Unique File Names per camera?

Hi,
I have two 20D that I shoot at the same time with different lenses during shoots. When I get back and get to downloadng my photos the duplicate file name thing gets in my way every time and is quite frustrating.

Has anyone found an easy solution to tis so that I can use different file names on each camera. The only thing I have foun to change the filename so far is to change the color space in each camera... but shooting in two color spaces is counter productive.

Any ideas?

I have a Canon 20D with Firmware 2.0.3; but is this possible in other Canon cameras if it is not in mine?

You cannot do it in camera on any of the pro-sumer cameras. The easiest way around that issue is to use a downloader where you can batch-name your files as they are being written to your HD.

Something like this: http://www.breezesys.c​om/Downloader/index.ht​m

You need to move up to a 1-series to get that capability.

Otherwise, use easiest approach is to name the files differently during downloading. Most downloading programs provide the ability to have different filenames on the computer than on the CF card.

I've got one idea. If you use downloader pro from breeze as was sugested above, you can change the filename during the download. There is a lot of flexibility in the renaming of the files. You could use ownername from exif in the filename. Then put a different ownername on each camera: 20Da and 20Db.

Wow! I wish I had thought of that...

defordphoto wrote in post #3592145
Something like this: http://www.breezesys.c​om/Downloader/index.ht​m

I have seen downloader programs before.. and like Lightroom and other products have one built in.

But can any of them identify the cameras by the Metadata stored in the RAW images (i.e. Serial Number) to uniquely name them as they are downloaded? Sometimes I swap cards and have photos from multiple cameras, clients, etc, on a single card.

Christopher

crsouser wrote in post #3594677
... But can any of them identify the cameras by the Metadata stored in the RAW images (i.e. Serial Number) to uniquely name them as they are downloaded? Sometimes I swap cards and have photos from multiple cameras, clients, etc, on a single card. Christopher

Christopher, I've just checked on my version of Lightroom (v1.1). You can set up a custom naming preset, which can include the make, model and serial number of your camera, or any combination of the metadata contained in the image.

Hope this helps.

There might be another way.... If you could find someone who has a much higher file number with a similar camera, borrow one of his/her memory cards and shoot a shot with your camera. Now, that camera will have very high file numbers and you can reset the other to zero.

If you use the cameras an equal amount, you can then eventually (when the higher numbers roll to zero) switch which camera is high and which is low.

Putting your images into folders that separate events, etc., is also a good way to work - even with the separated numbering systems.

Why not just copy them and use Bridge batch rename in Photoshop? Then copy over the next card and batch rename...

I'm missing something. I don't know why this is rocket science.

bwolford wrote in post #3595240
Why not just copy them and use Bridge batch rename in Photoshop? Then copy over the next card and batch rename...

I'm missing something. I don't know why this is rocket science.

As he is using the same card in both cameras and has shots from both on the same card this will not work.

The only solution is to use the serial number as part of the naming process in something like Light Room...
Just checked and Light Room does have serila number as a field you can select during the import and naming stage...

Stu

bwolford wrote in post #3595240
I'm missing something. I don't know why this is rocket science.

Ain't that the truth...I sometimes shoot with 4 different cameras and just copy them into separate folders. Folders are named MKIII, MKII, 20D, 30D, etc.

Yes, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express...:p

crsouser wrote in post #3594677
Sometimes I swap cards and have photos from multiple cameras, clients, etc, on a single card.

In this day and age...it makes no sense at all to be swapping cards between cameras, clients or job...Digital media is dirt cheap. Carry an ample supply of cards with you and then as Jim suggested...simply download the files at the end of the day to the appropriate camera folder. I used to shoot with a pair of 20Ds and had no trouble keeping the cards and the files straight...big thing is to develop a good workflow from capture to finished print.

Swapping cards is his first problem. If he's shooting with multiple cameras, there is no need to complicate matters more by shooting multiple cameras and swapping cards between cameras. This just wreaks of workflow issues.

If it is an affordability issue (IE can't afford enough cards to ensure dedicated use between cameras) then that's a different problem and his only viable solution (other than buying more cards) is to use date and time and keep a manual log.

In either event, his camera and card handling needs to be worked out BEFORE he worries about file naming on the computer. Since the 20D won't solve his problem in itself, more cards is the immediate solution. BEFORE even starts to resolve it when he downloads.

LIghtroom 1.1 allows you to batch rename - or you can define where you can import your files to. Make a catalog for each camera (20DA, 20DB) - then when you bring the files in, just specify where you want to put the files on your HDD.

bwolford wrote in post #3595899
Swapping cards is his first problem. If he's shooting with multiple cameras, there is no need to complicate matters more by shooting multiple cameras and swapping cards between cameras. This just wreaks of workflow issues.

I sometimes find myself swapping cards do to trying to keep one person/subject per card. Also it is a matter of trying to squeze the last few shots out of the card when I happen to run out and haven't had a chance to download.

Sometimes when shooting my camera, like I would with a gun, if I have a pause I do swap mags/cards to have the most shots available at any time then start going back through using up the left overs. Maybe not the most efficent.. but I hate having to pause in the middle of when I am actually shoot something and my card is full.

I would think I have plenty of cards ~30 gigs of them (8+3x4+2+8x1).. but sometimes I find that I have shot them all up.. especially on longer trips or days.

Anyways.. I will try the thing in Lightroom nextime.