Format Or Erase Card?

[Sepiana]

Hi everyone,

I was reading in a book today that, when a memory card is full and one wants to erase the images, it's better to reformat the card (which erases the images in the process), instead of going through the "Erase images" process.

All this time I have been doing the following:

1. When I buy a card, I format it before using it for the first time and that is all.

2. When the card is full, I just delete the images.

Which is the better of the two methods?

Thanks in advance!

[GaryK]

Hi Sepiana

I format "in camera" after every download via card reader. Never done it any other way so I can't say which is better.
I can tell you, I have never had card failure and, as far as I know, never had an image failure.

[Not4wood]

From what I understand, you should Format the card before you use it two or three times to condition the card.

After downloading the images from your card, you should format the card "In Camera" and not by using the computer.

Deleting images one by one will leave a piece of the image on the card and eventually will have so much on the card that it might interfere with the normal numbering system. Instead of lets say the camera tells you, you have 20 shots left. You might only have 12 due to stray information from previous images. I am just giving numbers to illustrate my point and is no way given to actual information.

[msbrad]

I've always, erased, mostly because I didn't know any different.

Does formatting the card, change the number sequence?

And I noticed this lately...when bringing the photos into the computer from camera they were numbered as:
IMG_222 (for example. Now they come in as MG_222, etc.

Maybe I do need to reformat.
m

[lowbone]

I format in camera after every download. Never had any problems

[Inspeqtor]

Does formatting the card, change the number sequence?
m

No it will not.


And I noticed this lately...when bringing the photos into the computer from camera they were numbered as:
IMG_222 (for example. Now they come in as MG_222, etc.

Maybe I do need to reformat.

I won't guarantee formatting will fix that problem, but it won't hurt to try.

[riversidema]

I have always reformatted in camera after downloading onto the computer. I guess that I feel that it is better to let the camera do what it is programmed to do in one shot than let the computer erase a card that will be going back into the camera.

[mljrbg]

I have never reformatted my card. I delete in my camera after each download. Are you supposed to fill up the card before deleting, upload the pics to the computer and then reformat?

Mary Lou

[Inspeqtor]

Mary Lou,

What I do is this: when I go out and shoot some photos I come back home and upload the photos to my computer. I then format my card whether it was 5 pictures or 200 pictures.

[mljrbg]

Thanks Charles. I will do that from now on. Do you delete the pics first or does the formatting delete them?

Thanks, Sepiana for starting this topic.

Mary Lou

[riversidema]

Formatting deletes them.

[Sepiana]

Thanks so much to all of you who responded to this thread!

I've selected a few to quote because they got to the crux of the matter -- the book implied "erasing" could eventually cause damage to the card or images; therefore "formatting" would be preferable.

Gary - I format "in camera" after every download via card reader. Never done it any other way so I can't say which is better. I can tell you, I have never had card failure and, as far as I know, never had an image failure.

Mark - Deleting images one by one will leave a piece of the image on the card and eventually will have so much on the card that it might interfere with the normal numbering system.

Charles, this pretty much summarizes what I need to do from now on.What I do is this: when I go out and shoot some photos I come back home and upload the photos to my computer. I then format my card whether it was 5 pictures or 200 pictures

EDIT: Mary Lou, you're welcome!

[mljrbg]

Riversidema, thanks.

Mary Lou

[billd2]

I always format the card after downloading to my computer. The card is not always full and I haven't had any problems. From what I have read, unwanted bits of information can be left on a card when just erasing without formatting.

[Sepiana]

I always format the card after downloading to my computer. The card is not always full and I haven't had any problems. From what I have read, unwanted bits of information can be left on a card when just erasing without formatting.

Bill, thanks, your experience is another proof that we should reformat and not erase. You got a converter here. Now, I have to go and preach to my husband.:D

[athegn]

I would suggest an addition task before formatting in camera. Backup your images. You will then have three sets of images at that stage then format card. After you will still have two sets. If you don't backup before formatting you could lose your only set of images. My routine is:- Copy to PC Backup PC Format in camera

[Sepiana]

I would suggest an addition task before formatting in camera. Backup your images. You will then have three sets of images at that stage then format card. After you will still have two sets. If you don't backup before formatting you could lose your only set of images. My routine is:- Copy to PC Backup PC Format in camera

Excellent point! Thanks.

