SD550 - Cannot remove SD Ultra II Plus card!

Wish I had monitored this forum prior to purchasing the SD Ultra II Plus card. I would have seen the A620 folks having the same problem. It sounds like a few have been successful in removing the card without damaging their cameras. I recall reading a post from a SD550 user who managed to wrangle his card out. I've tried searching and have not been able to find his post. I'd love to know the specifics of his extraction technique!

If there is anyone out there who has had this same experience and successfully removed this USB capable card from a SD550, I would appreciate any advice you may have. I have tried grasping the card with needlenose pliers and very gently manipulating it. There seems to be much less room in the slot of the SD550 to use the knife method (which seems even scarier then my unsuccessful plier attempt) that has worked for an A620 user.

Cannon says I need to send the camera in. I might be content to have a permantly lodged (overpriced) 1GB card if it means parting with my new SD550. So far, I really love the camera.

Any help would be great!

Wow, I didn't know it was a problem. It feels like there's a spring in there doing the work...mine just pops right out of the A620.

-Todd

Hi,

Here is the post : http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1023&message=15294047

I'm affraid bcoz I ordered a SD550 and a Sandisk Ultra II plus card also !!! (supposed to arrive tommorrow)

Is there any technique to remove the card safely ??

Thanks for your advice.

The card does not eject properly. After opening the battery/memory card door, I push on the card to eject it. The card pops out approximately 1/8 inch, which it is supposed to do. At this point, one should be able to pull the card from the camera with no resistance. Let me tell you, this card is not coming out - I've really pulled. I've read elsewhere on this forum that A620 owners were having the same problem with this Ultra II Plus card. The card doubles as a USB flash drive, enabling you to insert it directly into a USB port, much like you would an ordinary "Thumb Drive". It seems that the physical dimensions of the card differ slightly from the standard SD cards. These slightly differing dimensions seem not to be a problem with most cameras. As I am finding out, the tight specs of the smaller Canon cameras won't tolerate the special features of this card. Something is lodging it inside - it's really stuck!

My advise is to return the card. The same money should get you a higher capacity card (minus the USB feature). Trust me buddy, you don't want to be in this boat!

Ah, now I know what you're talking about. I was afraid to get one of those cards...now I'm especially glad I didn't. It sounds like the USB "flap" on the SD card isn't completely flush with the card, and it's catching inside the slot.

I guess others have mentioned something like this in other threads, but have you tried pushing the card back in and then slipping something thin but rigid down the slot on the side where the USB "flap" protrudes from the card? If you could get something with a smooth surface down there, I bet you could pull it out.

And if you ever get the card out, go exchange it and spend the extra $20 on a card reader.

I have a SD550 but use the Ultra 2 cards, I wonder if using a thin metal shim might help take the card out? If you can find a very thin piece of metal, or even semi-flexable plastic you might be able to insert this in while the memory card in fully inserted in the camera. While the shim is in place gently eject the card.

From my SD550 the space is very tight but you might find something that fits but using the metal from a soda can, just carefully flatted the metal and use this as a shim.

Also make sure if have the battery out of the camera! The metal might cause a short inside if it's powered.

Just an idea.

Rob
--
http://robscomputer.smugmug.com

Yes, I think you are correct about the source of the problem. I'll try finding something small enough to fit. I'm telling you, that space is really going to be small. The same technique has been used by a A620 owner (the link you sent - thanks!) but the SD550 is much smaller. I might try purchasing a feeler guage and giving it a try.

The USB feature really attracted me. It wasn't so much to avoid a card reader as it was to share large picture files with my friends when I'm at their homes. Oh well!

Thanks Rob!

I should have read your post before responding to Todd. I'm going to try and find something small as you suggested. Thanks for the battery tip, I might have forgotten to do that!

• Rob

fwiw, I use regular SD cards with a couple of different things, and every once in a while they can get hung up to the point they will just not come out.

I believe it has to do with the little sliding lock on the normal cards.

Normally, wiggling and seating/unseatting a couple of times will 'clear' it and it will slide right out.

Not helpful, but sometimes it is good to know you are not the only one....

-Suntan

I've a Ultra plus car in front of me and I'd like to use it with my SD550.

Did you arrive to eject the card after all ? How did you manage the process ?

With kind regards,

Thanks to all who contributed to this solution! On everyone's advice, I used the thinest object I could find - an Exacto knife - and slid it along the edge of the card that borders on the battery compartment (battery was removed for safety). I pushed on the card to begin the ejection process and performed a sweep with the knife 3/4 inserted, swept gently from the outside edge in toward the center of the camera (from right to left). Viola!

Given my experience, I would suggest other SD550 owners stay away from the Ultra II Plus (USB) card.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions!

Thanks for posting about the SD cards, I'll know to stay away when using with the SD550.

--
http://robscomputer.smugmug.com

Giving your feedback,

I called Canon and they gave me the same advice.

I send back the 512 Mo Ultra II Plus to exchange it for a 1Go Ultra II (not plus = minus ;o) )

Now I need to find a very small USB adaptor to be able to download the files to my PC without using the SD550 (Ixus750).

Usefull post, Thanks

here's my very small usb reader of choice. I call it a 'red fish'



newegg.com has it; cheaper if you buy an sd-card at the same time ($5 off).

--
bryan ( http://www.grateful.net ) pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/linux-works ,
(sample fz30 raw files: http://www.netstuff.org ) ~

I like the "Red Fish"! I'll likely go the same route sometime in the future!