Backup card slot for nikon cameras
Jul 3, 2017 11:23:34 #
Curiosity question, if I am using slot B for backup in my Nikon cameras, and reformatting slot A on a daily basis, will the camera let me know when the backup card in slot B is full? I am planning a two week trip and would like to store as an alternative backup my photos for the entire trip on the slot B card and change it as it fills up. I have never tried this before and do not know if my plan is a good plan or not. Thank you in advance for any information you may give me.
Jul 3, 2017 11:25:50 #
I believe it will stop you from taking any more pics. I just had it happen a couple weeks ago on vacation.
You can also specify which slot is to be your back up.
You can also specify which slot is to be your back up.
Jul 3, 2017 11:36:16 #
Using an in camera memory card for image backup is like playing Russian roulette. Eventually, your backup card will fail and then what?
Jul 3, 2017 11:47:01 #
I agree. Use slot B for overflow only. Use a laptop for backup and then download to a portable hard drive when you can.
Jul 3, 2017 12:12:20 #
I use the backup card until it's full and store it for a while depending on it's importance to me. But, I also daily download my card. A backup on the computer as well as the card works for me. I am not at the mercy of one backup.
Jul 3, 2017 12:16:42 #
orrie smith wrote:
Curiosity question, if I am using slot B for backup in my Nikon cameras, and reformatting slot A on a daily basis, will the camera let me know when the backup card in slot B is full? I am planning a two week trip and would like to store as an alternative backup my photos for the entire trip on the slot B card and change it as it fills up. I have never tried this before and do not know if my plan is a good plan or not. Thank you in advance for any information you may give me.
I'm with danmayworm. I use slot B on my D7200 for overflow only. When I upload my pics to the computer, I reformat the cards.
Jul 3, 2017 13:02:00 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Using an in camera memory card for image backup is like playing Russian roulette. Eventually, your backup card will fail and then what?
I will also be backing them up on my laptop and an external drive daily, just wanted an additional alternative. We can never be too cautious.
Jul 3, 2017 13:04:35 #
orrie smith wrote:
I will also be backing them up on my laptop and an external drive daily, just wanted an additional alternative. We can never be too cautious.
That's my story!
Jul 3, 2017 14:57:42 #
I use one slot for RAW and the other for JPG. I do carry spare cards. When the shoot is over they are downloaded to separate external drives, where the JPG are processed and the RAW remain untouched, for just incase.....
Jul 4, 2017 05:46:49 #
orrie smith wrote:
I will also be backing them up on my laptop and an external drive daily, just wanted an additional alternative. We can never be too cautious.
Likewise!!
Jul 4, 2017 06:44:18 #
orrie smith wrote:
Curiosity question, if I am using slot B for backup in my Nikon cameras, and reformatting slot A on a daily basis, will the camera let me know when the backup card in slot B is full? I am planning a two week trip and would like to store as an alternative backup my photos for the entire trip on the slot B card and change it as it fills up. I have never tried this before and do not know if my plan is a good plan or not. Thank you in advance for any information you may give me.
FWIW:
I keep a pair of 32 GB fast cards in my D7100, slot 1 is the main card, camera set for raw only, slot 2, also raw as backup, but it is backup only until card in slot 1 is imported into Lightroom and the raw files have been backed up on my computer, then both cards, slot 1 & slot 2 are formatted in camera.
I used to have slot 2 set to overflow, but never needed it with 32 GB cards yet
Jul 4, 2017 08:35:45 #
orrie smith wrote:
Curiosity question, if I am using slot B for backup in my Nikon cameras, and reformatting slot A on a daily basis, will the camera let me know when the backup card in slot B is full? I am planning a two week trip and would like to store as an alternative backup my photos for the entire trip on the slot B card and change it as it fills up. I have never tried this before and do not know if my plan is a good plan or not. Thank you in advance for any information you may give me.
I use slot B for overflow ONLY! I remove my card in Slot A, upload the photos. Once I am sure that all of the photos are uploaded and verified I format the card (in the camera). I then switch the cards in slot A and B in order to use both cards evenly (this is assuming that both cards are equal in size and speed). As soon as the card/s are full or at the end of the shoot or day, which ever comes soonest and assuming that the computer is available, I empty the card, back the photos up to a removable drive and (after all are verified) put the card back in the camera and format. This means that I always have the camera ready for shots. I also carry 6 extra cards in my camera case for large shoots ( car races, boat / photo trips, etc.). I also carry 4 fully charged batteries, the battery charger, and a 12volt to AC converter that plugs into the cigarette lighter/appliance outlet in the car or boat.
Jul 4, 2017 09:58:49 #
If I may interject another question into the discussion. What is the difference between an unformatted and formatted card and why use one or the other?
Jul 4, 2017 10:10:31 #
bobgreen wrote:
If I may interject another question into the discussion. What is the difference between an unformatted and formatted card and why use one or the other?
In most cases formatted refers to the card being prepared to store data/images - usually preferred to format in the device that is going to use it.
Unformatted usually means the card is not useable until formatted.
Formatting also erases the data on the card - a high level clears out the file allocation table so that the files now hidden on the card can be overwritten, a low level format actually clears the data off the card.
To actually use the card it generally must be formatted prior to use, BUT it does not require formatting every time it is good practice to format the sd card in the camera after images are transferred to the computer to clear out space for new images.
Jul 4, 2017 10:27:20 #
I am getting a lot of advice, but no one has answered my initial question. Will the camera let me know when the card in slot B is full while there is still room on the card in slot A?
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