When do you format CF card?

Maxven · Sep 26, 2001

Hi.

Normally I just copy and delete, or cut my pictures from the CF-card. When is a format necessary and how often is it to be applied?

Regards, Maxven

Mike Diamond · Sep 26, 2001

Maxven said:
Hi.
Normally I just copy and delete, or cut my pictures from the
CF-card. When is a format necessary and how often is it to be
applied?

Regards, Maxven

SM or CF, I would download the pictures without editing them, and format the card each time I have downloaded them, "IN THE CAMERA". There are many threads here that point to problems caused by updating the cards while connected to the computer. It is safer to use the camera to format/erase the pictures, than to do so from the computer. This is not to say that you can't do what you normally do, and have no problems with the media, IMHO it is just a bit more prudent to ensure that the manufacturers headers and format information is correctly put on the media.
MDiamond

Brian · Sep 26, 2001

I have a c-700 and no card reader. I have only formatted my card once in the past 5 months. I guess I find no point in re-formatting it until an error occurs. I have never seen any studies that show reformating on periodic basis reduces any card error. In fact I have heard of people screwing up their card by formatting it in a stand alone reader.

The C-700 acts as a storage class USB device. I copy the pictures directly for the camera and then erase them using the computer.

Maxven said:
Hi.
Normally I just copy and delete, or cut my pictures from the
CF-card. When is a format necessary and how often is it to be
applied?

Regards, Maxven

BillyBob · Sep 26, 2001

I basically do the same as Brian. Have never formatted any of my 4 SM cards in 6 months.

Juli Valley · Sep 26, 2001

Mike Diamond said:
Maxven said:

Hi.
Normally I just copy and delete, or cut my pictures from the
CF-card. When is a format necessary and how often is it to be
applied?

Regards, Maxven

Click to expand...

SM or CF, I would download the pictures without editing them, and
format the card each time I have downloaded them, "IN THE CAMERA".
There are many threads here that point to problems caused by
updating the cards while connected to the computer. It is safer to
use the camera to format/erase the pictures, than to do so from
the computer. This is not to say that you can't do what you
normally do, and have no problems with the media, IMHO it is just a
bit more prudent to ensure that the manufacturers headers and
format information is correctly put on the media.
MDiamond

I agree with you. I reformat in the camera after I have downloaded successfully the photos on the card.

Carmen58191 · Sep 26, 2001

I'm with Brian and BillyBob...I never format my cards....smart media or compact flash...I have never found it to be neccesary. I just download the images to Photo Shop via a card reader then reuse the card. I have been doing this for over a year and half with no problems. Unless you have an error I can't see the point of it.

Happy Shooting folks!

~~Carmen~~

BillyBob said:
I basically do the same as Brian. Have never formatted any of my 4
SM cards in 6 months.

Karl S. · Sep 26, 2001

Ditto Guys, I have 3 CF cards about three years old. They came pre-fomatted and I've not found any reason to format them again.Same with my SM cards which I've used nearly a year now.

For what it's worth,
Lance

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When do you format CF card?

Maxven

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Brian

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