Need help with Nikon Z6: Brand new Z6; am trying it out. I am having trouble removing the memory card. It pops part way out and then it feels like something is holding it and keeping...

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Brand new Z6; am trying it out.
I am having trouble removing the memory card. It pops part way out and then it feels like something is holding it and keeping it from being removed. The camera is off; if is the correct type of card. I have tried pushing the card back in / turning on the camera / taking a few pictures / shutting off the camera / the card still cannot be removed. Something is definitely holding keeping it from being pulled out. Any suggestions?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Howard5252 wrote:

Brand new Z6; am trying it out.
I am having trouble removing the memory card. It pops part way out and then it feels like something is holding it and keeping it from being removed. The camera is off; if is the correct type of card. I have tried pushing the card back in / turning on the camera / taking a few pictures / shutting off the camera / the card still cannot be removed. Something is definitely holding keeping it from being pulled out. Any suggestions?

Same issue with a Z7. Just get a better grip and tug. I have seen no evidence of any friction marks on the case of the XQD card to indicate that is caught on anything.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Try WD40? JUST KIDDING!!

I just tried removing it from my Z7. Just like BobHeartung said above.

It pops out about 1/4 way then it requires a firm tug. I believe this is how it is designed.

Funny I haven’t tried it before because I have been using the cord to download. I don’t have a reader for the “new improved” memory card.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

This is not simply a matter of friction holding the card. I own several Nikons and know how the card is supposed to come out. Something is blocking the removal, it isn't just a matter of tugging harder. I'll be returning the camera and the card to the store.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Howard5252 wrote:

This is not simply a matter of friction holding the card. I own several Nikons and know how the card is supposed to come out. Something is blocking the removal, it isn't just a matter of tugging harder. I'll be returning the camera and the card to the store.

This is a new camera design. I would call Nikon or the place of purchase first. Otherwise, it appears that you are looking for an excuse to rid yourself of the camera. Buyer's Remorse?

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

BobHartung wrote:

Otherwise, it appears that you are looking for an excuse to rid yourself of the camera. Buyer's Remorse?

You have quite an imagination.

CO

I have two D500's. They have XQD slots like the Z6 and Z7. To remove the card, I initially push the card in and it pops part of the way out. At that point I have to pull it the rest of the way out. There's a slight snag but I think it's designed that way. There's a spring in there that makes it partially pop out. Maybe they designed that snag in the removal of the card so it's not free to pop all of the way out.

Bill_de Loc: US

Same experience as everybody else. Mine is a Z6. If you push the card in slowly you will feel something grip it before you push it all the way in. That's what you have to overcome on the way out. The camera is not delicate, just use a little more force.

I have three Nikon DSLRs that use XQD cards. The Z feels completely different.

EDIT: I just looked at Lexar and Sony XQD cards. They have notches on both sides that appear to be the hangup. The extra effort needed seems to be by design.

--

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Howard5252 wrote:

Brand new Z6; am trying it out.
I am having trouble removing the memory card. It pops part way out and then it feels like something is holding it and keeping it from being removed. The camera is off; if is the correct type of card. I have tried pushing the card back in / turning on the camera / taking a few pictures / shutting off the camera / the card still cannot be removed. Something is definitely holding keeping it from being pulled out. Any suggestions?

I finally figured out that I need to sort of "pop" the card hard down and that pushes it out. No problem after that.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

CO wrote:

I have two D500's. They have XQD slots like the Z6 and Z7. To remove the card, I initially push the card in and it pops part of the way out. At that point I have to pull it the rest of the way out. There's a slight snag but I think it's designed that way. There's a spring in there that makes it partially pop out. Maybe they designed that snag in the removal of the card so it's not free to pop all of the way out.

And accidentally fall on the dirt etc. Good feature.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I own four cameras that use the XQD card. The release system on the D5 and D850 is a dream. The D500 sticks a bit, but has smoothed out with continued use and my Z6 (just a week old) is just a pain in the ass which I think will get easier as I use the camera. It appears that is how it is designed, and I have no idea why. Best of luck.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Howard5252 wrote:

This is not simply a matter of friction holding the card. I own several Nikons and know how the card is supposed to come out. Something is blocking the removal, it isn't just a matter of tugging harder. I'll be returning the camera and the card to the store.

When you get to the store, try inserting and removing an XQD card from their floor model. That should tell you if your camera has a problem or if it is just normally tight. I have a new Z7 and noticed the card a little stickier removing than my D500. I made sure to pull straight out while giving a firmer tug and out it came.
Figured it would get easier with use and it has.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

cjc2 wrote:

I own four cameras that use the XQD card. The release system on the D5 and D850 is a dream. The D500 sticks a bit, but has smoothed out with continued use and my Z6 (just a week old) is just a pain in the ass which I think will get easier as I use the camera. It appears that is how it is designed, and I have no idea why. Best of luck.

Yup, I'm with you, PITA. But mine is getting easier the more I use it. However, sometimes the strap connector gets in the way and then I can't even get my finger in there on the other side of the card. Just make sure the door is wide open and grip firmly...it gets better.

Nicholas DeSciose

My new Sony 6500 works exactly that way. I think this is the new normal. Too many cards are popping out all over the place

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Howard5252 wrote:

This is not simply a matter of friction holding the card. I own several Nikons and know how the card is supposed to come out. Something is blocking the removal, it isn't just a matter of tugging harder. I'll be returning the camera and the card to the store.

Hi Howard5252. Many people here have reported the card requires more "tug" than usual to dislodge. The question here is how much force is normal?

Before you go back to the store with your new camera, you might want to try this simple test which I just now tried with my Z7.

I placed the camera with a 50mm f1.4 lens and F2Z adaptor mounted, on a level painted wood surface. I popped the card loose then without touching the camera I pulled on the card. The camera slid sideways and the card did not release. Next I placed it on a foam surface, more friction, and repeated the process. The camera slid just sideways maybe an inch then the card released. My wild guess is that it takes 2-lbs of force to slide the camera sideways on foam. So that is a rough gauge of the release force. That feels like a lot when pulling on a small card.

This is a simple safe test you can do and it just might save you from making a trip to the store.