Formatting memory cards
Jun 4, 2018 17:07:56 #
Longshadow wrote:
How?
Very minor but same way/reason you need to "defrag" your computer hard drive now and then, or re-format discs/disks in the old days. Anytime you delete off of digital/magnetic media there is often a few stray bits left behind (usually at a start or end of a file section) or intentionally left as "markers". Formatting clean these off and starts fresh. Of course, in this day & age of 64 or 128Gb cards, a few bits aren't important. Was just making the point that formatting MIGHT add space versus lose it as the original post stated. How?
Jun 4, 2018 17:29:44 #
Stardust wrote:
Very minor but same way/reason you need to "d... (show quote)
Left behind? They were never used, but still there.
4Gb is 4Gb it cannot increase. You are not "gaining" bits, you would be using bits that were not used prior.
Jun 4, 2018 17:40:04 #
Longshadow wrote:
You are misreading my postings. A card is set in size but not what you use. If you just delete photos, say a 100x you could end up with less useable memory vesrsus formatting the card. Same as computer drive - defragment will give you more usuable space,although size of drive or number of files on it have not changed.Left behind? They were never used, but still there.
4Gb is 4Gb it cannot increase. You are not "gaining" bits, you would be using bits that were not used prior.
4Gb is 4Gb it cannot increase. You are not "gaining" bits, you would be using bits that were not used prior.
Jun 4, 2018 17:45:39 #
Stardust wrote:
You are misreading my postings. A card is set in size but not what you use. If you just delete photos, say a 100x you could end up with less useable memory vesrsus formatting the card. Same as computer drive - defragment will give you more usuable space,although size of drive or number of files on it have not changed.
From the first post I commented on, some people would think that they would actually gain bits (as in increase).
(I've seen may people misinterpret posts.)
Jun 4, 2018 18:12:57 #
James Slick
Loc: Pittsburgh,PA
jackpinoh wrote:
The only bulk memory erasers I am aware of use very strong magnetic fields. I would never use one on a memory card unless I wanted to ensure that it could never be read or used again. Only format/reformat a memory card in the camera.
A magnetic bulk eraser (usually called a tape eraser,but I guess one can on could be used on floppy disks) would have zero effect (good or bad) on a solid state memory device like a memory card. In theory, mechanical damage could be done via vibration caused by electromagnet hysteresis, but your average bulk eraser likely hasn't the "umph" for that, plus a memory card doesn't have much (any?) ferric metals to react to it anyway.
Jun 4, 2018 18:19:05 #
James Slick
Loc: Pittsburgh,PA
Longshadow wrote:
A magnetic bulk eraser won't affect a memory card.
Oops, I should have read ALL of the comments before I wrote a "novel" on this.
Jun 4, 2018 18:20:53 #
James Slick wrote:
Oops, I should have read ALL of the comments before I wrote a "novel" on this.
Happens to me a lot. No comments, then by the time I'm done typing and hit send, there are five.
Jun 4, 2018 18:23:38 #
Generally speaking, formating a SD card in a computer will build a card header (things like byte address of first file and checksum) which your camera may or may not recognise. So it is best to format in-camera.
Jun 4, 2018 18:24:26 #
James Slick
Loc: Pittsburgh,PA
Stardust wrote:
Very minor but same way/reason you need to "d... (show quote)
Remember, unlike a magnetic disk, a solid state device (Memory card, SSD...) never needs defragging (and it's a waste of write cycles). OTOH, Formatting a memory card (in the camera it's to be used in) is not only OK, it's recommended as routine maintenance. (I do it when I'm done transferring the photos to the PC).
Jun 4, 2018 18:26:26 #
James Slick
Loc: Pittsburgh,PA
Longshadow wrote:
Happens to me a lot. No comments, then by the time I'm done typing and hit send, there are five.
Yeppers!
Jun 4, 2018 18:29:50 #
An SD card has no moving parts and it is just an array of charge traps hooked up in a wiring harness. How filling or unfilling the traps leads to failure needs to be explained. Taking out of camera, putting into a charger is physical and could there be electrical contacts damage if one is careless.
rook2c4 wrote:
If you read/write/format any memory card often enough, it will inevitably fail and become either unreliable or altogether unusable. But sparing a memory card from eventual failure by simply not using it doesn't make sense. It is meant to be used; that is what it is there for, that is its purpose.
Jun 4, 2018 18:30:25 #
Have formatted my memory cards in my cameras for years without any problems. I think you got some bad info.
Don
Don
Jun 4, 2018 19:07:50 #
julian.gang wrote:
I have heard formatting or bulk erasing memory cards will cause a certain percentage memory loss from whatever kind of memory card and after the memory card is used up it should be discarded, is this true?...Julian
Sounds like some photo fake news. You should always format your SD or CF cards in your camera before storing more image files on them. And it is usually the best to use the same card formatted in the same camera and not swap with another camera, especially a different brand.
Jun 4, 2018 19:38:14 #
I agree with this. Never format your cards outside the device.
Nikon_DonB wrote:
I don't know about "bulk" erasing memory cards. You can do that in a computer,.. But afterwards, before use, FIRST you should ALWAYS format the memory card in the device(camera, phone, tablet, computer, etc.) you will be using(writing data to) it in. Otherwise it can lead to errors and cause "read" issues.
Jun 4, 2018 20:15:10 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
Are you keeping the images that don’t make the grade? I get rid of the losers in post and reformat to make room for better images... hopefully.
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