topic Re: 50D in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

50D

JR73 — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 13:05:35 GMT

My 50D will not format card.Get a message card not formatted-format card.When I try to format card message says cannot format card-try another card.Try another card with same results-Any ideas?

Re: 50D

Skirball — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:11:39 GMT

Does the card have a lock on it? SD cards used to have a little switch on it that could be used to prevent overwriting. I think most companies stopped doing it. I had several where the switch failed in the locked position, rendering the card useless.

Other than that, my suggestion would be to simply try another card.

Re: 50D

TCampbell — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:46:16 GMT

The lock tab doesn't actually do anything to the card per se. It's just a piece of plastic that slides on the edge of the card (not electronic in any way).

It's the card slot itself that detects the position of the plastic lock tab. Typically there's a tiny micro-switch in the card slot which detects if the tab is slid in the lock vs. unlock position. If that micro-switch is jammed or blocked in some way then it's possible the camera "believes" the lock tab is in the locked position, even it is unlocked.

Inspect the card to make sure it's not in the "locked" position and if it still refuses to format in the camera then check the slot to see if there is anything stuck in the slot.

I have heard of people inserting cards backwards, breaking some of those fine plastic fins between each of the gold contacts, then then those getting left behind in the slot and jamming things up. But if the debris is cleaned out, the slot and cards work fine again.

If that doesn't do it, the camera may need service.

Re: 50D

RobertTheFat — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:36:04 GMT

@Skirball wrote:
Does the card have a lock on it? SD cards used to have a little switch on it that could be used to prevent overwriting. I think most companies stopped doing it. I had several where the switch failed in the locked position, rendering the card useless.

Other than that, my suggestion would be to simply try another card.

The 50D accepts CF cards only. I don't think I ever saw a CF card with a lock. If the OP is using an SD card via an adapter, the adapter could be the problem.