50D memory card error/processing speed problem?

I have a one year old 50D (warranty ended 4 days ago!) that started displaying error 2 - problem with CF card (Lexar 1 GB 4x). My questions are:

1) is the card too slow for the 50D? I haven't had problems before this and shot many sports pics on Al Servo. It seems as if the camera is always playing catch up with any shots, including single photos. Can the processor fail? (Yikes)

2) is there an internal memory from which to recover those photos that were previewed but apparently not written to the card? of course, a few good Christmas photos I'd love to capture if possible. I haven't taken any new photos and tried Pandora Recovery on the CF without success. But I can't get Pandora to recognize the camera via a usb connection.

3) How do I return the 50D to factory settings if perchance I messed up some settings somewhere leading to processing speed/writing speed problems?

thanks for any help provided

I have a similar issue with a 50D that I bought about three weeks ago. It came with a Delkin "eFilm" 4GB CF card which seemed to be fine. But, then, just the other day, I fired off a rapid series of shots and the camera locked up and displayed the "card error 02" text. I actually had to remove the battery to get the camera to recompose itself! Mind you, this camera is only a few weeks old!

Needless to say, I am very worried as this seems like a nightmare from the early days of these things, when they were still figuring out all the bits and bytes and whatnot. On top of that, I seem to have a stuck white pixel on the sensor, too. Very worrisome, indeed... Hopefully we get some good advice on what to do here.

I forgot to add, none of the shots I took in the sequence made it to the card -- they were lost shots. If it had been a pro gig, I would have been hosed.

The Customer

The card could definitely be the culprit. Try a different one - they cost next to nothing now so it's worth it. Get a decent speed one or borrow a friends and try that.

At least that's what I'd do first.

You also may have changed some settings that would affect shot-to-shot speed. I can't remember which but there are definitely some settings that slow down the speed.

Steve

--
My galleries are at http://www.GrillosView.com , Equipment on profile page

cksdphoto said:

I have a one year old 50D (warranty ended 4 days ago!) that started displaying error 2 - problem with CF card (Lexar 1 GB 4x). My questions are:

1) is the card too slow for the 50D? I haven't had problems before this and shot many sports pics on Al Servo. It seems as if the camera is always playing catch up with any shots, including single photos. Can the processor fail? (Yikes)

Click to expand...

By catch-up, you mean the red LED that is letting you know that the image is being transferred to the CF card? If on a single shot the LED stays on for more than a brief blink, this would certainly suggest an ultra slow transfer rate. You need to verify this with a better CF card. Boxing Week can be an excellent time to purchase a spare CF card at a reduced rate.

cksdphoto said:

2) is there an internal memory from which to recover those photos that were previewed but apparently not written to the card? of course, a few good Christmas photos I'd love to capture if possible. I haven't taken any new photos and tried Pandora Recovery on the CF without success. But I can't get Pandora to recognize the camera via a usb connection.

Click to expand...

Nope. The camera memory doesn't include any storage for saving images, therefore none to retrieve. It is easier to read images from the CF card using a card reader plugged into the PC. Always be gentle inserting the CF card, as a slightly crooked card can bend the pins.

cksdphoto said:

3) How do I return the 50D to factory settings if perchance I messed up some settings somewhere leading to processing speed/writing speed problems?

Click to expand...

Its probably described in the manual. See page 45 of the manual, "Reverting the camera to default settings." The Clear All Settings option is located under the "Wrench Icon" menu.

That's what I was thinking, in part anyway; I've got another card on the way right now, in fact. One of my reasons for concern is that I haven't yet altered any of the camera settings from default, save for things like ISO, of course.

Cust.

SteveDude said:

The card could definitely be the culprit. Try a different one - they cost next to nothing now so it's worth it. Get a decent speed one or borrow a friends and try that.

At least that's what I'd do first.

You also may have changed some settings that would affect shot-to-shot speed. I can't remember which but there are definitely some settings that slow down the speed.

