Recommended, safe procedure for cleaning memory card contacts in body?

OJGoreng · 12-08-2013, 05:17 AM

Hi,
My K-5 is nearing the end of its natural life. I see a K-3 in my not-too-distant future, but until then... since the summer I've been experiencing a lot of "memory card error" messages on the display after I insert a card. This happens with different cards, and goes away if I re-insert the card a couple of times. Once it's in, there are no further problems. I use a card reader rather than a camera-to-computer USB cable, so typically the card leaves and re-enters the camera at least once a day. I'm assuming this simply means the contacts in the camera body have got dirty over time. Is there a recommended, safe procedure I can use to clean them, or is this something that should be done professionally? Thanks in advance for any insights!

Giklab · 12-08-2013, 05:31 AM

Maybe there's something like a cleaning casette from the olden days?

**davidreilly3207** · 12-08-2013, 09:40 AM - **1 Like**

Amazon.com: Laserline Clear Connections 4-in-1 Memory Card Slot Cleaner: Computers & Accessories

OJGoreng · 12-08-2013, 11:50 AM

Awesome, thanks!

**JimJohnson** · 12-09-2013, 07:53 AM - **1 Like**

Another option is to cut a white business card to the shape of the end of a SD card, but long enough to provide a finger grip out side the camera body - saturate, but not dripping, the end with electronics contact cleaner and slide the card slowly in and out of the card slot a few times. You want to remove any built-up oxides, but not bend the contact fingers.

CP140 · 12-09-2013, 01:48 PM

You might try a Q-tip moistened with 99% Isopropanol to clean the contacts off

**JimJohnson** · 12-09-2013, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by CP140

You might try a Q-tip moistened with 99% Isopropanol to clean the contacts off

Your over the counter Q-tip is too big, and may leave lint in the card slot if the cotton fibers catch on the contact points. Also, while isopropyl alcohol is great for cleaning most organic stuff (grease, adhesives) it doesn't do a whole lot for oxidation.

CP140 · 12-09-2013, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by JimJohnson

Your over the counter Q-tip is too big, and may leave lint in the card slot if the cotton fibers catch on the contact points. Also, while isopropyl alcohol is great for cleaning most organic stuff (grease, adhesives) it doesn't do a whole lot for oxidation.

Dang... thought I'd edited that post...

It should have read, "...clean the contacts of the cards..."

stormtech · 12-09-2013, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by mdave13

Amazon.com: Laserline Clear Connections 4-in-1 Memory Card Slot Cleaner: Computers & Accessories

Never knew something like this existed - ordering one to have on hand.

**davidreilly3207** · 12-09-2013, 10:06 PM

Just ordered two.

Originally posted by stormtech

Never knew something like this existed - ordering one to have on hand.

12-08-2013, 05:17 AM	#1
OJGoreng Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Amsterdam Photos: Gallery Posts: 197	Recommended, safe procedure for cleaning memory card contacts in body? Hi, My K-5 is nearing the end of its natural life. I see a K-3 in my not-too-distant future, but until then... since the summer I've been experiencing a lot of "memory card error" messages on the display after I insert a card. This happens with different cards, and goes away if I re-insert the card a couple of times. Once it's in, there are no further problems. I use a card reader rather than a camera-to-computer USB cable, so typically the card leaves and re-enters the camera at least once a day. I'm assuming this simply means the contacts in the camera body have got dirty over time. Is there a recommended, safe procedure I can use to clean them, or is this something that should be done professionally? Thanks in advance for any insights!

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12-08-2013, 05:31 AM	#2
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Maybe there's something like a cleaning casette from the olden days?

12-08-2013, 09:40 AM - 1 Like	#3
davidreilly3207 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Jersey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 720	Amazon.com: Laserline Clear Connections 4-in-1 Memory Card Slot Cleaner: Computers & Accessories

12-08-2013, 11:50 AM	#4
OJGoreng Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Amsterdam Photos: Gallery Posts: 197 Original Poster	Awesome, thanks!

12-09-2013, 07:53 AM - 1 Like	#5
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,774	Another option is to cut a white business card to the shape of the end of a SD card, but long enough to provide a finger grip out side the camera body - saturate, but not dripping, the end with electronics contact cleaner and slide the card slowly in and out of the card slot a few times. You want to remove any built-up oxides, but not bend the contact fingers.

12-09-2013, 01:48 PM	#6
CP140 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greater Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 190	You might try a Q-tip moistened with 99% Isopropanol to clean the contacts off

12-09-2013, 02:06 PM	#7
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,774	Originally posted by CP140 You might try a Q-tip moistened with 99% Isopropanol to clean the contacts off Your over the counter Q-tip is too big, and may leave lint in the card slot if the cotton fibers catch on the contact points. Also, while isopropyl alcohol is great for cleaning most organic stuff (grease, adhesives) it doesn't do a whole lot for oxidation.

12-09-2013, 03:21 PM	#8
CP140 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greater Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 190	Originally posted by JimJohnson Your over the counter Q-tip is too big, and may leave lint in the card slot if the cotton fibers catch on the contact points. Also, while isopropyl alcohol is great for cleaning most organic stuff (grease, adhesives) it doesn't do a whole lot for oxidation. Dang... thought I'd edited that post... It should have read, "...clean the contacts of the cards..."

12-09-2013, 03:41 PM	#9
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by mdave13 Amazon.com: Laserline Clear Connections 4-in-1 Memory Card Slot Cleaner: Computers & Accessories Never knew something like this existed - ordering one to have on hand.

12-09-2013, 10:06 PM	#10
davidreilly3207 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Jersey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 720	Just ordered two. Originally posted by stormtech Never knew something like this existed - ordering one to have on hand.