... see, it only takes two posts for the mud to churn into another episode of lost in space...

Lots of miss information being spread as fact, but that's life here on the HOG ...

Formatting is complete, erasing is partial.

Formatting is a fresh start. Neither formatting or erasing removes the images, just the access directory.

Formatting does not reduce the lifespan of a card. 100,000 cycles are typical, so you may never wear out a card.

Corrupt cards will mainly be caused by directory problems, and that is more than likely going to happen with a card that is simply erased.

In camera formatting is recommended when using the same card in several camera brands.

Here is some further great information:

Keep the card in the computer no longer than necessary.

Do the image downloading from the card, then extract it.

Left in the computer it will continuously access the directory, checking the byte order, to see if there are any changes etc. This action is identical to a write cycle so the life of your card is reduced.

Don’t work on the image while it’s still on the card. You could easily knock out half of the life expectancy of the card just by doing that with a single image.

Load your card, copy the images from it directly to your hard drive. Then take the card out.

After a shooting session, download the pictures, then reformat the card in the camera. The camera then writes a clean directory, dispensing with leftover and unrelated entries. Reformat the card frequently.

If you have accidentally erased or formatted the card in the camera or pc, the pictures may still be recoverable. It’s only when a camera or pc has performed a ‘long format’ that you may be unable to recover the images.

I made an incorrect assumption on the post...

... but I also found this information:

1. To enhance the memory card’s performance, it is advisable to format it occasionally
2. Formatting will ensure the memory card is not corrupt, or infected by a virus or malware
3. Erasing the memory card will suffice as long as you use the same memory card with the same device
4. Format the memory card when planning to switch from one device to another to avoid corrupting the card

... and also this:

In any version of Windows, a quick format is always a fancy way of deleting—not erasing—the files on the drive. That's part of the reason it's so fast!

Post an image!

You completely miss the point of formatting... it removes the directory for a fresh start. If you don't format, the card will become full and existing images will take up space because of the directory.

Nikon is the weapon of choice here on the HOG for sure, and that may be because there is a niche of older, retired casual shooters that gravitate to the brand.

Canon is the pros choice with the most awarded images, and have the widest range of pro glass available. The two brand loyalists often show their teeth, and mirror typical political systems at times.

I do have the Fuji X100F, and can do miracles, but there is no replacement for my 1DX MK2, or 5D Mk4 as far as real getting paid for images... The Fuji X100f has a fixed lens, but... I truly believe I could shoot an event with it exclusively if needed, and may try that sometime soon.

In the end data is just data, and the resulting image from editing will look similar if you color edit. Image detail is astounding with Fuji's sensor, and if you plan on Jpegs, and want the best possible outcome, I do believe Fuji is the superior to anything out there.

Fuji may be more common than you think if you look closer when out and about... the GFX100 is a big deal right now, but the Fujifilm X-Trans sensor is what most will enjoy and use most, due to pricing.

... your missing the point.

Art is a human manipulation of media, not the ability to repetitively push a shutter button, or the effect of the ones wallet...

Expensive paint and the best brushes won't make you a world class artist...

On the hog, many assume all camera owners are created equal, Just choose the right gear, and presto... your a pro and it's easy to achieve instant status.

The true ability to compose and control light will never happen for many, no how much they practice. Differentiating between a good snap shot and a Professional photo gets confusing for some.

The post starts with an assumption of self evaluation, and ends with his solution to his reality... practice makes perfect. Yes, for snap shots perhaps...

We are not all equal and it is good to aspire to be the best you can be, but part of creating great photography images, comes from within, not the gear or time behind the button...

Here is a youtube video on a recent challenge to shoot Pro street photography with a Kids camera to prove that point... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDAnNjRJxOQ

"Artsy folk" needs to be avoided.

... Your a "character designer" with little clue to skill, or art content in photography? Seems to me you should be attending a basic photography class, instead of intimidating yourself with your own self awareness.

Forget all the unnecessary gear,

If you do not want to be a target, or stand out for thieves, and want to capture true street type vacation images, forget the Canon gear, forget the Sony gear... and all those heavy lenses...

Consider something like a fixed lens Fugi X100f. Compact and easy to use, the perfect lens size, 6000x4000pixel images, outstanding sensor resolution, an unbelievable leaf shutter and only $1200. At f2 it is the ultimate indoor camera.

The youtube articles are endless praising this iconic camera. I can assure you that once you start to use it you will be so amazed, you will never leave home without it.

It is so good, that it could pull off a professional shoot by itself if needed.

The biggest problem for me is when an amateur or hobbyist take it upon themselves to soap box their personal shortcomings in words, to a professional audience, or worse yet, to other amateurs and Hobbyists.

Poorly written long ramblings of pure nonsense, with underlying motives, repetitively take up subjects that proclaim the insignificance of personal skill.

Professional is not something you proclaim with a bull horn, it is something earned by images produced that have merit and a monetary value, and that includes post processing.

Using your equipment with confidence, and providing something of value should be a main concern... Your wallet won't make you a professor, and your inability to own the latest equipment, will not devalue what you can be.

Halden , Norway

(Download)

I remember when Beta overtook VHS and they cost $600... cassette destroyed 8- Track... and the CD became obsolete.

...anger festered in me for a time... I was convinced I was robbed of the best technology, but in retrospect that certainly no longer matters. I think the best is yet to come, and it will be interesting to see the changes.

Another post that hashes out the same rhetoric again and again...

If you have no experience, but can afford decent equipment, proclaim superiority regarding image outcome by discounting the facts. No knowledge or lack of education is trumped by that shinny image machine...

Somehow the perfect Jpeg image can be derived strait out of the camera... but only the poster and a minority of super humans will be able to do this.

The soap box needed to air this opinion has to be at least three stories tall, even on a digital platform...

No one is "editing in camera"...
you are simply setting a baseline for an algorithm developed by the manufacturer.

Proper exposure can make the digital ingredients most valuable when editing in software programs, and seeing the best Jpeg possible before editing can be valuable.

Those wanting the instant "perfect results" can get that with their cell phone, or programs within the Jpeg programs installed in most DLSR's. Fugi has a great set of choices in their menus.

Editing a RAW file is an art, and there is a threshold to achievement...

the results are endless, but... "one must master the image strait out of the camera" and downplay post prepossessing, is foolish, not that the post has that intent.