40D file numbering

My XT made a new directory every 100 pics on the CF card. Im at 310 with the same directory on the 40d. Is there a setting?

No there isn't. The 40D puts 9999 images into a single folder (see page 72 of the 40D manual).

Numbers are applied from 0001 to 9999 per folder. For example 9999 photos in folder 100, and then the numbering will start over in folder 101. The 40D will keep track of the last number in the card, but if you use another card that has been used in another camera, it could very well use the last number left by the other camera, screwing things up.

You can set your 40D to "Continuos, Automatic Reset, or Manual Reset." Everything is explained in David D. Bush's "Canon EOS 40D Guide To Digital SLR Photography." The whole thing is too difficult to explain here unless I break copyright laws.

Thanks for the info peeps, cant find my manual, PDF version available?

Here is the Manual. All 196 pages of it.

Rockies Photo wrote in post #5852032
Here is the Manual. All 196 pages of it.

The manual is OK, but I highly recommend a 40D user book or guide written for it, because the manual mainly gives you data without much details. For example, there are a a few instances when an error can be introduced to the 40D numbering system:

-When swapping a card that has been used in another camera. In this case, the 40D will assign a number greater than the photo number in the card. So if you have taken 100 photos with your 40D, and then use a card that has been used in another camera and 5,000 photos (for example) have been stored in it, your 40D will assign the number 5,001 to the next photo in the card, and save the information in its internal memory. If you now use a new card, the number that follows will be 5002 instead of the actual 102 photos you have taken with your 40D. There are a few other examples in the book I mentioned above. I believe that if you use a blank/reformatted card, then the 40D continues its normal numbering system.

Is it not the case, however, that if you format a card in the 40D before storing any images on that card, the new images will be numbered in sequence with the most recent images from the camera? That is, if you always format your cards in the camera when you put them in, you will always have the correct image numbers.???

pknight wrote in post #5854860
Is it not the case, however, that if you format a card in the 40D before storing any images on that card, the new images will be numbered in sequence with the most recent images from the camera? That is, if you always format your cards in the camera when you put them in, you will always have the correct image numbers.???

Well, that's what I would do. However, I have no idea what happens if you swap one card-with another that has photos-from you camera bag. All depends on what numbering mode you are using. For example:

-Continuous. (as I mentioned above)

-Automatic Reset mode. When you insert a blank/reformatted card, the next photo taken will be numbered 001. If you insert a card that is not blank, the next number will be a number greater than the highest one found in the card. If now you insert another blank/formatted card, the number will be 0001.

Manual Reset. The camera creates a new folder with a number greater than the last one, and then starts at 0001. After this folder is full (9999 photos), then it proceeds with the numbering mode you chose previously (either Continuous, or Automatic Reset).

Those are the things to be aware of when using multiple cards. I am not en expert on this, but I can only assume that when using the Continuos numbering system, as long as you insert a blank/formatted card the next time, there should not be any problems. The count should be "continous" from folder to folder ( from 0001 to 9999 in folder 1, then 9992 in folder 2, and so forth). Not a bad idea to stick to one numbering system (out of the two), and to be aware of what to do when swapping cards.

At least to me, it makes a lot of sense to buy a 40D user guide that clearly explains how to use the camera. However, I have only used my 40D for a little over two weeks. I found the owner's manual a little difficult to understand, since it gives no examples. The guide I mentioned above has over 300 pages with examples, photos, drawings, etc., which makes it much easier for me to follow.

The 20D puts 100 images per folder. I found it to be a handicap. I was forced to use software to grab all of the photos instead of dragging & dropping all of the pictures one folder at a time.

I still use ACDSee's get photos option but only out of convince. When I have multiple cards to copy I still copy through Explorer.