 Anonymous |
Deleting Images from SD Memory Card What is the best way to remove images from my Secure Digital memory card after I have uploaded the images to my computer? I have a 2GB card, and don't want to keep re-uploading old photos to my computer each time I upload the new ones. I have a Nikon D80, and from what I've read in the manual I can reformat the card each time I'm done with images on the card. Is this a good practice for the card, or is there a better way? Thanks for your help.
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David A. Bliss |
Here is the way I do it. I use a card reader. Instead of using the camera to upload pictures, I put the card into the card reader, and it shows as it's own drive under My Computer. I then move the pictures to a RAW folder on an internal hard drive. Once I have checked the pictures to make sure they transfered without any errors, I simply right click the folders on the card, and delete.
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Jagadeesh Andrew Owens |
You should format the card in camera after each upload to your computer, even if you have a card reader. Put it back in the camera and format it.
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David A. Bliss |
Why? I don't mean that in a sarcastic way at all, I am really curious why you would want to format your card after every use.
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Alan N. Marcus |
Hi Marni, I have several devices that utilize the SD and other types of card. I don’t claim to be an authority so consider this, marginal technical advice. Nowadays both the SD chip and chip reader are readily available and at a reasonable price. On vacation tips I take along a handful of chips. Better safe than sorry. First I never plug in my cameras; I remove the SD and place the chip in a SD reader. Doubtless an unfounded fear due to some bad experiences whereby I somehow destroyed a chip and I don’t want to destroy a camera. So, I am wary of plugging in the camera via cable. In my heart of hears I know the camera maker has made provisions and thus provides software and cable to support this activity. I prefer using a reader to transfer image files directly from the chip and store them in the computers hard drive in a file folder I create and name. For this I mainly use “My Computer”.Once transferred, I use image editing and handling software for what ever is to come next. Now “My Computer” as well as software that came with the camera and most image and editing software can format, delete files and otherwise perform chip maintenance. Having used these methods I continue to prefer to use the in-camera-formatting and file erasure routines as I think this is the safe and sound way to go. The downside is, the camera controls and buttons are awkward and these workings can take forever. Additionally the time spent takes a toll on the camera battery. So after file transfer I often place the chip back in the camera and cause the camera to reformat.Reformatting, now and again is good for the chip. One more thing, the camera creates informational and functional files in addition to the picture files. Read your manual and learn about these files and what they do. This is important because you might choose to transfer and save these files along with your image files. Alan Marcus
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Jagadeesh Andrew Owens |
In several articles I've read it says that over time, even though you've deleted files, bits and pieces are still left on the card and can add up. Reformatting wipes the card out totally every time and gives you a blank slate. There are a wealth of reasons that I've discovered in article over the past year or two. One other reason (I've read) is that there is less chance of a card malfunction if you always format after each and every off/upload. Now, having said that, I don't even shoot with SD, I shoot with CF.. but I would think the theory would hold true...
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David A. Bliss |
Ok, so we get on the same page, I also shoot with a CF card, so I can't say that an SD card would behave the same way. I rarely format my CF card, and have yet to have any issues with malfunction or performance (I am knocking wood as I write this!) I can understand formatting it occasionally, just like doing a defrag on a hard drive, to keep the clutter down. I don't suppose it hurts the card to be formatted after every upload.
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Jagadeesh Andrew Owens |
Not at all...
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Sipho is correct about the benefits of reformatting memory cards often. It doesn't matter if it is a CF card or and SD card - they store data the same way. Reformatting clears any temp files, indexing files, thumbnail files, empty directories, etc. NOTE: Always format your card in your CAMERA, NOT in your CARD READER. Chris A. Vedros
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Anonymous |
Thank you everyone for your input. I have a card reader which I always use to upload my photos; I figure it saves the camera battery. I will reformat the SD card each time I need to delete the old photos. Thanks again.
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Richard |
By using the usb cord from computer to connect to camera wear out the pins in the camera?
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