Is it possible to "wear out" an SD card?
Sep 21, 2016 22:18:00 #
Hi friends. I usually use an 8 gb SD card in my 6D...but once I import a group of pictures into my LR catalog, I have been re-formatting my card (in camera) just to start over and not have the old pics on the card...even if I only have a few photos on the card. Is this "hard" on a card? Are you in the habit of leaving older photos on your card until it is almost or completely full before re-formatting? I had a problem with my camera not ejecting the card so I recently sent it in to Canon for repair and they replaced a circuit because it wasn't reading the SD card. I don't know if that had anything to do with formatting and re-formatting, but I thought I would toss it out for you to see what you think. Thanks for your thoughts and Happy Fall!
Sep 21, 2016 22:23:31 #
Linda, I'm sure you can eventually wear out a card, and the camera too, for that matter, but I certainly would NOT worry about it.
Just keep on doing whatever it is you're doing. Cards are so cheap now anyway.
Just shoot way and keep formatting. Anyway, that's what I do too!!!
SS
Just keep on doing whatever it is you're doing. Cards are so cheap now anyway.
Just shoot way and keep formatting. Anyway, that's what I do too!!!
SS
Sep 21, 2016 22:24:44 #
I am wondering if the problem could be from pulling out and inserting the card from the camera. There would be some wear and tear from that.
Sep 21, 2016 22:29:16 #
That is exactly why I had to send my camera in...I inserted the card and it wouldn't pop out when I pressed on it to eject...but the formatting wouldn't seem to be that issue. Each time you take a grouping of photos and want to put them on your computer, you need to eject it. I suppose just putting it in and taking it out does eventually cause issues, but I sure missed my camera while it was in the "hospital" and I'm happy it is home again. It's been a great camera for me and I'd definitely purchase the 6D again. Thanks for your response.
Sep 21, 2016 22:58:40 #
LindaChaplin wrote:
Hi friends. I usually use an 8 gb SD card in my 6D... (show quote)
You can format most cards hundreds of times. What damages them?
Stress/Torsion/Flexing
Static Discharges
Finger Oils on the contacts
Water Damage
Extreme Temperatures
Rapid Temperature Changes
Pocket Lint
Incorrect Formatting (Use the camera!)
Keep them in protective cases, or the camera. Replace and destroy any card that yields corrupted images.
Sep 21, 2016 22:58:56 #
LInda, you do pretty much what I do. I've been using the same SD cards for over 6 years and I've had no issues with them. I do exercise caution when removing or inserting them, though.
--Bob
--Bob
LindaChaplin wrote:
Hi friends. I usually use an 8 gb SD card in my 6D... (show quote)
Sep 21, 2016 23:02:16 #
Linda,
I have cards that I have used for well over six years and they still work fine. Only time I had a problem was when a jammed a card into the card reader and it bent one of the pins. I straightened the pin and have used that card for six or seven months. Sometimes I only put less than ten photos on a card before I upload them to my computer. I have nine 16 gb cards which I alternate and use in all three of my cameras (Canon 6D, 60D, and G15). Most of the cards are SanDisk but some are PNY. Usually I try to do only one topic per card when I am shooting. For example, if I am shooting a soccer game today and scenery tomorrow I will change cards. Makes my work flow simpler when I put the photos on my computer using Lightroom.
Bud
I have cards that I have used for well over six years and they still work fine. Only time I had a problem was when a jammed a card into the card reader and it bent one of the pins. I straightened the pin and have used that card for six or seven months. Sometimes I only put less than ten photos on a card before I upload them to my computer. I have nine 16 gb cards which I alternate and use in all three of my cameras (Canon 6D, 60D, and G15). Most of the cards are SanDisk but some are PNY. Usually I try to do only one topic per card when I am shooting. For example, if I am shooting a soccer game today and scenery tomorrow I will change cards. Makes my work flow simpler when I put the photos on my computer using Lightroom.
Bud
Sep 21, 2016 23:27:26 #
Hi Linda,
I do the same as you do. It's best to format the card every time to reset it to factory specs before using it. Just make sure you transferred all you old pictures first. I made mistake of overwriting some pictures I thought I'd imported. Oops.
Dave
I do the same as you do. It's best to format the card every time to reset it to factory specs before using it. Just make sure you transferred all you old pictures first. I made mistake of overwriting some pictures I thought I'd imported. Oops.
Dave
Sep 21, 2016 23:28:29 #
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!
Sep 21, 2016 23:29:49 #
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!
Ouch!!
Sep 21, 2016 23:35:15 #
rmalarz wrote:
LInda, you do pretty much what I do. I've been using the same SD cards for over 6 years and I've had no issues with them. I do exercise caution when removing or inserting them, though.
--Bob
--Bob
I have a few 16MB and 32MB "starter cards" from 2005. They work, as well. But I don't use them any more.
Sep 21, 2016 23:37:43 #
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!
Maybe not. That WAS a bad adjacency... I wish the slot were on the front. Mine's on the back.
Sep 21, 2016 23:39:11 #
burkphoto wrote:
Maybe not. That WAS a bad adjacency... I wish the slot were on the front. Mine's on the back.
I solved my problem by buying a dual CF/SD Lexar card reader. Don't even think about the SD slot on the side any more.
Sep 21, 2016 23:45:26 #
Sep 21, 2016 23:57:14 #
There is a file on the card that contains the addresses of the memory locations on the card. When you format the card, that file is rewritten. A low level format not only rewrites the file but also erases all the data on the card. Since there are no moving parts, theoretically you can reformat the card over and over and over...
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