reformat CF cards and specific CF cards for specific cameras

[rklepper]

Okay so my new 5DII and 7D are both going to be here on Tuesday. Should I reformat all my CF cards in the computer prior to in camera?

Also, I am assuming that I should keep the CF cards for each separate from each other.

[JWright]

That would be my recommendation...

I got bitten by Canon's propensity to default to the highest image number on the card when i moved from a D60 to a 20D. I have since added a 40D to the group and I have a set of cards specifically dedicated to each camera. I also have separate cards for my G5 and A70...

[TTk]

If it was me I would formatt the card's in camera and keep the cards for each camera, I myself keep Kingston 2GB card's for my main 1D classic and Lexar 2GB cards for my back up 1D classic, but that's just me, other photographer's will do it there way.;)

[rklepper]

Yes, I am afraid I will need some more cards anyway so I think I will just get another card carrier and keep one for each camera.

Thanks

[Jon]

I reformat everything in the computer before re-use, and haven't had a problem that way with mixing cards. I have too many assorted cameras to deal with separate carriers for each one. I'd rather have one or two bigger carriers and be able to use everything whenever I need it. I have a Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket and three PPR Jrs full of cards of between 4-8 GB size, plus what's in the cameras at any given time.

[mitch2k1]

I would format the cards in camera, I've moved cards amongst a 30D, 5D and 5D MkII without issue.

[dovaka]

i format everything in the camera before each use and i never separate cards for different cameras

[MT Stringer]

I would format the cards in camera, I've moved cards amongst a 30D, 5D and 5D MkII without issue.

Same for me. Never in the computer. And I shoot a lot of images. The cards have been used at one time or another in a Rebel XT, 20D, 30D, 40D and 1D MK III. I've never had a problem out of any of the cards which range from 4 gig to 16 gb. Mostly Kingston with a couple of Sandisk Extreme III that I bought recently.

As far as the number count goes, I always reset the counter in the camera before each use. I do this for both bodies, then sort my images by time and date taken which mixes the images into the order in which they were taken. The cameras have been synched with the same time and date. The 40D starts off at "img_0001" and I have a custom filename for the 1D3 that starts at "MTH_0001". That way no one gets over written.

[hollis_f]

That would be my recommendation...

I got bitten by Canon's propensity to default to the highest image number on the card when i moved from a D60 to a 20D. I have since added a 40D to the group and I have a set of cards specifically dedicated to each camera. I also have separate cards for my G5 and A70...

Yes, the file numbering (where the camera uses the last number on the card, even if it's from a different camera) used to be a PITA. Until I started renaming files when transferred from card to PC. Now it doesn't worry me at all and I have meaningful filenames.

[RDKirk]

I always reformat in the camera immediately before using a card; it's the final check that the card is working correctly.

I don't worry about moving cards between cameras. I don't sweat trying to count shutter cycles--I shoot what I shoot. The EXIF tells me which camera shot each frame, and Breeze Systems Downloader Pro can rename each file as it's downloaded to identify the camera in the filename (if I so choose).

I do periodically (two or three times a year) do a full format of each card in the computer. The full format gives the card controller an opportunity to map out any registers that may have gone bad.

[blackhawk]

Make sure you format them somewhere before using on another body as it may cause data lose or erratic if you "share" cards between bodies.
Lexar cards come with a nice app for this and more, Image One.

[Agged]

I do periodically (two or three times a year) do a full format of each card in the computer. The full format gives the card controller an opportunity to map out any registers that may have gone bad.

At the risk of sounding like a complete noob, how does one do that in the computer?

[prrs4me]

I'm with the format in camera before using. I don't separate the cards and so far haven't had a problem. I've never formated in the computer but might give that a try once in a while.

[RDKirk]

At the risk of sounding like a complete noob, how does one do that in the computer?

Presuming you have a card reader, you only need to plug a card in and then open it and format it the same way you would any drive appropriate to your operating system. Just be sure not to do a "quick" format--use the full format option.

[Tdragone]

When I pull pictures off my card onto my computer; the last step I do is to delete the directories on the card so it's blank. It's not necessary to format solid state drives. This has worked for me in my 30D/50D/1Dmkiii environment. This way whatever card I pop into a camera is 'okay' and won't renumber things as John noted.
Doc; congratulations!

[blackhawk]

For security I will also do zero fills with Image One. A formatted card insures there will be no data corruption due to card contents, and that the card is empty.
Nothing worse than a 8 GB card that only holds 50 images...

Card problems should never ruin shoots, but they do because of poor handling and protocol. 100% preventable.

[Tdragone]

You know that's totally NOT what you should be doing on a solid state drive.. right? SSD's have huge investments in load leveling algorithms to ensure each area of the drive is used the same amount of times over the drive's lifetime.

Doing these writes more than halves the number of read/write cycles of the card. Instead of just not using those parts of the card you DID use on the next use of the card; you've "used" them all for an unnecessary write (I deal with this daily to earn a paycheck)

[blackhawk]

You know that's totally NOT what you should be doing on a solid state drive.. right? SSD's have huge investments in load leveling algorithms to ensure each area of the drive is used the same amount of times over the drive's lifetime.

Doing these writes more than halves the number of read/write cycles of the card. Instead of just not using those parts of the card you DID use on the next use of the card; you've "used" them all for an unnecessary write (I deal with this daily to earn a paycheck)

I zero fill when needed. Cards will become obsolete long before they reach the point of failing if protected from ESD, EMI, and physical abuse.
I also run diagnostics from time to time looking for cell failures or indications of wear.

[Agged]

Presuming you have a card reader, you only need to plug a card in and then open it and format it the same way you would any drive appropriate to your operating system. Just be sure not to do a "quick" format--use the full format option.

I have a reader, but have only ever used it to download images. Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. :D