Why reformat SD card? (Page 7): Camera makers tell you to format a new card. Period. I've put new cards into cameras without formatting, and they worked fine. Like others, I've used...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dragonophile wrote:

On another post several people indicate that they reformat their SD card after transferring files from camera to computer. Why? I just cut files from card and paste to computer folder using a USB card reader. I have never experienced any file corruption on my SD card. I don't reformat a hard disk after deleting and moving files so why do so after using a SD card?

I am wondering if these people are being extra cautious or if there is a valid reason this is beneficial?

Camera makers tell you to format a new card. Period. I've put new cards into cameras without formatting, and they worked fine. Like others, I've used the same card in different cameras, and each camera makes its own folder for pictures. Cameras are smarter than we think.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 wrote:

Camra makers tell you to format a new card. Period. I've put new cards into cameras without formatting, and they worked fine. Like others, I've used the same card in different cameras, and each camera makes its own folder for pictures. Cameras are smarter than we think.

The gospel must be believed........
Ummmmmmm........

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

The gospel must be believed........
Ummmmmmm........

Yes, but only once.

Robert1 Loc: Davie, FL

SuperflyTNT wrote:

I had to re-evaluate and retract what I said. Using SD cards isn’t the worst choice for long term storage. Using prints is the worst choice.

This has to be a very stupid or condescending comment. You can have 10 drives to backup everything and just the same as any format, it could theoretically all get fried at the same time. Then, what? you have nothing. Do you think There's prints that are over 100 years old. I can think of any digital backup that are that old.

So tell me oh wise man...what's the perfect choice to keep your images. I'm dying to hear your wise voice.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Robert1 wrote:

This has to be a very stupid or condescending comment. You can have 10 drives to backup everything and just the same as any format, it could theoretically all get fried at the same time. Then, what? you have nothing. Do you think There's prints that are over 100 years old. I can think of any digital backup that are that old.

So tell me oh wise man...what's the perfect choice to keep your images. I'm dying to hear your wise voice.

I believe you took his comment WAY too literally.....

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Longshadow wrote:

What if it formats, but keeps messing up files?
Oh, wait, that must not be possible.
If the card provides an error it's bad.

Life's too short to put up with defective memory devices. Once they start to go, they will let you down when you need them most.

If a card formats, but keeps messing up files, it's time to get out your biggest sledge hammer and smash the annoying thing! Smashing memory cards is like smashing pumpkins the day after Halloween. It's cathartic. It's unnecessary and messy, and slightly deranged, but it feels good! Let out a hideous roar when you do it. Scare the nearest chipmunk or chupacabra...

I always DESTROY media that don't work, the better to save some other soul the time and frustration of using it.

A common 64GB SDXC card costs less than a roll of film and processing, yet stores hundreds to thousands of images and is reusable many times. If you want one to last, keep it in a static-proof, moisture-resistant container. Don't treat it like pocket change or stuff it in your khakis with keys.

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

I think "because Nikon says to do it" is a good reason

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

burkphoto wrote:

Life's too short to put up with defective memory d... (show quote)

Yup, once a card becomes "suspect" (it only has to fart once) I get rid of it.
Since I have maybe a dozen SDHC cards, I'm good for a while.
And so far, none have farted in 10 years. Probably getting close....

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

stan0301 wrote:

I think "because Nikon says to do it" is a good reason

CYA.....

I don't have a Nikon, so I can ignore that.

Dragonophile

TheShoe wrote:

So? There are inexpensive USB readers available, and most cameras are portable. That is more an excuse than a problem.

Geeze. You are criticizing my work routine? I come home, I remove my SD cards from my cameras, I store my cameras in the closet, I drop my SD cards off in my office where my computer and card reader are, and then I work on my pictures later whenever it is convenient. If that seems unreasonable to you - tough.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Dragonophile wrote:

Geeze. You are criticizing my work routine? I come home, I remove my SD cards from my cameras, I store my cameras in the closet, I drop my SD cards off in my office where my computer and card reader are, and then I work on my pictures later whenever it is convenient. If that seems unreasonable to you - tough.

Bill_de Loc: US

I had a card a while back that went 'bad'. I formatted in the camera and a computer, no help. A friend suggested doing a full format in the computer, followed by formatting in the camera. Problem solved.

I don't know the whys and wherefores, but it worked.

---

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

burkphoto wrote:

...
... If you want one to last, keep it in a static-proof, moisture-resistant container. Don't treat it like pocket change or stuff it in your khakis with keys.

Yup. Static is a component killer.
We have one chair that when I get out of it in the winter time I have to touch the corner bead on the wall to discharge myself.
I will NEVER EVER touch a memory card, laptop, camera, any electronic device, without discharging any static build-up I may have acquired. It doesn't have to be a physical ZAP to kill them either. Sometimes the static field strength is sufficient. I've seen strange static problems in manufacturing situations.
That's why people who work on the insides of computers, handle components and such wear static straps.
I have a static strap for any time I go inside my computer.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Robert1 wrote:

This has to be a very stupid or condescending comment. You can have 10 drives to backup everything and just the same as any format, it could theoretically all get fried at the same time. Then, what? you have nothing. Do you think There's prints that are over 100 years old. I can think of any digital backup that are that old.

So tell me oh wise man...what's the perfect choice to keep your images. I'm dying to hear your wise voice.

A print is a print, it’s not an image file, which in essence is your “negative”. I suppose you could scan the print to create a digital file you could use for additional prints but the quality would degrade. By having the raw file with the edit history I can create a print or a JPEG for display whenever I want. And somehow you think that print is safer than an image file with a proper backup protocol? Archival or not that print can more easily be damaged or destroyed in many different ways.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Longshadow wrote:

Yup. Static is a component killer. br We have one ... (show quote)

I have several of those static grounding wrist straps I've used over the years!

I learned a long time ago, as a starving radio announcer, the main enemies of electronics are:

Bad cables
Bad connectors
Bad switches
Lose or broken solder joints
Old, electrically leaky capacitors
"Dirty," glitchy power from arcing appliances
Improper grounding
Static build-up on users' bodies
Low or high voltage
Lightning