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How do you delete your photos?

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turnstyle

turnstyle

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Kind of a dumb question...

I'm in the process of switching from an NEX7 to an A7II.

On the NEX7, after I transferred my files to my computer, I would go into the menu and "delete all."

But it seems a bit cumbersome to have to do that -- is there a better way? Can I assign 'delete' to a custom function key? Or do you delete when importing to your computer? (That strikes me as not the optimal process.)

Seems silly to be asking such a simple question, but I'm curious how others go about it...

-Scott
 
turnstyle said:
Kind of a dumb question...

I'm in the process of switching from an NEX7 to an A7II.

On the NEX7, after I transferred my files to my computer, I would go into the menu and "delete all."

But it seems a bit cumbersome to have to do that -- is there a better way? Can I assign 'delete' to a custom function key? Or do you delete when importing to your computer? (That strikes me as not the optimal process.)

Seems silly to be asking such a simple question, but I'm curious how others go about it...

-Scott
Click to expand...
I download everything and once I'm sure it's backed up (RAW and processed LR JPG files) I just format the memory card in-camera.
 
Snikt228 said:
I download everything and once I'm sure it's backed up (RAW and processed LR JPG files) I just format the memory card in-camera.
Click to expand...
Here's why I think that might not be optimal...

1) I think formatting as compared to file deletions might actually put more wear on the card (though I'm not sure about that).

2) I think some of the settings -- such as memory recall -- are stored on the card, and if you format you lose those settings.

3) It seems like a chore to have to dive into the menu -- can format or 'delete all' be assigned to some custom button?

Thanks for chiming in!
 
turnstyle said:
Snikt228 said:
I download everything and once I'm sure it's backed up (RAW and processed LR JPG files) I just format the memory card in-camera.
Click to expand...
Here's why I think that might not be optimal...

1) I think formatting as compared to file deletions might actually put more wear on the card (though I'm not sure about that).
Click to expand...
Formatting will always be better than just deleting - at least if you want to keep up the good performance of the cards read and write speed.
turnstyle said:
2) I think some of the settings -- such as memory recall -- are stored on the card, and if you format you lose those settings.
Click to expand...
No camera related settings are stored on the card - they are all store on the cameras internal persistent memory.
turnstyle said:
3) It seems like a chore to have to dive into the menu -- can format or 'delete all' be assigned to some custom button?
Click to expand...
I can't imagine navigating through a few button clicks being a chore but then again if you never enter the menu system for any other reasons than deleting images from the memory card then you should go into options and change the setting so that you always enter the same place of the menu as you left - that way it will be one click to enter menu, one push up and one click to format, one last click to confirm you want to format - wait and once complete click menu to leave the menu.

You can also remove the confirmation step from within settings to make it even less of a chore.
 
1.. no, theres nothing to wear out

2 nope

3 Well I don't know about programming a button, seems like it would be a hazard if it was allowed. isn't there a setting on whatever you are using to import the photos to delete them after they are imported?
 
Nice fresh file tables for the new shots
and unfettered (uncongested) access to the storage area.
As standard as taking off the lens cap.
 
Diablorini said:
Diablorini said:
2) I think some of the settings -- such as memory recall -- are stored on the card, and if you format you lose those settings.
Click to expand...
No camera related settings are stored on the card - they are all store on the cameras internal persistent memory.
Click to expand...
Are you sure about that?

Here's where I got that idea:

A7 II and memory banks M1-M4

I was very excited to find that the A7 II includes a total of SIX memory register locations for storing settings, instead of two on A7 and three on A6000! The camera has Memory 1, 2, and M1-M4. However, when I format the card in-camera using the Format command, it deletes registers M1 thru M4...
www.dpreview.com www.dpreview.com
 
turnstyle said:
Diablorini said:
turnstyle said:
2) I think some of the settings -- such as memory recall -- are stored on the card, and if you format you lose those settings.
Click to expand...
No camera related settings are stored on the card - they are all store on the cameras internal persistent memory.
Click to expand...
Are you sure about that?

Here's where I got that idea:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3771933
Click to expand...
Well let me put it this way - I am 99.99% sure.

I use all 3 of the memory presets on my camera, and I custom configured my button layout - and I often go through two to three 32 gigabyte memory cards if I am out shooting a rally and I have never experienced any of my settings changing or getting lost because I change the memory card in my camera.
 
turnstyle said:
Diablorini said:
turnstyle said:
2) I think some of the settings -- such as memory recall -- are stored on the card, and if you format you lose those settings.
Click to expand...
No camera related settings are stored on the card - they are all store on the cameras internal persistent memory.
Click to expand...
Are you sure about that?

Here's where I got that idea:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3771933
Click to expand...
If camera settings are stored on the card then what happens when you change cards. I have about 6 cards I use in 3 different cameras. Wouldn't this cause all sorts of issues. I format in camera after import, no settings lost, take less than 30 seconds.
 
turnstyle said:
JimKasson said:
Glenn said:
1.. no, theres nothing to wear out
Click to expand...
In flash memory, there is indeed a wear-out mechanism -- a finite number of program-erase cycles -- but the numbers are fairly high:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory#Memory_wear
Click to expand...
Seems the number of cycles is high enough to not really matter -- but do you happen to know if a "format" and a "delete all" both count in the same way against that wear?
Click to expand...
It's really nothing to worry about, especially since SD cards are basically free these days. It's highly unlikely you'll wear one out with any use before you want to get another one anyway.
 
turnstyle said:
On the NEX7, after I transferred my files to my computer, I would go into the menu and "delete all."

But it seems a bit cumbersome to have to do that -- is there a better way? Can I assign 'delete' to a custom function key? Or do you delete when importing to your computer? (That strikes me as not the optimal process.)

Seems silly to be asking such a simple question, but I'm curious how others go about it...
Click to expand...
I figure that gets me a clean set of file allocation tables for sure.

On my Nikon gear, if you press and hold two buttons -- on the D4 it's trash and mode -- simultaneously, the camera performs a format with no need to go into the menu system. It's something that Sony could look into for a firmware update.

Jim
 
southy4 said:
turnstyle said:
Diablorini said:
southy4 said:
2) I think some of the settings -- such as memory recall -- are stored on the card, and if you format you lose those settings.
Click to expand...
No camera related settings are stored on the card - they are all store on the cameras internal persistent memory.
Click to expand...
Are you sure about that?

Here's where I got that idea:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3771933
Click to expand...
If camera settings are stored on the card then what happens when you change cards. I have about 6 cards I use in 3 different cameras. Wouldn't this cause all sorts of issues. I format in camera after import, no settings lost, take less than 30 seconds.
Click to expand...
According to that thread, it deletes M1-M4 memory (not all your settings).

fwiw, I'm interested in those memory settings because I use manual lenses, and it may be a convenient place to store the focal length for use with IBIS for my lenses. (I haven't yet had much time to figure out all my settings yet.)

Anyhow, it seems from that that formatting DOES delete something that you wouldn't expect to be deleted...
 
turnstyle said:
JimKasson said:
Glenn said:
1.. no, theres nothing to wear out
Click to expand...
In flash memory, there is indeed a wear-out mechanism -- a finite number of program-erase cycles -- but the numbers are fairly high:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory#Memory_wear
Click to expand...
Seems the number of cycles is high enough to not really matter -- but do you happen to know if a "format" and a "delete all" both count in the same way against that wear?
Click to expand...
Do you mind me asking what kind of diamond plated memory card you are using?

By the time wear, from deleting or formatting has killed you card it surely most be possible to buy a new card, they are not that expensive.

For me to suggest that you should format and not delete has got nothing to do with wear, but with the performance of the card.

But if you feel more at ease with deleting then you should just continue to delete rather than format.

--
One image at a time I hope to one day master the art of imagery
 
Last edited:
turnstyle said:
JimKasson said:
Glenn said:
1.. no, theres nothing to wear out
Click to expand...
In flash memory, there is indeed a wear-out mechanism -- a finite number of program-erase cycles -- but the numbers are fairly high:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory#Memory_wear
Click to expand...
Seems the number of cycles is high enough to not really matter -- but do you happen to know if a "format" and a "delete all" both count in the same way against that wear?
Click to expand...
I don't, and the situation is complicated somewhat by the fact that the cards have mechanisms to dynamically remap blocks to randomize the write locations. It's not worth worrying about in this application, IMHO.

When flash is used as the boot drive on a server, it's worth a look.

Jim
 
Diablorini said:
turnstyle said:
JimKasson said:
Glenn said:
1.. no, theres nothing to wear out
Click to expand...
In flash memory, there is indeed a wear-out mechanism -- a finite number of program-erase cycles -- but the numbers are fairly high:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory#Memory_wear
Click to expand...
Seems the number of cycles is high enough to not really matter -- but do you happen to know if a "format" and a "delete all" both count in the same way against that wear?
Click to expand...
Do you mind me asking what kind of diamond plated memory card you are using?

By the time wear, from deleting or formatting has killed you card it surely most be possible to buy a new card, they are not that expensive.

For me to suggest that you should format and not delete has got nothing to do with wear, but with the performance of the card.

But if you feel more at ease with deleting then you should just continue to delete rather than format.
Click to expand...
Now now, I'll use a diamond plated paddle to give you a whooping.

I had just remembered hearing that formatting was a bit more problematical for life of card -- if that's not the case, that's fine with me.

But I'm still curious if formatting vs delete-all does actually erase those extended memory bank settings.

And given how often cards need to be erased, it just seems odd to have to go into the menu every time -- especially when there are all these customizable buttons -- meaning, it just seems sensible to have "delete all" or "format" as an assignable option in the function menu.
 
Last edited:
turnstyle said:
Kind of a dumb question...

I'm in the process of switching from an NEX7 to an A7II.

On the NEX7, after I transferred my files to my computer, I would go into the menu and "delete all."

But it seems a bit cumbersome to have to do that -- is there a better way? Can I assign 'delete' to a custom function key? Or do you delete when importing to your computer? (That strikes me as not the optimal process.)

Seems silly to be asking such a simple question, but I'm curious how others go about it...

-Scott
Click to expand...
With cameras previous to the A7 II, I always formatted the card to delete picture files. It is ABSOLUTELY true that with the A7 II (as well as the A7s), formatting the card deletes the memory banks M1-M4 (not MR1 and MR2). I learned this from experience, although it is mentioned in Sony's Help Guide, and that's why I posted the note about it. http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3771933

Using the A7 II, I now press Menu while in Playback mode, and choose the option "Delete all in folder." It's really not that hard! If it were any easier to delete all the files on your card, I can guarantee that many people would complain that they had accidentally deleted their files!

It's hard to believe that so many on this forum will contradict another's statement without first testing it. If you have an A7 II or A7s, test it; if not, don't contradict another's statement!

-Ross
 
Ross Warner said:
turnstyle said:
Kind of a dumb question...

I'm in the process of switching from an NEX7 to an A7II.

On the NEX7, after I transferred my files to my computer, I would go into the menu and "delete all."

But it seems a bit cumbersome to have to do that -- is there a better way? Can I assign 'delete' to a custom function key? Or do you delete when importing to your computer? (That strikes me as not the optimal process.)

Seems silly to be asking such a simple question, but I'm curious how others go about it...

-Scott
Click to expand...
With cameras previous to the A7 II, I always formatted the card to delete picture files. It is ABSOLUTELY true that with the A7 II (as well as the A7s), formatting the card deletes the memory banks M1-M4 (not MR1 and MR2). I learned this from experience, although it is mentioned in Sony's Help Guide, and that's why I posted the note about it. http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3771933

Using the A7 II, I now press Menu while in Playback mode, and choose the option "Delete all in folder." It's really not that hard! If it were any easier to delete all the files on your card, I can guarantee that many people would complain that they had accidentally deleted their files!

It's hard to believe that so many on this forum will contradict another's statement without first testing it. If you have an A7 II or A7s, test it; if not, don't contradict another's statement!

-Ross
Click to expand...
Ha, this was very helpful -- not just for confirming the point that formatting can actually delete some settings -- but I didn't previously know that if you enter the Menu WHILE you're in Playback, than it automatically takes you to the page in settings from which you can delete -- that's very helpful to know (I thought it would take you back to whatever the last settings page was).

PS: can you copy the M1-M4 files off, and restore them after a format?
 
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