Does anyone know whether memory cards wear out because I delete pics everyday from mine and often take between 50 and 100 pics each day. How long do most memory cards last and should I buy another so that I don't find myself without one should the worst happen?
I definitely recommend having a spare card if you don't have one.
I've probably have an SD card die about every six months, where either the PC or the camera can no longer see the card.
I've read that it's a good idea to reformat the card in the camera every so often too. I do so every couple of weeks, but I've no idea if it actually does any good. :)
Format your card. I've read in quite a few articles the cards will have more issues if you are deleting the pictures instead of formatting the card. So, now I format the cards several times a week.
I take too many photos every day too and I've been using the same SD card for a year now. Its had so many photos stored and deleted, stored and deleted, etc. It never comes out of the camera though. I just connect the camera to the computer with a cord and import the photos and then delete them. I do have extra cards though, in case I use up the space on my card and need to take more photos, that way I don't have to delete some to free up space. That has happend 2 or 3 times in the last year.
Yes, get a spare. They get lost.
They do wear out, yes... after a few hundred thousand read/write cycles. I've SD cards I've been using for years and years. Heh, some of them have been through dozens of washing cycles also. They're fine. :)
I suspect the 'format it' thing is to avoid using extraneous read/writes if and when the card needs defragmanting - so if it get's sslllloooowwww, reformat. Otherwise, don't bother so much.
I've never reformatted a card... how do you do that?! I have one which was loose in my purse (as a spare) but the computer doesn't read it at all any more... might it rescue it?! @humphreyhippo@dmortega
@filsie65 There's normally an option in the one of the camera menus to reformat the card. It sometimes fixes problems, but tbh once you starting have problems with a card, you can never really trust it again.
@jsw0109, do yourself a huge favour and drop $20 on a [multi-format] card reader. it transfers about 100x faster than your camera. it took me well over 6 years to figure that one out, and what a difference.
I reformat my card each time I return it to my camera. I'm fortunate with the new Nikon D600, as it has 2 card slots, so I always have a spare in the camera.
If I'm shooting an event, or a commissioned job, I'll mirror the cards, otherwise I can use the 2nd card as overflow (great for taking massive amounts of photos for star trails or time lapse photography, for example).
I can also use the 2nd card for pushing jpg versions of each image, while keeping the raw on the first card. I can see using that for a party, where I can pull out the jpg card and throw the images onto the TV, while the party's still going on. that can be fun.
@jsw0109 Like you I keep deleting and retaking on the same card but I never use very much of the card because I think it's 8GB. I am going to reformat as others have advised and I will buy a spare card just in case.
@cameronknowlton I have got a card reader but don't tend to use it with my Nikon as I can plug it into my laptop and charge at the same time as I'm importing the pics. I think I will buy a spare card though just in case but thanks for your help
@godders Thanks Paul for the link. I have just read it and it gives really useful information. I am just about to reformat my card in the camera after reading the article. It now all makes sense what other people have advised as well.
I went to a workshop on studio photography earlier this year that was run by two professionals, one of whom also works in a camera store. In regard to memory cards, they said: 1) spend a little more money and get a SanDisk. According to the shop guy, the vast majority of failed cards customers bring into the shop are of another brand, and 2) reformat the card in the camera every time you transfer pics to your computer. I've been using the same SanDisk card for about 8 months now and just turned over 10,000 images with no issues whatsoever.
@rosiekind@claeshields
Hi Rosie and CLae..I do agree with what CLae wrote about the Sim Card. I also use a SanDisk..it`s well worth the bit of extra money and I found out that they exchange the card if something goes wrong with it. I had some bent teeth on them due to a mishap - my fault - and because these cards have a lifetime guarantee there were no questions asked.
I as well format the card after each photo shoot no matter how few or many pictures I took that day.
Never delete the pictures using the computer, delete through the camera only. Reformat regularly, and always always before important photo's that you really dont want to risk. And agree, spend for good cards, I've had sandisks and other similar good brands that I've used everyday professionally for years and years.
@blightygal I've got a 8GB sandisk in mine. Why shouldn't you delete using the computer? I usually do that although if there's a good reason not to I will delete them through my camera. Since all the good advice I've reformatted my card and will do that regularly from now on. Thanks for your reply
@godders@claeshields I use SanDisk and never knew they had a lifetime warranty lol. I always reformat, almost every day. Sometimes I forget and it's 2 days but I NEVER delete. Deleting doesn't clear everything from what I understand which is partly why you reformat :)
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I've probably have an SD card die about every six months, where either the PC or the camera can no longer see the card.
I've read that it's a good idea to reformat the card in the camera every so often too. I do so every couple of weeks, but I've no idea if it actually does any good. :)
They do wear out, yes... after a few hundred thousand read/write cycles. I've SD cards I've been using for years and years. Heh, some of them have been through dozens of washing cycles also. They're fine. :)
I suspect the 'format it' thing is to avoid using extraneous read/writes if and when the card needs defragmanting - so if it get's sslllloooowwww, reformat. Otherwise, don't bother so much.
I reformat my card each time I return it to my camera. I'm fortunate with the new Nikon D600, as it has 2 card slots, so I always have a spare in the camera.
If I'm shooting an event, or a commissioned job, I'll mirror the cards, otherwise I can use the 2nd card as overflow (great for taking massive amounts of photos for star trails or time lapse photography, for example).
I can also use the 2nd card for pushing jpg versions of each image, while keeping the raw on the first card. I can see using that for a party, where I can pull out the jpg card and throw the images onto the TV, while the party's still going on. that can be fun.
http://digital-photography-school.com/memory-cards-how-to-extend-their-life-and-keep-them-healthy
Hi Rosie and CLae..I do agree with what CLae wrote about the Sim Card. I also use a SanDisk..it`s well worth the bit of extra money and I found out that they exchange the card if something goes wrong with it. I had some bent teeth on them due to a mishap - my fault - and because these cards have a lifetime guarantee there were no questions asked.
I as well format the card after each photo shoot no matter how few or many pictures I took that day.
I hope I've not just jinxed my cards now!!