
agreed... ;) It will make Christmas that bit better this time CT.. :thumb:
Just one more work on the matter...
N.....I.....K.....O.....N
:)
busterboy
18-11-2005, 17:37
Just one more work on the matter...
N.....I.....K.....O.....N
:)
And some for you mate... :flipoff: http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~tprocter/email~animations/Bart-arse.gif.......... :D
Just had a call from WE. It seems I'm getting the replacement on Monday. :icon_cool
Fingers crossed! :whistling
Warspite
25-11-2005, 14:09
Thats pretty quick :)
Good luck
Yeah, its a Nikon D50....
Thats pretty quick :)
Good luck
It's gonna be OK now... :icon_cool
http://www.thephotographyforums.com/albums/album95/black_cat.jpg
CT - how are you finding the drive on the Mk II N? It's pretty monstrous, isn't it? something like 8.5fps for 15 RAW frames. That sound about right?
It's something like that Jamey, may be a few more, I can't remember, and I only got to play with it for a few days. :( It shoots up to 48 full sized jpegs though, and then the buffer empties incredibly quickly.
You have to hear it in full flow to believe it, you can't believe that all the mechanical stuff which has to happen for each shot can work without shaking the camera to bits at that speed! :icon_eek:
22 RAW frames - I just checked.
I've heard a Nikon rattling off frames at a similar speed (some photographer taking pics of a chap outside work one day while I was walking in) and it is indeed pretty impressive. Made me want something more 'pro'.
God bless the recent introduction of 8GB CF cards, that's what I say.
you wont necessarily get better shots - you'll just have less excuses for missing 'em
I think that sums up the beast perfectly. Although the lightning fast AF is bloody handy and the 8.5 frames per second Jamey mentioned really boosts your chances with spray and pray stuff.
Really pleased for you that it's comming back so soon. :icon_cool
Well 8.5fps is great for action shots/sequences, but just banging off lots of frames at that rate in the hope of getting a good shot is pretty lame really, when you'd probably get a better result with a little anticipation and a lower frame/ buffer rate.
Don't forget either that at 5fps, the 20D is no slouch - it isn't that long ago that pro motor drives costing an arm and leg could only manage that. The frame rate on the 1DMK11N is great but it didn't figure too highly in my decison to get one. :)
but just banging off lots of frames at that rate in the hope of getting a good shot is pretty lame really, when you'd probably get a better result with a little anticipation and a lower frame/ buffer rate.
I know what you're saying and as someone who can spend a day setting up a shot the whole concept of frames per second is a rather strange one....
... but trust me, there will come a day when you're faced with a situation you can't anticipate the start of, just react to and if that situation only lasts half a second or so you'll be glad to have got 3 or 4 cracks at it. :)
Really pleased for you that it's coming back so soon. :icon_cool
Thanks Daz. The finance co rang on Wednesday to let me know the details of when the 9 months 0% started from. I told them that as far as I was concerned it didn't start till I had a fully working camera, and that if it dragged on too long, I'd be re-considering the whole deal anyway. They said they'd ring WE, so I guess WE have had a right kick up the bum, as they told me they didn't expect stock for some weeks.
Overall I really can't fault WE though. :)
... but trust me, there will come a day when you're faced with a situation you can't anticipate the start of, just react to and if that situation only lasts half a second or so you'll be glad to have got 3 or 4 cracks at it. :)
I hear ya. :D
Yeah I'm very happy with the 20D's five frames per second. Handy for a lot of things, one of which is when you're at a shutter speed too low for the length of the lens (usually due to poor light) so you fire off five in the hope that one comes out fairly crisp. It tends to work a fair amount of the time, as long as you don't push it with ridiculously low speeds.
Just had a call from WE. It seems I'm getting the replacement on Monday. :icon_cool
Fingers crossed! :whistling
Thats Great news CT
Well 8.5fps is great for action shots/sequences, but just banging off lots of frames at that rate in the hope of getting a good shot is pretty lame really, when you'd probably get a better result with a little anticipation and a lower frame/ buffer rate.
Don't forget either that at 5fps, the 20D is no slouch - it isn't that long ago that pro motor drives costing an arm and leg could only manage that. The frame rate on the 1DMK11N is great but it didn't figure too highly in my decison to get one. :)
Hi CT, out of interest why did you choose the 1DMK11N over the 5D? :Ponders:
A few reasons really Ash.
Weatherproofing, spot and multi-spot metering, abiltiy to write to CF and SD cards (Imagine the back-up security of that alone) 8.5 fps, with huge buffering capability, 45 point auto focus system which is unbelievably fast. The camera is just awesomely specced overall.
The real advantage of going full frame is for landscape shots, which I don't get much chance to do - my interests are mainly walk around stuff and wildlife. To gain the full frame advantage from wildlife shots I'd have to fill the frame which involves buying extreme tele lenses which cost more than the camera. With the lenses I have for wildlife, I'd just end up cropping more of the shot with a full frame camera so there'd be no gain for me.
Full frame is also very demanding on the quality of your lenses, with some lenses showing fall off in image quality towards the edges and even vignetting when used on a digital full frame camera. My 100-400L for example is a known good performer on a crop sensor camera, but may well start to show it's weaknesses on a full frame camera. Also people complain of image edge distortion with some very wide lenses on a crop sensor and a full frame sensor is only going to highlight the problem more.
Overall, the 5D isn't the ideal camera for me, it's a 20D with a full frame sensor, and it's great value for money, in fact it would have saved me a few bob. If I was still doing weddings I would seriously have had to think about it, and that's the group mainly it will appeal to, and no doubt wean some of them away from medium format.
