So, this has happened TWICE with two different brand CF cards. Both times, it has been with the same body, a Canon 5D Mark II. I capture the image, I am able to view it in the camera's LCD, but when I attempt to download to LR4 (it also happened with LR3), the image(s) is/are no longer there. By the way, it's very sporadic. What am I doing wrong? Thanks!
1. Twice out of how many times? Is it 2 out of 10 or 2 out of 15,000 - memory cards fail. Did you use recovery software to check the cards and recover any files?
2. Were the card formatted in the camera that was used to shoot or were they formatted in a different camera or on computer? generally it is best to always format a card in the camera.
3. How are you attempting to access them - direct cable between the computer and camera or do you use a card reader. If the former, try the latter.
Just to clarify, were you able to view the image (more accurately, the thumbnail preview of the image) at any time after shooting or only immediately after shooting ? e.g. could you view a different image and than come back to the suspect one ?
2 different cards, 2 different brands, 2 different times...2 different cards can go bad at different times.
or
replace your camera and the computer since the cards are not defective...that leaves only the computer and the camera to be at fault.
Let me guess. The machine is about 3 years old? Early model Win 7? You are doing this through the USB ports? It reached the point where I stopped using it to download images. Now I burn CDs or DVDs on a newer computer and use that to download.
I ended up using recovery software on a newer machine to save the images.
I never did figure out the problem. I gave up and came up with a workaround. I have used my newer computer and Diskwipe to write all zeros to all my cards just in case there was a virus anywhere. Norton's always said all the cards were clean but I took no chances.
That blows that idea. I first thought it was the card. When I put my cards in the new computer, it would not recognize the card. It would crash Faststoneviewer. Putting the card back in the camera got me error messages about the card not being formatted. I finally tried using recovery software and that got my jpegs back.
My first thought was the card, but all cards did it. I tried several cameras, and all cameras did it. I am wondering if there isn't something in the USB circuitry, but it did it even with the built-in card reader.
I finally ended up wiping all my cards with 3 passes of random zeroes and ones. Now I won't even put a card in the older computer. Now all cards are fine with all cameras, and never a hiccup.
I'm starting to think that it's the power USB hub that's causing the issues. The only thing that the CF card reader and the damaged ext drives have in common is the USB hub, aside from the Mac.
? Thanks!