Lost CF card - where would you look?

darkdragondarkdragon Registered Users Posts: 1,051 Major grins
edited April 18, 2008 in Accessories
here's the deal. I just finished switching over all my CF cards to Sandisk Extreme III 4GB from 2&4GB budget/on sale cards. So I went to get all my gear packed up two weeks ago and one of my cards was missing.

Where could it be? I checked my 10D, nope. Checked all my cam bags, nope. Checked my office, nope. Seems like I've looked everywhere, and it's not like I run around laying them placed. I'm just hoping I didn't accidentally mail it to somone with the neoprene cases I was sending out for free (pay it forward thread). Totally clueless...where could it possibly be?

This really sucks because I can't afford to replace that card at the moment.

Other than the obvious (camera/bag/reader) does anyone have any ideas of places to look?

I've already looked in the fridge.

:cry :cry :cry
~ Lisa

Comments

  • i_worship_the_Kingi_worship_the_King Registered Users Posts: 548 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    Under the bed? I like to lay out all the gear on a made bed for cleaning and/or packing. Sometimes they bounce on carpet...ne_nau.gif
    I make it policy to never let ignorance stand in the way of my opinion. ~Justiceiro

    "Your decisions on whether to buy, when to buy and what to buy should depend on careful consideration of your needs primarily, with a little of your wants thrown in for enjoyment, After all photography is a hobby, even for pros."
    ~Herbert Keppler
  • darkdragondarkdragon Registered Users Posts: 1,051 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    i_worship_the_King wrote:
    Under the bed? I like to lay out all the gear on a made bed for cleaning and/or packing. Sometimes they bounce on carpet...ne_nau.gif

    That's a good idea, but I don't have an "under" for my bed.

    I hope the cat didn't grab it and drag it off eek7.gif
    ~ Lisa
  • DonnaLuDonnaLu Registered Users Posts: 69 Big grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    Label: Mistakes You Only Make Once
    BUMMER!

    1) Check all pockets in clothing/jackets - get down into the corners. Check between jacket exterior and lining.

    2) Check between and around car seats or wherever you stowed your gear.

    I'm terrified of losing those little things so I always always put them in one specific place no matter how rushed I might be.

    Hey, good luck!!
    "You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." ~M. Twain
  • DonnaLuDonnaLu Registered Users Posts: 69 Big grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    Check litter box?


    Sorry, bad joke rolleyes1.gif
    "You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." ~M. Twain
  • darkdragondarkdragon Registered Users Posts: 1,051 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    DonnaLu wrote:
    Check litter box?


    Sorry, bad joke rolleyes1.gif


    :puke
    ~ Lisa
  • i_worship_the_Kingi_worship_the_King Registered Users Posts: 548 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    I'm terrified of losing those little things so I always always put them in one specific place no matter how rushed I might be.

    Hey, good luck!!

    This is exactly what scares me when cameras started going to SDHC cards, or worse XD! If you've got more than 1 where in the world is safe? I've even dropped it down into my reader and had to fish it out...
    I make it policy to never let ignorance stand in the way of my opinion. ~Justiceiro

    "Your decisions on whether to buy, when to buy and what to buy should depend on careful consideration of your needs primarily, with a little of your wants thrown in for enjoyment, After all photography is a hobby, even for pros."
    ~Herbert Keppler
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,130 moderator
    edited March 21, 2008
    When I lose things, I usually find them the last place I look. :D

    Try to think of other likely places like:

    Card readers.
    Friends houses.
    A coat/jacket/sweater pocket that you used when it was colder/warmer.

    I often place the cards on a sill or ledge near the computer or near where I was using the camera. Find a quiet place to sit, close your eyes, and try to visualize things you were doing with the card(s).

    Sometimes it is useful to wait until dark and use a small flashlight to narrow your attention to a smaller search area. It is amazing how often things are "right there" all along.

    Yes, cats will play with small objects like that. Look under things and even use a yardstick to search under things you can't see well under.

    BTW, to help reduce the occurance of lost cards, I created some "card wallets". Unhappy with commercial offerings, these work pretty well for my needs. (The 1D MKII/IIN/III can hold both CF and SD cards at the same time, so I wanted the wallets made that way.) I can tell at a glance if I have empty cards (stored face up) or spent cards (face down), and if the cards are in use (missing from the slots.)
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    Ziggy, I sure am fond of this one.
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • darkdragondarkdragon Registered Users Posts: 1,051 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    Thanks for the tips guys.

    I think I'll try that flashlight idea, pretty sure i have a nasty habit of "scanning" instead of "looking" - maybe the flashlight trick will help.

    I normally keep all my cards in the plastic cases in the CF compartment of my slingbag - but apparently I didn't put this one back. Of course, I say this knowing that there are currently 2 cards sitting on my desk at home - so, maybe I just *think* i usually put them away. rolleyes1.gif

    Also, if the cat took them...i dunno what, but i think i will take away his toy mouse (his favorite one!). The jerk. He DID kill ALL my flowers that I had in the studio for practicing macro on, even the potted ones.

    That's a good idea you have Ziggy, but something that big i would get frustrated with and end up leaving home and thus everything would be loose once again.
    ~ Lisa
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    You say you swapped new cards for old, so where are the old and couldn't a new accidentally be among them?
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • darkdragondarkdragon Registered Users Posts: 1,051 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    NeilL wrote:
    You say you swapped new cards for old, so where are the old and couldn't a new accidentally be among them?

    Old ones I sold, hopefully didn't accidently send one of the new ones. eek7.gif
    ~ Lisa
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,130 moderator
    edited March 21, 2008
    DavidTO wrote:
    Ziggy, I sure am fond of this one.

    That looks nice but I had other, very specific, design criteria.

    It had to be white and fit inside a dress white shirt pocket. I designed this to fit in a shirt with the cards facing my body. What the public sees, if I take off the jacket, is plain white and the holder does not peek above the pocket. I can fit two of these devices in the pocket at a time.

    It had to be designed so that neither the cards would slip out nor the device slip too easily from the shirt pocket. I designed this from those "foamies" sheets and it grips the cards well and will not easily fall out of the shirt pocket. I tried many different designs and left the square corners on because of results of the tests.

    I also wanted something that I didn't have to remove and open to view the contents. When I work with an assistant, I want to be able to peek into the shirt pocket to take an instant visual inventory. This device allows that easily.

    This particular version is after numerous tests and prototypes and is the second iteration of functional designs.

    (I get really nervous at these events and anything that works quickly and painlessly is an advantage.)

    I am still looking for a commercial design with these features but I can live with this until I find something or improve this design.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    darkdragon wrote:
    Old ones I sold, hopefully didn't accidently send one of the new ones. eek7.gif

    Well, it might be sad but true... :cry
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    Good luck finding yours. Look any place you put your camera and camera equipment, couch, floor, car, etc. Check pockets of clothes you worn since you've see the card. Check around chair and desk near computer, etc.

    I use some ziplock bags to hold mine in once they are empty. I have 27 CF cards, and "knock, knock" (on wood) I haven't lost one yet. In camera, or in a ziplock bag. I have one sandwich sized bag, with some off the smaller bags in it. Smaller bags I seperate cards into 4GB & 2GB, 1GB, 512MB and then one for full cards.

    What really gets confusing after a busy weekend with 15-20 cards full from 7-9 different cameras, sorting events, camera bodies, etc.
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
  • lightyearlightyear Registered Users Posts: 185 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    Sandisk recently distributed(free in some dealers) a black nylon zipper-closed compact flash card holder that holds two plastic cassettes w/fc inside. This small( 1.5") round nylon zip bag has a large ring on one end which I snaplink inside my camera bag(cannot fall out). with one card in the camera, the other in the cassette, it works out well. My only problem is finding some kind of easy way to identify which card has been used, which one empty. With film(in the past), I kept unexposed film in the cardboard box, threw the box away when I removed the film, and put exposed film back into the round plastic film can: no confusion!! In another industry I worked in, we used colored plastic tabs(on film holders) that could be adjusted or flipped out when the film had been exposed, but I have not seen that. Ideas, anyhone?

    Stan
  • bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2008
    lightyear wrote:
    Sandisk recently distributed(free in some dealers) a black nylon zipper-closed compact flash card holder that holds two plastic cassettes w/fc inside. This small( 1.5") round nylon zip bag has a large ring on one end which I snaplink inside my camera bag(cannot fall out). with one card in the camera, the other in the cassette, it works out well. My only problem is finding some kind of easy way to identify which card has been used, which one empty. With film(in the past), I kept unexposed film in the cardboard box, threw the box away when I removed the film, and put exposed film back into the round plastic film can: no confusion!! In another industry I worked in, we used colored plastic tabs(on film holders) that could be adjusted or flipped out when the film had been exposed, but I have not seen that. Ideas, anyhone?

    Stan

    Ziplock bag marked "empty" another marked "full".
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
  • saurorasaurora Registered Users Posts: 4,320 Major grins
    edited March 22, 2008
    lightyear wrote:
    Sandisk recently distributed(free in some dealers) a black nylon zipper-closed compact flash card holder that holds two plastic cassettes w/fc inside. This small( 1.5") round nylon zip bag has a large ring on one end which I snaplink inside my camera bag(cannot fall out). with one card in the camera, the other in the cassette, it works out well. My only problem is finding some kind of easy way to identify which card has been used, which one empty. With film(in the past), I kept unexposed film in the cardboard box, threw the box away when I removed the film, and put exposed film back into the round plastic film can: no confusion!! In another industry I worked in, we used colored plastic tabs(on film holders) that could be adjusted or flipped out when the film had been exposed, but I have not seen that. Ideas, anyhone?

    Stan

    I love these little bags! I keep at least one attached to my carkeys as well, with extra cards in it. That way it's nearly impossible to leave home without a card (which I have done many times!). I also attach extra ones to a large ring and attach to whichever bag I might be using. Why can't you just flip the cards over to expose the backside when you are finished exposing them and place them in the bag?

