pilot64 Loc: Atlanta, GA

Deleted photos (files) are not totally deleted until overwritten. Google "File Recovery Software" and download the software of your choice. Place your card in your card reader and load it onto your computer. Use the recovery software to locate the unfortunate file. Used to be (many years ago) a deleted file's name first character was replaced by an asterisk. Rename the file properly (replace the first character with your numbering sequence) and viola, the file has returned.

smiller999 Loc: Corpus Christi

There have been a lot of comments saying format doesn't erase the content of a card, just the FAT, but that is not universally true. A low level format writes all ones (0xFF for those who speak hex) into each memory location. This is an erase operation. The camera has to do this before it writes the image anyway, because of the way this memory physically works. I don't know if camera firmware is sophisticated enough to tell whether memory has already been erased or not (although it isn't hard - the card keeps track of these things), but if it doesn't have to do an erase before write it speeds up the transfer. In addition, the file system firmware will typically try to rotate writes so the entire card gets used before it starts overwriting deleted files. This is because this type of memory has a limited number of erase/write cycles before it starts failing, so it tries to balance the usage. Don't worry, though, that number is typically 100,000, so it should last longer than your camera. This is why most people will still be able to recover at least some old images, depending on how many were written and deleted and rewritten.

Bubalola Loc: Big Apple, NY

Thank you, all my kind respondents. I feel your friendly willingness to help, and I am going to follow the leads, hoping to get positive results. Your knowledge and strong support are truly priceless. Again, thank you so much, my fellow Hoggers!
Eugene

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

No camera does a low level format. There are plenty of people on here that could tell you about recovering files from formatted cards. Depending on how much has been written to the card there’s a chance the OP could recover at least some of his photos.

k2edm Loc: FN32AD

They probably go to the earliest available parts of the disk, something left over from when it was necessary to limit travel time (distance) of the disk read head, no longer a factor with memory, but probably stilll there...

Rightstuff

What does anyone recommend as a good, not too expensive quick release system for my camera to tripod. I would like one that allows purchase of multiple plates for different cameras but uses the same base. I have a good tripod and do not need a tripod quick release system combination. I just want to upgrade my tripod with the addition of the quick release system.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Create a new post with this new and completely unrelated question.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I’m not a conspiracy theory guy. But I also find it suspicious that a guy named Rightstuff is asking a question for which the answer is “Really Right Stuff” 😜🤪

Rightstuff

Right Stuff was the name of my boat, a 53 ft Morgan Out Islander. Loved that boat, crossed the Gulf in it. Took many a beautiful sunset and other inimitable pulchritude photos from the deck and cockpit. Thanks for your help.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Many of us have been in the same boat, I'm sure.
When you're finished "following the leads" let us know how it went; just as we shared your sadness for losing photos, we'd like to smile with you about recovering them!

Nikolas Hirees Loc: California

I had too deleted photos from my Sandisk SD card which one I use on my Nikon Camera. I used Stellar Photo Recovery Software for recovering deleted photos. This software helps to recover deleted photos, video, audio files from SD card, Camera, digital devices , etc.