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Format it not to format new SD card
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Jun 22, 2018 14:42:10   #
BobIn
 
When buying a new 128GB SD card for my Nikon Coolpix P900, should I format it after loading it into my camera the first time? Pros and cons ? Sandisk Extreme sdcc with 90mb speed.

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Jun 22, 2018 14:47:15   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
Why not?

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Jun 22, 2018 15:00:47   #
BebuLamar
 
Nikon recommends format in the camera. Although I think if you don't it still work but Nikon recommends it because there may be a slight difference. The manufacturer of the card can't know which camera you use in on so their format should be generic.

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Jun 22, 2018 15:24:55   #
blackest Loc: Ireland
 
BobIn wrote:
When buying a new 128GB SD card for my Nikon Coolpix P900, should I format it after loading it into my camera the first time? Pros and cons ? Sandisk Extreme sdcc with 90mb speed.


Pro's you know it should be working before you leave home. There is no con, if formatting in camera fails at home then its likely the card would have failed in the field too.

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Jun 22, 2018 15:54:53   #
ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca
 
for goodness sake -----
FORMAT ---
Or
You could end up shooting
BLANKS

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Jun 22, 2018 16:01:53   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
I ALWAYS format a new card in the camera!

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Jun 22, 2018 16:15:08   #
brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky
 
BobIn wrote:
When buying a new 128GB SD card for my Nikon Coolpix P900, should I format it after loading it into my camera the first time? Pros and cons ? Sandisk Extreme sdcc with 90mb speed.


I format my cards before every shoot. Let's me know they are working. They're several years old and work great.

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Jun 22, 2018 16:25:56   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
BobIn wrote:
When buying a new 128GB SD card for my Nikon Coolpix P900, should I format it after loading it into my camera the first time? Pros and cons ? Sandisk Extreme sdcc with 90mb speed.


Why not? It's not difficult to do and doesn't take much time.

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Jun 22, 2018 17:00:18   #
BobIn
 
Thanks for the feedback. So formatting a new SD card is both strongly advised for assuring it will work in the field and will work best using the specific camera's formatting program.
Formatting should also be done whenever photos are off loaded to start fresh for the next photo adventure and safe to do over and over without hurting the SD card.

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Jun 22, 2018 17:04:00   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
BobIn wrote:
Thanks for the feedback. So formatting a new SD card is both strongly advised for assuring it will work in the field and will work best using the specific camera's formatting program.

Yes!
BobIn wrote:
Formatting should also be done whenever photos are off loaded to start fresh for the next photo adventure and safe to do over and over without hurting the SD card.

Won't hurt, but I haven't in five years. No problem.

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Jun 22, 2018 17:11:39   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
BobIn wrote:
When buying a new 128GB SD card for my Nikon Coolpix P900, should I format it after loading it into my camera the first time? Pros and cons ? Sandisk Extreme sdcc with 90mb speed.

Format it right away, before taking any shots! That way the card is "prepped" for your camera!

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Jun 22, 2018 17:13:49   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
speters wrote:
Format it right away, before taking any shots! That way the card is "prepped" for your camera!



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Jun 22, 2018 17:23:48   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Absolutely format a new card in-camera. As you receive it, the card may or may not have a file system.

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Jun 22, 2018 19:41:51   #
Stardust Loc: Central Illinois
 
BobIn wrote:
safe to do over and over without hurting the SD card.
Formatting or use of the card to take photos does not "hurt" the card, however, according to a study I read the average SD card can be formatted 100s & 100s of times and should last about 5 years. The main reasons cards go bad are heat & cold temperatures and the handling (bending) of them over time. On occasion the the contacts can also go bad. But doubt any of us will be using SD cards, or at least the ones we now have, in 5 years or so due to constant technical advances.

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Jun 22, 2018 20:07:42   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
Over all the years, I've never heard or read about an issue with not formatting a new card inserted into a camera, and I'm sure there are many people who don't format, they just pop it in and begin shooting away. So, I'd say the chance that something could go wrong by not formatting is very, very slim. Especially if the camera manual does not warn the operator that the card MUST be formatted before use. None of my manuals do.

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