    As far as losing cards goes, I tend to stuff them in my pockets alot! So for myself, I would also try to remember what I was wearing the last time I shot. I also have had them drop between my carseats. rolleyes1.gif Too bad they don't distribute them in different colors!
  • evorywareevoryware Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited March 22, 2008
    check the washing machine and dryer :/
    Canon 40D : Canon 400D : Canon Elan 7NE : Canon 580EX : 2 x Canon 430EX : Canon 24-70 f2.8L : Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM : Canon 28-135mm f/3.5 IS : 18-55mm f/3.5 : 4GB Sandisk Extreme III : 2GB Sandisk Extreme III : 2 x 1GB Sandisk Ultra II : Sekonik L358

    dak.smugmug.com
  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited March 22, 2008
    Down behind the chair/lounge cushion where you sat the bag & removed the cards. You sat them on the seat & moved the bag thus the card slipped down behind.
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited March 22, 2008
    Ziggy I think you're on to something with your design. Good idea. Fits
    nicely in a pocket, professional looking. I bet you could get the company
    that made SmugMug's straps to make something similar.

    Sorry to hear about the card. I would look near the monitor and in the
    various readers you may have lying around as well as the spot you keep
    your gear.
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited March 22, 2008
    ian408 wrote:
    Ziggy I think you're on to something with your design. Good idea. Fits
    nicely in a pocket, professional looking. I bet you could get the company
    that made SmugMug's straps to make something similar.

    Sorry to hear about the card. I would look near the monitor and in the
    various readers you may have lying around as well as the spot you keep
    your gear.

    Do you know what company did the smugmug straps?
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,939 moderator
    edited March 22, 2008
    bham wrote:
    Do you know what company did the smugmug straps?
    Off hand, no. But I'm guessing Andy or Ham1 might thumb.gif
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • nybor7nybor7 Registered Users Posts: 12 Big grins
    edited March 22, 2008
    Check the area around the phone, did you take a call?
    Check the area where you put your shoes on.
    It still could just show up.
    I've found my keys in the refrig one time, keys in the linen closet.
    When I leave for work I have scrubs on. I take my vitamin with a swig of cold water from a bottle gotten form the fridge.....keys got in the butter dish during that activity somehow.
    The linen closet?? I think I ran to change the tp roll.
    Hope it shows up for you!
  • BradfordBennBradfordBenn Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited March 22, 2008
    Did you look under your computer/reader? I have often found stuff under the USB hub.

    Also I can tell you that if you did manage to wash it, it will work after it dries out.

    Unfortunately I know your pain from misplacing other things like USB Mem Sticks, iPods, earphones, cell phones...
    -=Bradford

    Pictures | Website | Blog | Twitter | Contact
  • rpcrowerpcrowe Registered Users Posts: 733 Major grins
    edited March 23, 2008
    Lowepro Pouch
    Heck - I can lose anything that isn't nailed down. I "lost" my Giottos MT-8180 carbon Fiber Tripod last Fall. I knew that I had had the tripod when I was in my motor home and we evacuated due to the San Diego Firestorm of 2007. I couldn't figure out how I could have lost something that large (and expensive) but, I looked throughout the motorhome garage that I have and searched the motorhome from stem to stern with no luck. I thought it was a gonner but, I found it recently when I needed to do some yard work in the rain. I had left the tripod against the wall of my garage and my wife (neat lady that she is) hung the tripod in its black case on a hook on the garage wall. She then hung an old rain jacket over the tripod, completely covering it. I never looked under the jacket, until I needed it when it rained and was overjoyed to find the tripod. Losing the tripod doesn't mean I am developing Alzheimers but, if i found it and wondered "What the heck is this thing?" I would have to worry.

    I use a Lowepro DMC-V Pouch to try to keep my Compact Flash Cards organized when I am shooting.

    http://products.lowepro.com/product/DMC-V,1927,42.htm

    It is built to hold four Compact Flash size cards and can actually accommodate five cards. I always use two cameras so, I usually have seven cards with me including the card in each camera. Five of the seven cards are 2 GIGS and two of them are 4 GIGS in memory. I therefore can carry 18 GIGS of memory. Even when shooting 30D in RAW, 18 GIGS of memory is usually sufficient until I can download the images.

    This is how I tell the empty cards from those which are filled. I usually place the cards in the mesh holders face out when they are empty and back out when they are filled. Additionally, I will place a fifth card in its plastic case at the bottom of the pouch between the two sides with the mesh holders. If the card is empty, I place it right side up, if filled I place it up-side down.
  • darkdragondarkdragon Registered Users Posts: 1,051 Major grins
    edited April 17, 2008
    Found my card!
    :whew
    My friend had it, I had forgotten that I put it in her camera so I could show her how much faster it is than the microdrive she had in there.

    wings.gif
    ~ Lisa
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited April 18, 2008
    Whoot Whoot Whoot!!!!!!
    darkdragon wrote:
    Found my card!
    :whew
    My friend had it, I had forgotten that I put it in her camera so I could show her how much faster it is than the microdrive she had in there.

    wings.gif


    wHOOOT WHOOT WHOOT!!!!!! FANTASTIC NEWS!!thumb.gifthumbthumb.gifthumbthumb.gif
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,130 moderator
    edited April 18, 2008
    Whew! clap.gif
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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