[WayneS]

Does formatting the card, change the number sequence?

And I noticed this lately...when bringing the photos into the computer from camera they were numbered as:
IMG_222 (for example. Now they come in as MG_222, etc.


I believe your camera likely has an on/off setting to maintain your file numbers consecutively in your setup menu for "File Number Sequence".

On my D40X, when the file number sequence is "on", the numbers run consecutive even after formatting card.

I always reformat the card in the camera as well.

Wayne

[Not4wood]

Sorry if I confused the issue by stating that the numbering system would be off. I didn't mean it like that.

What I wanted to get accross is that by having bits of information on the card from previous images instead of lets say your card normally holds 500 images you might only be able to get 490 or 495 images on the card. This is what I was suggesting but messed up. Sorry again for this.

What has been said is correct though. You don't have to fill your card with images before you do a Format. Its just like your Hard Drive on your computer and you don't want small bits of files/docs/images floating around taking up space. You want to make sure that all bits of information on the memory card is gone so you have full room for more images.

Also, by Formating your card you keep reconditioning it so you wont usually get errors or lost images. Nothing is fool proof, but this does help.

I also made a statement that I do want to repeat. I have seen it on the net mentioned time and again to make sure before you go out and shoot an important assignment/event or whatever that you Format your brand new cards at least twice.

[Sepiana]

Its just like your Hard Drive on your computer and you don't want small bits of files/docs/images floating around taking up space. You want to make sure that all bits of information on the memory card is gone so you have full room for more images.

Mark, excellent comparison.

[Codebreaker]

I think its sound advice to always perform these actions in the Camera but to be honest I don't think it makes any difference if you just erase or format.

As for leaving 'pieces' of information on your card - well this doesn't really matter either in my opinion. It will not stop you from getting the full number of shots on your card.

In my opinion you only need Format the card if you run into problems with it.

I've never Formated any of mine.

Colin

[TonyW]

I'm like Colin. Most of the time I just erase and have never run into a problem. Occasionally I'll reformat but only because I forgot to erase.

That said I was helping someone recently who had "lost" all their photos on a card. They weren't really lost - turned out they had a whole bunch of different folders on the card and the pictures were hidden away in one of them. I got the pics off and then explained how to reformat the card in camera to "clean it up" . I have my suspicions that the multiple folders were a result of user error rather than a result of deleting rather than reformatting but the easiest thing to tell them was always reformat rather than delete to avoid any such problems. I always do it with new cards too even if preformatted because who knows what might be on the card and if there is a card problem it won't format.

The only downside to reformatting is that once you reformat the images are really gone - if you delete they are still recoverable. So if you are going to reformat, download, back-up and then reformat so you always have two independent, recoverable copies of the originals at all times.

Tony

[Sepiana]

...The only downside to reformatting is that once you reformat the images are really gone - if you delete they are still recoverable.

Tony


Tony, do you mind elaborating on how the images are recoverable, despite having been deleted from the card? I didn't know that. Thanks.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

There are programs available to recover deleted files. I have a program called RescuePro which came with one of my SanDisk memory cards. I have not yet used the program so I really do not know anything about it. You can buy the program online, but the next time you are looking for a memory card, sometimes they will include a rescue program. Check the packaging to see if anything is included. I am sure there are many different programs out there.

Perhaps Tony or someone else can elaborate more on the programs.

[TonyW]

Like Charles said there are lots of programs that will do it. When you delete all you do is change a flag on the file that says it can now be considered deleted and can be overwritten. As long as it doesn't get overwritten it can be recovered. That's true of any memory device - and that's why you should be careful what you leave lying around - lots of stories of sensitive info being recovered from memories that people thought everything had been deleted from. You really have to work at it to remove all traces of digital information from memory devices.

