memory card error

Willaom Poh · 10-18-2015, 10:36 AM

Pentax ist Dl bought 2006. Turn it on, camera starts, then "memory card error" comes up on display and can't do anything. Tried different card-same thing, put card in different camera--works fine. I'm curious if this is repairable for a resonable cost or is it more than it's worth? thanks.

**jatrax** · 10-18-2015, 11:17 AM

No one can say for sure without a quote from a repair center. However, if it really does need repair I would expect the cost of repair to be much more than the cost of a more modern used camera such as the k-x or k-5 which can be had for under $200 on the used market.

**UncleVanya** · 10-18-2015, 02:51 PM

If you are interested I have an *istDS I am thinking of selling.

MTWise · 10-19-2015, 03:03 PM

Are you using an HDSD card? If so - and you haven't updated the firmware on you ist DL - it won't work. I updated my firmware and HDSD cards work fine, but not HDXC cards.

Adam · 10-19-2015, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by Willaom Poh

Pentax ist Dl bought 2006. Turn it on, camera starts, then "memory card error" comes up on display and can't do anything. Tried different card-same thing, put card in different camera--works fine. I'm curious if this is repairable for a resonable cost or is it more than it's worth? thanks.

Yup, it's possible that you're using an SDHC card prior to updating your firmware, or an SDXC card, which isn't supported. If you want to update your firmware you'll want to get a normal SD card.

PDL · 10-20-2015, 10:26 AM

Please note that the OP said "ist D" NOT a *istD S".

The *istD uses CF cards, NOT SD cards.
Yes, the *istD S" cameras will use SDHC cards when the firmware is upgraded to the latest version. I did it on my mine (now being used by my son) and tested it on a 32GB card. Works fine.

The Elitist - formerly known as PDL

**UncleVanya** · 10-20-2015, 12:27 PM

I kept reading it as *ist DL because there was no space between the "*istD" and "I".

PDL · 10-20-2015, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I kept reading it as *ist DL because there was no space between the "*istD" and "I".

I read it as *istD I bought in 2006". Perhaps the OP can enlighten us.

The Elitist - formerly known as PDL

**UncleVanya** · 10-20-2015, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by PDL

I read it as *istD I bought in 2006". Perhaps the OP can enlighten us.

The Elitist - formerly known as PDL

I am pretty sure you are correct.

photolady95 · 10-20-2015, 05:20 PM

A lot of people typing on the net don't use capital letters such the L in cameras and lenses. I read the OPs statement as ist Dl (meaning capital L) (space) bought in 2006. But no space between D and l.

10-18-2015, 10:36 AM	#1
Willaom Poh Guest	memory card error Pentax ist Dl bought 2006. Turn it on, camera starts, then "memory card error" comes up on display and can't do anything. Tried different card-same thing, put card in different camera--works fine. I'm curious if this is repairable for a resonable cost or is it more than it's worth? thanks.

10-19-2015, 03:39 PM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Willaom Poh Pentax ist Dl bought 2006. Turn it on, camera starts, then "memory card error" comes up on display and can't do anything. Tried different card-same thing, put card in different camera--works fine. I'm curious if this is repairable for a resonable cost or is it more than it's worth? thanks. Yup, it's possible that you're using an SDHC card prior to updating your firmware, or an SDXC card, which isn't supported. If you want to update your firmware you'll want to get a normal SD card. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-20-2015, 05:20 PM	#10
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	A lot of people typing on the net don't use capital letters such the L in cameras and lenses. I read the OPs statement as ist Dl (meaning capital L) (space) bought in 2006. But no space between D and l. Last edited by photolady95; 10-20-2015 at 05:37 PM.

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10-18-2015, 11:17 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	No one can say for sure without a quote from a repair center. However, if it really does need repair I would expect the cost of repair to be much more than the cost of a more modern used camera such as the k-x or k-5 which can be had for under $200 on the used market.

10-18-2015, 02:51 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,409	If you are interested I have an *istDS I am thinking of selling.

10-19-2015, 03:03 PM	#4
MTWise Guest	Are you using an HDSD card? If so - and you haven't updated the firmware on you ist DL - it won't work. I updated my firmware and HDSD cards work fine, but not HDXC cards.

10-20-2015, 10:26 AM	#6
PDL Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PNW USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,128	Please note that the OP said "ist D" NOT a *istD S". The istD uses CF cards, NOT SD cards. Yes, the istD S" cameras will use SDHC cards when the firmware is upgraded to the latest version. I did it on my mine (now being used by my son) and tested it on a 32GB card. Works fine. The Elitist - formerly known as PDL

10-20-2015, 12:27 PM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,409	I kept reading it as ist DL because there was no space between the "istD" and "I".

10-20-2015, 04:19 PM	#8
PDL Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PNW USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,128	Originally posted by UncleVanya I kept reading it as ist DL because there was no space between the "istD" and "I". I read it as *istD I bought in 2006". Perhaps the OP can enlighten us. The Elitist - formerly known as PDL

10-20-2015, 04:21 PM	#9
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,409	Originally posted by PDL I read it as *istD I bought in 2006". Perhaps the OP can enlighten us. The Elitist - formerly known as PDL I am pretty sure you are correct.