george19

Nikon D810, shooting both RAW and jpg (because you just never know). Downloaded either with a card reader or straight from the camera, and noticed that 2 of the RAW images were not readable on the computer. They were fine in the folder on the card, but not good after download. Tried again, but no joy. I tend to format the card in camera following a successful download session.

Fortunately, the jpgs came through fine, although neither shot was a keeper anyway.

Subsequently no issues with the card.

Thoughts?

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Could be just a fluke - it happens - but I'd keep an eye on that card. Could be the reader as well - did you try to redownload them to the computer?

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

How old is the card? Maybe it's just time to retire it. Could also be a defect in the card that is now showing up. I would put in a new set and see if the issue happens again.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Purchase additional cards, and you won't need to format right away. I often don't format a card until several weeks later, well after I've downloaded, edited and backed up all the images I want to keep. This way, I have access to the original files for a good while, should a file get corrupted during transfer or get lost because of an unfortunate computer crash. Meanwhile, I simply use another card in the camera.

george19

Card is 2 years old, only 2 files in the set had a problem, and like I said, everything was fine on the card...only problem was when it got to the computer, and I tried twice to download.

I always back up to 2 external drives as part of my download protocol. The only thing I would change is greater physical separation between them between uses.

I made the decision to format the card when I realized they weren't keepers anyway.

fredpnm Loc: Corrales, NM

Do you format the card on a computer or in the camera?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That shows a good reason to shoot in both formats or to save to both cards. It's frustrating that the pictures are on the card, but you can't get them onto your computer. Can you put the card into another camera and view them? SD or CF?

usken65

[quote=luvmypets]How old is the card? Maybe it's just time to retire it. Could also be a defect in the card that is now showing up. I would put in a new set and see if the issue happens again

george19

D810 uses both CF and SD

I save RAW to CF

This was a camera-format

I have several sets of cards; will continue to monitor

Thank you for all the advice

blackest Loc: Ireland

Sometimes it's the card reader, I have around 1/2 a dozen card readers and only 1 or 2 can be sure they work on my macs. On my linux machines they are all reliable. most were cheap readers anyway.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I have never understood why folks will spend thousands of dollars on cameras and equipment and then try to save a buck by re-using cards over and over, considering that they cost almost nothing to replace, in the face of equipment cost. The only time I've ever re-used a card was the time my wife accidentally wiped one clean by accident. I was not happy.

SS319

I would be inclined to do a low level format on the card - on the computer - and then perform a rigorous error check of the card to ensure there are no errors or that all bad sectors are marked out. I would be inclined, if there were errors to toss the card rather than block them out as you have an unstable condition on the card and you are storing data in an unprotected location. If it passes the error check, then reformat in camera.

In my camera, I always do a low level format rather than just erase the index.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

For your SD cards try this formatting Software: SD Formatter Version 4.0

The SD Formatter formats SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card and SDXC Memory Card (collectively SD/SDHC/SDXC Cards) complying with the SD File System Specification created by SD Association (SDA).
The SD Formatter formats SD/SDHC/SDXC Cards optimizing with these card’s performance etc.. It is strongly recommended to use the SD Formatter to format SD/SDHC/SDXC Cards rather than using formatting tools provided with operating systems. In general, formatting tools provided with operating systems can format various storage media including SD/SDHC/SDXC Cards, but it may not be optimized for SD/SDHC/SDXC Cards and it may result in lower performance than using the SD Formatter.
SD/SDHC/SDXC Cards have “Protected Area” in the card for SD security function. The SD Formatter will not format the “Protected Area”. Please use appropriate application software or SD host device which provides SD security function to format the “Protected Area” in the card.
SD Formatter does not support the SD/SDHC/SDXC card encrypted by the “BitLocker To Go" function of Windows. Please format the SD/SDHC/SDXC card after it is unlocked by the method specified by Windows.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

It's a somewhat confusing statement in that you said, "They were fine in the folder on the card, but not good after download".

How did you determine that they were fine in the folder on the card?
--Bob

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I always put my card into the SD slot on my PC. Never had any problems. Once copied, I format the card in the camera.