I bought a Olympus E1 SLR digital camera. I also bought a 2GB PATRIOT compact flash memory storage card.

I put the card in the camera, turn on the camera, and then I would get a "No Card" error message displayed in the LCD screen. (I even put in a 32MB SanDisk CompactFlash card and get the same message).

Also, I went to the menu, highlight card setup, but there is no option to format. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Any help is appreciated.

Hellas-
I've never heard of Patriot as a flash memory manufacturer. That makes me suspicious that the card might be faulty. Try another memory card and see if it works. If it does, get rid of the Patriot memory card. You might also try formatting the Patriot card on your computer, using a card reader.

Hi,

I've the same problem, brand new camera just arrived, purchased Transcend 1gb type 1 compact flash card, then got the no 'card message'. Then purchased a card reader and formatted the card to fat 32 in windows xp pro, tried it again, same message. Next up I got a Kingston Elite Pro 256mb, tried it, same message. Formatted the card to fat 16, tried it, same error message 'no card'.

The Transcend card works no problem in the card reader, writing/reading files. Everything else about the camera works fine, battery full when trying the above, anybody got further ideas?

thanks


Colm

I've got a Transcend card and know other people who have them and they work fine. I've never had any touble with mine. What camera are you using, Colm? Is it also an E1? I would try the card in another camera and see if that works. If it does, then I would guess the camera is the problem. I would also try another card with the camera and see if that works. It's possible that there's a compatibility with your particular card/camera combo.

Have you tried formatting the card in the camera? That's the best way to format it, I think. It should also be the most likely way to ensure it works with your particular camera. I never format my memory cards in the computer. And I try to remember to reformat them if I swicth from one camera to another, just to play it safe.

Hi,

thanks for reply:

>>Have you tried formatting the card in the camera?

I sent to Olympus support the following note and they mentioned it not a good idea to format the card on the PC. Can't format with the camera as it won't recognise the card.
USB card has no problem connecting to it though. I'm interested in finding out if there is some technical setting with the camera software that could be the cause. Got Kingston card today, same problem!! Fault would appear to lie with the E1, everything else with it works fine and I've upgraded the firmware on the camera to ver 1.4 for the body and lens and also viewer and Olympus Studio, this software doesn't come with features to remotely check card's integrity and compatibility, do formatting and error check memory issues!! I guess the camera will have to go back for servicing??

"Just bought in the UK Olympus E1 camera. Everything arrived in good order last week. Everything checked out with the camera apart from lack of compact flash card and the lack of ac adapter which happen to be optional extras.

So I purchased CF card Transcend 1gb ordered from internet company and tried it, but got message 'no card'. Tried formatting the card to fat 32 on my usb card reader, tried it again, same message. Tried it on my card reader and found it has no problem with it and it reads and writes from the pc.

Next I ordered a new card, a 256 mb kingston high sped elite pro, same procedure, same error message above. Also upgraded the firmware for the camera, no change.

I can connect to the camera with Olympus studio, but there are no features on the software to communicate/format etc the card with the software. Basically, the camera won't recognise the compact flash cards I've used.

This is disappointing as the camera did not come with a compact flash card and I've also had to purchase a 3 prong plug as it came with american plug connector only.

Can you advise any solutions to the above including if required repair/return procedures."


Colm

Colm-
Did you say you got a second camera and had the same problem? If so, that's very scary. I have had an E-1 for quite a while. I never had any problems with any of my memory cards. Since you've tried two different cards, it sounds like the problem lies with the memory card interface in the camera. I have had card readers go bad and I don't see why the card reader built into the camera would be any different. I would ask Olympus to replace or repair the camera. It sounds like that is your only option.

I use Lexar cards in my E-1s and have never had any problems with them. I know initially, they're very tricky and touchy when inserting them into the card bay. I had to be very careful so I didn't bend any of the contacts or the camera would be useless. Having said that, once I became used to how the cards fed into the camera, I formatted all of them using the cameras' format selection. I've never had any problems with the cards or installing them since. Sorry I can't help. I would call the Oly tech help line or access their online troubleshooting guide and go from there.

Mark

Hi,

Nope, I'm talking about the same new Olympus E-1 camera but different cards, Transcend and Kingston tried in it. Spoke to Olympus support person, who suggested I go to camera shop for them to take initial look. Camera shop tried Sandisk CF but same 'no card' error. They said it could be bent pin/pin's, but advised sending it back for repair. As mentioned in this thread could also be fault with card reader itself in the camera. I got a return form from Olympus site and have sent it back to Olympus Repair Services in the UK with warranty card and receipt. I'll let you know any further developments but I'm not happy obviously about this, especially that the brand new camera did not come with even a cheap 8mb card
in the first place. I'm careful handling memory and aware of pin issues, the chamber where the pins are in the E-1 perhaps because E-1 is compatible with Type 11 memory cards as well, which are slightly thicker than Type 1 (5.5mm compared to 3.5mm), seems to me vulnerable to the possibility of bending a pin with Type 1 with more room to move it as it is inserted, as a user I'd prefer the engineering for the card reader to be on the outside of the camera, instead of inserting the card deep into the body of the camera, the card could be inserted sideways and flat against the back of the camera, with the pins visible and closer to the surface allowing the user more control over any movement required...but getting into fantasy now...I'm pinning my hopes in getting the E-1 back asap as I still think its a great
camera !!

thanks


Colm

Thanks for the update. I hope you get it back quickly and in perfect shape.

My guess is that it's just a bad card reader. I have never seen a bent pin in a digital SLR card slot and I've owned and used a lot of digital SLRs, including the E-1. They build those card slots so that it's pretty much impossible to bend a pin. I have bent pins on two card readers, though. I think you were just the unlucky guy who got a bad camera. It has to happen to someone. The important thing is, Olympus takes care of the problem and keeps you a happy customer.

Once this is all done with, please post a review for your E-1. We need more E-System digital SLR reviews and your experience with the card problem and Olympus customer service will be a great addition to the reviews.

Read and write Olympus E-1 digital SLR reviews >> (http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-1/befid-7185/pid-20816120/productreviewscrx.aspx)

Good luck! I think it will turn out alright :)

John,
I bent the pins twice over in the desert on the military D1Xs. That's why I always took two bodies with me when I deployed. Whenever we came back home, all the camera bodies we took from my shop went automatically to Nikon to be cleaned and serviced. 721.00 each body and we always sent 6. Nikon liked us.

Mark

Colm update,

I finally got the E1 back from Olympus on 5 Feb, bit of a slow turnaround on the repair as it was sent around mid January, but I'm not complaining. Popped in the Transcend 1gb card and it worked straight away, 'No Card' error gone at last.Repair info was:

"Our service centre have completed all repairs to the contacts.

Our technicians have also carried out checks to all systems to provide a 6 month warranty on all parts. "

I don't know given the camera was brand new and never used whether I should have expected a brand new replacement body, but I'm happy enough to have the camera back in good working order with all parts checked.

As regards writing a review on the E1, I'm not competent at the moment to do so, maybe after playing with it for six months or so. I'm off to a Van Morrison concert this evening and interested in looking up good settings for indoor concert conditions, but time is short and this is off thread.

Thanks to all who helped.



Colm

Colm-
Thanks for the update. It's good to know that the fix was simple, if it took a little long. Good luck with the concert photos and please post some so we can see what you're doing with your E-1!

i know people who have bent pins in nikons as well. only is was a d70 yikes. a few hundred dollars later, they learned a valuble lesson.

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