Is formatting the CF card often good?

[LowriderS10]

I try to make it a habit to dump my cards as often as possible and format them...is this a good practice? Is formatting the cards once every 2 weeks on average good or bad?

thanks :)
-Tamas

[doctorgonzo]

What are you trying to accomplish? Quick Formatting a card doesn't check the card for errors or actually delete the data on the card, it just marks all the space as free. So if you simply want to quickly dump all the data on a card, formatting works just fine, but it won't get you any more than that.

[manutd101]

I format every time I download the card.

[Jon]

I format every time I download the card.
Likewise. Reformat in the computer to leave them all clean and shiny and ready for use in whichever camera I need one in next.

[manutd101]

Likewise. Reformat in the computer to leave them all clean and shiny and ready for use in whichever camera I need one in next.
Do you have a Mac? I don't know how to format on one, so I just do it on the camera.

[Mark_Cohran]

Do you have a Mac? I don't know how to format on one, so I just do it on the camera.

You use the Disk Utility to format them in a Mac.

[FatCat]

Formatting won't harm your card, but to get the full service use low level formatting once in a while, it will check your card for bad sectors and will erase the data (actually erase the data) so nobody can make bad use of the pictures in it should you missplace the card. ^_^

[LowriderS10]

awesome...thanks for the info :) so I guess it's neither harmful nor helpful :)

[FatCat]

Well... a lot of low level formatting will actually wear your card a leeeettle every time, so use it once in a while.
Other than that is just a quick way to completely erase a card, specially if you only erase/format in camera
Cheers ^_^

[ironchef31]

I always let the camera format the card after I've downloaded the photos. That way there's no chance that Windows will put some incompatible format on it.

[tim]

Modern CF cards can take something silly like a million write cycles (from memory, looked up on wikipedia a while ago), so don't worry about that wtr full formats. I format in-camera, I don't bother on the PC, and i've never had a problem. I only use Sandisk cards.

[manutd101]

You use the Disk Utility to format them in a Mac.
Thanks. So here's a question for y'all: do you usually format on the camera or in the computer?

[DAMphyne]

Thanks. So here's a question for y'all: do you usually format on the camera or in the computer?

Yes :)

[manutd101]

Yes :)
Hehe, nice.

[johnz]

Formatting a card doesn't really make any difference. It doesn't matter if you just cut the images, copy paste and delete the images, or copy paste and then format the card. Result is the same, It makes no difference, as long as you do delete the images somehow from the card and the space is marked free on the card.

[birdfromboat]

I am surprised that no one else says they just simply 'move' the files to a hard drive, leaving nothing behind and not actually opening the files with any software that might leave its fingerprints on a file. I shoot raw, and use windows explorer to 'move' files from a card slot to my harddrive, then copy everything to a working file that will eventually hold the finished shots. that leaves me with unopened files on my hard drive and an empty card. Am I alone in doing it this way? I am working without the encumberances of any formal training in this area, please help me if I am doing it wrong. I hate doing it wrong

[johnz]

I usually do it just like that.
Put the card in a card reader, cut all the files from the card, and paste them to my local hard drive.
But it's a bit smarter to copy them to your hard drive, than make a backup of the copied files and only after you actually Have them on your drive ( or two ), remove them. But now these are routines for people that would kill themselves if they lose the images on the card.

I usually just cut / paste the files, and is working great.

[DAMphyne]

I agree with the "copy the files" method.

[highbarger]

My workflow is as follows: Card reader. Copy onto hard drive. Burn on DVD. Verify DVD. Format card in computer. Format card in camera.

[timmyeatchips]

It seems some people end up with card errors after formatting in computer due to different file systems so probably best to do it in camera.

I always dump my card to PC after a days shooting, whether it's full or not, and format it in camera. The 'format' function is quicker than the 'delete all'.

[scorpio_e]

I always format after I download too.

[dave kadolph]

Format in the camera after confirming the download.

[DAMphyne]

My workflow is as follows: Card reader. Copy onto hard drive. Burn on DVD. Verify DVD. Format card in computer. Format card in camera.

I use this method for important stuff, like my pictures;)

[DStanic]

card reader -> copy to hard drive -> check pics on hard drive -> format card in camera

if it's something important burn to DVD before formatting.

[yogestee]

I format my cards in camera every few weeks.. No problems..