File Names and Multiple Camera's

[L.J. DeRosier]

Hi all, this is my first time in the forum.

I have several Nikon cameras, and I have run into a file name issue. Two are new Nikon D200's, and the defalt file name that each uses is identical (i.e. beginning folder is 100ND200 and beginning file is DSC_0001).

I am looking for a file renaming procedure using PSE 3.0 as my default and I'm wondering if I could create a new catalog for each photo session I do, and rename the files upon download (for example "Jack and Jill's Wedding"), would it be enough to manage the files without overlap.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks.

[Ward Grant]

Hello LJ and welcome to the forum,

Most people recommend against multiple catalogs as there is very little interaction or way to get Picture 1 from Cat 1 and Picture 7 from Cat 2.

How are you downloading the pictures? Most of the downloading functions I've seen have some kind of file renaming function at time of download. If not, you could use the Process Multiple File function under File to download from camera 1, batch process and change names, process from camera 2.
If you need more help with this function, please post back.

I guessing sending me one of the D200s, solely to help you avoid this problem, is not a solution you are going to consider, is it? :cool:

[L.J. DeRosier]

Thanks Ward, I use PSE 3.0 as my default downloader.

I'm looking to find a way to keep my job groups of photos together, maybe tags?

I'm selling a couple of D70s's in mint condition and under 10,000 shots each, I replaced them with the D200's. But, on the D200, they're pretty nice, I gotta keep em for now, but in a year or two I'll sell them.

[Ward Grant]

If you look (if you have not already) in Edit>Preferences>Camera and Card Reader there is an option for creating subfolders by date/time of import. That may help in keeping your photos seperate when downloading.

Using tags to group your photos is exactly what tags are for. When the files are imported, they will show as your imported photos and is a good time to tag them.

Thanks for the offer on the D70s; I'm kind of looking at the new D80s, but I may get back to you.

[Tom K]

Hi LJ;

Have you looked at the instruction manual for the Nikon..

My lowly D50 lets me select folder names and other settings for
what is stored on the card..

Tom

[L.J. DeRosier]

Sounds like a great idea Ward, D80's are a hot item righ now.

and...Thanks to all for your help.

As I was exploring the suggestions I came across a solution. First I have to practice good file management and rename my files when I download them because of my multiple cameras. It appears that PSE 3.0 allows collections to be assembled and the tags can be used to further sort the images.

I'll pass this along as follows:
in the Organizer
FILE>>>CATALOG: click OPEN and select a group to open.
click BACK TO ALL PHOTOS (thumbnails should show)
click COLLECTIONS (next to the Tags)
click NEW to create a new collection
in the NEW COLLECTION put in a name for it, select the images, an there it is, a mini catalog inside the catalog and it can also be tagged!

[Ward Grant]

Sounds like you are getting organized. I try to tag my images as I import them, but often it is more "Do as I say, not as I do."

As you use Organizer more, I think you'll find tags are one of its strong point. A picture can have multiple tags (or be in multiple catalogs) making mixing and matching the same images in different ways very easy.

Organize Your Photos by Michael Slater is often cited by users as the "de facto" reference book on how to use Organizer to its full potential. You can see some excerpts at:
http://www.photofanatic.com/about_book.php

[L.J. DeRosier]

Tom, thanks for your suggestion,

I have changed my file names to distinguish between the cameras.

I also sync'd the date and time between them, then changed the element sorting by date and time so the images will sort in a chronological order no matter which camera I use.

Again, thanks to all for your help.