Effect of initializing a CF card at DVinfo.net

Len Rosenberg · December 29th, 2012, 05:33 PM

Hi again. After backing up my cards, I initialized them in the camera to erase all the data (I assume that initializing is the same as "format" on a camera. I then tried to use the card in a canon DSLR, and could not format the card. The camera's read indicator light (red l.e.d.) came on and stayed on, and I could not bring up the camera menu, it was frozen. Can anyone explain what is happening, and how to fix the problem?
Thanks all,

Len

Graham Bernard · December 29th, 2012, 09:36 PM

Maybe you need to initialise CF cards for use with the device you're using the CF card for?

Grazie

Len Rosenberg · December 29th, 2012, 09:40 PM

Yes, that is what I am trying to do, but cannot.

Thanks,

Len

Graham Bernard · December 29th, 2012, 10:07 PM

My bad.

Maybe a Factory Format? Get in touch with the makers? Do some Googling? Can you Format another CF card in that DSLR? That'll ensure that process is running correctly.

Grazie

Len Rosenberg · December 29th, 2012, 11:51 PM

Yes, the camera will format a card that has not been initialized in the XF100, so that process is fine. I'll try googling the issue but I think this forum is my best hope.

Thanks again,

Len

Bob Hart · December 30th, 2012, 12:01 AM

If all else fails, maybe try quick formatting, or if this fails, try initiating then quick formatting the card as FAT32 on a Windows PC or Mac. If you succeed, then try formatting the card in your camera. If that does not work, then maybe try a full format on the PC or Mac.

I understand maybe wrongly so someone please correct, that full formatting of CF cards and SSDs is not deisrable as it apparently may consume more of its working life.

Len Rosenberg · December 30th, 2012, 12:21 AM

Thanks, I will try formatting the card on my computer.

Regards,

Len

Trevor Dennis · December 30th, 2012, 04:51 AM

It does make you think. I have two near identical 32Gb 60MB/s Sandisk CF cards sitting on the desk in front of me, and the only way I know from looking at them which is for my XF300 and which for DSLR, is that the DSLR card has more wear and tear. Time to mark them appart methinks.

Ann Bens · December 30th, 2012, 01:16 PM

Only format a card in the camera NEVER in the computer.

Bob Hart · December 30th, 2012, 09:50 PM

QUOTE:
"Only format a card in the camera NEVER in the computer".

I have no dispute with you there with your good advice.

In this instance however when all is apparently lost with this one CF card, it is just one more option to perhaps restore the card to a state where the camera can recognise it and then format it. "If all else fails, maybe ----"

Rodolfo Pena · January 1st, 2013, 05:14 PM

No, you don't need to format the card in your computer, just delete, trash and empty thash the contents of it, then iniatilize it on the camera you want to use it with.

Trevor Dennis · January 1st, 2013, 11:25 PM

I know that we should never format camera flash media while connected to a computer, but I routinely rename the folder before dragging across to the computer hard drive. The only problem this has ever caused is that that folder and its contents are not recognised when the card is put back in the camera, so if you forget to format it, you lose storage space. I can only remember making that mistake once in the eight or nine years I've shot digital.

Nigel Barker · January 2nd, 2013, 01:59 AM

I have 32GB Sandisk Extreme cards that have been used in a C300 XF100 5D3 & 5D2. There is never an issue with using a card in one type of camera rendering it unusable in another nor should there be. I suspect either a fault with the card or the camera.

Brett Delmage · January 5th, 2013, 02:58 AM

I'll second this. I swap 32 GB Lexar cards between my XF300 and 1D Mark IV DSLR all the time without issue.

Brett

Vincent Oliver · February 8th, 2013, 01:14 AM

Check to see if you have locked the data whilst the card was in the camcorder, if not then put it back in the XF and re-format it.