Tony

[Sepiana]

Charles and Tony,

Thanks so much to both of you! I wish I had known this earlier. The situation below could have been avoided:

- All excited with our XT, I went out and shot photos galore.
- Trying to play with the camera menus, ended up erasing all the images.
- Not knowing of the possibility of image recovery, went back "on-location" and shot everything again. It goes without saying my husband was far from pleased!

Now, go ahead and laugh at my long-gone misery. I do!:D

I use Kingston memory cards. I'm going to check if they come with a recovery program. If not, I'll look into some other recovery programs.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

I have heard Kingston is not a reliable card. I know Sandisk is reliable, and I am sure there are others. I do not have anything to back this up, perhaps someone else will be along to give us more information.

[Sepiana]

Sepiana,

I have heard Kingston is not a reliable card. I know Sandisk is reliable, and I am sure there are others. I do not have anything to back this up, perhaps someone else will be along to give us more information.

Charles, thanks for this info. That's quite interesting and scary!

When I went to our local camera store, and asked for memory cards, that was the brand the sales associate handed to me. All I had before was the Canon card that came with the camera. Now I'm curious. Like you, I hope someone else joins in here and gives us some feedback on this.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

I hope I did not mis-lead you. I also hope someone else will see this and give us their opinion on Kingston vs. SanDisk.

[TonyW]

I doubt there's any difference and the name on the card and who actually made the card can be very different and change all the time. Personally I don't worry too much - I usually buy a brand I've heard of - hopefully on sale and avoid the counterfeit ones (Sandisk is the most commonly counterfeited) by buying from a reliable source.

Tony

[GaryK]

I think the Sandisk Extreme III have the rescue software on them. You of course pay a premium for the X III cards. They are supposed to be faster than the X II but who knows how much that matters for the average amature.
I'm like Tony, wait for a sale from a reputable store and tend to stay with name brands.

I have not heard that Kingston is bad or good. I have bought memory from them and had no problems. My only concern would be with the bargain basement brand, no name cards.

[troush]

On the memory cards, I go to amazon and read the reviews. There are always some reviews that say bad things, so I look at the overall feel the reviews give about a specific brand.

I went to "Nikon School" a couple of years ago (a b-day present from the dh), and they recommended using a card reader to transfer images, then immediately backup those images, and then put the card back in camera and use the "format" command to clean off the card. Those are my steps, and I'm stickin' to what works for me.

-Trish

[Not4wood]

I've never heard anything bad about Kingston. Not only that but I've heard only good things so I'm curious. I don't have any but I was looking to see if there were any sold in my neighborhood so I could try them out. I have not seen it anywhere so I haven't gotten any so far.

On the note of saying one card is not good, I did hear of a conflict about Sand Disk. Seems people have been complaining about the Extreme III Compact Flash from San Disk that they have tried to use in the New Nikon D300. This Compact Flash Card will not work in some Cameras. I can't say everybody has been having this problem but in some of the people that do have this camera that are on PhotoCamel people have been agreeing about it. Its a new topic so I dont know what the story is, I will watch it and keep you posted.

As far as this Recovery Program, I have gotten it twice when I've purchased an Extreme III SD Card from San Disk but so far I have never had a need to use it. As far as speed or anything else, in my heavy handed fast demand on my D80 I can truely say this Extreme III is a lot faster when transfering information from Camera to Mem Card. In my Ultra II or especially my Normal Old Blue SD its a lot faster. From Mem Card to Reader transfer via USB I really dont see any changes but thats not why I need the card anyway. If I'm shooting something important and I want to lean on my shutter for fast exposures whether its a Multiple shoot or many single shots the Exteme III is the way to go. I know this one guy who has a Canon 5D and he swears by the Extreme IV for the Coldest tempertures (he has gone from Antarctica to the Hot Nevada Desert) and says this card can handle anything that you can throw at it. I haven't even seen an Extreme IV for me to think of it going anywhere near my D80. I dont think my D80 can use it anyway but I dont really know.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

Perhaps my earlier statement saying Kingston was not reliable was not reliable!

