CF Card won't insert in the Canon 20D

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/23/2010 07:00:56 PM · #1

Has anybody run into this problem? I haven't used the camera in a while. When I go to insert a CF card in the slot it doesn't snap in. I've tried several cards, all of which insert just find in my other cameras just not in the 20D. I checked to make sure there wasn't something obstructing the card and the pins aren't bent. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the eject button that normally rises up once a card is inserted.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

10/23/2010 07:28:43 PM · #2

The only time I had a problem like that it was a bent pin. If all the cards work elsewhere and not in the one camera, it pretty much has to be the camera. As you suggest, the eject mechanism could be stuck or a pin bent, but I can't think of anything else.

Message edited by author 2010-10-23 19:28:59.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

10/23/2010 08:14:44 PM · #3

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I kinda wish it was a bent pin but they all look aligned to me. I'm wondering if a Canon repair would be more expensive then buying a used 20D. Doing a quick search the lowest I saw was around $270 and the 40D around $450.

Message edited by author 2010-10-23 20:21:34.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

10/23/2010 09:02:08 PM · #4

Originally posted by yanko:

Originally posted by GeneralE:
The only time I had a problem like that it was a bent pin. If all the cards work elsewhere and not in the one camera, it pretty much has to be the camera. As you suggest, the eject mechanism could be stuck or a pin bent, but I can't think of anything else.

I kinda wish it was a bent pin but they all look aligned to me. I'm wondering if a Canon repair would be more expensive then buying a used 20D. Doing a quick search the lowest I saw was around $270 and the 40D around $450.

Damn... Sorry about the issue, but - don't discount the benefits of owning a Canon..

Call their loyalty program, you might be able to score a 50D for not much more than a used 20D would cost you if you trade in the old 20D...

10/23/2010 09:33:26 PM · #5

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by yanko:

Originally posted by GeneralE:
The only time I had a problem like that it was a bent pin. If all the cards work elsewhere and not in the one camera, it pretty much has to be the camera. As you suggest, the eject mechanism could be stuck or a pin bent, but I can't think of anything else.

I kinda wish it was a bent pin but they all look aligned to me. I'm wondering if a Canon repair would be more expensive then buying a used 20D. Doing a quick search the lowest I saw was around $270 and the 40D around $450.

Damn... Sorry about the issue, but - don't discount the benefits of owning a Canon..

Call their loyalty program, you might be able to score a 50D for not much more than a used 20D would cost you if you trade in the old 20D...

Thanks I'll check that out!

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

10/23/2010 10:44:11 PM · #6

The little pins are hard to see, and easy to miss if one is bent just enough so that it don't quite hit the hole in the card. Watch in the hole while you operate the eject button, and see how what you see in there compares to your other camera.
And one final thought, operate the eject button with the card out, and see if the card will lock in after that. It could possibly be locked into the "inserted card" position.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

10/23/2010 11:45:45 PM · #7

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

The eject button is in the slot like it should be when there is no card inserted (i.e. it's not raised). I've checked the pins carefully with a light and they all look perfectly aligned to me. I don't know what the deal is.

Message edited by author 2010-10-23 23:46:03.

David Ey

Nikon D80

10/23/2010 11:50:22 PM · #8

Did you forget which side is up on that particular camera?

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/23/2010 11:57:08 PM · #9

Does the card go in as far as it normally would, but doesn't feel like it "locks"? If so, I wouldn't guess bent pin because the card wouldn't go in as far as it should.

10/24/2010 12:11:40 AM · #10

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Does the card go in as far as it normally would, but doesn't feel like it "locks"? If so, I wouldn't guess bent pin because the card wouldn't go in as far as it should.

No it doesn't lock in at all. It doesn't feel like the pins are sliding into the card, which would suggest a bent pin but I can't for the life of me see any that are bent. The spacing between each pairs looks even. I suppose there could be a pair that are bent in the same direction but if that's the case it's ever so slight and it must be one of the pairs on the end because everything else looks perfectly aligned and evenly spaced.

Message edited by author 2010-10-24 00:19:02.

10/24/2010 12:17:50 AM · #11

Originally posted by David Ey:

Did you forget which side is up on that particular camera?

Heh. I typically insert the card with the pinholes facing up, which is what I thought was the case here.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

10/24/2010 12:25:23 AM · #12

If you put a little strip of tape over the pin sockets on a CF card, and cut it to exact fit, you can insert it into the camera until it touches the pins snugly enough to make little intentions in the tape. Then pull the card out look at the tape while it is still on the card, and see if there is one dent out of line with the center of the holes in the card.
It don't work now, so you probably can't hurt it.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

10/24/2010 01:02:59 AM · #13

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

You rock! Apparently, there was something in there. I used some tape and when I first inserted the card it showed a slight dent on the tape away from where the pins are located. I had turned the camera upset down earlier thinking there was something in there but nothing fell out. This time I gave it a good little slap and something fell out and now the card slides in. Looks it was a tiny pebble or something. Anyway, I owe you one!

Message edited by author 2010-10-24 01:03:53.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

10/24/2010 01:41:29 AM · #14

Originally posted by yanko:

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
If you put a little strip of tape over the pin sockets on a CF card, and cut it to exact fit, you can insert it into the camera until it touches the pins snugly enough to make little intentions in the tape. Then pull the card out look at the tape while it is still on the card, and see if there is one dent out of line with the center of the holes in the card.
It don't work now, so you probably can't hurt it.

You rock! Apparently, there was something in there. I used some tape and when I first inserted the card it showed a slight dent on the tape away from where the pins are located. I had turned the camera upset down earlier thinking there was something in there but nothing fell out. This time I gave it a good little slap and something fell out and now the card slides in. Looks it was a tiny pebble or something. Anyway, I owe you one!

This is why I really love DPC :)

David Ey

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

10/24/2010 11:56:08 AM · #15

Originally posted by yanko:

Originally posted by David Ey:
Did you forget which side is up on that particular camera?

Heh. I typically insert the card with the pinholes facing up, which is what I thought was the case here.

Well, I'm not familiar with Canon but on Nikon the pin holes are on one of the four EDGES of the card and naturally, you insert the edge with the holes into the slot. Now, you have two other options. You can insert with the label facing you or away from you. This is what I was referring to when I ask if you had the correct side up. I have two Nikon and you have a different side up on them.
I'm real damn sorry you thought I was indicating you were an idiot.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

10/24/2010 12:11:58 PM · #16

Happiness : ) Problem solved.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/24/2010 12:26:37 PM · #17

Originally posted by yanko:

You rock!

Apparently your camera "rocks" -- how the heck did something get in there in the first place?

Congratulations on the successful (and cheap) repair!