Unintentionally swapping memory cards

[rsn]

So here is the scenario. I volunteered to be one of the photographers at a large sporting event in British Columbia - there were ten of us. I am an amateur and definitely not a pro. I decided to use two cameras, my Canon 5D mk 4 and 7D mk 2. I normally use CF cards but the organizer for photography wanted SD cards. I wasn't paying attention, took out my CF cards, put in the SD cards and off to the event. Now weeks later, I realize I don't know which CF card came out of which camera.

My question is this, lets say I had inadvertently inserted the 7D MK 2 CF card into my 5D MK 4 memory slot and turned the camera on. I am assuming the card would not work, different formatting software for each card. Would there be an error message, any harm to the camera or card? I know I can figure which card is which by putting running it through Canon's "pro" software. I am just curious.

 

[LeicaEye]

Surely you can download any photos, reformat the cards and then either card in either camera..

 

[AshleyMC]

Now weeks later, I realize I don't know which CF card came out of which camera.

Insert each card into a card reader connected to your computer. Open an image on the card and view its EXIF data. (Or you might want to do so with many recorded images.) The camera identification will be readily available.

Years ago, when I was using Canon DSLRs, I sometimes used the cards interchangeably among the cameras without problems.

 

[lehill]

All cameras follow the same standard for saving files to memory cards. The same standard also specifies the formatting method depending on the size of the card. If you swap cards around, the subfolders under the main DCIM folder may be named differently, but the memory card will work fine.

 

[New Wrycuda]

So here is the scenario. I volunteered to be one of the photographers at a large sporting event in British Columbia - there were ten of us. I am an amateur and definitely not a pro. I decided to use two cameras, my Canon 5D mk 4 and 7D mk 2. I normally use CF cards but the organizer for photography wanted SD cards. I wasn't paying attention, took out my CF cards, put in the SD cards and off to the event. Now weeks later, I realize I don't know which CF card came out of which camera.

That was your big mistake; YOU should be the one who determines the cameras/cards and to hell with the organiser’s wishes.

You can also label your cards. I’ve travelled for years with a collection of cards labelled: 001, 002, 003, 004.
I also use different brands of cards in each of my four cameras.

 

[GeoffRG]

So here is the scenario. I volunteered to be one of the photographers at a large sporting event in British Columbia - there were ten of us. I am an amateur and definitely not a pro. I decided to use two cameras, my Canon 5D mk 4 and 7D mk 2. I normally use CF cards but the organizer for photography wanted SD cards. I wasn't paying attention, took out my CF cards, put in the SD cards and off to the event. Now weeks later, I realize I don't know which CF card came out of which camera.

My question is this, lets say I had inadvertently inserted the 7D MK 2 CF card into my 5D MK 4 memory slot and turned the camera on. I am assuming the card would not work, different formatting software for each card. Would there be an error message, any harm to the camera or card? I know I can figure which card is which by putting running it through Canon's "pro" software. I am just curious.

Just stick the cards in a card reader and you should be able to see which camera they were formatted in.

I agree with New Wrycuda, choice of card is yours, I would have had to tell the organiser that I couldn't comply, I only have cameras that use CFexpress/XQD cards, no danger of my using an SD card.

​

 

[rsn]

I am surprised the discussion about who determines what type of cards arose, however..... I truly don't care which format is used. Being an old fart with my original digital Rebel (6.2 megapixels sensor) only used CF cards when I bought it in 2004. Consequently I was brainwashed to use them. With all the Canon cameras I have owned with dual slots, I only used CF cards. For some illogical reason, I trust them more. I have never had a problem with a CF card, I have had a problem with an SD card. For the assignment discussed above, even though I had SD cards that I used in my Fuji cameras, I didn't want to format them for the event. Instead I went out to crappy second hand stores that also carried cameras, looked for the digital ones, opened them up and made an offer to the store owner for the card alone. I bought two for $5 each, not large cards, card A was one gig, card B was two gigs. Of course I tested them out before relying on them but I knew they would be fine since most ameatures under use their equipment, including the attached memory cards. And I knew shooting JPEG at a reduced size, I would never come close to filling either card.

 

[Richard James]

I normally use CF cards but the organizer for photography wanted SD cards.

I would assume that he would pay for the cards if he wanted the actual card. Quite unusual, IMO, normally done electronically (e-mail, if small enough, otherwise Google Drive etc.).

Now weeks later, I realize I don't know which CF card came out of which camera.

As others have said, it is irrelevant. Any card, any camera. I frequently switch cards between cameras, or just a different card in the same camera.

Even if the camera objects, just reformat the card.

Richard

 

[Craig Gillette]

There is a slight possibility if both cameras were set up, say using default numbering, that both are using the same numbers. That would seem likely to have already been noticed if you download to the same folders, etc. as you'd get the notice that xxx is already here, overwrite, get a (suffix) of some sort added, etc. But, if not already done, when downloading the contents to folders before reformatting, use a separate "top" folder for each card. Then they could be checked and renumbered.

You could also check the cameras to be sure you have different initial prefixes and review how the numbering systems are set up.

 

[Michael Fryd]

So here is the scenario. I volunteered to be one of the photographers at a large sporting event in British Columbia - there were ten of us. I am an amateur and definitely not a pro. I decided to use two cameras, my Canon 5D mk 4 and 7D mk 2. I normally use CF cards but the organizer for photography wanted SD cards. I wasn't paying attention, took out my CF cards, put in the SD cards and off to the event. Now weeks later, I realize I don't know which CF card came out of which camera.

My question is this, lets say I had inadvertently inserted the 7D MK 2 CF card into my 5D MK 4 memory slot and turned the camera on. I am assuming the card would not work, different formatting software for each card. Would there be an error message, any harm to the camera or card? I know I can figure which card is which by putting running it through Canon's "pro" software. I am just curious.

As others have pointed out, you can put the cards in a reader and look at the images. The images from the 7D2 will have fewer pixels than the images from the 5D4.

However, this isn't necessary. You can swap cards from one camera to the other, and it should work just fine (as long as the card doesn't exceed the max capacity for the 7D2). You won't harm anything. You can even review images taken with one camera on the other.

One possible downside is that this can cause a change in the camera's image numbering. Depending on what settings you have, the number in the filenames may jump up to match the highest number on a card inserted from the other camera.


My advice, is that you should not be relying on your memory cards for long term storage. I recommend that after each shoot, you copy the files from the card to proper storage and backup. I also suggest in-camera formatting of cards prior to starting a shoot.