Check out Advice from the Pros section of our forum.
What is the purpose of formatting sd card?
Nov 25, 2012 11:35:09 #
I have looked and cannot find an answer for this. What is the purpose of formatting an sd card ? Is it truly necessary to format the card? Tim
Nov 25, 2012 11:40:55 #
Wabbit
Loc: Arizona Desert
tim57064 wrote:
I have looked and cannot find an answer for this. What is the purpose of formatting an sd card ? Is it truly necessary to format the card? Tim
Hey Doc ..... that adjusts the card to your camera ..... without that some frames could become corrupt thus UN-retreivable .....
Nov 25, 2012 11:48:57 #
tim57064 wrote:
I have looked and cannot find an answer for this. What is the purpose of formatting an sd card ? Is it truly necessary to format the card? Tim
Wabbit is spot on :thumbup:
Easiest way I have had it explained, formatting an SD or any card for camera use by using the camera to be used not a computer is similar to a parking lot. You have nice neat rows and spaces for data use. As a picture is created the spaces adjust for the file leaving room for other new data. After downloading the files the spaces are now adjusted to an inefficient level and by re-formatting you are creating spaces for new data to fill once again wherever and however much is needed for the new file. It will also remove stray data left behind in odd places.
Check out Film Photography section of our forum.
Nov 25, 2012 13:28:23 #
Use the supplied cable to connect your camera to the computer. Download and check everything transferred to the computer. Turn off your camera, disconnect cable from the camera. Turn camera back on and format the card in camera. Your card is now ready for new pics as very nicely explained above.
Nov 25, 2012 15:34:54 #
Db7423 wrote:
Use the supplied cable to connect your camera to the computer. Download and check everything transferred to the computer. Turn off your camera, disconnect cable from the camera. Turn camera back on and format the card in camera. Your card is now ready for new pics as very nicely explained above.
I know how to download images from camera to computer. I've been doing that for years.
Nov 25, 2012 15:58:03 #
tim57064 wrote:
I know how to download images from camera to computer. I've been doing that for years.
Db7423 wrote:
Use the supplied cable to connect your camera to the computer. Download and check everything transferred to the computer. Turn off your camera, disconnect cable from the camera. Turn camera back on and format the card in camera. Your card is now ready for new pics as very nicely explained above.
I know how to download images from camera to computer. I've been doing that for years.
Sorry you took offense- none intended, I just thought a complete answer from start to finish might be helpful.
Nov 25, 2012 16:06:35 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
tim57064 wrote:
I have looked and cannot find an answer for this. What is the purpose of formatting an sd card ? Is it truly necessary to format the card? Tim
Maybe I can provide another analogy.
Consider a lined pad like we used to write on at school.
You write a story on it in HB pencil.
You read the story then rub it out with an eraser.
You write a new story over the top.
You can read the new story but you can still see stuff underneath from the old story.
That is like deleting your pics from the card and taking new ones.
Formatting you card is like ripping off 10 pages and starting on a brand new sheet.
I usually just delete but once every 4-5000 shots I will do a format.
Check out Black and White Photography section of our forum.
Nov 26, 2012 08:21:04 #
Db7423 wrote:
quote=tim57064 quote=Db7423 Use the supplied cab... (show quote)
There you go again, thinking when your not equipped. LOL I get accused of that every day.
Nov 26, 2012 08:31:32 #
big-guy wrote:
quote=Db7423 quote=tim57064 quote=Db7423 Use th... (show quote)
Yea, well maybe I read too much into the question but come on- didn't have to hurt my feelings :wink:
Nov 26, 2012 08:38:50 #
SD card formatting seems to be a question for the ages.....
When I've been shooting for a day, I remove the SD card from the camera and upload to my computer from the computer's card reader. During the upload process (to Lightroom 4.2) I also make a 2nd copy of each RAW image to an external hard drive. I then remove the SD card from the card Reader and insert back into the camera and FORMAT the card.....every time.......
why delete pictures from the card instead of formatting????
When I've been shooting for a day, I remove the SD card from the camera and upload to my computer from the computer's card reader. During the upload process (to Lightroom 4.2) I also make a 2nd copy of each RAW image to an external hard drive. I then remove the SD card from the card Reader and insert back into the camera and FORMAT the card.....every time.......
why delete pictures from the card instead of formatting????
Nov 26, 2012 09:14:00 #
GDRoth wrote:
SD card formatting seems to be a question for the ages.....
When I've been shooting for a day, I remove the SD card from the camera and upload to my computer from the computer's card reader. During the upload process (to Lightroom 4.2) I also make a 2nd copy of each RAW image to an external hard drive. I then remove the SD card from the card Reader and insert back into the camera and FORMAT the card.....every time.......
why delete pictures from the card instead of formatting????
When I've been shooting for a day, I remove the SD card from the camera and upload to my computer from the computer's card reader. During the upload process (to Lightroom 4.2) I also make a 2nd copy of each RAW image to an external hard drive. I then remove the SD card from the card Reader and insert back into the camera and FORMAT the card.....every time.......
why delete pictures from the card instead of formatting????
I agree with you and reformat rather than delete after downloading. However I leave the card in-camera using the supplied cable to download the images. My reasoning is why go through the extra steps of removing the card, placing it either directly into a computer socket or card reader then removing it after the download and reinserting it back into the camera. I think these extra steps put unnecessary wear an tear on the card contacts as well as the contacts in the camera for no apparent benefit.
Check out Infrared Photography section of our forum.
Nov 26, 2012 09:26:57 #
Db7423 wrote:
quote=GDRoth SD card formatting seems to be a que... (show quote)
I use two different cameras (Pentax and Fuji) and have 5 or 6 SD cards I use interchangeably. If I'm away from home for a few days, I may have 3 or 4 cards with images on them.....I don't want to put all images on one card...........so after uploading, it's safer for me to put in a camera (either one) and format....
Plus, I hate those cables laying around.... :)
Dave
Nov 26, 2012 09:47:19 #
GDRoth wrote:
quote=Db7423 quote=GDRoth SD card formatting see... (show quote)
I hear that. I shoot raw and I dont use big cards so I fill a card pretty fast but images then go to the second card slot which I almost never fill but when I do I use your method. BTW, love your avatar. I had a '56 which was the love of my life at the time. :)
Nov 26, 2012 12:40:48 #
Nov 26, 2012 13:08:29 #
texaseve wrote:
I think the questioner was lucky to get as many nice answers as he did.
:) maybe we're still in holiday mode.......
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.