Formatting memory cards (Page 2): Sounds like fake news to me, maybe Trump is right.

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

Sounds like fake news to me, maybe Trump is right.

VTdude

Here's my two cents.

One person said he formats the card in the computer. I strongly suggest that you NOT do that. I format my SD card one time, in camera, when it's brand new. I've never heard of continued formatting until this thread and have never had any issues formatting just once, at the beginning. I've got about 2-3 years on my current 32 GB card. I even save my edits using DDP4 (I own the Canon 6D) to the SD card until I'm ready to batch process, convert to JPG and save to my computer. Nary a problem, ever. Maybe I've just been lucky BUT I will continue doing that since success is my teacher.

When you do format a card, it's very important to format in camera, not on the computer because when you format your memory card in the camera the card becomes like family to the camera. I knows what to call the memory card when in a computer card reader among other compatibility issues.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

VTdude wrote:

......
When you do format a card, it's very important to format in camera, not on the computer because when you format your memory card in the camera the card becomes like family to the camera. I knows what to call the memory card when in a computer card reader among other compatibility issues.

JP Pixburgh Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I have never formatted an SD card in my camera or computer and never had any failures. All the cards I have I still use and they read/write perfectly. But if you feel happy formatting them, knock yourself out.
Just saying...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

julian.gang wrote:

I have heard formatting or bulk erasing memory cards will cause a certain percentage memory loss from whatever kind of memory card and after the memory card is used up it should be discarded, is this true?...Julian

Not sure what you mean by bulk formatting.

The only memory loss I've experienced is trying to remember where I last saw them.

This will provide the information you need, without the myths and misinformation:

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

julian.gang wrote:

I have heard formatting or bulk erasing memory cards will cause a certain percentage memory loss from whatever kind of memory card and after the memory card is used up it should be discarded, is this true?...Julian

I do mine in the computer or in the camera and have never had a problem either way.

LA Loc: Little Rock, AR

A few years ago, after a trip the files on the card were corrupted and I could not download them to my computer. I took the card to the local photo shop and the tech guy there was able to download them but told me I should reformat the card WITH THE CAMERA each time I downloaded the files, that that was possibly why I had the problem. I have been doing that ever since. No problem since, which might be a coincidence but I feel better about it anyway.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

LA wrote:

A few years ago, after a trip the files on the card were corrupted and I could not download them to my computer. I took the card to the local photo shop and the tech guy there was able to download them but told me I should reformat the card WITH THE CAMERA each time I downloaded the files, that that was possibly why I had the problem. I have been doing that ever since. No problem since, which might be a coincidence but I feel better about it anyway.

In camera formatting is the safest.

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

I have not formatted too many cards in my camera, have never had an issue. But that said, I will reformat in the camera prior to a trip to Alaska.

ggenova64

I always recommend formatting cards in the camera as opposed to the computer.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

julian.gang wrote:

I have heard formatting or bulk erasing memory cards will cause a certain percentage memory loss from whatever kind of memory card and after the memory card is used up it should be discarded, is this true?...Julian

Absolute nonsense. Format them in the camera each time you unload them and before use the first time. Cards will eventually fail but it takes quite a while and you will know when they do start to fail it will be obvious. Until then use them.

johnp47 Loc: Southern England

I reckon sd cards are so inexpensive that when one is full I simply use a brand new one. The full card becomes yet another backup for my photos.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

julian.gang wrote:

I have heard formatting or bulk erasing memory cards will cause a certain percentage memory loss from whatever kind of memory card and after the memory card is used up it should be discarded, is this true?...Julian

Absolutely NO!

Whoever said or wrote that is spewing utter B.S.

I format every card, every time I insert it in a camera. Some days that's a 8 or 10 or 12 times.

I've got older cards I've formatted many dozens or even a hundred or more times and never seen the loss of even a single byte.

Shooting digital for 20 years.... almost exclusively for 15 year... several million images... Priobably 100 different memory cards... I've seen exactly TWO cards fail.

One was completely dead brand new, right out of the packaging.

The other died (locked up) after the very first use.

I've never had a card that worked well initially "wear out" and fail later. I've outgrown them when I upgraded cameras and needed larger. But even the old mem cards still work just as good as new.

So I wouldn't worry.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I format all my cards in the camera before I use them on that days shoot without any problems

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

WF2B wrote:

Sounds like more misinformation to me. I do a low level format in camera of every memory card after downloading photos to computer. I’ve been doing this for over 15 years with no problems.
Bud

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