Ok, first all the requisite brands and models: Pentax Optio S4 camera SanDisk SD cards (128 and 256 MB) Pentax digikit 6-in-1 card reader
So, I have no problem reading pictures off my 128 MB card either through the card reader or through a USB connection to the camera. I can read pictures off the 256 MB card through the USB connection, but not the card reader. I can also transfer the pictures from the 256 MB card to the camera's built in memory and from there to the 128 MB card, at which point they become readable again.
Any ideas why I can't read directly off the 256 MB card using the card reader? To be accurate, i can view the directories and such but cannot open the files either directly off the card or after transfering them to my hard drive. The message I get in Photoshop is: Could not open [the filename] because an unknown or invalid JPEG marker type is found.
Have you tried opening the pictures using a program other than Photoshop? If they will open in a different program, that will narrow the problem to the Photoshop program. If not, then the problem is likely within the camera settings.
Dwight
Posts: 4285 | Location: Anchorage, AK | Registered: 06-05-02
Yes, I've tried and the other programs I have cannot open them, but don't give an error message. Windows doesn't create thumbnails or open them in preview, and ACDSee doesn't open them.
Since you're able to see the directories, it seems to me that the problem is with the jpeg file structure, rather than the connection.
"The Sony Mavica camera generates .JPG files without the required "JFIF" string in the header. The JPEG standard states that an APP0 marker and "JFIF" string (together with the leading SOI marker), make up the header that identifies them as "standard" JPEG/JFIF files. Some applications just recognize the leading "FFD8" SOI marker and don't look for the"JFIF" stamp, thus allowing them to open a wider variety of JPEG files. (from this page."
Maybe something like this? Have you tried to open the images in IrfanView? http://www.irfanview.com
I hope something here will help. Dwight
Posts: 4285 | Location: Anchorage, AK | Registered: 06-05-02
I've now tried Irfanview, Opera, Paint, and Internet Explorer with no success. Irfanview gives the error:
[filename] : JPEG decode error !
Invalid JPEG file structure SOS before SOF
I agree that it seems that the error is with the JPEG file structure from the error messages and from being able to see the directories and transfer the files, but it still seems odd that I only have problems if I transfer using this particular card and the card reader. If I transfer the pictures to another (smaller) card first (via the camera's memory) or connect the camera to my computer and download that way, I don't run into any problems. I've contacted SanDisk and plan to contact Pentax.
Hi there, happened to see this, which I also had late 2003 when I purchased my Kodak camera. I actually reported this to Kodak Oct. 20, 2003: My WinXP Home Edition with Windows Imaging Applications, cannot open the JPEG files created with my brand new Kodak DX4530. When I put the SD card into the reader and find the JPG files and try to open them, I gets 'Unknown format' by MS Photo Editor. I figure, the new JPEG EXIF 2.2 format is not supported by Microsoft. I would not expect to have more (not even Kodak EasyShare) photo software installed, to support the MMC/SD memory stick file system. -------------------------------- So, as my response to your problem would be: Microsoft and other major software vendors, do not support the EXIF 2.2 variant of JPEG, yet ! So keep the USB/Serial transfer method, since the device drivers do support it.
