Formatting a CF card in Camera

I am curious, as I have developed a method of formatting my cards in the camera and am wondering if it is okay.
I go to format in the menu and click on format. When it is complete, I format it again.
I started this when one of my cards was funking out on me a couple of years ago.
For some reason, today I started to wonder if it is okay to do...

Also, does it matter if I format in one camera and sometimes move the card to another camera?

I format mine twice as well. I want them clean before i start. It does not matter really, but for some reason. i do it twice.

If I moved a card from one camera to another I would format it again in the second camera. No technical reason it just seems to be a good idea. The cost in time is very small and the potential benefit (getting the images on the card) is very big.

I don't usually format twice but I don't see much of a down side.

pbelarge wrote in post #14510487
Also, does it matter if I format in one camera and sometimes move the card to another camera?

It has screwed up the file numbering when I've done it. It was a PITA to get the numbering straightened back out, so I don't do it.

Formatting it does not clean it. Try file recovery software and you will see files are still there. If you want a clean cf card you will have to wipe it clean. Formatting it just prepares it to be used in the current camera so I just format mine once.

Formatting twice is redundant. All a format does is wipe out the file allocation table.

I never understand why people care what filename the camera gives an image. I rename everything anyway.

There are two kinds of formatting: "Quick" and "Low Level". The first merely clears out the directories and file allocation table, whereas the second also erases the data. (My 60D offers both options.) I like to use the low level format because, if successful, it suggests that the entire card is good.

Of course, after a low level format, the pictures, or anything else, are gone forever.

Both kinds of format are also available in Windows 7 and XP (and, I assume, in Vista.)

When I get a new card, I do a low level format in my computer followed by another low level format in the camera to make sure the card works. I suggest using the same procedure when transferring a card to a new camera to avoid messing up the file numbering in the new camera.

I have my camera's set to low level format.

The card should be formatted to the camera you wish to use it in. I cant see a reason for formatting it twice however.