CF card will not format

[BrianB]

I just bought a used d50 it came with no cf card so I bought a Lexar professional 32 GB udma and a San Disk Extreme 64 GB udma7 when I put the sandisk in and try to formate the camera says can not formate card change card. And when I put the Lexar card in, the camera wont even turn on. can you tell me if I got a bad camera or is it a problem with it not being able to read those bigger cards

[Waddizzle]

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@BrianB wrote:
I just bought a used d50 it came with no cf card so I bought a Lexar professional 32 GB udma and a San Disk Extreme 64 GB udma7 when I put the sandisk in and try to formate the camera says can not formate card change card. And when I put the Lexar card in, the camera wont even turn on. can you tell me if I got a bad camera or is it a problem with it not being able to read those bigger cards

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I am guessing you may mean the EOS 50D camera.

The most likely problem is that your CF cards have a capacity that is way too large for the camera.  You need a FAT32 CF card.  There are not all that many of those still available for sale as new.  Look for cards with capacities in the 2-16GB range.

[BrianB]

Thats what I was hoping the problem was I will try lower capacity cards thank you will a filmware update help the problem

[Waddizzle · Accepted solution]

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@BrianB wrote:
Thats what I was hoping the problem was I will try lower capacity cards thank you will a filmware update help the problem

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A firmware update will not upgrade the older hardware.

[jrhoffman75]

Go to the Canon support site for the 50D. Looks like firmware 1.0.9 will update camera to accept more recent UDMA 7 CF cards. 

"Firmware Version 1.0.9 incorporates the following changes.
1. Optimizes the camera’s performance when using certain UDMA 7-compatible CF cards released in February 2012 or later.
2. Corrects wording in the Dutch language menu screen"

[ebiggs1]

"A firmware update will not upgrade the older hardware."

Actually in this case, it will.  I usually recommend you don't upgrade FW unless there is a benefit that you need.  You need this one. However, I also recommend you stick with 16GB or lower.  

[BrianB]

Ok thank you. I have ordered some 4 and 8 GB cards and also what do you think about using one of those SD to CF adapters. will they work or are they to slow

[jrhoffman75]

Many reports of problems with the use of adapters. Don’t risk your photos.

[ebiggs1]

"...what do you think about using one of those SD to CF adapters."

Don't do it.

[Waddizzle]

"A firmware update will not upgrade the older hardware."

Actually in this case, it will. I usually recommend you don't upgrade FW unless there is a benefit that you need. You need this one. However, I also recommend you stick with 16GB or lower.

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Actually, it didn’t upgrade the hardware. It upgraded the firmware. The camera still has all the parts that it always did.

This is sort like your saying how an AFMA does not make a lens sharper.