memory card wear
Dec 8, 2013 16:54:48 #
Does anyone know how many insert/pull cycles to expect with SD cards? I am concerned about the camera slot wear for a situation where the cards need to be replaced repeatedly for a shoot and print situation.
Dec 8, 2013 18:02:45 #
I don't think memory cards have a insert/pull life expectancy, I do know they last years with normal use. It takes a long time for those metal contacts to wear out.
Dec 8, 2013 18:17:01 #
Yes, I am actually concerned about the wear on the camera end, not the cards, since I can use a couple of low capacity cards for this purpose.
Dec 8, 2013 19:28:00 #
Instead of removing the cards constantly....Why not just download them with a USB cord or better yet, just get a EyeFi Card. It'll automatically download images to your computer via you wireless router. Problem solved.
Dec 8, 2013 19:41:45 #
The WiFi solution is also something I was thinking about.
I would need to set up a LAN in order to do that, but it would probably be the more elegant solution. The printer/computer was not close enough to the shooting location for a cable connection.
I will need to experiment with an Eye-Fi card. It is also not something I expect to be doing very often.
I would need to set up a LAN in order to do that, but it would probably be the more elegant solution. The printer/computer was not close enough to the shooting location for a cable connection.
I will need to experiment with an Eye-Fi card. It is also not something I expect to be doing very often.
Dec 8, 2013 19:59:28 #
Nikon_DonB wrote:
Instead of removing the cards constantly....Why not just download them with a USB cord or better yet, just get a EyeFi Card. It'll automatically download images to your computer via you wireless router. Problem solved.
Don, I'm curious. What is the difference between plugging in the USB cord or the card? Each time you download you have to plug in and remove be it the card or cord so some wear on the contacts either way. Me I just remove the card plug it into the computer. If contacts on the card wear out I'll just replace and if in the camera, I'll get it repaired. Wifi is an option but just not for me. TNmike
Dec 8, 2013 20:55:40 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
It's possible that the pins on an SD card might wear out but you're looking at years. The pins are gold plated and so are the pins in the socket into which it goes.
That's not to say you can't scratch or damage the pins, but you really have to be rough for that to happen. In normal use I think the memory in the card will start to fail long before the pins on the card fail. I have cards that go back years that are still perfect. I sometimes clean the pins with a pencil eraser to keep them shiny and that doesn't seem to hurt them either.
As to USB cords, they too have gold plated pins on both the male and female ends. So the odds of them failing soon are very low too. I'd say you can get years out of them too.
I have computer cables that are over twenty five years old and still make clean effective contact when called upon to do so. That's why pins are gold plated.
That's not to say you can't scratch or damage the pins, but you really have to be rough for that to happen. In normal use I think the memory in the card will start to fail long before the pins on the card fail. I have cards that go back years that are still perfect. I sometimes clean the pins with a pencil eraser to keep them shiny and that doesn't seem to hurt them either.
As to USB cords, they too have gold plated pins on both the male and female ends. So the odds of them failing soon are very low too. I'd say you can get years out of them too.
I have computer cables that are over twenty five years old and still make clean effective contact when called upon to do so. That's why pins are gold plated.
Dec 8, 2013 22:08:12 #
TNmike wrote:
Don, I'm curious. What is the difference between plugging in the USB cord or the card? Each time you download you have to plug in and remove be it the card or cord so some wear on the contacts either way. Me I just remove the card plug it into the computer. If contacts on the card wear out I'll just replace and if in the camera, I'll get it repaired. Wifi is an option but just not for me. TNmike
TNmike, I'd rather wear out the USB plug than the memory card contacts in the camera. The camera will function without a USB plug but it won't store images with bad pins.
Dec 9, 2013 05:58:55 #
I never remove SD cards from my camera unless absolutely essential. I learnt not to do this the hard way some years back. I always use a USB cable.
Dec 9, 2013 08:03:39 #
One of the benefits of being old is not worrying about anything wearing out except me. And if they do wear out I'll just buy an newer updated model.
Dec 9, 2013 08:19:42 #
Interesting array of views on this subject. I am waiting for a response from Olympus on the issue of card socket wear/inserts. I will post their info when I get it. I think wifi is the way to go for this situation, which is 150 or so photos to be taken and printed in real time over a 2-3 hour period.
Dec 9, 2013 08:36:12 #
Another solution to consider: SD cards are now available with 32GB and even 64Gb capacity at rapidly decreasing prices (just bought 64GB for $10), Why not get two or more, and be able to remove them less frequently, reducing wear on both camera and cards.
Note that it has been recommended that you use two cards, and alternate day by day (that is card 1 on Monday, card 2 on Tuesday, card 1 on Wed., etc.) Thus, if one card is lost or damaged at least half of your shots are preserved.
Note that it has been recommended that you use two cards, and alternate day by day (that is card 1 on Monday, card 2 on Tuesday, card 1 on Wed., etc.) Thus, if one card is lost or damaged at least half of your shots are preserved.
Dec 9, 2013 09:36:51 #
profpb wrote:
One of the benefits of being old is not worrying about anything wearing out except me. And if they do wear out I'll just buy an newer updated model.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Dec 9, 2013 10:39:49 #
Whoops! After bragging about my $10 64GB SD card, I got notification from Tiger that they are NOT HONORING the order they had accepted; still, big capacity cards are coming down in price.
Sorry
Sorry
Dec 9, 2013 12:43:55 #
Part of the requirement is that the photos be printed for each person immediately, not after 10-15 photos. So currently I am exchanging the cards after each 2-3 shots, depending on the work flow.
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