"It appears that we don't support this file format" error message on Windows pgoto viewer

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

After taking photos on a Canon 850D I transfer the photos from the SD card onto an external drive. Recently some of the photos have not transfered properly first time but will subsequently transfer.

Opening them using Windows Photo Viewer from the external drive I am getting the error message "It appears that we don't support this file format" which means I can see the photos but not edit them or e mail them.

Tried scanning the disk plus reinstalling Windows Photo Viewer but still getting the same issue.

Has anyone any ideas about how to resolve this please or point me towards a reputable source of help?

 

[John Webb]

If you set your computer to display 'File type', that is, show the file extension, you will then know if the files are .JPG or some other format, such as .RAW, which Windows Photo Viewer can't, to the best of my knowledge, display.

An editing program, such as 'Photoshop', allows you to both view the files and save them in a new format, such as .JPG.

It may also be worth checking the settings on your camera to see what the default file type is and if you wish alter it to save files as type .JPG.

 

[etr221]

While JPEG (Joint Picture Experts Groups, IIRC) is a de facto 'standard' format for image files, with file type .jpg, there are lots of others, more or less widely used. And for the writers of image viewing software, it is a major effort to keep up with introduction of new ones, and these spreading into the wild - some are better than others at it - I have the the impression that Microsoft Windows Photo Viewer is far from the best. For two of the (free) ones I use (Faststone Image Viewer and IrfanView) support for new formats is major driver of new releases.

Most Digital Cameras will - dependent on camera settings - create and save both a 'raw' (which is what the camera sensor has sensed) file (diferent cameras/manufacturers will have different formats/file types) and a 'processed' (normally jpg) file. For those familiar with film, raw equates to negative - a file that needs to be processed (i.e. developed: there are many programs that will do this, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are the best known, Canon supply programs for what their cameras produce, or seek to match your budget...) - and jpg to a print, for actually looking at. Expert, high standard, discerning photogaphers have sophisticated work flows they follow to get from one to t'other, to achieve perfection, mere snappers will just take what the camera does (which many regard as perfectly adequate).

To get back to the OP's issue, I would reiterate what John Webb has said - get your computer to tell you what format of files you have on the card/external drive, check your camera settings to see what it is or isn't saving (check manual for options), and decide what you want - then adjust settings and (your) procedures accordingly.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Thank you for both your replies. Everything has been saved as JPEG and I have not changed setting on the camera or computer. Photos taken prior to last Saturday are absoultely fine as are the photos if I open from the SD card. Only when I transfer them to the external drive do I get the message on seemingly random images. Makes me think it's an issue with the drive but the scan says no issue.