Deleting images from a SD card with software

fotografffic · Jan 12, 2018

Do you let a program delete images from a memory card after they're transferred to your computer?

The only way I've ever deleted images is to format or erase the memory card in camera after they are transferred.

What's your experience with letting software delete them? I use Photoshop Elements Organizer and it gives that option. Other programs I've used in the past also give this option but, based on absolutely no evidence, I always felt it was a bad idea. Am I wrong?

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dj_paige · Jan 12, 2018

fotografffic said:
Do you let a program delete images from a memory card after they're transferred to your computer?

The only way I've ever deleted images is to format or erase the memory card in camera after they are transferred.

What's your experience with letting software delete them? I use Photoshop Elements Organizer and it gives that option. Other programs I've used in the past also give this option but, based on absolutely no evidence, I always felt it was a bad idea. Am I wrong?

I feel its a bad idea as well. If there is some corruption of the photo in the process of transferring it from camera to computer, and then the deletion happens, you no have zero copies of that photo, which isn't good. And yes, card readers and USB cable transfers can malfunction, your hard disk can be going bad, or just have a bad sector, etc.

--
Paige Miller

Harry Shepherd · Jan 12, 2018

Late 2001 I bought the Minolta DiMAGE 7 subsequently buying the Canon 300 D when it was released, followed by the 10D, 30D. The 5D then went back to cropped cameras as mainly I shoot wildlife I now have the 7D and 7Dmk11. Apart from isolated occassions I always down to the PC and then format in the PC. Have never ever had a problem. 17 years of formatting via the PC suggests it's not a problem. However until I bought the 7D MK2 I always used compactflash. I now use compactflash and SD (64gb) and have never had a problem with SD cards.

Thomas Guenther · Jan 12, 2018

Format the card after transfer inside the camera, because the camera knows better ( as Adobe in your case). It does not seem to make sense even to fit his job in FS area of your OS.

The DSCFS inside the camera‘s OS is relevant - nothing else.

JLGF1 · Jan 12, 2018

I cull the images right on the card using FastStone or FastRawView...and then copy the rest. Never had an issue.

Should we expect an external program to have any more challenge deleting a file from a flash card than, for example, an SSD?

dj_paige · Jan 13, 2018

JLGF1 said:
Should we expect an external program to have any more challenge deleting a file from a flash card than, for example, an SSD?

Of course, programs CAN delete photos from a camera card. The issue is that many softwares CHOOSE to not offer that function, for a very good reason. If the photo is damaged or corrupted during the transfer to the computer, and then the software (doesn't know of the corruption) deletes it from your camera card, the photo is lost forever.

JLGF1 · Jan 13, 2018

dj_paige said:
Of course, programs CAN delete photos from a camera card. The issue is that many softwares CHOOSE to not offer that function, for a very good reason. If the photo is damaged or corrupted during the transfer to the computer, and then the software (doesn't know of the corruption) deletes it from your camera card, the photo is lost forever.

Sorry that you missed the point.

In my scenario, the only photos that are deleted are the ones I didn't want to keep.

The other photos are still sitting on the SD card as a backup copy until I know the computer copy is good.

Your scenario only applies in the case of simultaneous copy/delete which is not what I described.

My point is that there is really no more reason (AFAIK) to anticipate a high rate of "corruption" when deleting files from an SD card than there is to anticipate the same from SSD media. And, while anecdotal, since I've never had an issue I think that holds true for me until proven otherwise.

Redcrown · Jan 13, 2018

No problem with a long history with Canon. But I have one Sony (RX10) that hates it if you change the sd card outside of the camera. Refuses to accept the card, insists on re-formatting in-camera.

dj_paige · Jan 13, 2018

JLGF1 said:
dj_paige said:

Of course, programs CAN delete photos from a camera card. The issue is that many softwares CHOOSE to not offer that function, for a very good reason. If the photo is damaged or corrupted during the transfer to the computer, and then the software (doesn't know of the corruption) deletes it from your camera card, the photo is lost forever.

Click to expand...

Sorry that you missed the point.

In my scenario, the only photos that are deleted are the ones I didn't want to keep.

The other photos are still sitting on the SD card as a backup copy until I know the computer copy is good.

Your scenario only applies in the case of simultaneous copy/delete which is not what I described.

My point is that there is really no more reason (AFAIK) to anticipate a high rate of "corruption" when deleting files from an SD card than there is to anticipate the same from SSD media.

It's not the deleting of files that causes the corruption. But as I said, a number of software manufacturers have chosen to not implement deleting from the camera card, not because of YOUR specific problem (which I understand more clearly now, thank you) but because of the problem I mentioned, which is much more serious.

JLGF1 said:
And, while anecdotal, since I've never had an issue I think that holds true for me until proven otherwise.

So if it happens to others, it's nothing for you to worry about?

fotografffic · Jan 13, 2018

Redcrown said:
No problem with a long history with Canon. But I have one Sony (RX10) that hates it if you change the sd card outside of the camera. Refuses to accept the card, insists on re-formatting in-camera.

