Download/storage issue

[gardener]

After using two cameras this last week, a 5D and 50D (different lenses on each), I'm having an issue organizing all the images since the numbering systems of both cameras are essentially the same, ie: IMG_XXXX. I sorted the downloaded photos into separate folders as I usually do according to subject but find that the image numbers from the two cameras overlap to some degree and consequently, the folder instruct comes up with something on the order of "you already have IMG_XXXX. Do you want to replace it?". The answer is no, I do not want to replace it because while the image numbers may be identical, it's actually a different image.
There has to be some simple remedy that I can use for future images when shooting two cameras but at the moment, I'm dumbstruck as to what that remedy might be... Probably wouldn't hurt to do whatever it is to the current images either for that matter. So what? Just download and renumber at the same time? Just for explanation if it makes for a more simple answer, I save a lot of images but don't catalog them for future reference per se simply because I don't sell images therefore have no need to quickly find image_xxxx for some reason. I typically go to Folder: 'Vacation/Canada 08' or 'Flowers 09' or whatever and find what I need. Too, this is only the second or third time this numbering issue has been a problem but I'd like to head off later problems now if possible.
Help? Please?
Thank you,
Steve W

[srwatters]

I use PhotoMechanic and rename the files automatically when they are copied off the cards. Each shoot is placed into a folder automatically named by date. If I want I can even separate RAW and jpg images into different folders, yet keep the consistent names. It's not cheap, but it works really well for me. YMMV.

[kenw]

the easiest is to just download them into separate folders, both of those being in a single folder of your choosing. Like "Vacation in Canada", then sub-folders of '5D' and '50D'.

Then the fact that folders '5D' and '50D' have files inside of the same name won't matter.

[Mindy H]

I'm not sure about Canon, but with Nikon, you can have the camera write the image with custom naming. So...all of my files are named mindyharmon_1234 in the camera. You could make a custom name for each camera to keep them straight.

[MicWayWal]

I run into this a lot using three or four cameras at a wedding.
First put each camera's files into a different folder.
Temporally rename them to a "CameraName_SequenceNumber" example 5D_0001, 5D_0002, and so on.
Now you can put them in the same folder with no name conflict.
Sort them according to time and date taken (hope you synced your cameras).
Then when your sorting is done you can rename them again using "Date_SequenceNumber" or Name_SequenceNumber" and you are finished.

You can use DPP that came with your Canon equipment to rename files or you can do it in PS.

[dminton]

+ ∞ for Photo Mechanic

[gardener]

Thanks for the advice guys... Some good hints and I may also look into the PhotoMechanic program.
This post has also made me realize that I probably need to keep my "used" cards in separate storage from one another. One case marked Camera A and the other marked Camera B. While I can glean that info from the EXIF block on individual photos, I've now figured out that part of my problem was that the cards were downloaded according to date, therefore if Cam A had already created a '2009 5 25' folder for example, the Cam B images of that same date were also downloaded into that folder, I assume by default.
OR... maybe it's just time I learn to download and rename correctly instead of dumping tons of images into the computer and then trying to figure it out.
Thanks again, I appreciate the wealth of information that's always so readily shared here.
Steve W