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Posted

I've just bought a new Panasonic GF5 camera, but it has a slight problem. When I switch the camera off, a red card symbol appears at the back, and the camera can take up to 30 seconds to switch off. It varies between switching off right away and 30 seconds later. When I tale photos it takes 2-3 seconds before I can take the next shot. Finally, when I shoot a video, there is sometimes a message at the back saying "please wait". That disappears and is replaced by the red card symbol, and then it actually starts filming, which could be 30 seconds later. Sometimes I can shoot 20 videos and it starts and stops normally.

I've never had a camera that does this, so I'm wondering if the problem is the camera or the card. I have a Kingston SDHC 16GB card. Do I need a faster card? Is the problem likely to be that simple. But the card works fine in my Samsung video camera.

Any help greatly appreciated. I bought from Amazon UK, so am going to have to return to them if it's faulty. But I don't want to return if the fault is with the card.

Posted

What's the Class rating on the Kingston? I use Class 10 on my Panasonic GH2 and that speed is needed especially for HD video but also the image sizes. If it Class 4, which is common, probably is the issue. But yes, the light usually means it is still writing to the flash.

Circle with 10 is the Class rating.

post-566-0-80342000-1356774307_thumb.jpg

Posted

BTW - you might take the camera to a shop and see if they will let you try a higher class rating SD card to verify it is the issue.

Posted

What's the Class rating on the Kingston? I use Class 10 on my Panasonic GH2 and that speed is needed especially for HD video but also the image sizes. If it Class 4, which is common, probably is the issue. But yes, the light usually means it is still writing to the flash.

Circle with 10 is the Class rating.

post-566-0-80342000-1356774307_thumb.jpg

The card has a circle with 10 in it, but it isn't extreme pro like yours. Could that be the problem?

Posted

BTW - you might take the camera to a shop and see if they will let you try a higher class rating SD card to verify it is the issue.

I did think of that, but there problem isn't always there. Sometimes it's ok, sometimes it's not. Even if I switch it on and off sometimes, it takes ages to go off. But nothing is being written to the card, so I don't understand what it's waiting for.

Posted

The card has a circle with 10 in it, but it isn't extreme pro like yours. Could that be the problem?

That is just a marketing term, nothing to do with reality. smile.png I have found Class 10 cards that have different speed ratings even though marked class 10. SDHC seems to be a little different in how they rate. I just pulled the card from my camera and it is a Sandisk (my preference) Extreme HD Video, Class 10 30 MB/s and I have no problem with write delays to the card. The Panasonic GH2 is 16M pixel camera and shoots HD.

Posted

I did think of that, but there problem isn't always there. Sometimes it's ok, sometimes it's not. Even if I switch it on and off sometimes, it takes ages to go off. But nothing is being written to the card, so I don't understand what it's waiting for.

Since this is a new camera, has the battery been conditioned and is it at 100%? That is, normally you want the battery to go flat and then charge 100%. After a couple of times the battery should be at optimum. Possibly just a faulty memory card. I know there are fake Kingston flash drives in Thailand, not sure about SD cards though.

Posted

I did think of that, but there problem isn't always there. Sometimes it's ok, sometimes it's not. Even if I switch it on and off sometimes, it takes ages to go off. But nothing is being written to the card, so I don't understand what it's waiting for.

Since this is a new camera, has the battery been conditioned and is it at 100%? That is, normally you want the battery to go flat and then charge 100%. After a couple of times the battery should be at optimum. Possibly just a faulty memory card. I know there are fake Kingston flash drives in Thailand, not sure about SD cards though.

I charged the battery when I got it but haven't let it go flat since. Only charged it 2-3 times. SD card works fine in my other camera. I think I'll need to take it to a shop and see what they say. If they try another card, then it should be obvious if it's the card or camera. Is there an Panasonic service center in Bangkok. Checked online, but the Panasonic website is not very user-friendly.

Posted

Just did a little checking and the specs are Class 4 minimum for video mode and since it is 12Mpixel your card speed should be fine. Here are the timing specifications and they indicate maximum 2.5 seconds before camera will shut off.

http://www.imaging-r...sonic-gf5A6.HTM

Another thought, make sure you are not shooting in RAW or combined RAW+JPEG and see how it behaves. That will have a significant impact on shot to shot.

Posted

Try selecting the service center from here - http://www.panasonic...erServiceCenter

I can't find anything on that list. Just keeps saying... no records found. But what should I be selecting from the product list. I tried AV/HA mostly. But I can't find any service center listed whatever I search for.

Definitely not shooting RAW. Even turning the camera on and off causes the problem. 30 seconds is way too long to wait. Something must be amiss somewhere. Tempted to just send it back and get a refund. I'm a complete amateur photographer and can do without these hassles. bah.gif

Posted

I just found another SD 4GB card that came free with Samsung video camera. Looks very basic, with no class marked on. But camera works perfectly with that card. Switch it on and off about 10 times, took loads of photos, and not problems at all. Put the 16GB card back in and it takes ages to switch off. With the 4GB card the red card symbol only stays on the screen for a second or so, but still takes photos even if it's there. But 16GB card has red symbol for up to 30 secs, so obviously a problem reading the card. I'll get a new card over the next few days, and hopefully that will fix the problem.

Thanks for all your help. It's much appreciated.

Posted

I just found another SD 4GB card that came free with Samsung video camera. Looks very basic, with no class marked on. But camera works perfectly with that card. Switch it on and off about 10 times, took loads of photos, and not problems at all. Put the 16GB card back in and it takes ages to switch off. With the 4GB card the red card symbol only stays on the screen for a second or so, but still takes photos even if it's there. But 16GB card has red symbol for up to 30 secs, so obviously a problem reading the card. I'll get a new card over the next few days, and hopefully that will fix the problem.

Thanks for all your help. It's much appreciated.

Yes, my suspicion of the card also. May well be a Chinese copy or counterfeit. So good news.

Posted

I just found another SD 4GB card that came free with Samsung video camera. Looks very basic, with no class marked on. But camera works perfectly with that card. Switch it on and off about 10 times, took loads of photos, and not problems at all. Put the 16GB card back in and it takes ages to switch off. With the 4GB card the red card symbol only stays on the screen for a second or so, but still takes photos even if it's there. But 16GB card has red symbol for up to 30 secs, so obviously a problem reading the card. I'll get a new card over the next few days, and hopefully that will fix the problem.

Thanks for all your help. It's much appreciated.

Yes, my suspicion of the card also. May well be a Chinese copy or counterfeit. So good news.

I'll try taking the card back to the shop I bought it from to see what they say. I don't hold out much hope though.

Posted

Long shot, but try formatting it in the camera; if you have not already done so.

I always format it in the camera, and that's never fixed the problem. I find it odd that it works in my Samsung camera though.

Posted

I always format it in the camera, and that's never fixed the problem. I find it odd that it works in my Samsung camera though.

Maybe mis-marked and is actually a Class 1. wink.png

Another thought is the connector on the card just isn't mating well in the GF5

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