Digital camera accessories

[bardolf]

Hi.
Being new to digital cameras I'm hoping someone can help.
I use a Konica Minolta DiMage Z20 camera. As the internal memory  is somewhat restricted I purchased a SD 128 card . However, after a little use I started getting the message "Unable to use card" on the camera screen.
I formatted the card but still get the same message. Konica were not much help other than suggest I buy a new card. But surely a card should last longer than a couple of dozen pictures
Any help will be much appreciated.
Thanks,bardolf.

[bdery]

Hi and welcome!

What is your card brand? Maybe there is a compatibility issue. Also, did you try resetting the camera? Sometimes that helps. Finally, did you format the card in the camera or with a computer? You should always format in the camera, and if the camera has this option, do a low level format.

If the card is so new, I'm guessing the store where you bought it should take it back.

[bardolf]

 Hi .Thanks for your reply.
The sd card is  marked Jessops which is where I purchased the camera. This is a large company that has hundreds of shops around the UK,therefore I would think  incompatability would'nt be a problem.
I'm not sure what you mean when you ask about resetting the camera . Yes I did format the card, as per the instruction book, in the camera  not the computer.
Many thanks for your help. Bardolf.

[ShutterbugGail]

It sounds like a faulty card, particulary because you've formatted it correctly. You should return it and get a replacement.

[bdery]

The sd card is  marked Jessops which is where I purchased the camera. This is a large company that has hundreds of shops around the UK,therefore I would think  incompatability would'nt be a problem

.  

If the card is a store "brand name", I'm guessing they don't manufacture them, but have another manufacturer make them and put the brand name Jessop on the card. For instance, with my Nikon camera the card was labeled Nikon, but looking at the small prints I can see it's written Sandisk there (Sandisk is a well-known cards manufacturer).

Even if the store is well known, that doesn't prevent compatibility issues. Kingston is a well-regarded card manufacturer, but Kingston cards repeatedly fail in Canon cameras.

This does sound like a faulty card, though, I'd take it back to the store for a replacement.

I'm not sure what you mean when you ask about resetting the camera .

read your manual, I believe it's in the menues, second tab on top, then somewhere down the list. "Reset to factory settings" or something like that. It could help if it was a software issue.

[bardolf]

Hi Guys.
Thanks for your replies and suggestions. I'll give them a whirl.
bardolf.

[bardolf]

Hi Guys. Sorry for the delay in replying with the results to your suggestions.
I purchased a new SD card as suggested (SanDisk 512 mb). Same  notice on camera screen "Unable to use card"
This is two different cards, from two different manufacturers and two different suppliers. Formatted  as per instructions supplied with card.
Can anyone suggest how to remedy this problem or am I destined to use only the camera's internal memory.
Any help much appreciated.
Thanks, Bardolf.

[bdery]

Hi bardolf,

sadly, this looks like it's your camera that is causing the problem. It's very unlikely that two cards from different manufacturers will fail, like you've probably gathered. If your camera is still under warranty, you should send it to KM for repairs (I believe that nowadays Sony is handling repairs for KM). You could simply look at the connectors though, inside the card slot, to see if maybe something is blocking them. Also, you've probably done that already, but check to make sure the cards are not locked (SD cards have a smallpin that can be moved, on the side, to lock the data).

If the camera isn't covered by a warranty anymore, ask for an estimate for the repairs. Sometimes it's worth it, but sometimes you pay almost the price of a new camera, so it's up to you.

Good luck!