FMX Camera Errors: "Camera Busy" & "Check SD Card"

Seeing an error message pop up on your screen right before an event starts can be incredibly stressful! However, most camera errors in the FMX software are actually simple hardware miscommunications that can be fixed in seconds.

If your software is throwing an error and refusing to take a photo, it is usually the physical camera trying to tell you it needs a quick adjustment. 

Here is how to decode and fix the two most common FMX camera errors:

Error 1: "Camera Busy: Please wait a moment and retry the photo"

• Why it happens: When your camera is set to Auto-Focus (AF), the lens will try to hunt for a face or subject before it actually takes the picture. If the lighting is a bit dim, or the subject is moving, the camera gets "stuck" trying to focus. The FMX software sees this delay and assumes the camera is "busy."

• The Quick Fix: 1. Go to the physical lens on your DSLR. 2. Flip the switch on the side of the lens from AF (Auto-Focus) to MF (Manual Focus). 3. Manually adjust the focus ring so your subject is sharp. 4. By leaving it in MF, the camera will instantly fire when the software tells it to, completely eliminating the "Camera Busy" error!

Error 2: "Check SD Card"

• Why it happens: FMX doesn't need a memory card. It transfers each photo straight from the camera to the iPad or mini-computer. But some cameras won't take a photo when their card is missing, locked, full, or not formatted, and the camera's card error stops the workflow.

• The Quick Fix:

  1. If there is no SD card in the camera, insert one. FMX won't store photos on it, but some cameras won't take a photo without one.

  2. Pop the SD card out and check the tiny physical switch on the side of the card, make sure it is not toggled to the "Locked" position.

     

  3. If the card is in and unlocked, it might be full or incorrectly formatted. Use your camera's internal menu to Format the SD Card (Note: this will delete old photos on the card, so make sure they are backed up!).