How can you tell...

[aam1234]

how many pics you've taken. And what does the number in file name means (digital rebel).

Thanks

[Jon]

IMG_mnop.JPG - you're on folder lmn (starting at 100, and if you've got continuous numbering, not reset, turned on, folder name lmnCANON) frame op (each folder holds images 01-n00, except it's really (n+1)00), again if continuous numbering is turned on. This transfers over to your camera as lmn-mnop.JPG (or a variant thereof, depending on the ZB version you're running) via Zoom Browser. If you have File Number Reset selected, each new card starts over at \DCIM\100CANON\IMG_0101.JPG. However, if you have continuous numbering enabled, and you insert a card that already has a higher numbered folder than you're at (say the card came from a different camera), the camera will assume that's the new correct number, and start numbering from there.

Examples (assuming continuous numbering, and no forced renumbering by using an out-of-sequence card)

\DCIM\103CANON\IMG_0357.JPG becomes 103_0357.JPG, and is image #357
\DCIM\542CANON\IMG4216.JPG becomes 542_4216.JPG and is image #44216 (remember, folders start at 100, not 0, so we drop 100 from the folder #)
\DCIM\164CANON\IMG_6500.JPG becomes 164_6500.JPG (we start counting at 1, not 0, in each folder of 100 frames).

My new, mail order (PC Connection D60 and B&H A80) Canons have both started at 100_0001.JPG. Others have reported different. There's a persistent rumour that there is some way to determine the actual shutter count, independent of frame number, but I've never seen a definitive source given for this. So, if you don't mix your cards, and you do use continuous numbering, the folder/frame number will let you figure out the (minimum) number of photos you've taken.

[aam1234]

waw, thanks for the elaborate reply.
To tell you the truth I didn't follow what you said, got confused.

Would appreciate it If I give you a number and you tell me what it means: "abc16001".

Continuous but used two cards. However, the old card was formatted in the rebel before being used.

Thanks

[Jon]

waw, thanks for the elaborate reply.
To tell you the truth I didn't follow what you said, got confused.

Would appreciate it If I give you a number and you tell me what it means: "abc16001".

Continuous but used two cards. However, the old card was formatted in the rebel before being used.

Thanks

\DCIM\103CANON\IMG_0357.JPG becomes 103_0357.JPG, and is image #357
\DCIM\542CANON\IMG4216.JPG becomes 542_4216.JPG and is image #44216 (remember, folders start at 100, not 0, so we drop 100 from the folder #)

Continuous numbering with multiple cards isn't any problem as long as you've wiped any files/directories from the prior camera before loading a card. The letters will be either IMG (for a Jpeg) or CRW (for RAW). The file numbers will always be a 4-digit number in the camera. When the folder number is added, the folder number replaces the "IMG/CRW'. So "abc16001" wouldn't exist. You might get \DCIM\160CANON\IMG_6001.JPG, which would be photo # 6001. If you're using Zoom Browser, you won't see the folders, just the files, but in a card reader you'll see the full structure.

[aam1234]

Thanks again.

Just went through old folders & photos. The numbering is all over the place. Most are "abc01, 02" and so on. But others are "abc160001" etc.

Guess it means the cam is not in continues.

I use ZB (from G3 days) with a card reader.

[Jon]

Are those the exact file names? And are you using the Zoom Browser option to designate the prefix (abc) to be used in the file name? If you are, each d/l starts at abc0001. But if you go into the EXIF info, there will be an image number which corresponds to the folder/file number.

[aam1234]

Checked the card, now what you said earlier makes sense.

But still confused a bit, as I don't think I've taken that many photos.

It's DCIM\134canon\IMG_3500.

I doubt that I've taken 3500 pics, 500 (to 1,000) is more like it.

[aam1234]

Seems we posted at (almost) the same time :D

The abc is for illustrative purposes.

[Jon]

If you formatted it in the Rebel, but it had G3 files on it when you put it in, it might have picked up a high number that way . . .

[aam1234]

Last question/comment, promise :D

Even If I combine the G3 & 300D photos they would not come to 3500.

Thanks for your patience.

[Jon]

Dry firings? Either one a demo model, or possibly previously used? Either one ever go back to Canon for service (saw a huge spike in numbers when my D60 came back from NJ)? Use a card which had been used in someone else's camera? (I've got no pictures from 105CANON since I popped the Canon card with 104CANON on it into another camera, it started a 105xxxx folder, and when I put it back into the D60, that started up at 106CANON.)

[aam1234]

I think you might have something there. Always doubted the way the guy sold me the G3.

For future purchases what do you recommend for checking the cam at the shop. Would bringing a used card, format it in the new cam, take few pics, then check the card in a laptop. Would that work?

[Jon]

Have it blank to begin with, otherwise you may inherit the numbers from the previous camera . . . But if you're buying it in a shop, I'd definitely bring along a card and, if you plan to walk out with it, a laptop.

[aam1234]

You've been extremely helpful Jon. Not only this time but also when I asked about "CA" few weeks ago.

Thank you very much.

[Jon]

Hey, no prob! glad to be of help.

[Andy_T]

Still, might also be possible that some jerk in the photoshop put a CF card with 105 in it before ... I'm not sure that a higher image count automatically insinuates that you have been sold a used camera.

(If they sold you a used camera on purpose, they'd be thinking about resetting the counter. At least I would, if I did things like that. :wink: )

Best regards,
Andy