You can use a large SD card for your camera AND your media at the same time.

sounds like trouble to me. i like my cards nice and clean to avoid any possible data loss.

i bought a couple of 32 gig cards for 12 dollars each last week, that's dirt cheap. Just buy more cards.

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #17813624
EXFAT allows for single files larger than 4gigs if needed.
FAT32 does not allow these large files.
This is how just cards come when new.
The camera cannot change it to EXFAT
(All of my external media is formatted to this)

While having a USB thumb drive is great I don't own any.
I do have 4 SD cards and a couple 3.0 readers.

Internet access is limited to a home, an internet cafe, or my 5gig tethering from my phone.
For me quick cloud access to file is rarely possible when needed.

My situation probably doesn't apply to 99% of you readers.

I found steps that allowed me to do what I wanted.
And I thought I would share them.
If it is not helpful to most, I understand.

I didn't know about exfat and the +4Gig, thanks for the insight

I have to use the camera's card often
I am living in the Philippines where the upload internet connection is 850 Kb only (a 100meg file take for ever to upload so no dropbox), and if there is something i am a specialist it's to forgot my thumbdrives on my computer, but my camera is always with me and i have always a card reader in my camera bag for those purpose

I can't see any scenario where i would risk the loss of data just to be able to store files on my cameras memory card.

fotopaul wrote in post #17816078
I can't see any scenario where i would risk the loss of data just to be able to store files on my cameras memory card.

I can't see any scenario where i will lose data because i store files on my camera memory card

Reservoir Dog wrote in post #17817224
I can't see any scenario where i will lose data because i store files on my camera memory card

Good for you! Keep using your camera like a usb stick then.

Reservoir Dog wrote in post #17817224
I can't see any scenario where i will lose data because i store files on my camera memory card

I did not format one of the brand new cards I bought (mentioned earlier in this thread) before using it and ended up with write errors. Brand new PNY cards. Doing anything other than an in camera format is adding unnecessary risk. What are the chances of problems? Do your needs for a non standard format trump the risks? Obviously that's up to you.

A memory card is meant to store data, delete them, rewrite on it, format them whatever the device, a SD or CF card is not meant for camera purpose ONLY it is meant for any device which can read and/or write on it, period !

Now that you are scare with your PNY, i can understand because when i start to google PNY pro ... i didn't have finish to write that google propose me many suggestions with the word "Problems" for PNY, so you might want to try some other brands ...

Reservoir Dog wrote in post #17818203
A memory card is meant to store data, delete them, rewrite on it, format them whatever the device, a SD or CF card is not meant for camera purpose ONLY it is meant for any device which can read and/or write on it, period !

The fact you didn't know about FAT and it's limitations tells us your knowledge with filsystem and db is limited in general... Nobody claims the cards are only meant for cameras, we simply state it's stupid to use the same card for everything.

You think the practice of always formatting the card/SSD in camera/recorder is just for kicks ? Even though both card manufacturer and camera/recorder manufacturer often recommends it ?

The risk of screwing up db and file structure by using it a usb stick increases a lot, no matter how you slice or dice it.

It's not because i have stopped to be a nerd a decade ago and i didn't update my knowledge that i do not know about the file allocation table, but i admit it.. i stayed at the fat 32 "level", and recently got some interest with the HFS+ (Mac OS filesystem) but overall you do not need to be pedantic with me.

And because of that, i feel that this conversation is going to a slope ... and the only slopes i like are in diving.
So for me here is the end of this conversation.
Have a nice day

fotopaul wrote in post #17818210
The fact you didn't know about FAT and it's limitations tells us your knowledge with filsystem and db is limited in general... Nobody claims the cards are only meant for cameras, we simply state it's stupid to use the same card for everything.

You think the practice of always formatting the card/SSD in camera/recorder is just for kicks ? Even though both card manufacturer and camera/recorder manufacturer often recommends it ?

The risk of screwing up db and file structure by using it a usb stick increases a lot, no matter how you slice or dice it.

^ I find the bold to be needlessly insulting. That is my opinion.


What I choose to do with my own card or any other member chooses to do with there card has risk of data loss.
I am making no assumption that the data is safe or this could not allow for more potential error in the card or cards.
Any time some uses a single card for writing and storing data there is a potential for error, fault, and loss of data.
That is why everyone recommends backups and multiple backups of those.

I created this thread to inform others of available options while using their memory cards.

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #17813542
from my mac,

Here is your problem, Apple uses non standard file systems. By a PC and solve all your issues :P

But you do this natively without doing any of the steps by OP. Plug SD card in computer, drag folder on to SD card. Bam done.

RileyNZL wrote in post #17821652
Here is your problem, Apple uses non standard file systems. By a PC and solve all your issues :P

^ Reread my original post.

It is not "because of my Mac"

I use my computer (Mac or PC are both fine)
To format the card to EXFAT for large files.
Something the camera cannot change.

RileyNZL wrote in post #17821655
But you do this natively without doing any of the steps by OP. Plug SD card in computer, drag folder on to SD card. Bam done.

You are correct this will work just fine if you already used the card in the card before.


I have found my 6D requires formatting inside the camera if I do not already have the DCIM and MISC folders on the SD card.

Therefore, I would lose the personal files on the card if I put the personal files on it first.

I made my steps from start to finish for brand new cards, never used in a camera before.

I thank you for the feedback.
Many users don't need all the steps.

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #17813539
Exactly, if you use your camera as normal, you cannot add files to it.

Using my steps and leaving it that way, you always have access to the unwritten space.

Just hope it could be helpful to someone else. It's helpful to me.

a memory card is dedicated for camera use,
I never mixed that purposes

That's why I always have thumbdrive in keychain