ColoPete

Greetings:

I have a problem with ejecting the CFExpress Type B card from my Mac computers running the latest version of Ventura and the Apple Photos app. The card is recognized and I have no problem uploading images, but when I go to "eject" the device, it will not do so in the app. I can eject the device manually by physically removing the card, but then get a warning that the "Disk not ejected properly. "Eject NIKON Z8" before disconnecting or turning it off." Aside from that, it seems to work fine.

I have successfully used XQD cards from my Nikon D850 as well as my new Z8 with no issues, and, until recently, I have never felt the need to move to CFExpress. I use both an iMac (2020) and a MacBook Air M1 to read the cards and do light processing using Apple Photos. I recently purchased a CFExpress Type B card (ProGrade 256GB) and currently use a Sony CFExpress TypeB/XQD reader (MRW-G1). I first used a different reader which had the same issues and which I sent back to Amazon believing it was defective in favor of the more expensive Sony.

My questions are: (1) Is this problem shared by others?; (2) Is it doing damage to the card, its data, or anything else when I remove it from the reader without "ejecting it" from the app.?; and (3) can I just ignore the warning since it otherwise seems to work fine?

I have Googled the issue and searched this forum and found that similar issues have cropped up but so far have found nothing definitive to answer my questions.

Your wise counsel is appreciated.

Cheers, Peter

ricardo00

I haven't had this problem using my 3 CFexpress cards on my MacBook Air or Power MacBook. Is it possible that you still have a program using these pics on the card? Try doing a restart of your computer (which shuts down all your programs) and then see if you can eject the card. What is the app you are using to download pics? Can you drag the CFexpress icon into the trash and eject it that way?
Personally I would avoid doing the removal and getting the error message though it might be okay if you reformat each time in the Z8.

phot0n0ob

Have you tried ejecting the card from Finder? That never fails for me.
Removing a drive or card w/out properly ejecting it first can be an issue when you *write* to the card (the write operation might not be complete and you could lose data), since you only *read* photos from the card that should not be an issue.

To answer your question, I have never seen that "eject" issue, but CFexpress cards have regularly given me grief w/macOS (never w/Windows). Recently, I purchased a new CFexpress card reader and so far haven't had any problems.

M1911 Loc: DFW Metromess

I always eject the disk from the finder. Just right click on the disk and select eject. Works on my M1 mini and macbook pro. You can also drag the disc icon to the trash.

steinr98

I use a Canon R 5 with a Mac and the express card. I have never had that problem. I will say, I have removed thumb drives, camera cards and never lost anything because I did not or could not exit properly. I have always made sure no writing was going on before pulling that card out. Have U reformatted the card? If so I have no idea if the card is acting Normal except for exiting the computer.

lensmaster Loc: Chicago

from what I've read VENTURA has some major 'issues', mostly with ADOBE/PHOTOSHOP. I have not read about CF cards not ejecting but I believe anything that involves raw files/jpeg/etc files have some major problems from VENTURA.

If you recently purchased your MAC and it came with VENTURA you should be able to install a previous system..if you upgraded from MONTEREY or another MAC OS you should be able to step back to that OS.

contact APPLE or go to an APPLE STORE and speak with one of their floor techs who should be able to instruct you how to replace the OS.

AS OF THIS DATE there is no fix for VENTURA regarding PHOTOSHOP.

ricardo00

I have had no issues with my Mac Book Pro with Ventura, version 13.4 and my CFexpress cards.

lensmaster Loc: Chicago

ok then you are good to go.
I have read several posts where the issues I described are causing some real headaches, so that is what I offered.

ColoPete

Thanks, everyone. Ejecting from Finder seems to be the solution. I also reformatted the disk, restarted the computer, and it still would not eject from the "Photos" app. Clicked on Finder, and ejected from there, and it worked. Must be some incompatibility issue with the Photos App and CFE cards, but not XQDs. Also, I had read elsewhere that Macs seem to see CFE cards as "drives" and not removable disks, so perhaps that has something to do with it, as well. Anyway, thank you!

steinr98

You have said a few times "reject from the App"- I have never done this- I always do a Rt click after my photo program (photoshop or Lt room, Nik software + more-) are. closed. Then I do a Rt click as stated before and the card rejects and is gone from the desktop and I pull the card out- I never have ejected from a photo program??? I personally have never seen a photo program that lets you eject from within the program. This confuses me! What program are U using?? A right click is the easiest way out-

ricardo00

I also usually just drag the CFexpress icon to the trash to eject. However Nikon's NX Studio will automatically eject the card after I use the import (Nikon Transfer) to bring the pictures from the card to my computer and the transfer is complete. Presumably this is how that program is set up.

ColoPete

Stein: I use the Photos App that comes pre-installed with Apple devices (Macs, iPads, etc.). I have always been able to "eject" the disk from within the app with XQD and SD cards by clicking on the "eject" button, and it is seamless and ejects the card within the app so I can safely remove from the card reader. Not so, with CFExpress. When I click on the "eject button", nothing happens. But now I have a work-around using "Finder", so all is well.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have an XQD reader, but considering the high cost of these new cards and their readers, I'm going to use a cable to download CEexpress. Paying close to $200 is a new and unpleasant experience for me. In 2002, I paid $54 for a 64GB SD card, and they've come way down in price since then. I'm hoping that the $200+ prices for CFexpress is a temporary condition.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have similar circumstances and similar results. This issue has been around for a while and I'm not sure where the fault lies. My work around is to eject the card manually from the home screen (OS). IMHO, not worth stressing over! Best of luck.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Memory cards are commodity products. Their pricing is based on two things...capacity and speed. Right now it sounds like you are seeing a third factor...market price adjustment based on scarcity.

If you are going to shoot 8k video at high frame rates or long bursts, you need those fast cards. Otherwise look for slower ones. They will work fine and save you a lot of money. And keep looking for a reader. A good one will cost you about $70. Downloading via a cable is going to get pretty old.