December 29th, 2012, 05:33 PM	#1
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 114	Effect of initializing a CF card Hi again. After backing up my cards, I initialized them in the camera to erase all the data (I assume that initializing is the same as "format" on a camera. I then tried to use the card in a canon DSLR, and could not format the card. The camera's read indicator light (red l.e.d.) came on and stayed on, and I could not bring up the camera menu, it was frozen. Can anyone explain what is happening, and how to fix the problem? Thanks all, Len

December 29th, 2012, 09:36 PM	#2
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card Maybe you need to initialise CF cards for use with the device you're using the CF card for? Grazie

December 29th, 2012, 09:40 PM	#3
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 114	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card Yes, that is what I am trying to do, but cannot. Thanks, Len

December 29th, 2012, 10:07 PM	#4
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card My bad. Maybe a Factory Format? Get in touch with the makers? Do some Googling? Can you Format another CF card in that DSLR? That'll ensure that process is running correctly. Grazie

December 29th, 2012, 11:51 PM	#5
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 114	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card Yes, the camera will format a card that has not been initialized in the XF100, so that process is fine. I'll try googling the issue but I think this forum is my best hope. Thanks again, Len

December 30th, 2012, 12:01 AM	#6
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card If all else fails, maybe try quick formatting, or if this fails, try initiating then quick formatting the card as FAT32 on a Windows PC or Mac. If you succeed, then try formatting the card in your camera. If that does not work, then maybe try a full format on the PC or Mac. I understand maybe wrongly so someone please correct, that full formatting of CF cards and SSDs is not deisrable as it apparently may consume more of its working life. Last edited by Bob Hart; December 30th, 2012 at 12:02 AM. Reason: error

December 30th, 2012, 12:21 AM	#7
Len Rosenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington NY Posts: 114	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card Thanks, I will try formatting the card on my computer. Regards, Len

December 30th, 2012, 04:51 AM	#8
Trevor Dennis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Zealand, Rapaura (near Blenheim) Posts: 434	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card It does make you think. I have two near identical 32Gb 60MB/s Sandisk CF cards sitting on the desk in front of me, and the only way I know from looking at them which is for my XF300 and which for DSLR, is that the DSLR card has more wear and tear. Time to mark them appart methinks. __________________ Stills at: www.flickr.com/photos/trevor-dennis/

December 30th, 2012, 01:16 PM	#9
Ann Bens Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 710	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card Only format a card in the camera NEVER in the computer. __________________ ACE Premiere Pro CC Adobe Community Professional

December 30th, 2012, 09:50 PM	#10
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card QUOTE: "Only format a card in the camera NEVER in the computer". I have no dispute with you there with your good advice. In this instance however when all is apparently lost with this one CF card, it is just one more option to perhaps restore the card to a state where the camera can recognise it and then format it. "If all else fails, maybe ----"

January 1st, 2013, 05:14 PM	#11
Rodolfo Pena New Boot Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Toronto, ON. Posts: 13	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card No, you don't need to format the card in your computer, just delete, trash and empty thash the contents of it, then iniatilize it on the camera you want to use it with.

January 1st, 2013, 11:25 PM	#12
Trevor Dennis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Zealand, Rapaura (near Blenheim) Posts: 434	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card I know that we should never format camera flash media while connected to a computer, but I routinely rename the folder before dragging across to the computer hard drive. The only problem this has ever caused is that that folder and its contents are not recognised when the card is put back in the camera, so if you forget to format it, you lose storage space. I can only remember making that mistake once in the eight or nine years I've shot digital. __________________ Stills at: www.flickr.com/photos/trevor-dennis/

January 2nd, 2013, 01:59 AM	#13
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card I have 32GB Sandisk Extreme cards that have been used in a C300 XF100 5D3 & 5D2. There is never an issue with using a card in one type of camera rendering it unusable in another nor should there be. I suspect either a fault with the card or the camera.

January 5th, 2013, 02:58 AM	#14
Brett Delmage Regular Crew Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 34	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card I'll second this. I swap 32 GB Lexar cards between my XF300 and 1D Mark IV DSLR all the time without issue. Brett

February 8th, 2013, 01:14 AM	#15
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Re: Effect of initializing a CF card Check to see if you have locked the data whilst the card was in the camcorder, if not then put it back in the XF and re-format it. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes