Uploading pics from more than one camera to computer???

[eeyoreforever]

I have a Canon camera that I have been uploading pictures from. I've always worried about the camera using the same file number on a picture, so I doublecheck that periodically. I don't want to accidentally overwrite pictures. Now my daughter has a Canon also and will be uploading pics to my computer. My question is whether her camera will be numbering the files the same as mine and are they going to be overwriting each other? Does that make any sense? I hope someone can understand what I am trying to ask. Thanks for any input.

 

[DueyDooDah]

Your concern is valid if you are using the same software and PC to transfer files from both cameras (notice I said PC, not Mac - I don't know about Macs). You must first determine if both cameras use the same naming convention. If so, then you will need to determine how you want to store pictures to ensure they are located in separate folders. If they have a different convention, this should not be a big problem.

E.g., if you camera uses the convention IMG_xxxx.jpg (where xxx is the numbering), then the transfer software may put your files in a folder called My Pictures | Canon | 01-10-2007 so you would have something like this:

C:\Documents and Settings\eeyoreforever\My Documents\Canon\01-10-2007\IMG_0001.jpg

If your daughter's camera used the same naming convention and she shot pictures the same day and she used your logon to the computer, then her files will be put in the same place and, if the filename was the same, it could overwrite your image.

Now, if her camera used the convention IMAGE_xxxx.jpg and everything else was the same, then you would have something like this:

C:\Documents and Settings\eeyoreforever\My Documents\Canon\01-10-2007\IMAGE_0001.jpg

which would not overwrite your image.

If your daughter logs onto your computer using a different name (this assumes you have your computer set up for multiple people) then it does not matter if both cameras use the same naming convention. The images will be stored in separate places on the computer. If your daughter' logon name was Dorthy, then her images would be stored something like this:

C:\Documents and Settings\Dorthy\My Documents\Canon\01-10-2007\IMG_0001.jpg

while yours would be

C:\Documents and Settings\eeyoreforever\My Documents\Canon\01-10-2007\IMG_0001.jpg

Notice that although the image name is the same, the location is different.

Now, if you need to save them to a CD or DVD, then again, you must be careful not to overwrite images that use the same naming convention. You would want to keep yours on CDs separate from your daughter's.

I'm sorry if this is long-winded, but there are alot of possibilities when computers come into play.

 

[ukcatfan]

The Canon software allows you to have it rename and/or renumber as you download. I believe that you can include the date as part of the name. I just use a card reader and copy paste to where I want, so I cannot tell you exactly how to do this, but I have seen it there before. Check the manual for how to do it.

Kevin

 

[eeyoreforever]

Thanks for the replies. I have checked both cameras and they number the pictures exactly the same. Right now its not a problem as the first few months I had my camera in 2005, I was using my old computer. All of the pictures I've uploaded to this computer start with pictures numbered in the 1000's. But, I want to figure out now how to best handle it before it does become an issue.

I just installed Photoshop Elements and want to start using that and trying to get my pics organized, so I won't be using the Canon software.

Would my best option be to set up an account for my daughter to use? That seems like the easiest way. My grand plan for dealing with my pictures was to be to leave them numbered the way they are as my "master" copy. Then I was going to make copies of the pictures that I wanted to "monkey" with.
Or, does it matter if they are going into separate folders in my account, would that prevent them from being overwritten?

Thanks again for the help and advice.

 

[jann1033]

Thanks for the replies. I have checked both cameras and they number the pictures exactly the same. Right now its not a problem as the first few months I had my camera in 2005, I was using my old computer. All of the pictures I've uploaded to this computer start with pictures numbered in the 1000's. But, I want to figure out now how to best handle it before it does become an issue.

I just installed Photoshop Elements and want to start using that and trying to get my pics organized, so I won't be using the Canon software.

Would my best option be to set up an account for my daughter to use? That seems like the easiest way. My grand plan for dealing with my pictures was to be to leave them numbered the way they are as my "master" copy. Then I was going to make copies of the pictures that I wanted to "monkey" with.
Or, does it matter if they are going into separate folders in my account, would that prevent them from being overwritten?

Thanks again for the help and advice.

when you download pictures to the pselements organizer go to advanced not automatic download. then you can enter in where you want those photos to go ie her documents or yours.

edited cause i have mine set up advanced but the first page that opens in the downloader asks you where you want it downloaded and you can browse for your or her" my pictures"....then in the advanced, you can number them how you want( i just erased my memory card or i'd try it...)just make sure you do not have automatic download checked on the download page so the page always comes up. you can aslo rename your files there so i would think if you named them her name blah blah blah it wouldn't overwrite any you have there..( not positive about that but i think it saves them with that name rather than imgxxx)
you can also turn off the pse downloader and use what ever came with her camera to open and keep hers in and then use the pse downloader for your own. that way they would be seperate also it looks like a little camera in your system tray you click on it to turn it on or off

 

[DueyDooDah]

Would my best option be to set up an account for my daughter to use? That seems like the easiest way. My grand plan for dealing with my pictures was to be to leave them numbered the way they are as my "master" copy. Then I was going to make copies of the pictures that I wanted to "monkey" with.

I think this would be the safest way to do what you want. This is the only way to ensure your existing photos are never touched. If you rely on memory to change settings before you transfer files, you have a very good chance to forget, at least once. I know. I use the EOS utility to transfer images from two Canon cameras, also. I really have to be careful (something I'm not always accused of) not to overwrite files. Thank goodness it warns me. But even then, I sometimes am too tired and respond incorrectly. That's where CD/DVD backups come in.

And your master plan is sound. I NEVER use the original files without first burning them to DVD. Even then, since I save in RAW format, I save to .PSD format whenever I edit.

Ahhhhhh, file management. Isn't it wonderful?