Formatting SD Card

[senecabeach]

Should an SD card be re-formatted each time pictures are uploaded to my pc and I've deleted the entries on the card??? Why??

 

[fractal]

I've read that you should format your card several times after you download the pictures and want to reuse the card. Deleting the pictures on your camera apparently is not nearly as efficient in erasing all the data.

I format 2-3 times in a row, especially when reusing a card.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I re-format my cards after each use. I like to start with a clean as possible card after each shoot. If you just delete the photos, (I have been told) there are still artifacts on the card. While re-formatting may not remove everything it is better than just deleting, IMHO. My 2-cents.

 

[SkaGoat]

I format my cards, in camera before I use them, every time. But only once... Doing it more than once is a waste of time, and adds wear to the card.

I

 

[boBQuincy]

Most high level formats, including a PC "quick format" and an in-camera format only remove the pointers to the files. The files remain on the card so this doesn't really clean the card.

PCs and some cameras also allow a low-level format which actually removes the files and reorganizes the file structure. This is the best way of formatting the card but it should probably be formatted in the camera before using it to set up the proper file structure. The cards will allow many write cycles before becoming unreliable, we will probably be switching to larger cards long before we have come anywhere close to wearing the card out.

There is special card formatting software on the SD card organization website that is supposed to be the best to use for formatting a SD card. I have not tried it yet.

 

[zackiedawg]

I've always formatted my cards in-camera after I upload all photos to my computer, before my next use. I've been using that technique since 1997, with my original Mavica floppy-disc camera, and every one of my 18 cameras since, through the first 'HUGE' 8MB memory sticks (compered to those 3.5" disks, the 8MB memory stick in 2002 seemed like something from an intelligent alien race far above our understanding) through current 64GB SD HX cards. It's always worked, and I'll continue with that method for all foreseeable future...even when we're shooting 18GP photos on 400TB memory cards.

 

[mom2rtk]

I format mine twice a year, generally when we are ready to take a trip somewhere. I have a photo of my name and phone number on each card, and I'm really just too lazy to do it again each time when I format more often.

 

[mcraige]

I've been using that technique since 1997, with my original Mavica floppy-disc camera...

This post really brought back memories. I had one of those too in 1998. It was my first digital camera. I remember taking a box of 3.5" diskettes with me to WDW.

 

[photo_chick]

I format mine every time I put the card back in the camera. Ever since my first digital camera in '99.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I also reformat the memory card (once) every time I put it back in the camera.

 

[senecabeach]

WOW !!

Many THANKS for all the replies. I never imagined it would be soooo unanimous and I will be sure to start doing the same!!

 

[Atlas722]

When I transfer photos from my digital cameras and my smartphones to my computers, I use file-shredding software post-transfer, and once a year I replace the SD cards (and the microcard in my smartphone).

 

[WilsonFlyer]

WOW !!

Many THANKS for all the replies. I never imagined it would be soooo unanimous and I will be sure to start doing the same!!

And I couldn't more viamently disagree. You can have a popularity contest answer or have the right technical answer to your question, and while I may be an amateur in photography, I am far from it when it comes to computers and technology.

I format cards when I move them to a different camera. PERIOD. There is absolutely NO need to EVER format ANYTHING unless you are changing the WRITING device of said card or drive, and even then (outside cameras and PDAs), you don't normally do it unless the device malfunctions, which brings me to my second point. You never low-level format a card again in the same device unless you are having issues. Period. the typical format (not low-level) in a camera only erases the the card and writes the sub-directories necessary to the fcn of the device. A high level format is unnecessary but harmless if it makes you sleep better.

You don't "format" things unless you need to. It's a lazy man's erase, and its potential to do long-term damage or harm far outweighs its perceived benefits. The best low-level format, especially on SD and CF type cards was done at the factory by factory equipment.

You can argue with me if you care to but I won't engage. You're simply wrong if you believe any differently. It's your card and your choice but I have given you the best expert industry advice.

 

[traylorc]

And I couldn't more viamently disagree. You can have a popularity contest answer or have the right technical answer to your question, and while I may be an amateur in photography, I am far from it when it comes to computers and technology.

I format cards when I move them to a different camera. PERIOD. There is absolutely NO need to EVER format ANYTHING unless you are changing the WRITING device of said card or drive, and even then (outside cameras and PDAs), you don't normally do it unless the device malfunctions, which brings me to my second point. You never low-level format a card again in the same device unless you are having issues. Period. the typical format (not low-level) in a camera only erases the the card and writes the sub-directories necessary to the fcn of the device. A high level format is unnecessary but harmless if it makes you sleep better.