Then my gut reaction was right...at least for me. I will not let software delete images from a camera memory card.

g7_chord · Jan 13, 2018

Since corrupted cards are so rare, anecdotal information from those who've never had a problem isn't really relevant. For such rare occurrences, one has to go with theory. And, as a few here correctly pointed out, in theory the camera is the most reliable device to format the card.

Erasing individual images, whether in-camera or by computer is risky, as it depends on the integrity of the file system on the card. Glitches happen.

Finally, if you erase individual images, you might by mistake erase the wrong one.

dj_paige · Jan 13, 2018

g7_chord said:
Since corrupted cards are so rare, anecdotal information from those who've never had a problem isn't really relevant. For such rare occurrences, one has to go with theory.

--
Marc Rochkind

Yes, yes, YES! In fact, this articulates my objection to the original question and some of the answers given. Experience in this area of rare but catastrophic events isn't useful, you can probably find a thousand people who have never had a problem, for every 10 who have had a problem. But once you lose a photo (or a whole photo shoot) because your card was not formatted properly, or because you copied the photo to the hard disk and it got corrupted but immediately deleted the originals off the camera card, it is catastrophic.

--
Paige Miller

JLGF1 · Jan 13, 2018

dj_paige said:
So if it happens to others, it's nothing for you to worry about?

Sorry, I think you misquoted me.

If the potential issue hasn't happened to me then I'm not too worried that it might; ymmv and feel free to do this however you like.

However, the only potential downside in my case is if a file-delete were to corrupt the media and prevent me from copying the remaining (new) files. Since that has never happened I won't lose any sleep that it might.

JLGF1 · Jan 13, 2018

dj_paige said:
your card was not formatted properly, or because you copied the photo to the hard disk and it got corrupted but immediately deleted the originals off the camera card, it is catastrophic.

Of course, you don't have to do it that way, but whatever floats your boat.

The battery could fry and take out the card, too. Be sure to protect yourself against that.

Thomas Guenther · Jan 13, 2018

JLGF1 said:
dj_paige said:

your card was not formatted properly, or because you copied the photo to the hard disk and it got corrupted but immediately deleted the originals off the camera card, it is catastrophic.

Click to expand...

Of course, you don't have to do it that way, but whatever floats your boat.

The battery could fry and take out the card, too. Be sure to protect yourself against that.

Even if you oppose, but skulling on the card is like making 100 actuations every time to take a picture and than you wonder why your mirror is gone. SD card are not made for infinity life. To keep the card in good condition it is better to minimise I/O action, especially unnecessary writing actions.

Copying all files to a scratch folder and doing the culling there is the best way to earlier ruin the sd card and having always a robust workflow, which does not interfere with the file system of recording media.

Deleting pictures on the card, especially not with the camera OS directly, is the worst advice someone can give.

dj_paige · Jan 13, 2018

JLGF1 said:
dj_paige said:

your card was not formatted properly, or because you copied the photo to the hard disk and it got corrupted but immediately deleted the originals off the camera card, it is catastrophic.

Click to expand...

Of course, you don't have to do it that way, but whatever floats your boat.

The battery could fry and take out the card, too. Be sure to protect yourself against that.

A ridiculous comment in the context of this thread.

JLGF1 · Jan 13, 2018

Thomas Guenther said:
Deleting pictures on the card, especially not with the camera OS directly, is the worst advice someone can give.

So formatting the card over and over is better than deleting the files directly in terms of longevity? That seems to be the point you are making but it's not entirely clear. I assume Pros don't delete hundred, if not thousands, of files one at a time (eg they would use copy & format).

So, this SD slot on my NUC...I really shouldn't use it? Why did they design it there?

BTW, I am not giving advice...I am saying that I've never had an issue. If you don't want to use that approach...then don't. No one can tell the OP that he will have an issue and no one can tell him that he definitely won't. YMMV.

Thomas Guenther said:
Even if you oppose, but culling on the card is like making 100 actuations every time to take a picture

Sorry, I don't agree. It's media...it's made to be written to. A delete operation is far less intrusive to the media than writing several MB's.

Would you make the same argument regarding a USB stick?

JLGF1 · Jan 13, 2018

dj_paige said:
A ridiculous comment in the context of this thread.

Well, I happen to think your paranoia of corruption is ridiculous, but to each his own.

JLGF1 · Jan 13, 2018

Thomas Guenther said:
The DSCFS inside the camera‘s OS is relevant - nothing else.

Both the camera and the OS (eg Win) are accessing a logical file-system. If there were major differences between the two access methods, the computer OS would/could have problems in very short order.

Are you saying you feel that is likely to be the case? Can you provide a technical basis for your position?

fotografffic · Jan 13, 2018

JLGF1 said:
dj_paige said:

A ridiculous comment in the context of this thread.

Click to expand...

Well, I happen to think your paranoia of corruption is ridiculous, but to each his own.

Anything can break.No use quibbling over it.

Do whatever works for you; what you feel comfortable with. I just asked a question and will do what I think best and has worked reliably for years.

Deleting images from a SD card with software

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