Andrew

Flash devices - including camera SD memory cards - can fail for different reasons. They can be corrupted somehow, pictures can be accidentally erased, etc. In these cases, you can PROBABLY recover your pictures using image recovery software. There are several free recovery programs. One is called "Recuva" - from a company called Piriform. (Also known for its popular free "CCleaner" program.) Another free one is called "Photorec" .

There are other photo recovery programs. But you can google for these names and look for how-to guides. Go on YouTube and search for demonstrations - "recover lost photos" etc. You should find a number of demos to show you exactly what to do.

If the process seems to be over your head, take your SD card to a camera store or computer shop and expect to pay to have them try to recover your photos, if they are that important to you.

However, keep in mind that flash devices like SD cards can fail completely, too, and if that happens your photos will not be recoverable at all. One tip: NEVER touch the metal connectors on an SD memory card or any flash drive; if you happen to have just walked across a carpet and have a static electric charge then touch your memory card's metal connectors by accident, you could instantly destroy it. This is something called ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge) and is very real.

Good luck!

rjanson

My wife and I recently returned from Iceland. As is often the case, we experienced many days of moderate to heavy rain. This did not slow down our activities, but one day my wife's camera just stopped working. That evening we tried to dry it out, noting that the battery and memory card compartment had some moisture in it. After drying thoroughly, the camera worked fine with a new SD card; the old one still could not be read. When we returned home I tried to mount the card in a computer and still no luck. Since it would not mount, no software recovery program could be used. Local camera stores were not able to help. I started researching data recovery sites and found them to be rather costly. My wife resigned herself to having lost these memories. Then I came upon Recoverfab (also mentioned above in July 4, 2015 post).
Their quoted prices were a fraction of what I had been quoted elsewhere. Although I felt a little strange about sending the SD card through international mail, I followed Herr Hiersche's specific instructions. The mail took a few extra days to get to him, but he notified me as soon as he received the SD card and within one day he had recovered all 1633 images (he states usually 2 days for recovery). I have not yet told my wife that I pursued this recovery and will present it to her as a Christmas present.
I recommend Recoverfab highly for their prompt and excellent service if anyone encounters a similar problem

Challiman

Thank you for that info. My local camera store was able to recover two SD card images. Good to know, though, that there is hope for recovery even if it looks hopeless.

janisj

Two people recommending the same German lab . . . and both are one time wonders. Just a heads up . . . Might be legit and a miracle worker . . . or not.

Andrew

Janis is right: both posters posted exactly one time and registered just before posting. If you do a web search for the same company, you'll find more than one single post one-time posters on other forums. I will flag both posts now.

rjanson

I understand and appreciate the cynicism, but I assure all that I am a real person and not associated with Recoverfab in any way (except as a customer). I have not posted on this site previously because I never felt I had something significant to post. Indeed, I found this site because I was researching my problem' which is the topic of this site. My wife and I did travel to Iceland (with O.A.T., departing Colorado on Aug. 11, 2015) and did encounter lots of rain, as could be confirmed by weather records. We enjoyed the trip, including both the Westman Islands pre-trip and the Greenland post-trip extensions. Also, I can recommend the "Inside the Volcano" experience for hearty walkers.
Chip recovery is not a miracle, just a technically difficult job. I checked with several companies who thought they could likely recover the photos, including a company with Colorado ties - Drivesavers.com. I elected to try Recoverfab because of: 1) cost; 2)thoroughness of web site; and (least of all) 3) some German heritage in my family. I was pleased with the result. Doubters may continue to doubt, but I thought this info might be of value to others with memory chip problems. I would even meet personally with someone in Western Colorado who still doubts authenticity.

Robert2533

Of course both posting are from the same person, the first in July and now with a follow up.

rjanson

Ah, Robert, stay secure wrapped in your cynicism; may you never have a camera memory chip failure. I, on the other hand, took a chance and now have my wife's lost photos back. Happy Holidays and Good Travels to all.