Should you reformat the card everytime you erase images???

[mpolk]

I'm interested in whether, as part of their regular workflow, people tend to erase their cards while they're transferring images to their computer (either as a function of the capture program, or manually, after transfer), or whether they just reinsert the card in the camera and reformat it there.

Should you reformat the card everytime you erase images???

[IanC_UK]

I reformat in the camera after i have made sure the pics have come off ok, this makes sure you dont end up with empty folder after empty folder on the card.

Just me though, lol

[Steve Parr]

I reformat in the camera after i have made sure the pics have come off ok, this makes sure you dont end up with empty folder after empty folder on the card.

Just me though, lol

Nope, not just you. I do it, too...

Steve

[75D]

Go along with Steve and Ian, format in the camera after I make sure all pictures ar backed up.

Wayne

[Streetshooter]

same here...even if I just do 2 images.....format everytime...don

[Rubi Jane]

I transfer images, confirm they're on the Mac then format the card in the camera everytime, even if it's just a few images.

[In2Photos]

Wow, I never format my cards. I just transfer the images off the card, make sure the DCIM folder is empty and load the card again.

[CyberDyneSystems]

.. yep format.. it's quicker than erase.

[tim]

I format once my cards are backed up to hard drive offsite, format's faster than erase.

[GTogs]

I format once the photos are on my hard drive.

[SuzyView]

The manuals all say that the best way to wipe a card is to reformat in the camera you are using so you don't mess up something.

I once took a CF card and used it on my 20D, then in my 10D and the numbering was weird on the computer. So, I changed the setting on my 20D to start a new directory every time the card gets reformatted. Now it's fine again. :)

[Dchemist]

Format in the camera every time.

[SkipD]

I, too, format the CF cards each time I've sucked the files off. I actually "move" the files off the card to my computer using a reader, then format the card in the camera.

[tweatherred]

Count me in with the "format, it's quicker than erase" crowd.

[Kristy]

I guess I didn't know about doing this.. I always delete the files off my card when it's in my PC.. then it's empty for the camera... I don't erase in camera or format the card. I transfer files to a CD for digital negatives and then delete them.

Is this a bad thing?

[Woolburr]

Transfer the files to the PC...toss the card back in the camera and format it...ready for the next round.

[Rob612]

Same here, copy the images in a safe place, then reformat in camera. Always.

[G M Fude]

Have had "issues" with flash cards before, so to be safe I format it in the camera after transferring files to the PC. But only a quick format, I haven't done a low level format yet.

[flaclick]

I was always told to 'copy' the images to your pc, then format the card. don't delete or move images off your card as over time it will get fragmented, like your pc. it's better to format the whole card. that's my 2cents :cool:

[nicmo]

I use a card reader to transfer the pix to the PC. Before I begin a shoot or switching cards, I will format the card in the camera.

[Bodog]

Heck, now I even format my hard drive every time I delete something. Microsoft has been very understanding of the 350 activations so far...;>)

[In2Photos]

Heck, now I even format my hard drive every time I delete something. Microsoft has been very understanding of the 350 activations so far...;>)

ROFLMAO!

[BIGTUFFGUY]

i normally pop the card out of my camera, put it in the card reader, "select all" cut, paste in folder on computer, then stick the card back in my camera

only once or twice have i used the erase function.

i guess i should give it a shot

[queenbee288]

I have been using my card for over a year and I have never re-formatted it. I move the pics off the card and on to the pc instead of copying them. I have never had a problem.

[SuzyView]

Just to let everyone know, I just purchased my 3rd 1gb CF card and it was the Sandisk Ultra II from Costco for $59. Thank you. It was a bargain and I am going to use it tomorrow to see if I can understand what I'm doing with RAW. I will format it as soon as I unwrap it from the annoying thick plastic that you almost cut your hand off to get the card out. Pain in the . . . .

[hmv]

I guess I didn't know about doing this.. I always delete the files off my card when it's in my PC.. then it's empty for the camera... I don't erase in camera or format the card. I transfer files to a CD for digital negatives and then delete them.

Is this a bad thing?

Nope. There's not a lot of difference between deleting from the PC, deleting from the camera or 'formatting' (which is really just a quick way of deleting everything from a card unless you do a low-level format). Whatever suits your workflow best.

[SuzyView]

I just saw in the paper, I think the Sandisk Ultra II 2.0 GB for $89.00 next week. WOW.

[RacingMoose]

Suzie...I saw the same deal at Costco and am going to pick up another card myself. Great deal.

I use a card reader...copy the images to my hard drive...verify....CD backup....then format the card in camera.

[SuzyView]

The prices are so great these days, there is no excuse to do anything but the highest resolution. Also, Costco on line printing is really great. I'm going to start doing that instead of standing at the machines. I don't like to have my stuff on line, but it's okay if I need regular 4x6's done.

And I also use a card reader and it is much faster than from the camera.

[Claire]

I take my photos and copy to the computer, save to CD and reformat the card in the camera. This mainly because all photos I want to keep I lock (I'm terrified of accidentally erasing the shots). Manually unlocking and then deleting would take too long time. Much easier to just format the whole card.

[SuzyView]

When you pay $9.95 for 100 blank CD's, you can't go wrong saving the whole CF card data on it. When storage was costly, I erased a lot. Now that I can just save it on a CD and then write exactly what I put on it, I'm having less trouble pulling captures out. :)