Sorry to scare you un-necessarily :o

[Codebreaker]

With the volume of sales of memory cards there's always going to be the possibility of some failures. More people complain about bad things than report good things.

FWIW: I've used Kingston, Sandisk, PQI and a few cheapy No-names and never had problems with any of them. But then this is just a very small sample.

Colin

[lowbone]

Sepiana,

I have heard Kingston is not a reliable card. I know Sandisk is reliable, and I am sure there are others. I do not have anything to back this up, perhaps someone else will be along to give us more information.

I have several Sandisk and Kingston cards. Never had a problem with any of them.

[Sepiana]

Sepiana,

Perhaps my earlier statement saying Kingston was not reliable was not reliable!

Sorry to scare you un-necessarily :o


Charles, don't worry about it. I think your statement was of great help; it generated all this discussion and feedback. We're all now "informed consumers.":)

[JulieM]

Sandisk provides recommendations as to the compatibility of their cards with specific cameras. Check it out HERE (http://www.sandisk.com/Compatibility/ManufacturerList.aspx?DeviceTypeID=1013). In reference to the complaints about the Extreme III CF card not working with the Nikon D300, Sandisk does not seem to be recommending any of it's cards for that camera.

[Inspeqtor]

Sandisk provides recommendations as to the compatibility of their cards with specific cameras. Check it out HERE (http://www.sandisk.com/Compatibility/ManufacturerList.aspx?DeviceTypeID=1013). In reference to the complaints about the Extreme III CF card not working with the Nikon D300, Sandisk does not seem to be recommending any of it's cards for that camera.

Julie,

Clicking on your link, I learned that SanDisk has a 32GB card. With that card you could do some serious photo shooting! (More than I would ever do!)

[Rachel]

I format my card after I download the photo's to the computer. Before I format it I check to make sure that the pictures all down loaded ok. I had read someplace that it is best to format in the camera as it will put in from the camera's software. Also I have two cards and I use one card and then use the other card the next time. I don't use the same card all the time. I use the Sandisk cards and have never had a problem with them.

[mljrbg]

Is there a point at which the cards wear out? I have been deleting, now I will format, my card each time I upload pics. So I am always reusing the beginning of the card.

Mary Lou

[jo]

The image numbering that sometimes starts with IMG and sometimes with _MG is just the way the XT numbers images in automatic modes vs manual modes. It isn't a problem. The actual number keeps on incrementing as it should.

But if you want to see the images in sequence, see if you have software that will batch rename the images. I use Breezebrowser and rename all the images with the date followed by the original sequence number -- IMG_0027 becomes 20081008_0027. Just one of my many little quirks.

[Codebreaker]

It depends on the make of Flash Memory being used in the card but typically between a 100,000 and 1M write cycles minimum can be acheived.

With clever wear levelling S/W this life can be extracted but I don't think the cameras are that sophisticated.

What might wear out first is the connector on the card and in the camera. These can be rated between 1000 and 5000 insertion/removal cycles minimum.

Most likely the shutter on your camera will wear out before any of these.

Colin

[Not4wood]

I saw a new comment posted on the Thread that had mentioned the Nikon D300 and the problem with the San Disk Card. Seems that the statement about the Compact Flash version not working or not being Recommended to work has now been removed and can't be found by some of the people that were trying to research this info.

So, either San Disk doesn't want us/you to know about it. Or, that it does work and San Disk just wants us to forget it.

__
OPINION:
IMHO, I have been around a long time. In something like this, I have a doubt in my head and don't trust anybody that is telling you one thing and trying to earn a profit at the same time.
__

On a side note, I must say I have never had any kind of problems with any versions of a San Disk Card or Kingston Memory Cards in any camera. Matter of fact, most of my cards are San Disk and I have one PNY and one off brand with a Micro Center label on it.

Results,
Just be careful. Buy Major Name Brands and Format them in camera and at least twice before you go out and start shooting any thing important.

[Edmund]

Just for the record a little info that some may not be aware of. I use San Disc SD cards and have never had a problem. I have 1GB to 8GB SDHC cards. When you purchase the card look carefully at the warranty info. You will find in the small print that some of the cheaper cards from San Disc are gauranteed for only (I beleive 5 yrs. ) while the Same size card under the San Disc Ultra II or Extreme III label has a lifetime warranty. I only buy the version that has the lifetime guaranty. Usually the price is the same but one has to read the product info on the package. There must be a reason that one card has a longer warranty period over the other. Probably "Quality Control".
Eddie :)

[Sepiana]

... What might wear out first is the connector on the card and in the camera. These can be rated between 1000 and 5000 insertion/removal cycles minimum. ...
Colin

Hi Colin,

What about connecting the camera to the pc with an USB cable? Is it any better or safer than inserting/removing the card all the time?

[troush]

Hi Colin,

What about connecting the camera to the pc with an USB cable? Is it any better or safer than inserting/removing the card all the time?

I'm not Colin, but one of the things pointed out at Nikon School: accidentally knocking the camera off the desk when you use a USB cable... Ouch!

-Trish

[Sepiana]

I'm not Colin, but one of the things pointed out at Nikon School: accidentally knocking the camera off the desk when you use a USB cable... Ouch!

-Trish

Thanks, Trish! This possible scenario is enough to keep me away from the USB ports.:)

[mljrbg]

I use the USB port all of the time. No floor-dropping accidents so far!!

Mary Lou

[TonyW]

I rather suspect a USB connector might wear out before a card connector but I don't know. Must say I much prefer to take out the card and use it in a card reader. Faster, safer and no concerns about the battery dying in mid download.

[Not4wood]

Tony has it right about the Battery.

Seems that you must make sure your battery in the camera is fully charged when you start to download the images. If not in mid stream should your battery go south, you might loose some or even all of your images.

So, in my recommendation about this. Its not the best way to go. I use card readers and they are very fast, I also have a Multi-Card Reader in my Canon Photo Printer and thats as fast as well. I dont see any speed changes between my faster USB Reader or the same faster USB link to my printer. Safer, more convinient and also both of these methods are faster then the download from the camera.

BTW, I also use the SDHC cards. I have only two of the Original Blue 2 gigs, I have one Original Blue 4 gigs, 1 Ultra II 2 Gig and 2 Extreme III 2 Gigs. The only one I want now is an Extreme III 4 Gig to round out my mem cards. I have not had any problems with any of my cards and I would like to say for thee record my Extreme III's are so fast that I can shoot Candid Weddings if I wanted to with these and not have to worry about any camera delay in waiting for the images to download to the Mem Card. As fast as I need it to be, when I needed it at a party. The Camera was there for me when I needed it and I absolutely loved it. This was the main reason I got this camera when my little P&S couldn't hold up at an earlier party.

BTW, the Original Blue 2 Gig cards have hiccuped on me when I was shooting heavy. Not a long hiccup but did make me notice when I was shooting at the party. I then changed over to an Extreme III and didn't look back.

[Codebreaker]

Ah! Lifetime warranties - who's life? When the card dies it no longer has a warranty :-)

USB cables/sockets can be less reliable than the memory card socket. BTW: to be precise the figures I quoted are for the Compact Flash cards. Mileage may vary with other types. For USB connectors I've seen figures in the region of 1000 insertion cycles.

As for dropping the camera - well been there and done that. At my classes I specifically mention that and always advise the use of Card Readers. At one lesson I forgot my card reader, so connected my camera directly to the laptop. At close of play I packed up the laptop forgetting the camera was still attached. Gravity took over and the floor broke the fall of the camera. Fortunately it survived. :-)

Colin

[Inspeqtor]

Mark,

I never realized some cards will be faster than others.

What I have is (1) SanDisk SD Extreme III 2GB card and (2) SanDisk SDHC Ultra II 4GB cards.

Will both styles be about the same speed or not?

Thank you!

[Codebreaker]

While cards come in different speeds your camera may not be able to use the full potential of some cards. I'm not sure how you would check this though.

Colin

[Not4wood]

I think Codebreaker might have a point but from what the Manufacturer says the speed is listed. The Ultra II is a Class 4 with I think a 100x and an Extreme III is a Class 6 with 133x but all of these numbers will be on the package of how fast it really should be. I dont have and I know nothing about the new card called the Extreme IV. My friend uses the Compact Flash Extreme IV but I've never seen it and I've not seen it sold in stores in my local area, yet.

Now depending on your camera and whether it can take advantage of the latest speeds on these new cards is another story anyway. There is a page on the San Disk Site of the recommended cards for each specific Camera Manufacturer and Model. I will try to find the link and post it here just give me a few.

[Not4wood]

Click here for Compatibility for which camera you have and what card you can use in that specific camera. Just be careful of choosing the Correct Camera.

Go here: http://sandisk.com/Compatibility/Default.aspx

Looks like this site has been updated again. For my Nikon D80 the Max size was an Extreme III 8 Gig but now they show the Extreme III at 16 Gig and also show the Ultra II at the Largest Size I've ever seen for the D80 at 32 Gigs and thats a lot of pictures even if I do shoot in Raw and JPG (Which I dont, I shoot in Raw Only at this point).

[Inspeqtor]

Mark,

You seem to have a real wealth of knowledge (along with a lot of other good folk here!) on photography.

Thank you also for the link to the SanDisk compatibility website.

I punched in my Canon XSi (450D) and it says it will hold the Ultra II 32GB card and the Extreme III 16GB card (and of course the Ultra II 16GB card).

Do you know what the difference is between the Ultra and Extreme card?

I was surprised to find the Ultra II 32GB card and the Extreme III 16 GB card both sold for the same price.

I own (2) Ultra II 4GB cards and (1) Extreme III 2GB card. I did not buy these because they were Ultra or Extreme, I just felt I got them at a good price.

I do know the Ultra cards (mine anyway) are SDHC and the Extreme card I own is SD. I suspect the size of the card would be the difference on whether it is SD or SDHC, not that it is Ultra or Extreme. I do understand the Extreme III 16GB card is SDHC. (HC = High Capacity)

What should I look for in any differences in the cards when taking any pictures?
Would one thing be how long it takes to save a photo to the card before it is ready to take the next photo?

Thank you!

[Not4wood]

Mark,

You seem to have a real wealth of knowledge (along with a lot of other good folk here!) on photography.
Thank you also for the link to the SanDisk compatibility website.
I punched in my Canon XSi (450D) and it says it will hold the Ultra II 32GB card and the Extreme III 16GB card (and of course the Ultra II 16GB card).
Do you know what the difference is between the Ultra and Extreme card?
I was surprised to find the Ultra II 32GB card and the Extreme III 16 GB card both sold for the same price.
I own (2) Ultra II 4GB cards and (1) Extreme III 2GB card. I did not buy these because they were Ultra or Extreme, I just felt I got them at a good price.
I do know the Ultra cards (mine anyway) are SDHC and the Extreme card I own is SD. I suspect the size of the card would be the difference on whether it is SD or SDHC, not that it is Ultra or Extreme. I do understand the Extreme III 16GB card is SDHC. (HC = High Capacity)

What should I look for in any differences in the cards when taking any pictures?
Would one thing be how long it takes to save a photo to the card before it is ready to take the next photo?

Thank you!

Inspeqtor,

Your very welcome for the flattery. I feel that all the experience and knowledge I have gained thru the years and most recently this Digital Information since this past Thanksgiving is to be shared not owned by anyone. The more the merrier, and by chance if it could enhance the level of the images that we all pump out and increase and help the thought of Photography as an Art. Then its well worth it. But, the Photography as Art discussion is for another Thread.

I also thought that it was strange that they are saying the Ultra II card can be larger but I think its because the Extreme III is a much faster card and they might feel with all the images it can hold it might be pushing the camera? Maybe? LOL

The Only Cards I think are Not the SDHC are the Original Blue's. The Ultra II's and the Extreme III's are all SDHC (High Capacity) so not to worry. If there the same price, get the Extreme III. BTW, for you which uses the Compact Flash, if you can find the Extreme IV's you can use them as well. As far as I know, my friend has been using them since they came out and has not had a problem and he uses the older Canon 5d.

Just for the record, the Extreme III's and the Extreme IV's are both tested and made for extreme uses, extreme Temperatures. My friend has also gone in to the Desert Regions as well as to Ant-Arctica, St. Georges Island and has never had a problem with sub-zero Temps on his camera.

[Inspeqtor]

Charles,

The Only Cards I think are Not the SDHC are the Original Blue's. The Ultra II's and the Extreme III's are all SDHC (High Capacity) so not to worry.

My Extreme III 2.0GB card says SD. My Ultra II 4.0GB cards are SDHC so no they are not all SDHC. I would assume that the Extreme III 4.0 and larger would then be SDHC.


If there the same price, get the Extreme III. BTW, for you which uses the Compact Flash, if you can find the Extreme IV's you can use them as well. As far as I know, my friend has been using them since they came out and has not had a problem and he uses the older Canon 5d. The Ultra II was a 32GB card. The Extreme III was a 16GB card. I should also say SanDisk is calling the Ultra II cards High Performance Cards. But with the Extreme III being the same price but one half the size I would think that card SHOULD be a better card. The recommended price is $179.99 which is out of range of my pocket book!

Also Canon changed the card the XSi uses from their other models. The XSi is now using the SD card, not the compact flash. So far I am very happy with my XSi :)

[Not4wood]

Interesting find, I went to the B&H Photo site and was looking around at the SD Cards and you are correct. The did list an 8 gig Extreme III Card as an SD but while looking around at the details for this card it was confusing because It was also a Class 6 rating and had all of the other features of the Class 6 card. Features listed tested at the extreme temperatures as well.

BTW, the Ultra II's are a bit older and the Extreme III's are the newer more advanced card. The Extreme IV's are the newer version and at this point in time I only see them for Compact Flash.

As far as I do know, if you do see a card and it is rated as a Class 6 then get it. The Class 6 is the faster and more powerful Card. There are also other brands of cards at the B&H Photo Site and what also looked like the same kind of card rated at the same class and offered with a Recovery Program some cards were for a lot more money. Othewise, I couldn't tell the difference between the same brand card listed as for the same Gigs and also the same Class 6. So why was one card much more priced then the other? I can figure it out.

[Inspeqtor]

I just went to the B&H site and found something interesting as well. I think you must have a typo, because I did not find any 8GB cards listed as SD. The only card I found at SD was a 2GB size. Everything larger was SDHC.

I was not able to find the details you mentioned concerning extreme temperatures.

What I did find interesting was this, an Extreme III 4GB SDHC class 6 card listed at $39.95 and an Extreme III 8GB SDHC class 6 card listed at $64.95.
What was REALLY interesting is I also found an Extreme III 4GB 30MB/s Rear Write Speed at $57.50 (minus $10 rebate) and an Extreme III 8GB 30MB/s Read Write card listed at $104.50 (minus $15 rebate)

It appears the 30MB/s Read Write Speed cards must be newer and faster than the class 6 cards.

Until you posted this, I never even knew to look for a class or a speed difference! :eek:



Interesting find, I went to the B&H Photo site and was looking around at the SD Cards and you are correct. The did list an 8 gig Extreme III Card as an SD but while looking around at the details for this card it was confusing because It was also a Class 6 rating and had all of the other features of the Class 6 card. Features listed tested at the extreme temperatures as well.

BTW, the Ultra II's are a bit older and the Extreme III's are the newer more advanced card. The Extreme IV's are the newer version and at this point in time I only see them for Compact Flash.

