Formatting a new memory card in a DSLR
Jun 24, 2015 12:23:02 #
I bought a new D750 a few days ago, installed the card in the camera according to the instruction book and started shooting, but forgot to format it first. Did I do damage? It seems to be working fine, but it's just my luck I fouled something up. Thanks for any info you can give me.
Jun 24, 2015 12:41:34 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
I'm afraid the camera is ruined and you should put it back in it's original packaging, along with lenses and accessories... and ship it all to me.
:roll:
Okay, seriously, likely there is no harm done. The images you've taken may be fouled up on the memory card. Or they might be fine. I'd recommend you download them to check them and save any you want... then go ahead and format the card in-camera now.
:roll:
Okay, seriously, likely there is no harm done. The images you've taken may be fouled up on the memory card. Or they might be fine. I'd recommend you download them to check them and save any you want... then go ahead and format the card in-camera now.
Jun 24, 2015 13:04:24 #
amfoto1 wrote:
I'm afraid the camera is ruined and you should put it back in it's original packaging, along with lenses and accessories... and ship it all to me.
:roll:
Okay, seriously, likely there is no harm done. The images you've taken may be fouled up on the memory card. Or they might be fine. I'd recommend you download them to check them and save any you want... then go ahead and format the card in-camera now.
:roll:
Okay, seriously, likely there is no harm done. The images you've taken may be fouled up on the memory card. Or they might be fine. I'd recommend you download them to check them and save any you want... then go ahead and format the card in-camera now.
Exactly what I was going to respond. One very important corrction, though - if that fails, you should send it to me! Check your PMs for my address.
Jun 24, 2015 16:32:40 #
16mmguy wrote:
I bought a new D750 a few days ago, installed the card in the camera according to the instruction book and started shooting, but forgot to format it first. Did I do damage? It seems to be working fine, but it's just my luck I fouled something up. Thanks for any info you can give me.
There is probably no damage to either the card or camera. If it was me, I'd down load the pictures to the computer, put the card back in the camera, format it and keep on shooting.
Jun 24, 2015 18:55:15 #
Jun 25, 2015 06:09:13 #
16mmguy wrote:
I bought a new D750 a few days ago, installed the card in the camera according to the instruction book and started shooting, but forgot to format it first. Did I do damage? It seems to be working fine, but it's just my luck I fouled something up. Thanks for any info you can give me.
You can find posting on this site that suggest that you format each time after you download your pictures because you might leave remnants of pictures. I format after each session but I also not had a problem if I don't.
Jun 25, 2015 06:45:26 #
sueyeisert
Loc: New Jersey
Every time i download my picture from a card. Double check to make sure they are downloaded ad all are fine then format the card in camera.
Jun 25, 2015 09:56:19 #
I shoot semi-pro football games and shoot about 400-500 pics a game. After I download and save the pics I reformat the card for the next shoot.
Should have no problems with the camera, I would check the pics and save and format. Good luck and keep shooting my friend.
Should have no problems with the camera, I would check the pics and save and format. Good luck and keep shooting my friend.
Jun 25, 2015 10:32:24 #
RichieC
Loc: Adirondacks
Formatting sounds mundane and unimportant, and most often , it is.
Every memory device made has sectors that are unwritable, an analogy is a large post office with millions of post boxes. Your computer/camera stores its information in these post boxes ( blocks) one at a time. A few random blocks on every card don't work right out of the factory, the better cards have less, but every one has some. When writing an image to the disk, your camera will not know a block is bad... you'll get a blip that very well may be unnoticeable. A blip in the directory may make the card unreadable... even though the images may be there.
Formatting, in part, looks at all the blocks, writes a map marking them, and tells the camera which sectors are good to write to..all in the blink of an eye! Blocks will go bad from time to time, they wear out flipping from 0's to 1's- this is normal issue in the life span of a card.
It does some other stuff too, but I think this is why it important enough to do it, if i don't it is because i forgot to... but it can't harm your camera! Cliffs, bedrock, floors, dogs, kids and beer (too much) will. LOL
Every memory device made has sectors that are unwritable, an analogy is a large post office with millions of post boxes. Your computer/camera stores its information in these post boxes ( blocks) one at a time. A few random blocks on every card don't work right out of the factory, the better cards have less, but every one has some. When writing an image to the disk, your camera will not know a block is bad... you'll get a blip that very well may be unnoticeable. A blip in the directory may make the card unreadable... even though the images may be there.
Formatting, in part, looks at all the blocks, writes a map marking them, and tells the camera which sectors are good to write to..all in the blink of an eye! Blocks will go bad from time to time, they wear out flipping from 0's to 1's- this is normal issue in the life span of a card.
It does some other stuff too, but I think this is why it important enough to do it, if i don't it is because i forgot to... but it can't harm your camera! Cliffs, bedrock, floors, dogs, kids and beer (too much) will. LOL
Jun 25, 2015 10:32:40 #
No. Format to make sure pictures will down load to your computer. 😀
Jun 25, 2015 10:45:01 #
Thanks for the information. I normally format the card before I use it, but for some reason I didn't this time. I think what spooked me was the instruction book: "...You MUST format the memory card before taking pictures...". The book didn't say, "...or such and such may happen.". I really appreciate the explanation.
Jun 25, 2015 13:32:18 #
16mmguy wrote:
I bought a new D750 a few days ago, installed the card in the camera according to the instruction book and started shooting, but forgot to format it first. Did I do damage? It seems to be working fine, but it's just my luck I fouled something up. Thanks for any info you can give me.
In my experience probably no damage but the card will limit the number of shots you may record. Formatting, in the camera only - not in your computer, allows it to record to its full potential. I'm in the habit of formatting after every upload.
Jun 25, 2015 15:49:41 #
Jun 25, 2015 17:27:07 #
Yes, I do format the card after every upload. I was concerned because I didn't format the card when it was new, immediately after installing it in the camera. I always do that, but for some reason I didn't do it this time. I work for a newspaper and a magazine, and I format the card after I upload each assignment. The instruction book was pretty specific about formatting before using the new card. I think everything is OK, so I'm not going to worry about it. The card seems to be working fine. I certainly appreciate the advice.
Jun 25, 2015 17:54:21 #
16mmguy wrote:
Yes, I do format the card after every upload. I ... (show quote)
Glad to read that things are working out.
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