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01/21/2005 10:22:09 AM · #1 |
| I have a 300D and own a 20D! If I take the CF Card out of the 20D and put it in the 300D should I format the card first? or does it matter? |
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01/21/2005 10:22:50 AM · #2 |
| You should format cards every time you use them. But taking from one cam to another won't corrupt them or anything. Just make it a habit to always re-format. |
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01/21/2005 10:23:36 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
You should format cards every time you use them. But taking from one cam to another won't corrupt them or anything. Just make it a habit to always re-format. |
Just out of curiousity, why? |
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01/21/2005 10:34:30 AM · #4 |
| Formatting CF cards is like defragging your computer. Formatting each time you use them prevents corrupt files (ie you losing your photos). |
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01/21/2005 10:35:17 AM · #5 |
I've never had a corrupt cf card and I've only formatted the thing when I got it.
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01/21/2005 10:36:47 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by notonline:
I've never had a corrupt cf card and I've only formatted the thing when I got it. |
It's just a precaution: not a guarantee. Like wearing your seatbelt all the time even though you've yet to be in an accident.
Lots of people have had corrupt cards, I'm one. |
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01/21/2005 10:38:10 AM · #7 |
The only reason that I am aware of to reformat is that it easily gets rid of stuff like folders, system-related files, etc.
It's like starting with a clean slate each time. If a card is used with more than one camera and not reformatted in between, I've seen the file numbering get screwed up because one camera picked up the numbering from a file written by the other. Formatting would prevent that.
In most situations, reformatting each time is really not necessary. I do not reformat regularly, and have had no problems.
The one case where formatting may be necessary is when updating firmware on somecameras using the CF card. If the card is not freshly formatted, the firmware update may not be possible.
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01/21/2005 10:38:45 AM · #8 |
i'd say format after you shoot 50-75% of the card. if your formatting every time you take a few pics and transfer them... you may have a problem.
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01/21/2005 10:39:51 AM · #9 |
I just format when the card gets to about 70% full...that way if I quickly have to take a few hundred shots I don't need to sit there and delete a bunch one at a time to make room.
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01/21/2005 10:40:00 AM · #10 |
I also wonder why should I format them so often. Is there any special reason? I only format my cards once in a month or so. I find that to be quite enough.
As for changing cards between cams - you don't need to format or anything. I often change cams even during the same session. If they are totaly different cams (for example nikon coolpix 4500 and Cannon 300D) each cam creats a different sub-folder for its own pics.
If the cams are from the same series (nikon coolpix 4500 and 5700) then they just get different numbering within the same directory.
Other then that there's no problem shooting using the same card in different cams.
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01/21/2005 10:40:25 AM · #11 |
As long as you erase the files using hte camera you shold not have to format but the first time. if you use it a lot, then formatting every once in a while probably wouldn't hurt i suppose.
I have a 256Mb CF card i used in my Fuji for over a year - about 6,000 to 7,000 shots. I DLd from it via a card reader after every session, and erased in the camera. Never had a problem. I even erased a few times in the card reader...but since i have heard that is the reason for issues, i just erase in the camera after DLing photos.
I am pretty sure the 10D and 300D use the same chip/formatting, so it shouldn't need formatting when switching between cams.
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01/21/2005 10:44:54 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
I just format when the card gets to about 70% full... |
Well.... this means I will have to format my cards every day!! No way I'm gonna do that!!
by the way, the only card I ever got corrupted was of a certain brand (Danele if you wanted to know).
I bought it, it stopped working the second time I was using it. Replaced it and the new one acted exactly the same. Replaced it again and had the same probs. So I replaced it to Sandisk and never had a problem since.
The sandisk by the way, fell into a salt water aquarium and it took me about 15 minutes to get it out.
Even though, a year and a half afterwards and it still works perfectly!!
Message edited by author 2005-01-21 10:54:32.
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01/21/2005 10:46:23 AM · #13 |
What is the difference between formatting the card and deleting the pictures? I'm so confused...
What's the big deal about formatting?
Edit: Is sundisk a Sandisk knock off?
Message edited by author 2005-01-21 10:47:11.
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01/21/2005 10:48:37 AM · #14 |
| Well, it makes sense to me if the card does get fragmented which I could see happening after enough use. In theory I guess that could slow down write speeds and formatting would fix that. Thanks. |
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01/21/2005 10:50:52 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
What is the difference between formatting the card and deleting the pictures? I'm so confused...
What's the big deal about formatting?
