Good tips for using memory cards

[sevres_babylone]

Don't delete shots in camera, and don't format on your computer (and don't worry if one goes through the wash -- your card that is, not your camera or computer)
http://petapixel.com/2016/12/07/dos-donts-memory-cards-tips-photographers/

 

[Dogman]

Seems like good advice.

However, I have always deleted ruthlessly in camera while shooting. Why download bad exposures and missed shots? I guess there could be some small risk involved but I've done this with over 20 different cameras of five different brands for years now and I've yet to have any errors. I know--anecdotal evidence is not scientific. Just my experience.

 

[john_s]

Certainly format in camera.

Never had a problem deleting shots in a number of various sorts of digital cameras, though.

 

[Moto-Uno]

^^ Sure it is , anything else is just advertising! Peter

 

[RichC]

Hmm... I've been culling photos in all kinds of digital cameras since 1999 without a single problem. Nor have I met anyone who's had a problem.

 

[jarski]

However, I have always deleted ruthlessly in camera while shooting. Why download bad exposures and missed shots?

exactly. cant agree with #1 advice at all. and his rationale is that will screw up fat table. even if so, that table can be recreated at any point if needed (by formatting).

 

[Dwig]

I've generally followed the following rules:

• avoid deleting in camera when practical, primarily to avoid battery drain and a possible camera shutdown during a delete that would corrupt the card.
• format on a PC intelligently (e.g. know the proper format variant to use) or by using the SD Card Formatter from the SD Association.
• reformat in camera so it can add the folders it likes.

I usually delete images and then shoot more on the card quite a number of times before I reformat.

 

[barnwulf]

I think that the info in that article is a good idea. I am also starting to file my used cards for a image back up. I am not sure how safe that is and may recycle date cards later on but keep them for a time. Of course always format in the camera. - jim

 

[Bill Clark]

Good ideas.

I hardly ever delete files in camera as I like to look at the photographs on my iMac which has a much larger screen than my camera!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I have always deleted in camera when the shot is absolute trash. And I have always reformatted in camera... if necessary. Now, I tend to download from the camera (when I'm traveling) but at home I have a card reader.

BTW, I'm talking about CF cards here. When it comes to SDs, I don't need a card reader because my Mac has a nice card slot. 🙂

 

[sevres_babylone]

Hmm... I've been culling photos in all kinds of digital cameras since 1999 without a single problem. Nor have I met anyone who's had a problem.

That's because we haven't met🙂 I certainly had problems with my M9, where I had been deleting in camera, but it might have been particular to Sandisk cards of a particular vintage. Can't say if it would happen again, but I stopped using Sandisk cards in the M9, though use them in other cameras. I have deleted in camera since, with other cameras, but only rarely.

 

[jesse1dog]

I download photos from cards through a card reader. I argue that removing the card from the camera and inserting in the reader helps keep the card terminals clean. I delete photos in camera - if it drains the battery does that matter? I reformat cards in camera.
I've had one problem - a card that thinks it a Panasonic Lumix LX3 card while its been reformatted in an LX7? I haven't worked out that one yet. Any ideas?

 

[dmr]

I've only been doing digital since 2010 and the only issue I've ever had with memory cards is forgetting to carry another one! Kinda like running out of film. 🙂

The best time-saving trick I learned is to use a card reader widget on the computer, and not futz around with cables and downloading and such. Just plug it in, drag and drop.

I admit I seldom format them, and I've never tried formatting one on the computer. I have deleted onesey-twosey in both the cameras and the computer and never had any problems.

 

[jsrockit]

I used to delete in camera until I had a card go bad while deleting....complete hardware failure of a card (i.e. no software recovery) after a great day of photography. Of course it could have been coincidence, but now I use dual card slots in backup mode and never delete in camera.

 

[willie_901]

Don't delete shots in camera, and don't format on your computer (and don't worry if one goes through the wash -- your card that is, not your camera or computer)
http://petapixel.com/2016/12/07/dos-donts-memory-cards-tips-photographers/

Yes.

And

• Avoid low-cost cards as they are likely to be counter fit and unreliable (yes, I know people buy low-cost cards and never have a problem).
• Use a small air blower once and awhile to make sure debris doen't fall into the card socket.
• Always flip the write-protect switch on when transfering images

 

[JoeV]

I download photos from cards through a card reader. I argue that removing the card from the camera and inserting in the reader helps keep the card terminals clean. I delete photos in camera - if it drains the battery does that matter? I reformat cards in camera.
I've had one problem - a card that thinks it a Panasonic Lumix LX3 card while its been reformatted in an LX7? I haven't worked out that one yet. Any ideas?

Try formatting the card on your computer first, then format again in camera.

 

[Richard G]

1. OEM batteries, especially for digital M Leicas.
2. Charged batteries.
3. Format in camera.
4. Delete in camera anytime, but only utter wrecks like 6 stops overexposed.
5. Carry spare formatted card.
6. Rotate cards and reformat only after backup of that card's download.
7. Retire early as a backup a card with a lot of gold on it like your Paris trip, where you've already deleted in Lightroom more than you should.

8. Permanently retire a card.......when? Should be before it fails.

 

[dmr]

8. Permanently retire a card.......when? Should be before it fails.

Uh, how do you know it's about to fail? 🙂

 

[sevo]

One rather smart idea is to treat memory cards like film. That is, format the fresh card in camera, use it once to completion, never delete, store it as a backup of its own contents when full. That eliminates most causes of file system corruption as well as the most common handling errors (deleting wrong file/folder, formatting card before transfer), keeps the original which could, whenever necessary, be used to forensically prove your authorship, AND is more affordable and compact than other backup regimes.

 

[mcfingon]

I agree with keeping the memory card. Even good quality ones don't cost much now, considering how much you store on them. Someone needs to make something like negative pages to keep them all in order. I've got years of them.