Is my MacBook Pro damaging CF cards?

Question

Is my MacBook Pro damaging CF cards?

I'm a 15 year pro photographer, the last 9 on digital. I've NEVER EVER had a compact flash card go bad on me. I've had corrupt files on a card but NEVER an unreadable card EXPLOSTION. I'm on location for a week with my biggest client fighting to keep this account and on the first day my one year old 32 GIG Scandisk CF card go's from reading fine in the camera to not being able to mount in my card reader (several), camera or any other transfere device. It will not mount anywhere and gives me a card error when I return it to the camera in which it was shot. My client is willing to send the card off for recovery but was not happy! 4 days later after shooting from a heli today I get back with a BRAND NEW 32 GIG card which I've used since last Sunday's drama just started the same "@#$##@$%"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm about to loose my biggest account in the next few hours and the only thing in common with this DISASTER is my Mac Book Pro. Different Canon cameras, different card readers, different cards and card manufactures????????? The only thing in common with the blow up is my 6 month old Mac Book Pro. The rest of my pro photo life hangs in the balance, I'm in the middle of no where with almost no access to WIFI and have to get back in an aircraft in a few hours, not knowing if my cameras are going to shoot??????????? Please HELP.......anybody!

Mac Pro/Mac Book, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 6, 2012 5:58 PM

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Answer 1

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Jul 6, 2012 6:11 PM in response to Marc Montocchio

How about leaving the cards in the camera and connect the camera to the computer Via USB. Then download from the camera directly.

This is something I usually do not recommend, being an Amateur photog myself. But in this situation it is the only thing I can think of. First I would test this, taking several shots, 10-20, then connect the camera to the Comp and see if it works and doesn't corrupt the card or camera (Hopefully you have more then one camera with you). If that fails then DO NOT even try to transfer the images to YOUR Mac. Transfer them to Any Body elses computer and leave the originals on the cards until you can get back to the world and fully figure this out.

Or you could go out and buy a cheap PC just to transfer the images off the card/s and then copy them to your Mac for editing.

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Answer 2

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Jul 6, 2012 6:12 PM in response to Marc Montocchio

Oh and update your system specs. It says you are using 10.4.10 as the version of OS X. And a Macbook not a Macbook Pro.

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Answer 3

Jul 6, 2012 6:24 PM in response to Marc Montocchio

Cheers, yes my specs are very old, I now have several macs. We are using multiple cards both CF and SD, 8's, 16's and 32's. Both crappy cards are 32' CF's. The one that blew up today I used 4 times since last Sunday. The MBP is the only common denominator and the fact that both bad cards had a lot of .MOV files. We have since tried the cards on a seconf Mac Book Pro and they are both DEAD. I'm seconds from total panic here. The advice is appreciated.

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Answer 4

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Jul 6, 2012 6:33 PM in response to Marc Montocchio

Check the card readers. All CF readers have exposed pins (exposed inside the reader) that can get bent or broken off if the cards are not inserted and removed straight. Check the cards for broken off pins or some other debris in the pin holes.

If the cameras you have use both CF and SD cards stop using the CF cards. That way everything will get written to the SD card, if the camera doesn't automatically write to both cards at the same time.

Good Luck.

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Answer 5

Jul 6, 2012 6:40 PM in response to Marc Montocchio

Cheers, I threw away the card reader I first used on the the first bad card, so not a card reader issue. I'm switching to both wrIting to CF and SD from tomorrow on my Canon 1D Mark IV but my 5D mark II is CF only. The only thing in common is the Apple Mac Book PRO,I've literally changed everything else.

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Answer 6

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Jul 6, 2012 6:47 PM in response to Marc Montocchio

Ok then you have one option.

Stop using your MBP. Borrow another, Buy another computer, use someone elses, but stop using the one that you think is causing then problems.

Personally when I'm doing anything away from my home turf Not only do I take 2+ cameras but I also take 2 computers and an external drive with images, Win PCs, and or backups, Mac time machine or clones, of the hard drives so if one of those fail I can restore my systems.

I've been through things like this and I feel for you. It is not pretty.

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Answer 7

Jul 6, 2012 7:07 PM in response to Marc Montocchio

Thanks. We have a mountain of drives and 3 MBP's but one responsable for daily work flow. The first bad drive we thought was exactly that. Now the only thing that sticks out is the Mac, the large 32 gig CF cards and the fact that we are shooting lots of .MOV's. I have personally spent close to $20 000 with Mac and $30 000 with Canon, I want to go to work every day and believe that I can do the best job for my client who has spent close to $30 000 this week for this shoot. The shots were one off unrepeatable and they now are gone, I trust in the best gear by the best manufactures and I'm about to kiss my *** goodbye. I just want to do my job.

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Answer 8

Jul 13, 2012 8:05 AM in response to Marc Montocchio

Back home and calm down after a complete panic. That has to be one of the worse feelings ever, I physically wanted to throw up when I saw the problem and the client was standing behind me wanting to see the files. Well, spoke to a tech at LC Technologies today and both cards have been recovered, around $700 later. Both had different ground issues preventing them from mounting. The tech said "due to normal wear and tear on well used cards". Still strange that all my 16 and 8's, some of which are a lot older, worked fine and only the 32's "blew up"???? This has made me rethink work flow. I'm going to be switching to multiple smaller cards for now, which is a pain especially on video but reduces the risk of big data losses. On my 1D's I'm going to try and duplicate to an SD card if it does not slow things down? I'm also getting rid of any old cards and throwing out any cheap card readers that may have damaged the pins on at least one card. Trying to learn what I can from this really crappy experience.

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Answer 9

Jul 13, 2012 8:30 AM in response to Marc Montocchio

Marc,

Fortunately for you, the situation worked out and you were able to extract your data, even with the initial scare.

If possible the next time situation like that arises (assuming you have control of the set/studio and nature's elements aren't against you), try to shoot tethered. Client will see the results immediately, as it writes to the computer, skipping the CF writes altogether. Not sure about Aperture, but Lightroom & Capture One both allow incoming images (both tethered & CF imports) to be backed up to 2 different locations (external drives) and, in some programs, you can even pre-set any RAW adjustments realtime as they're showing up on screen. Don't forget to purchase a proper USB or FW repeater (instead of simply an extension) to increase your working distance. Give it a try, if you haven't already & if you see value in it, see if you can incorporate it into your workflow going forward.

That said, if you must relay on cards - as most mobile situations deem - in-camera duplication is a good idea, as you'll never really know when a card or drive is going to fail - life happens - and even in the most demanding setups, fees for emergency file recovery might have to become part of your budgeting if you're dealing high dollar situations often, for both your sake and the client's. Luckily these services are very good at what they do when needed.

Hope this helps, even if just a little. 🙂

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Answer 10

Jul 13, 2012 8:42 AM in response to Liquid Rhino

Thanks, that's great advice on building data recovery into your fees over the long term. I'm purchasing insurance for that in an "errors and omisions" policy.

As for tethered, we shoot tethered in the studio all the time as well using camera mounts on boats with USB cables up to 60' tethered. I love shooting tethered BUT most of my work is under or on the water (my specialty, www.36north.com) with the camera in housings and occationally in aircraft. I shoot a lot in enviroments you don't want to take a camera near nevermind a laptop. Having said that, I'm going to shoot tethered a lot more, when I can, after that experience.

I appreciate the advice.

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