Edit: Is sundisk a Sandisk knock off? |
Assuming the card works like a hard drive, there are hidden system files that keep track of what is on this disk (like a file allocation table, etc.,). These files tell the computer/camera where stuff can be written to. Deleting files removes stuff from the card, but it may leave holes in the space available for writing new stuff. Formatting basically wipes everything clean and resets these system files, giving you a clean slate to work with. |
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01/21/2005 10:52:00 AM · #16 |
I guess my question is 'Why wouldn't I format everytime instead of just deleting?'
It only takes a few seconds...I just didn't get the "No way!" reaction...
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01/21/2005 10:52:04 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
Edit: Is sundisk a Sandisk knock off? |
no... oops. I ment sandisk.
I don't delete really. When I transfer them to the comp I use the "move" method instead of "copy". Afterward it goes streight into the cam and I keep shootin.
Matter of time I guess...
Message edited by author 2005-01-21 10:54:08.
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01/21/2005 10:52:11 AM · #18 |
Formatting ISN'T a big deal. LOL and shouldn't be a debate!
It takes, literally, about 4 seconds. Go to your camera's menu and select Format. Easy. And I don't sit around formatting cards just because. I format them everytime I use them which is only a couple times a month and I fill them each time. Like someone said, it gets rid of any folders hanging onto the card. And yes, it is helpful in preventing corrupt cards. It only takes a few seconds and could save me lots of stress in the future so I've made it a personal habit.
Yeesh. |
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01/21/2005 10:53:18 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
Formatting ISN'T a big deal. LOL and shouldn't be a debate!
It takes, literally, about 4 seconds. Go to your camera's menu and select Format. Easy. And I don't sit around formatting cards just because. I format them everytime I use them which is only a couple times a month and I fill them each time. Like someone said, it gets rid of any folders hanging onto the card. And yes, it is helpful in preventing corrupt cards. It only takes a few seconds and could save me lots of stress in the future so I've made it a personal habit.
Yeesh. |
Didn't mean to start a debate. I was just curious what your reasoning was. Now i know. Thanks! |
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01/21/2005 10:59:37 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
Formatting ISN'T a big deal. LOL and shouldn't be a debate!
It takes, literally, about 4 seconds. Go to your camera's menu and select Format. Easy. And I don't sit around formatting cards just because. I format them everytime I use them which is only a couple times a month and I fill them each time. Like someone said, it gets rid of any folders hanging onto the card. And yes, it is helpful in preventing corrupt cards. It only takes a few seconds and could save me lots of stress in the future so I've made it a personal habit.
Yeesh. |
lol ok no need to get angry. You know how things are here. We have to talk about everything and get an idea of how things work. lol It's called communication.
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01/21/2005 11:04:50 AM · #21 |
I'm not angry :-)
P.S. DPC takes "communication" to a whole new level. I didn't realize poeple needed so much information until I came here lol |
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01/21/2005 11:07:07 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
I'm not angry :-)
P.S. DPC takes "communication" to a whole new level. I didn't realize poeple needed so much information until I came here lol |
Then NEVER ask how to change a lightbulb. :D lol
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01/21/2005 11:09:12 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
I'm not angry :-)
P.S. DPC takes "communication" to a whole new level. I didn't realize poeple needed so much information until I came here lol |
I know these debates can probably get annoying to people (not implying that this debate is annyoing you), but as a newbie I do actually find them educational. It never occured to me to format my CF card after the first time, so I was interested to know why. Your rationale makes sense, but some of the other counterpoints also make sense. Ultimately, it's up to me to decide what to do, so the more info I get, the better I am able to make that decision. You're right that formatting is not a big deal, so I'll probably end up doing it more often because of your input. Thanks, again. |
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01/21/2005 11:11:56 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
I guess my question is 'Why wouldn't I format everytime instead of just deleting?'
It only takes a few seconds...I just didn't get the "No way!" reaction... |
The consensus is that formatting is preferable to deleting. Deleting only removes selected images, formatting removes anything but information essential to the operation of the card.
As has been said already, formatting takes, perhaps, 1 - 4 seconds, depending on the size of the card and the number of images on it. I've had my share of corrupted CF cards and Unreadable Files issues. I no longer erase anything. Formatting is part of my work-flow: download images to computer > format; buy a new card > format. Change cards between cameras > format.
Message edited by author 2005-01-21 11:12:42.
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01/21/2005 11:18:03 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
I didn't realize poeple needed so much information until I came here lol |
Come on, at some point you needed this information too lol.
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