Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Exactly. You reformat.
What we're talking about is photographers who NEVER re-format a card, and only DELETE images. After a while the FAT (file allocation table) can be corrupted from all the file manipulating. Format refreshes the FAT.

coco1964 Loc: Winsted Mn

Have always loaded photos onto my computer, then reformat in camera. I then delete unwanted photos as I go through them in my computer. I shoot sports so there are times I may have 50 shots between each other that I delete all at once on my computer which would take forever to delete in camera and use up battery time. I also heard that this is the best way to do it in a Nikon class I took so I followed their advice........

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Reformatting in the camera performs two basic operations:

1. The catalog portion of the card is erased.

2. The card is programmed to accept the cameras pictures and preset file numbers.

Two other functions may (should) be performed, but are not critical:

3. Any remaining images/data will be erased (usually happens).

4. The unused portion of the card, reserved for images/data, may be overwritten by random ones and zeros to prevent recovery of previous pictures (only happens with special cameras - forensic, law enforcement, military and some high end cameras).

Note that function 1 will permit the camera to overwrite any remaining image data while writing a new catalog entry. It is also the reason that images can be recovered from some cards, even if the card has been formatted. However, without special software, once you format a card, you will never see your old pictures again. Deleting a picture or pictures, in some cases, means that you have only deleted the catalog number for the picture(s) and made the space available for new pictures; it is also the reason that constantly deleting pictures and leaving small memory blocks can eventually cause your card to fill with fewer pictures. That is why formatting is so important.

big ed Loc: Dudley UK

I always delete images and format the card in camera, never had any problems

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Sometimes I'll delete a really bad photo or two from the camera. After downloading photos to my computer then I format the card in the camera. I never have the computer delete photos and before I format a card, I make sure my pictures downloaded properly.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Delete from the camera images I don't want/like. After transferring to computer reformat in the camera - same as several others have said

cthahn

Why do you ask a question like this when you do not even bother to say what camera you use? Are we supposed to guess. Did you consider taking time to read the manual that came with your camera. If most of you would read you manuals instead of asking dumb question, you might learn something.

hj Loc: Florida

A simple question.... is "delete all images"in the camera the same as reformatting? Or do I need to delete and then go to the reformat function also? I have been just deleting all images and then reusing the media card.

photophool Loc: Grosse Pointe Park, MI

Aha! This probably explains the recent trouble I had with my 4GB Lexar CF card. I lost perhaps 30% of the 150 images on the card, but I also had, for several years, deleted undesirable images in camera with the Delete button. After recovery, Windows told me that there was a problem with the card: easily one thousand cross linked files. After fixing in Windows, I formatted in camera twice. No issues since. I'll delete images in Lightroom from now on.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I never delete in the camera. If I make a mistake and delete the wrong one or delete all of them - well, that would be a shame.

Unless your card is getting full, and you don't have a replacement, I would prefer to leave them where they are. Copy them to the computer and then format the card in the camera. If you must delete, just follow the directions in the manual.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Emm5, you will get quite a variety of answers, all saying their method is the preferred one. I always copy pictures from my camera (after inserting the card into my card reader), then I make sure everything has transferred to a folder I create on the Desktop, and then, and only then, I delete the photos on the card, while still in the computer. I have never re-formatted my card from 'day one'. Works well for me. That's one method, but I'm sure you'lll hear many more.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

After downloading photographs to the computer I format the card in the camera.

photophool Loc: Grosse Pointe Park, MI

Yes, that method will work. But what if something goes haywire during the move? You've now lost who knows how many images. Granted, it's most unlikely, but I always like to have my images in at least two places, one of which is the memory card. Once the images are on the computer, I manually back up to my secondary hard drive then, and only then, format the card in camera.

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

Although I have reformatted in the computer, I do not advise it. I feel it is best done by the camera it is used in. Also, I do not usually delete individual photos in the camera. I load everything onto the computer where I can 'really' see what I have. Once I am satisfied that everything is properly backed up, the I reformat the card in the camera.

RolandComfort Loc: Saint Louis

I mostly shoot RAW so I work in PS Bridge. Take the card out of the camera and stick it in the computer. Open Bridge, click File, Get Photos from Camera, migrate to the card, choose a folder to store the pix, add a custom name, (also adds your copyright, etc.}, run it. Take the card out of the computer and put it back in the camera, menu, format, yes, you're done and ready for the next shoot. Never had a problem over 20,000 exposures using only 2 16GB cards rotated more or less.