M8 SD card help

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For the 3rd time this year I am running into trouble with my Panasonic 8GB SD cards - loosing 3/4 of my photos. The strange thing is that while I am shooting I can see the images appear on the LCD but later on can not recover them even with recovery software. This happens with both of my M8 bodies. When I diagnose the cards via Lexar's image rescue I get a "Cluster" error - when I check them with Panasonics software I get no error. My procedure is to erase the cards after download via Lexars image rescue and subsequently reformat them in camera before shooting. Same as I do with my Sigmas, Canons, Nikons, Kodaks, Panasonics, Sonys. What SC cards are you guys using here - and what procedures proved successful for you over the years. I just went back to use my old 2GB 133x Lexar Professional Cards and ordered a Lexar 8GB Professional 133x 20MB/s SD Memory Card and a 16GB Professional UHS-I SDHC Memory Card (U1) today ... but I am getting a bit paranoid about the whole thing ... any advice ?

 

[jaapv]

If a card starts to misbehave, the best remedy is to format it using SD Formatter:

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

A full format will take some time, but it will be in the official structure again.

Essential precaution as well: When downloading to your computer: LOCK THE CARD !

There can be all kinds of dross written back onto it otherwise.

 

[Ronald M]

Format the card in the camera in which it will be use. Do not switch them around. I buy new card for each new camera.

Do not erase. for one thing you can get fragmented files. For another the card table of contents or directory remains in place.

Download, reformat in camera.

Never tried SD formatter, but it might get one chance. Personally if a card gives trouble, buy new.

 

[jaapv]

SD Formatter is the official formatting/card repair software from the SD Association.

 

[B-9]

Since updating to the latest firmware, all of my SD cards work great in my M8.

Cheap PNY 8gb to expensive Sandisk Pro 16gb, right now I'm using a Canon 4gb card without issue.

My procedure is simple, I delete the junk in camera, transfer to computer, format in camera to clear the card.

Wish you luck!

 

[Dwig]

If a card starts to misbehave, the best remedy is to format it using SD Formatter:

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

A full format will take some time, but it will be in the official structure again.

Essential precaution as well: When downloading to your computer: LOCK THE CARD !

There can be all kinds of dross written back onto it otherwise.

I agree with both using the SDformatter and locking the card during download.

If you have problems with a card then you should definitely used the SDformatter. If you want to then to a high level reformat in camera to create the camera's desired folder structure, that's fine.

 

[LCT]

Yes and you need to use SD Formatter only once in a while. Formatting with the camera works fine afterwards.

 

[-------]

Thank you - I will follow you're advice !

Thank you - I will follow you're advice !

Format the card in the camera in which it will be use. Do not switch them around. I buy new card for each new camera.

Do not erase. for one thing you can get fragmented files. For another the card table of contents or directory remains in place.

Download, reformat in camera.

Never tried SD formatter, but it might get one chance. Personally if a card gives trouble, buy new.

Thank you - I will follow you're advice !

 

[-------]

Thank you - I will follow you're advice !

Thank you - I will follow you're advice !

If a card starts to misbehave, the best remedy is to format it using SD Formatter:

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

A full format will take some time, but it will be in the official structure again.

Essential precaution as well: When downloading to your computer: LOCK THE CARD !

There can be all kinds of dross written back onto it otherwise.

Thank you so much - I will follow you're advice !

 

[-------]

Thank you all, for helping me with this issue !

 

[-------]

one more question

one more question

After running SDformatter in "overwrite mode" and subsequently formatting the card in camera ... are the cards then supposed to be wiped clean of any previously stored files ?

 

[jaapv]

Yes.. Overwrite means just that. Everything gets overwritten with a jumble of ones and zeroes.

 

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ERROR persists

ERROR persists

error is happening again !
M8 is not writing DNG files but will write JPG of the same shot if set to : shoot DNG and JPG mode .... according to Leica store ... this is normal !?