QUOTE=CT]Full frame is also very demanding on the quality of your lenses, with some lenses showing fall off in image quality towards the edges and even vignetting when used on a digital full frame camera. My 100-400L for example is a known good performer on a crop sensor camera, but may well start to show it's weaknesses on a full frame camera. Also people complain of image edge distortion with some very wide lenses on a crop sensor and a full frame sensor is only going to highlight the problem more.
Yeah I know what you mean as far as full frame being demanding on the quality of your lenses. I'm hoping to start doing some weddings, which is why I decided on the 5D. But I think it's going to be very expensive to find the right lenses to do it justice, which is money I don't have at this time.
I'm hoping to start doing some weddings, which is why I decided on the 5D. But I think it's going to be very expensive to find the right lenses to do it justice, which is money I don't have at this time.
It doesn't have to be that expensive, I covered my weddings on film with a 28-80 and a 24mm for the larger groups and interior shots.
The only thing I'd say is that once you're charging and you're THE photographer, you need a spare body and a spare flashgun - essentials you can't do without, things have a habit of going wrong just at the wrong moment and paying customers will expect you to have spare kit. :)
Well it arrived at 8am on the dot. I put the battery straight on charge, and I've just formatted both the CF and SD cards without any problem and taken and retreived shots from both cards. :icon_cool
Curious though...
The camera by default creates Folder 100 and shows the number of exposures in that folder. The first camera was showing well over 600 exposures. I didn't notice this for an hour or so, but there was no way at this time that I'd taken more than a couple of dozen exposures .
The replacement body was showing 100/0000. (zero exposures)
Hmmmm. :Ponders:
Firstly :banana: on getting the beastie back. :icon_cool :icon_cool
As for the frame count, it seems that a new canon body can come out of the box with any number of shots logged. My first 1d body had about 1200 on it and the second one a few hundred.
From what I've heard it can be down to the camera not being reset fully after bench testing or on some, certain versions of firmware carry data in the shot log file.
Aparently, there was a batch of 20d's that showed over 20,000 frames taken. :shock:
I'm not sure that I believe either explanation TBH but there was nothing to suggest that either of the bodies I've had were not 100% fresh out of the box. :Ponders:
Thanks for that Daz. I thought it might be something like that, presumably they do test the camera.
Fancy picking up a 20D showing 20K exposures! :shock:
Can this be reset?
Well - yes, it's only the indication of the number of exposures taken in that default Canon 100 folder. As soon as you format the card it resets to 0 and deletes any other folders you've created, but always creates that Canon 100 folder again.
To find out the actual number of shutter actuations, there's software you can get which retrieves that info from the camera.
Unlike the 20D which creates a new file every 50 exposures, this one doesn't, which seems to be the reason you can get a new camera showing a lot of exposures in that file.
I only use the camera's USB port to get the images and you don't see any of that. Actually sometimes you don't see any photos and it can be a bit unreliable!
The seperate folders thing really annoys me. I always have to copy them into one single folder. Is there any way to disable it on the 20D?
I don't think so but I have seen mention of utilities to do this for you.
How safe are the utilities? If there's no chance of them messing anything up I may look into them.
My very old camera would slow down if there were too many files in the folder on the card. Put them in smaller folders (camera called them albums) and it would be faster. If the principle still holds it might explain the folders thing.
I just stick the card in the reader, go into dcim, select all the folders, cut them and then paste them to the hard drive in a new sub folder.
Once they are on the hdd it only takes seconds to move all the images into one folder and delete the number folders that are then empty. Can't see you need a utility for that.
You shouldn't get slow performance just because there are lots of files in a folder. I wish I could explain why but I just know that you shouldn't. I'm quite a techie person but some of it just comes a bit too naturally to me, meaning I can't explain it. It's just a feeling in my bones that I know is right.
I am talking quite early technology here - DC290
The slow down is referred to in the manual - not something I just noticed.
Myself and a couple of other peeps on here use this (http://www.alanlight.com/dim/Dim.htm)
Its brilliant, copies all the files on the card whatever folder they are in, into another folder, which you can configure, i have mine doing Year, Month, Date so have a folder 2005, with 1 to 12 in it, then dates in 28Nov2005 format.
Means no messing about moving stuff after the event, and its also free !!! :) :banana:
See, I knew someone would know what I was talking about...
DIM sounds great apart from one thing... Java... It's the work of the devil and I shan't have it on my PC. Nice try. You almost had me fooled ;)
DIM sounds great apart from one thing... Java... It's the work of the devil and I shan't have it on my PC. Nice try. You almost had me fooled ;)
LOL its the only java app on mine !
If only they wrote it properly.
I'm sure Windows XP is meant to be able to do photo transfers automatically anyway. Might have to investigate.
I have (almost) convinced myself about the Mark IIN. I might try and hire a 5D though. I'm all landscape but the weather proofing of the N might be the clincher. When I use manual focus on my 17-40L I get a tiny sandy crunchy noise so who knows what's going on inside the 300d. Might rinse it under the tap.
Jetwash it - it's the way ahead...
Don't forget that the 1DMK11N is only weather proof with a weather proof lens fitted. The 17-40L is one of Canon's weather proof range, so you're halfway there! :D
Contrary to popular belief, all the L Series lenses aren't weather proof by any means. :(
Ahhh... Canon... Bless 'em
If only they wrote it properly.
I'm sure Windows XP is meant to be able to do photo transfers automatically anyway. Might have to investigate.
It is, but not raw files, if you have jpg and connect it should automatically just drag them off, although it doesnt liek the subfolders that canon cameras make
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