Steve

--
My galleries are at http://www.GrillosView.com , Equipment on profile page

Click to expand...

riknash said:

cksdphoto said:

I have a one year old 50D (warranty ended 4 days ago!) that started displaying error 2 - problem with CF card (Lexar 1 GB 4x). My questions are:

1) is the card too slow for the 50D? I haven't had problems before this and shot many sports pics on Al Servo. It seems as if the camera is always playing catch up with any shots, including single photos. Can the processor fail? (Yikes)

Click to expand...

By catch-up, you mean the red LED that is letting you know that the image is being transferred to the CF card? If on a single shot the LED stays on for more than a brief blink, this would certainly suggest an ultra slow transfer rate. You need to verify this with a better CF card. Boxing Week can be an excellent time to purchase a spare CF card at a reduced rate.

Click to expand...

Yes, it remains "busy" for far too long, without saving a picture.
it happens with a SanDisk Extreme III CF. What's a "better" card?

riknash said:

riknash said:

2) is there an internal memory from which to recover those photos that were previewed but apparently not written to the card? of course, a few good Christmas photos I'd love to capture if possible. I haven't taken any new photos and tried Pandora Recovery on the CF without success. But I can't get Pandora to recognize the camera via a usb connection.

Click to expand...

Nope. The camera memory doesn't include any storage for saving images, therefore none to retrieve. It is easier to read images from the CF card using a card reader plugged into the PC. Always be gentle inserting the CF card, as a slightly crooked card can bend the pins.

riknash said:

3) How do I return the 50D to factory settings if perchance I messed up some settings somewhere leading to processing speed/writing speed problems?

Click to expand...

Its probably described in the manual. See page 45 of the manual, "Reverting the camera to default settings." The Clear All Settings option is located under the "Wrench Icon" menu.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately under the Wrench 3 .. I only have INFO Button. No Clear Settings, No Revert, No Camera user setting as shown in my manual.
Am I hopeless up a creek?

I can't find any Clear settings feature via software that came with the camera either.

cksdphoto said:

riknash said:

cksdphoto said:

I have a one year old 50D (warranty ended 4 days ago!) that started displaying error 2 - problem with CF card (Lexar 1 GB 4x). My questions are:

1) is the card too slow for the 50D? I haven't had problems before this and shot many sports pics on Al Servo. It seems as if the camera is always playing catch up with any shots, including single photos. Can the processor fail? (Yikes)

Click to expand...

By catch-up, you mean the red LED that is letting you know that the image is being transferred to the CF card? If on a single shot the LED stays on for more than a brief blink, this would certainly suggest an ultra slow transfer rate. You need to verify this with a better CF card. Boxing Week can be an excellent time to purchase a spare CF card at a reduced rate.

Click to expand...

Yes, it remains "busy" for far too long, without saving a picture.
it happens with a SanDisk Extreme III CF. What's a "better" card?

cksdphoto said:

cksdphoto said:

2) is there an internal memory from which to recover those photos that were previewed but apparently not written to the card? of course, a few good Christmas photos I'd love to capture if possible. I haven't taken any new photos and tried Pandora Recovery on the CF without success. But I can't get Pandora to recognize the camera via a usb connection.

Click to expand...

Nope. The camera memory doesn't include any storage for saving images, therefore none to retrieve. It is easier to read images from the CF card using a card reader plugged into the PC. Always be gentle inserting the CF card, as a slightly crooked card can bend the pins.

cksdphoto said:

3) How do I return the 50D to factory settings if perchance I messed up some settings somewhere leading to processing speed/writing speed problems?

Click to expand...

Its probably described in the manual. See page 45 of the manual, "Reverting the camera to default settings." The Clear All Settings option is located under the "Wrench Icon" menu.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately under the Wrench 3 .. I only have INFO Button. No Clear Settings, No Revert, No Camera user setting as shown in my manual.
Am I hopeless up a creek?

I can't find any Clear settings feature via software that came with the camera either.

Click to expand...

well, I found it but only when the function was set to A-Dep and reset all settings.
My baby appears back to normal -- I'll have to go test it out.

New question - should I update the firmware from 1.02 to 1.07 now? Will it compound a problem or perhaps fix it? I wouldn't want to update on topof faulty software.

Call Canon the guys are good Problably honored the guaranty