File Number Reset

[ejwebb]

I just bought a Digital Rebel and took 142 pictures on my Lexar CF card. The next time I downloaded pictures the first file was numbered 1911 and the count has remained at this higher number series since. I am trying to figure out what happened because I did not manually change the count. AFter the first session I did get out some older CF cards and tested/reformatted them - may have reformatted one of them in the camera - I am not sure.

Could this have caused the numbering to jump ahead like it did? Obviously, this should not be used as a reliable count of pictures in judging a used camera (if I decide to sell in the future) as I think you can reset at any time - correct? Not like an odometer on a car.

Just curious - thanks for input.

[Belmondo]

Chances are the CF card you formatted in the camera is the culprit. The shot counter will always ratchet up to the higher number when comparing the number in the camera vs. the number on the card.

I did the same thing with my 2nd 10D despite my efforts to keep them separate. Almost overnight the new camera showed almost 3,000 shots on it (the same number as on the old camera). I'm trying to be extra careful now with the Mk II and won't use any CF card that has been in either of the 10Ds without first formatting it in the computer.l

[dsze]

Is there any other way to determine how many shots have been taken in the 300D?

-daniel

[yenoram]

I had the same thing happen to me last year. In my case, I used a CF card from my wife's camera - her picture count was higher than mine so my D60 started numbering files using the higher file number from my wife's card. Evidently, the D60 defaults to the higher file number - that is the file number the camera tracks internally and the file number on the CF card being used. I'm at work now but I recall fixing the problem as follows:

If you insert your formatted CF card in the card reader on your computer and use Windows to reveal the files on the card you should see a file named DCIM (?). I copied this file to my hard-drive and opened it up which revealed the last picture file # (i.e., the higher file # from my wife's card). If you click on this file you should be able to change the number to whatever number you want. After changing the file number I copied the DCIM file back to the CF card in the card reader.

Critical step - before inserting the CF card with the new file # back into your camera change the file numbering from to continous (?) to restart (?) - I don't have a D Rebel so I'm assuming this can be done on your camera as it can on the D60. Insert the CF card and turn the camera on. Because the camera defaults to the higher file number (camera vs. card), your numbering should restart at the higher (and corrected) file number on your CF card.

I hope I haven't missed any steps - if so, perhaps those on this list who are more experienced can set the record straight.

[Jon]

Yep. When my D60 came back from service it started at some huge number of shots; I reset it to the actual number using the same procedure (reset camera to "Restart", create/copy a picture/folder 1 less than where you want things to start, insert the card, and go. Once that's taken effect, reset the camera to "Continuous"). I do try to keep the cards for the D60 and the A80 separate though . . .

[dn7elson]

You can reset the file number to whatever number you want. I have had to reset mine a couple of times when I have grabbed an old CF from my G2 and put it into my DRebel.

What I have found is the easiest way to do this is to format the CF in the camera after setting the numbering from Continuous to Reset.

To get a specific number (such as continuing on from your previous numbers) I copy the last file from my PC onto the CF via the CF reader (with RAW, I copy both the CRW and THM files just to make sure).

Make sure that you renumber the Folder/Directory on the CF to the correct series.

Insert the CF into the camera, take a picture, then reformat the CF in the camera AFTER resetting the numbering from Reset TO Continuous.

There may be more simple ways, but this has always worked, and you can renumber to whatever you want as long as you follow the numbering sequences in the folders.