Making memory cards last longer.

[Lilikoi the cat]

I thought this was interesting because I leave the memory card in the reader all the time, even if I downloaded them to a drive.
Extending memory cards useful life

[Killjoy]

Interesting read.

While I seldom reformat my cards in the camera, I have always just downloaded the images to my computer, and removed the card.
Don't know why. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

[RogerAylstock]

Yeah, I always pull the card and put it back in the camera.

[BrassPremier]

I bet by the time your memory card stops working (however many years that is), you can probably spend $5 to get a better card

[Lilikoi the cat]

Ever lose a photo that can not be replaced? Ever accidentally open the camera back? It isn't the cost of the memory card but the contents of the card.
I even put a file on the card with my name and phone number in case it gets lost, that way if it does and they read the files my name pops up.
When Ritz had their sale of CF during Christmas, I think my 4GB Sandisk cards cost that.

[RochinPhotography]

I always remove after upload and reformat in camera (My cards last awhile) My fiance on the other hand always leaves it in the card reader and deletes from the card reader. We replace her cards often

[Lilikoi the cat]

Memory and credit.
LOL

[Tom_D]

I use Downloader Pro to automate the process of copying, renaming, archiving CR2s and converting to DNG as well as adding GPS data if I have it.

I always format the card in the camera after downloading the images and importing into Lightroom to confirm I have them all.

[Lilikoi the cat]

Tom,
I have been saving this one for you since you have the best photos!
It is Alans game.
Alans photo below me game

[Tom_D]

OK, I bit. Thanks Kevin.

[Abel]

interesting...

i use Downloader Pro and it downloads the images leaving the originals on the card. once i confirm i have them on my computer and backed up, then i reformat the cards for future use.

this way if i come across a card with images on it i know i have not downloading them and i know not to format it. kind of my check and balances in regards to knowing what can be used in my camera and what can not since it hasnt been downloaded yet.

[Tom_D]

Originally Posted by Abel

...then i reformat the cards for future use.

You format the card in the reader using the computer?

I have never done that and had heard of folks having problems with cards not formated in the camera so I always use the camera.

I can see the benefit and if you have not had problems I my try formatting in the computer in the future and then formatting again at the camera but getting nervous if the card still has images on it.

[BrassPremier]

I throw memory card into my reader, dump photos, throw card back in camera, and format there, no problems so far

[Lilikoi the cat]

I throw a new card into the camera,shoot,download,erase on the computer and shoot again.
I have never formatted the card, I think I am missing something here. Anyone have a quickie explanation about formatting?