larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Absolutely correct. That's why I wrote "SIZES" in all caps.

srt101fan

Don't know nuth'n bout this; just passing along something I saw:

https://www.jasminenorris.com/amp/how-to-keep-your-memory-cards-from-corrupting-and-other-best-practices-for-photographers

Scroll down to: "Don't Fill Your Memory Card Up Completely"

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Another grain of salt opinion post.
(MY opinion.)

I'll agree with 2 or three things, but the others? Phht...

Best to waive your memory cards in the air three times before you put it in the camera to discharge any static electricity the card may have on it....


But hey, what do I know, I've only been working with memory, ICs, discrete components, and storage devices for 50 years as a Component Test Engineer. Maybe I need another 50 to get all my marbles together.

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

I think with the 128 or 256 cards the cards will get pretty heavy when you load them up with data...
That's why I mostly use 32s. Saves weight.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

LOVE IT!!!!!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Addendum:

The article states: "...Memory cards try to estimate how many images you have left but they aren't always accurate. Depending on how you have your camera set up and the type of files you are saving, the size per image could fluctuate with each image. Therefore, even if your memory card says you have enough space for one more image, you may not. ...".

That right there diminishes the integrity of the author in my book.
The camera estimates the amount of remaining images that can be stored on the card, NOT the card. The camera knows approximately what it will use for a shot. The camera knows how much space remains on the card. However yes, it is not always accurate to a "T" because the camera has no idea of the pixel complexity of the "next shots", the shot space remaining on a card is based on an average image size, by the camera.

Nowhere does it state that "half full" is optimum... It basically states don't go down to ONE shot remaining, filling the card to a FEW remaining shots is just fine.
I'd love to know where "half-full" came from. I have little or no trust in that person's opinions/perceptions.

paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand

I have used multiple 16GB cards for ages. However, earlier this year (in 2023) I purchased a fast 64GB card. When on holiday I often ran out of space with the 16GB cards, and swapping cards over was a bit of a pain at times. I often don't take anything to clear my cards though, due to baggage limits when flying. Recently though, we went north so we drove instead of flying and hence I took my laptop. So I cleared my new 64GB card daily, and it has ample space for one day of holiday shooting. So I didn't need to use any of my 16GB cards for the first time ever.
There is one potential benefit to using multiple smaller cards though and that is should a card become corrupt or if you lose it, you only lose what was on that one card. So I still tend to use 2 or 3 16Gb cards when shooting a weddings and the like, instead of using my newer 64GB card in those cases. I have never had a card fail or become corrupt, but I have heard of it happening.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Typically, 32 or 64 but when I went on a photo safari to Tanzania I used some 128 cards.

srt101fan

I only posted it because of the suggestion not to fill up the card since it relates to User ID's comments...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I understand.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

I have 32 GB cards AND 4 62 GB cards. When I did workshops both taking and leading I would use fresh 32 GB cards every day. So besides an external drive back up I had the original cards.

Bohica Loc: SE Coast of NC

I use 512 mb cards 45 pics and sometimes 1gn 90 pics. Caint ever seeing needing more than that

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

And STILL no technical rationalization for the no more than half full BS - just easier to deflect with insults than to defend your statement.

This is a classic example of why not to trust AI like ChatGPT that is trained on data from the internet.

Red6

I see little reason to use the very large cards. Some do use the large cards and keep them in the camera for their whole trip often having all their images on that ONE card. That is putting a lot of trust on that one card. Even if the card does not fail, what if you lose your camera, or if it somehow corrupts the card.

I tend to carry a lot of 32 or 64-GB cards and change out every other day or so. I may change each day if I feel the images I have taken that day are very important to me. SD cards are cheap, reliable storage so use them and store the ones you have used.

I have never understood photographers who feel they MUST use every byte of empty space on an SD card and use one or two cards for their entire 2-week cruise or vacation. That is putting a LOT of trust in one storage card to safely keep all those "one-time" shots. I may carry a dozen or more SD cards on a vacation. I number each one of them and keep a log of where, when or what is on that card.

As I noted, I tend to look for the smaller size cards made by reputable manufacturers and go for the ones with the best deals. Usually, the 32s and 64s are the best deals, though the 128 GB cards are dropping in price as they become more popular. Extra cards provide an easy, simple, low cost and effective storage method for trips.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I am sure there are plenty of hoggers who use cards greater than 64gigs. I have never used a card larger. I prefer to have many cards and have them numbered and dated. Every couple of days I read about how someone lost their photos and cannot retrieve them after a previous formatting. I don’t format any of my cards. I do breathe a sigh of relief.