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Is it possible to "wear out" an SD card?
Sep 22, 2016 23:18:31 #
RichieC
Loc: Adirondacks
You are flipping the same blocks from 1 to 0's or true/false- they have a rather long life span or perhaps 10,000 cycles. Some blocks never work from day one, some become physically or electrically damaged , and some simply fail over time - this is all expected- every sort and make of memory disk has bad sectors from day one- this does not indicate a bad card. The more expensive cards have a redundancy built in, a faster architecture…etc.
Formatting the card finds, maps and avoids these bad blocks seamlessly … using the healthy parts to write the directory and images etc to, of which there is ample left. THink of an apple with a bruise- you cut that out- the rest is 100% fine. Why you should re-format the card every time you remove images from it, with the camera it will work in for optimal results.
Formatting the card finds, maps and avoids these bad blocks seamlessly … using the healthy parts to write the directory and images etc to, of which there is ample left. THink of an apple with a bruise- you cut that out- the rest is 100% fine. Why you should re-format the card every time you remove images from it, with the camera it will work in for optimal results.
Sep 22, 2016 23:29:06 #
When I inserted my SD card in my camera's card slot...it just stayed there and wouldn't "eject" when I pressed on it. I initially thought the mechanism in my card slot had just malfunctioned or something. I had to pry my SD card out and decided, obviously, that I would need to have that fixed. The "fix" was more expensive than I thought it would be. Canon reported that the circuit board was not operating properly and the memory card could not be recognized.The circuit board was replaced. All of this made me wonder if I was doing something wrong by re-formatting my card often...or by just taking it out and putting it in. Has anyone else had this happen, I wonder???
I've learned much about SD cards just by reading each of your responses. Thank you.
I've learned much about SD cards just by reading each of your responses. Thank you.
Sep 22, 2016 23:32:44 #
CEAA wrote:
One does not reformat the hard drive every time you delete a file.
One does, if he wants the ENTIRE disk erased. In my experience, reformatting takes just a few seconds, as opposed to several minutes if I'm deleting hundreds of files.
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Sep 23, 2016 00:45:48 #
Just a minor point, but when you do a normal format, you don't actually write over the entire card, just the file allocation table (unless you do low-level format). So I do a simple FAT format whenever I want to start over with my file folder numbering. I usually create a different folder for different days or events, just to keep pictures somewhat organized, but when I have dozens of folders and just want to start fresh I do a simple (not low level) format. I will do a low level format occasionally just for the heck of it.
Sep 23, 2016 20:44:22 #
Basil wrote:
Am I the only one who has ever lost an SD card by going to insert it into a pre-2012 iMac only to accidentally shove it into the DVD drive, conveniently located just an inch above the SD slot? What a pain!
Nope, you're not the only one. What finally got it out was inserting a CD, which popped right back out because of the SD card interference, and the SD card popped out with it. Nightmare over!
Sep 24, 2016 00:02:52 #
If you rub the card vigourously before putting it in the camera, in order to bring good luck to your photography, you might wear it out. I think it's better to just say a few words or even a chant, and then gently slide it in.
Oh, and be sure to wash your hands before handling the card. Especially if you just changed the oil in your car, or ate at an Ethiopian restaurant.
Oh, and be sure to wash your hands before handling the card. Especially if you just changed the oil in your car, or ate at an Ethiopian restaurant.
Sep 24, 2016 08:35:50 #
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Sep 24, 2016 09:23:46 #
aellman wrote:
You missed one: dropping it on concrete and then stepping on it. Reduces the life span quite a bit.
Or hitting it with a sledge hammer... electromagnetic pulse from a nuke in space... baby vomit...
Sep 24, 2016 09:29:03 #
LindaChaplin wrote:
When I inserted my SD card in my camera's card slo... (show quote)
Sounds like a defect in camera or card caused it to not eject, and prying it broke delicate connectors (foils) on the circuit board.
Sep 24, 2016 09:31:30 #
Basil wrote:
Just a minor point, but when you do a normal forma... (show quote)
Newer cameras use EXFAT formatting, so they can record 4GB chunks of video. Always format cards in the camera you intend to use.
Sep 24, 2016 09:33:58 #
Wish I could say I had never inserted the SD in the DVD slot!! I, finally, stuck a big post-it over the DVD slot as a warning. I know I should be smarter, but, I, finally, learned....I am not!! Have to say, misery loves company. Thanks for making me feel better!!
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Sep 24, 2016 09:46:38 #
CEAA wrote:
Good to read your reply as I do the same as you! One does not reformat the hard drive every time you delete a file.
Reformatting in camera only erases the directory. Your images remain on the card until the camera writes over them with new images. Any "wear" is negligible. But reformatting IN CAMERA ensures the directory structure is EXACTLY what the camera needs to write to. Different cameras format differently, and add certain hidden files or subdirectories they will need. So don't format for one brand and use in another without REformatting. I have learned this the hard way... my wife's SD cards from her Canon do not work in my LUMIX until I reformat, erasing her images, and requiring recovery software.
Sep 27, 2016 21:30:49 #
LindaChaplin wrote:
Hi friends. I usually use an 8 gb SD card in my 6D... (show quote)
I don’t know if it will hurt the card to format it a lot, however the contacts are exposed and that makes the cards more susceptible to wear. They are delicate so be careful. On the other hand I have several CF cards that have been pulled out of cameras and card readers so much that the paint has worn off to the point I don’t even know what make that are any more. I guess they have been formatted at least 20,000 times. SD cards cannot even come close to this type of use. Just buy more and be careful.
Sep 28, 2016 14:37:49 #
[I was encouraged to only reformat my cards in my Camera, which is better, computer or Camera???
quote=n3eg]I always reformat in the computer. It can fix problems the camera can't when reformatting. You can also reformat and fix the "fake" 128Gb cards to their real 16Gb by partitioning in the computer.[/quote]
quote=n3eg]I always reformat in the computer. It can fix problems the camera can't when reformatting. You can also reformat and fix the "fake" 128Gb cards to their real 16Gb by partitioning in the computer.[/quote]
Sep 28, 2016 20:49:08 #
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