Viewing CR2 in Canon Camera

[idc900]

I have just downloaded the latest and I have one problem.
When I view raw images in the camera (using Windows Explorer), I only see a common thumbnail picture for all images but the same raw images moved to the hard drive shows the correct thumbnail image for all raw images (again using Windows Explorer).

The camera shows up in Windows Explorer as a drive but does not show up at all in FastPictureViewer.

I have a Canon EOS 20D and only shoot using the raw mode. The communication mode in the camera is set to PTP.
Operating system is Windows 7 (32 bit).

Thanks for any help in this matter,
Dave

[Axel]

Exploring over PTP uses a different mechanism. Support for raw files through this mechanism is likely to require software from Canon. This question has better chances to get answered in Canon forums, in particular we have no idea about if, when and how Canon is supporting its cameras on Windows 7.

PTP devices are not seen as mass storage devices (they are not "drives"). See your Canon documentation about image transfer and their level of support for Windows 7.

[idc900]

Canon appers not to support transfers in Windows 7 as their software does not work at all. I have been all over the net and hear the same thing. This is the reason for getting a third party program. Canon has a Vista version but it does not work in Windows 7. I don't know about working in Vista as I never did get Vista.

The camera does show up as a drive in Windows Explorer when set to the PTP mode (at least on my computer). This at least allows me to move the raw images to a temp location and from there I can view and move the images to their final location.
Using Normal mode, it does not show up as anything.

[Axel]

Unfortunately, no one outside of Canon is able to provide such low level of support. 3rd parties depends either on standard protocol implementations or the existence of a suitable software developement kit provided by the manufacturers if they use proprietary protocols. It's the manufacturer's responsibility to provide system-level compatibility, usually through a special driver or software application. The PTP mode sort-of work because it's a standard and that Windows has "generic" support for PTP devices, so basic functions like file transfer works. For Mass Storage mode (where the camera appears like an external drive or USB key) the camera's firmware must identify itself in a way that makes Windows recognize it as an external mass storage device. I'm sorry to learn that this mode does not work with your camera on Windows 7.

I did a bit of research and found this document on the Canon site, regarding Windows 7 compatibility. Your camera is listed as "requiring the Canon EOS Utility" and as "not
recognized
when
using
standard
function
of
OS", so I'm afraid there is no option other than want for Canon to provide the necessary support. The situation for 64-bit Windows is even worse: no support at all from what I've learned.

Windows 7 features a new mechanism providing an excellent level of integration with compatible devices (see here for an example based on the Nikon D90). One can expect that Canon is working on a similar solution for its own cameras.