Memory Card Lifecycle:: Hi UHHer’s. I just added a new camera 😊 to my toy collection that prompts this (basic) question. Since I’m going through the joyful learning curve with lots...

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Hi UHHer’s.
I just added a new camera 😊 to my toy collection that prompts this (basic) question. Since I’m going through the joyful learning curve with lots and lots of test (still) shots…..(and modifying some of my shooting habits)….my non-technical question is about memory card lifecycle: How often do other shooters change, re-format and reuse memory cards; and why? This is probably a well-worn question, so thanks ahead for the feedback.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I have used the same cards for years w/o issue other than becoming too small.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

I haven't changed cards in over two years since I bought the camera. I delete the raw files off the cards after I import them to my computer and put the cards back into the camera.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

RonDavis wrote:

Hi UHHer’s.
I just added a new camera 😊 to my toy collection that prompts this (basic) question. Since I’m going through the joyful learning curve with lots and lots of test (still) shots…..(and modifying some of my shooting habits)….my non-technical question is about memory card lifecycle: How often do other shooters change, re-format and reuse memory cards; and why? This is probably a well-worn question, so thanks ahead for the feedback.

I reformat the memory card(s) every time I grab my camera to go shooting. IN THE CAMERA --- EVERYTIME. Never had a card "go south on me" and at the end of a shoot the only images on the card are from that shoot.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

johngault007 wrote:

I haven't changed cards in over two years since I bought the camera. I delete the raw files off the cards after I import them to my computer and put the cards back into the camera.

Ditto, I delete via the computer after transfer, put back in camera, and I don't re-format them.

Never had a card "go south on me" either......

Bill_de Loc: US

My routine is to copy the files to the computer, then put the card away.
I take another card I used and put it in the camera, format the card and I'm ready to start over.
If I find I screwed something up I have the previous card untouched, until next time.
I have never had a card go bad.

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I've added some cards so I can go on longer trips and not have to cycle cards before getting home. But for the most part, I've used the same physical cards (CF and SD) for 8+ years, some probably longer.

If you use different cameras, you need to format the card in that camera before using / switching. Otherwise, the delete vs format really just depends on which is easier. On my Sony, the format option is the top of a menu and easier to navigate to. On my digital EOS, the Delete All option is easier to navigate to. So, I do the easier process based on the camera's menu system.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Longshadow wrote:

Ditto, I delete via the computer after transfer, put back in camera, and I don't re-format them.

Never had a card "go south on me" either......

User ID

Rongnongno wrote:

I have used the same cards for years w/o issue other than becoming too small.

Likewise.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

If your new camera is a recent model and if your SD cards are not recent there's a possibility that your cards could under some circumstances slow your camera down. If the camera manufacturer recommends UHS (I or II) class cards it probably means that the camera has the ability to shift data around quite quickly and if that's the case, a slow card has the potential to slow the camera down. A U3 or V30 rating indicates that even if the card isn't quite fast enough to never slow the camera down, at least it won't slow it down much.

I don't know the specs of your camera but a V60 rated card will almost certainly be fast enough to never slow it down. A rating faster than V60 means it probably won't offer any in-camera speed advantages over V60 but it will be faster when it comes to downloading the card's contents to your computer.

Checking old SD cards for bad sectors now and then is probably a good idea.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

[quote=CHG_CANON]I've added some cards so I can go on longer trips and not have to cycle cards before getting home. But for the most part, I've used the same physical cards (CF and SD) for 8+ years, some probably longer.

If you use different cameras, you need to format the card in that camera before using / switching. Otherwise, the delete vs format really just depends on which is easier. On my Sony, the format option is the top of a menu and easier to navigate to. On my digital EOS, the Delete All option is easier to navigate to. So, I do the easier process based on the camera's menu system

What happens if you forget to redo the card after switching it to another camera? Thanks in advance for your help.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Urnst wrote:

br br If you use different cameras, you need to ... (show quote)

If you forget to format the card, and both cameras read the same file format (e.g. FAT32 exFAT), the camera will create it's own directories if they don't exist and continue to function. There are always exceptions to that rule, but at least with Canon cameras, it works that way. We tested this on Canon a few months back.

Edit: I also added an older Sony my daughter has to that test and the card worked between all three cameras each created their own directories.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Urnst wrote:

What happens if you forget to redo the card after switching it to another camera? Thanks in advance for your help.

It depends. I have two bodies of the same model. The numbering sequence picks up from the other camera if you don't format. Different brands have different formats / folder structures, so the card needs at least an initial format in that new / different brand's body.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

johngault007 wrote:

If you forget to format the card, and both cameras read the same file format (e.g. FAT32 exFAT), the camera will create it's own menus if they don't exist and continue to function. There are always exceptions to that rule, but at least with Canon cameras, it works that way. We tested this on Canon a few months back.

My cameras create any missing directories that the camera wants to exist.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Longshadow wrote:

My cameras create any missing directories that the camera wants to exist.

Same here. Directory creation is a function of code in the OS/firmware and not the format itself.