NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

I use a card reader and Windows Explorer to transfer the images to a folder on my PC. Then I use Windows Photo viewer to go through and delete those that I know I don't want. Then I use Windows Explorer to delete the photos on the card. Then I have LR import them into it's database if I'm going to use LR for my editing. I've used the same cards for over 3 years and have never reformatted them and have had zero problems with them.

pjeffers

I have had an issue where after deleting images on the card while inside the camera and taking more photos. Many photos were missing. I used a recover tool that came with my card and recovered the photos. I never had any more issues with that card, in fact I still use the card.
I make sure I have adequate number of cards for the trip and do not delete within the camera.
Maybe I was just unlucky but it scared me enough not to do it.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I seem to remember that, some years ago after changing from Fujifilm to Panasonic, SD cards previously used in my Fuji would not work with the Panasonic until re-formatted. Or am I imagining that?

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

On any of my cameras or tablets... I connect them to my computer USB and copy the pictures to the directory I want, and, then delete them from the camera/tablet from the computer. I've never had a problem with corruption of the memory card. Maybe just lucky?

Dik

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

My camera has a delete button. Why would it have one if deleting images in-camera was damaging to the storage medium?

Stan

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Early on in my experience with a DSLR a very good semi-pro told me NOT to delete photos in camera unless you have already had the opportunity to view then on some larger screen. There may be something in the shot that is too small to see or recognize on +/- 3"x2" screen. One shot I distinctly remember was of a Blue Heron on the other side of a pond. He had a sunfish in his bill which I never saw until I uploaded the photo to my monitor. The photo still wasn't great, but that little fish surely helped.

scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

Good advice.

Dik

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I import directly into Lightroom. They are not really imported into Lightroom, they are imported directly into your filing system however you have it set it up. One of the advantages of Lightroom is that it uses your filing system and really does not import them into a "Lightroom system" No need to make it a two step operation.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I use a reader, but also have a Mac with a card slot that is useful, and I use that on occasion. But loong ago in a photogalaxy far away, I learned of a soul whose *camera* got boogered whilst plugged into his 'puter. Well, that convinced me that no matter how little the risk, I'll never plug my camera into a computer. The card not only stores data, it insulates!

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

Absolutely agree...less steps.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Deleting images in camera is frowned upon because you can easily make the wrong judgement about an image that may have a future historical use, despite its less-than-stellar characteristics. It is also a bad idea if your editing and/or post-processing software requires continuous numbering with no breaks. It's a bad idea if you work for a portrait company and they tell you not to delete... They want to evaluate your efficiency in capturing excellent poses! It's a bad idea if you are doing forensic or legal or investigative photography, because someone will suspect you're hiding evidence.

Deleting as a physical act usually does not harm the card or other images on the card. There were some isolated issues with this a decade and longer ago, but those issues are no longer relevant. That said, I NEVER delete images from a card until I've got the good ones in three other locations. At that point, I'll simply format the card — in the camera.

I NEVER format my cards in my iMac, because formatting cards in Lumix cameras puts a special set of files and folders on the card that are required by my camera. (When I buy a new card, I format it in the camera immediately, so I know it is ready for use.)

I NEVER import images into Lightroom directly from a card. I always want a working set and two copies before I reformat the card. So... I copy my events from SD card to folders on my main drive. Then I import them into Lightroom, culling, rating, and deleting a few from disk. (I only delete images that are so bad, I know I'll NEVER use them.)

Another reason I do this is that I keep all my images in dated folders with plain English event names on them. My mind is very date and event oriented, so it works for me. It's important, because I use several other applications to process images, and they are not all compatible with Lightroom's "Edit In..." command.

Before processing, I'll back up the raw files to another drive and either to the cloud or a DVD. JPEGs created in camera are culled in Lightroom, then edited and saved with the raw files, if I have raw files. (There are some critical types of work where raw files are simply not helpful... There are other critical types of work where JPEG files are a complete waste of space and time.) JPEGs created in Lightroom from raw files are for specific external uses, so they get filed separately or erased after use.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...haha, had I thought of this 10+ years ago that's where I'd be! My "system" is pretty much set nowadays, and I can find my way around decently, one-stop shop for me! And, Bill, if I chimp and see what I don't want, and have the time, it's gone. Not looking back, because the *next* image is the one I want. ;0)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Since I record lots of video, I use 64GB cards. When recording still images, I don't run out of space. So I just keep on working...

As good as the OLED touch screen is, it is too small for my old fixed-focus eyes to evaluate intelligently, even with my reading glasses on.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

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I have to admit, I never heard that you should not delete pictures from the card while it's in the camera. In that case, I have been doing it wrong. I normally will delete a shot in camera if I can tell right away it's no good to free up space on the card. To get my pictures from the card I create a folder for them on the computer and use a card reader to move the pictures into the folder. I then put the empty card back into the camera but I don't normally reformat it. I do format a card in the camera anytime I put a new card in, or if I put in a card I have used in another camera. If I am going to work on any of the pictures in Lightroom, I only import the ones that I do want to work on.

I have never had any problems with any of my camera cards in any camera so far, going back to the first digital camera I bought in 2002. What problems should I have expected to get as a result of deleting shots from the card, in camera and as a result of not reformatting the card after every use?