Canon file numbering

My latest image is something like IMG_6000 Does that mean I've taken 6000 pictures?

If not is there a way to find out the picture count for a camera?

Maybe - if you've never used you card in another camera, if you have the file numbering set to continuous, and if you've never reset the file numbering.

There are some programs that can determine shutter count for specific bodies, but I've never seen any value to them, really, and haven't kept up with the various iterations of which bodies they will and won't work on.

^^

I switch my CF cards all the time (rotate usage) and the numbering is continuous regardless of CF (7D is also set to continuous numbering). Are you sure just switching the CF will continue on from another point? (I would check, but not home until this evening!).

Invertalon wrote in post #9820752
^^

I switch my CF cards all the time (rotate usage) and the numbering is continuous regardless of CF (7D is also set to continuous numbering). Are you sure just switching the CF will continue on from another point? (I would check, but not home until this evening!).

It's a pretty simple algorithm. In continuous mode the next image will be numbered one higher than the highest number image either internally on the camera body or on the CF card. If you pop in a CF card from another camera and it has a higher image number than the camera you placing it into, the camera will pick up the new file number and continue from there.

Invertalon wrote in post #9820752
^^

I switch my CF cards all the time (rotate usage) and the numbering is continuous regardless of CF (7D is also set to continuous numbering). Are you sure just switching the CF will continue on from another point? (I would check, but not home until this evening!).

Yes, I'm absolutely sure.

Invertalon wrote in post #9820752
^^

I switch my CF cards all the time (rotate usage) and the numbering is continuous regardless of CF (7D is also set to continuous numbering). Are you sure just switching the CF will continue on from another point? (I would check, but not home until this evening!).

I imagine your 7D is like my 300D - if the image number on the CF card is different from the one in the camera the camera will use the higher of the two.

Which means if your camera has 5000 shots and your friend's camera has 7500, if you put his card in your camera yours will start at 7501 instead of 5001.

This isn't a disaster - just install a new card and set the custom function involved to start new, which will set the card to 0001. Then reset the custom function to continuous and put your old card in your camera. It will start at 5001.

I hope I haven't made this too confusing...

-js

Or it could be 16000 shots or 26000, etc.

Somewhat unrelated, but I was thinking of this the other day. A mate is picking up his new 5D2 today and has a shoot tomorrow. If I give him one of my spare CF's to borrow, it will pick up the file number from the last time I used it, no? If he wants it to continue from when he finished using his CF card, am I right in saying that all he needs to do is format it in his camera before taking any shots?

The Moose wrote in post #9825096
Somewhat unrelated, but I was thinking of this the other day. A mate is picking up his new 5D2 today and has a shoot tomorrow. If I give him one of my spare CF's to borrow, it will pick up the file number from the last time I used it, no? If he wants it to continue from when he finished using his CF card, am I right in saying that all he needs to do is format it in his camera before taking any shots?

No.. As soon as you plug in the card, the camera will pick up the new number. You don't even have to turn it on. To do what you are asking, format the card in your PC first, then insert the blank CF card and re-format in camera.

Actually I think you can delete all the images as well, but I've never tried that one.

gjl711 wrote in post #9825612
No.. As soon as you plug in the card, the camera will pick up the new number. You don't even have to turn it on. To do what you are asking, format the card in your PC first, then insert the blank CF card and re-format in camera.

Actually I think you can delete all the images as well, but I've never tried that one.

Thanks mate. I wasn't sure if you would have needed to reformat in the PC but it's easy enough to do if I do hand one over to a mate to use.

The Moose wrote in post #9826728
Thanks mate. I wasn't sure if you would have needed to reformat in the PC but it's easy enough to do if I do hand one over to a mate to use.

thats always the safest way, then the card goes in totally blank. Like I said though you might just be able to delete all the files in the other camera first, or format in the other camera first and accomplish the same thing.

Well, the numbering system for sure picks up where it left off (highest number). I tried various CF cards in the 7D and all of them (one being brand new, never used) continued from where my others left off. Even after formatting them in-camera.

Invertalon wrote in post #9828665
.. Even after formatting them in-camera.

You can't format in the same camera as your going to use it. As soon as the card is plugged in the numbers are set.

If you format in another camera first, then move it I'm not sure what will happen. I'm thinking that the numbers will not be reset as there are no images.

The safest way is to format in a PC first.

It worked just fine, is what I am saying...

I did it, the numbers did NOT reset and continued in order. Did not matter what CF card I put in, the numbers stayed in the correct order.

Unless I am not understanding what you are trying to say?

At the end of the day though, for me, they stayed in order which is what I like (for organizational purposes).