File Number Limitation
Oct 28, 2019 16:11:47 #
Can anyone tell me why no camera manufacturer I know of has more than four numerals in there file naming systems? Is there some technical reason for this? After 9999 my Canon cameras automatically create a new folder and start over at 0001. Wouldn't it be nice to add 2 more digits and have a virtually endless amount of unique file names? For those that like to create new folders and start at zero each time, perhaps they could develop a unique continuous file name embedded in metadata. This would also allow total shutter actuation's to be monitored continuously. I would appreciate some UHH expertise on this. Maybe there's an article about this I could be directed to.
Oct 28, 2019 16:19:56 #
Good question!! I've always wondered about the four digits also.
(I made a Windows batch file that will insert a "1" in front of the four digits when I roll over.)
(I made a Windows batch file that will insert a "1" in front of the four digits when I roll over.)
Oct 28, 2019 16:23:58 #
Tomfl101 wrote:
Can anyone tell me why no camera manufacturer I kn... (show quote)
Why would you think this is a problem? On the camera cards, the camera creates a new folder if / when the counter rolls over from 9999 back to 0001. Even if you shot 10,000 images on a single card, the camera won't let you overwrite an existing image because of the processing that creates a new folder.
Unless you want to have a single 'dump' folder of all 10,000+ images, this shouldn't present a problem on your computer either. You can rename the images as you copy them from the camera. Or, rename them later. Or, simply place each shooting date and / or subject into a date-stamped folder and not bother renaming the files at all.
Certainly now in 2019, cameras and their firmware that limits to 8x3 file names would seem behind the times. But, being concerned about 8x3 files names that have been common to all digital cameras ever seems even further behind the times ....
Oct 28, 2019 16:28:08 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Why would you think this is a problem?
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I file on the disk by subject. If my camera rolls over and I already have a "0150" in a particular directory, I have a problem. I guess I could change the prefix when it rolls over...
Oct 28, 2019 16:34:05 #
Oct 28, 2019 16:39:23 #
I think it boils down to coding laziness (cost cutting). They would have to pay someone, or defer an already employed staff member to re-write the camera's firmware, but also dig out all the code for the number roll-over + creating a new directory.
But Paul is correct in that the current system offers a small bit of overwrite protection if you accumulate that many files on one card.
I also have files stored on my computer by a date with folders for YYYY/MMM/DD and rely on tagging and sorting to find stuff if I need to go back.
But Paul is correct in that the current system offers a small bit of overwrite protection if you accumulate that many files on one card.
I also have files stored on my computer by a date with folders for YYYY/MMM/DD and rely on tagging and sorting to find stuff if I need to go back.
Oct 28, 2019 16:45:36 #
Longshadow wrote:
I file on the disk by subject. If my camera rolls over and I already have a "0150" in a particular directory, I have a problem. I guess I could change the prefix when it rolls over...
You know the best practice is date-stamped folders. If you want to do otherwise, the potential impact of doing your own thing falls entirely on you. Waiting for the camera manufactures to change, Godot will probably arrive first ...
Oct 28, 2019 16:56:27 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You know the best practice is date-stamped folders. If you want to do otherwise, the potential impact of doing your own thing falls entirely on you. Waiting for the camera manufactures to change, Godot will probably arrive first ...
That's why I made the batch file to add the "1" in front of the ####.
I have to file by subject, I can never remember when I went where, so filing by date doesn't work well for me. Besides, date taken is in the metadata.
Oct 28, 2019 17:13:11 #
Whenever you make a change like that, there's bound to be unforeseen issues. Perhaps there's some ancient cataloging software out there that won't be able to handle the extra digits - you'd be surprised how many companies and institutions are still using old software and operating systems, especially in developing nations. Until there's an actual demand for change, things will likely remain as is.
Oct 28, 2019 17:18:08 #
rook2c4 wrote:
Whenever you make a change like that, there's bound to be unforeseen issues. Perhaps there's some ancient cataloging software out there that won't be able to handle the extra digits - you'd be surprised how many companies and institutions are still using old software and operating systems, especially in developing nations. Until there's an actual demand for change, things will likely remain as is.
If your comment was directed at mine, the extra digit should have no bearing on any cataloger. Don't they work with files that are all letters also? I don't use catalogers. I filename is a filename, in most instances.
Oct 28, 2019 17:38:47 #
Hamltnblue
Loc: Springfield PA
Probably left over from the original 8 digit file name limitation from the days of 16 bit operating systems.
Oct 28, 2019 17:47:47 #
Hamltnblue wrote:
Probably left over from the original 8 digit file name limitation from the days of 16 bit operating systems.
REAL good chance!
Oct 28, 2019 18:58:02 #
johngault007 wrote:
I think it boils down to coding laziness (cost cut... (show quote)
Actually I would prefer that the number doesn't go so high.
Oct 28, 2019 19:30:10 #
Longshadow wrote:
If your comment was directed at mine, the extra digit should have no bearing on any cataloger. Don't they work with files that are all letters also? I don't use catalogers. I filename is a filename, in most instances.
No bearing on a modern cataloger, I agree. But on a 20+ year old cataloger, it is quite possible that there may be an issue.
Oct 28, 2019 19:37:53 #
I always change my file names to something that means something when I import to my hard drive.
It’s almost always a date (I shoot a lot of events)
At the university where I worked, it is: year, month, folder #, _frame number.
ie: 191001_001, 191001_002... etc.
I use folder number because I may have more than one assignment in a day, or more than one subject at an event.
They are all put into a folder named 191001 with a brief event name.
If anyone brings me an image I shot with the file name intact, I can quickly locate it and related images.
(I save the original file name in the metadata because they invariably will change the name.)
I key-word images in that folder with info that helps me find them later.
I use PhotoMechanic to “ingest” files when I download them.
ACDSee and I think Lightroom can do it as well.
Works for my personal stuff too.
It’s pretty much a standard method in news and other what other universities I’ve had contact with use.
All files get a unique name and it’s not as hard to do as one might think.
It’s almost always a date (I shoot a lot of events)
At the university where I worked, it is: year, month, folder #, _frame number.
ie: 191001_001, 191001_002... etc.
I use folder number because I may have more than one assignment in a day, or more than one subject at an event.
They are all put into a folder named 191001 with a brief event name.
If anyone brings me an image I shot with the file name intact, I can quickly locate it and related images.
(I save the original file name in the metadata because they invariably will change the name.)
I key-word images in that folder with info that helps me find them later.
I use PhotoMechanic to “ingest” files when I download them.
ACDSee and I think Lightroom can do it as well.
Works for my personal stuff too.
It’s pretty much a standard method in news and other what other universities I’ve had contact with use.
All files get a unique name and it’s not as hard to do as one might think.
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