You don't "format" things unless you need to. It's a lazy man's erase, and its potential to do long-term damage or harm far outweighs its perceived benefits. The best low-level format, especially on SD and CF type cards was done at the factory by factory equipment.

You can argue with me if you care to but I won't engage. You're simply wrong if you believe any differently. It's your card and your choice but I have given you the best expert industry advice.

Personally I believe you make a number of good points as to why it is not necessary to continually reformat your card.

However...it's a shame that all of your insightful commentary may be lost on some people due to the condescending and belittling tone of your post.

Instead of seizing an opportunity to enlighten and educate, you elected to assume a "holier than thou" / "industry expert" attitude. The problem is compounded by your proclamation that we can all "argue with me if you care to but I won't engage". Why even take the time to post in a public forum if you no intention of engaging in a discussion?? Do you only engage in discussion with those folks that fall all over themselves agreeing with you?

You may possess "expert industry advice" as it relates to technology and engineering...but your social interaction skills could use some work.

Sorry to derail this thread folks....it is obvious I need to use the ignore button so I can avoid reading any further commentary from Wilsonflyer.

Now if you will excuse me, I am going to spend the rest of the afternoon re-formatting every single memory card I have in the house multiple times. In fact, I may spend time going around the block offering to needlessly re-format the memory cards of all my neighbors & friends despite the fact we have all been recently blessed with "the best expert industry advice" available.

 

[SkaGoat]

And I couldn't more viamently disagree. You can have a popularity contest answer or have the right technical answer to your question, and while I may be an amateur in photography, I am far from it when it comes to computers and technology.

I format cards when I move them to a different camera. PERIOD. There is absolutely NO need to EVER format ANYTHING unless you are changing the WRITING device of said card or drive, and even then (outside cameras and PDAs), you don't normally do it unless the device malfunctions, which brings me to my second point. You never low-level format a card again in the same device unless you are having issues. Period. the typical format (not low-level) in a camera only erases the the card and writes the sub-directories necessary to the fcn of the device. A high level format is unnecessary but harmless if it makes you sleep better.

You don't "format" things unless you need to. It's a lazy man's erase, and its potential to do long-term damage or harm far outweighs its perceived benefits. The best low-level format, especially on SD and CF type cards was done at the factory by factory equipment.

You can argue with me if you care to but I won't engage. You're simply wrong if you believe any differently. It's your card and your choice but I have given you the best expert industry advice.

Bad advice, and here's why.... fragmentation. The controller built into most cameras is not smart enough to avoid fragmentation on the SD or CF card. You should format the card to ensure your data is being stored, as much as possible, contiguously on the card. Formatting of any kind (low level, or high level) does not harm the card in anyway. but even a high level format will ensure your photos are stored contiguously on the card, and not with bits and pieces stored in random sectors (or wherever the controller could find writable sectors).

 

[OKW Lover]

IMHO, never a need to reformat a card. Just delete the old files and start over.

Yes, somebody out there is about to say "but that doesn't actually erase the file, only marks those bits as un-used", or words to that effect. Very true, but irrelevant. Its not like those "left over" 0's and 1's are doing any harm. When the new file is written, it doesn't care (or even know) about what was on that sector before. As far as its concerned, its tabula rasa.

Oh, and no doubt somebody else is about to say "but it doesn't hurt to reformat". Actually, there is some minor pain involved. On the photog's part there is an extra step. On the card's part there is an un-neede read/write-cycle. These cards have a finite number of times they can be written and read, why waste some of it?

 

[Groucho]

It's usually quicker to format the card than to delete the individual files, and that also puts less write cycles on the card.

I don't agree with much of what WilsonFlyer says but low-level formatting is generally not worthwhile on a memory card, unless you are a hard-core privacy nut - and even then, it's silly as you're just removing what someone could have gotten if they'd stolen your camera before you connected it to the computer.

My DSLR remembers where I was in the menu, and that's where I usually am, so for me, it's usually menu, up arrow to Format, OK, and OK on confirming it. The whole process takes three seconds, tops. Really.

The very real danger is if your file system on the camera gets corrupt and you end up with a few corrupted photos on your camera. Not likely, especially if you're doing "safe removals", but it happens, especially if you do a bunch of deletes then yank the card out. A quick in-camera format ensures everything is as it should be.