Warning For Canon SLR owners!!

[Dustin Wilcox]

Use extreme caution while inserting and removing CF cards. My XTi is done dealing thanks to the CF slot. The pins inside the slot are very fragile and bend/break quite easily. Regardless of when you bought it, Canon warranty does not cover the repairs, and they are not all that cheap, at least $200 to have repaired. I highly recommend just using the USB connect as often as you can.... About that 50D

 

[Aaron Kennedy]

Ok... this happened to my wife's XTI somehow. Having used a D30 and 20D for plenty of years beforehand, this was a new one to me. I wrote a little letter about the issue and how I've never seen this happen before, sent it off, and it was repaired under warrenty. Had the camera back in a week and a half or so. I'm still perplexed how this could happen... there isn't much play in the entry.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I have the Xti and I haven't had problems yet. I take the card out all the time when I download the images to my computer. Maybe I need to use the USB wire instead.

 

[cedwards]

I haven't had it happen to my Xti, but have had it happen to 3 of my cheap card readers.

 

[Brandon Goforth]

I never take mine out. I have a 2GB and at the end of each day that I use it, I just transfer all my images from the card to my computer and then delete them. I connect my XTi to my computer and use the software that came with the camera to transfer and delete the images. I've never come close to running out of space, but I'll probably upgrade to a 8GB regardless and then I should never have to worry about taking it out at all, unless the card gets corrupted somehow, but I doubt that will happen.

 

[Mike Deep]

I have six cards I've been revolving in and out of my XT for over 18,000 frames and I haven't experienced any problems. I download directly from the camera, though.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Obviously this isn't something that happens to everyone, or even 1% of Canon owners for that matter; but as someone who's paying the price, just a friendly heads up to be cautious!!

 

[James Langford]

Wow, that stinks. I have shot with 10D for 3 years, and a 30D for 1 1/2, and not had that problem. I always pull the cards out to transfer images using my pcmcia reader. I wonder if it is something unique to the Xt generation of cameras?

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I use a 4gb card and I have never taken it out of the camera (XTi).
I use the cable attachment to my computer like a few others have said.
But I really do appreciate that hot tip - now I have another reason not to take it out unless it goes south on me.
Thanks!

 

[Cris Schroeder]

Thanks for the heads-up. I don't think I've ever used the USB cable to transfer my images...I always pull the card. I'll make sure I don't get in too big a hurry, though.

 

[Darren Addy]

Nice of you to pass this tip along.
Any connection with pins is vulnerable to this sort of thing.

Probably one reason why Pentax chose to go with SD/SDHC instead of Compact Flash.

 

[Jason Foster]

I'll take my chances.

It's a good tip. Me I've had no problems like that. I swap the CF cards all the time. I never use the cables. With Most PCs and now laptops have card readers built in, it's great. No extra cables to bring, which means less clutter. I guess if a pin broke I'd just have to pay for the repair, or buy a new camera. But as little of a chance of this happening is, I'll just do it the way I've always done, I really don't see the risk outwaying the extra clutter.

If one does break I could see doing the repair myself, just buying a scrap camera of ebay and reusing the part. Likely a less expensive way to accomplish the repair.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

EDIT: Whoops, I ummmm...posted this in the wrong thread