As far as I do know, if you do see a card and it is rated as a Class 6 then get it. The Class 6 is the faster and more powerful Card. There are also other brands of cards at the B&H Photo Site and what also looked like the same kind of card rated at the same class and offered with a Recovery Program some cards were for a lot more money. Othewise, I couldn't tell the difference between the same brand card listed as for the same Gigs and also the same Class 6. So why was one card much more priced then the other? I can figure it out.

[Inspeqtor]

I was not able to find the details you mentioned concerning extreme temperatures.

I just found the tab showing the Features!


It appears the 30MB/s Read Write Speed cards must be newer and faster than the class 6 cards.


The Features tab showed the class 6 Extreme III cards listed at 20MB/s Read Write Speed

[Not4wood]

First I made a mistake in typo that the 8 Gig card should have been a 2 Gig card.

I think what were seeing in card speeds might be the newer Extreme IV's starting to show in the SD Line. As far as I know, the IV's are only for the Compact Flash cards but the technology might be bleeding over into our cards as to what explains the faster numbers. As to what temperatures I will hunt them down and past it here. What there saying is this card can withstand extreme abuse in both the physical sense and Temperature Sense so you can use this card in extreme situations and not have to worry about coming out of the series without any shots to show for your troubles.

Pasted from B&H Photo:
__
The SanDisk Extreme III Secure Digital (SD) Card is designed specifically for high-end, professional photographers who work under extreme conditions and expect the very best in products and support services. It has a minimum of 30MB/second sequential write and read speed (based on SanDisk internal testing), which allows for faster capturing of large image files to the card, faster viewing of images and faster data transfer rates.
SanDisk Secure Digital Cards can be used in a variety of digital products including digital music players, cellular phones, handheld PCs, digital cameras, digital video camcorders, smart phones, car navigation systems and electronic books, and is rated Class 6 for speed and performance. The SDHC Card also contains a security feature for the protection of copyrighted data.

Key Features

• Cutting Edge Technology Features ESP Technology (Enhanced Super-Parallel Processing Technology), which provides best-in-class performance.
• Reliable Tested in extreme temperature ranges from -13 to +185± Fahrenheit so that they can be used to shoot photos in any weather condition. • Durable Shock and vibration tested with industrial-grade RTV included, which is designed for rugged use. • Data Recovery Software Packaged with a mini-CD - RescuePRO software makes it possible to recover photos that are accidentally deleted.
__

I see from Minus -13 Degrees to +185 Fahrenheit, I think thats a big stretch for a mem card to take the extreme temps from a chilly Ant-Arctic Climate to a Glove Box parked in the sun in a very hot Tropical Place.

[Not4wood]

I found it. The two cards are almost exactly the same except the speed and this speed is both rated as the Class 6 higher level. Don't make sense to me unless there is no faster rating then a Class 6.

The card above is rated at:

a minimum of 30MB/second sequential write and read speed.

Now the cheaper Class 6 card below:

This 4 Gigabyte SDHC Card has a minimum of 20MB/second sequential write and read speed

So now we have two of the exact same cards with two different prices because of a faster change in Read/Write Speeds.

Like it wasn't hard enough to try and get a Class 6 rated Card, now we also to try and find what the speeds are so we can find the best for our money. Obviously, the more expensive Card will hopefully be faster but then the Ultra II line has some serious pricing as well to confuse the Matter. But, and I mean a great big But. Now we also have Class 6 by other Manufacturers pushed into the mix. Why should San Disk have all the fun with selling top of the line Mem Cards. We now have some major brands also selling this confused pricing structure as well.

So, like always you get what you pay for. Buyer be ware, make sure you know how fast the Read/Write Speed is of your Class 6 Memory Card before you buy. The Sales Person at the Store might Not Have a Clue at the time of Purchase. Hopefully if your in a Photo Store they might, but I do know for a fact at Staples they dont.

[Inspeqtor]

I guess it is good to know that cards are made to withstand extreme high and low temperatures. Now I am wondering, how well do the camera bodies hold up to those extremes? I know my BODY will not hold up! :eek:

[Codebreaker]

Interesting figures about the temperature range. Problem is even a Pro-rated camera like the Canon 5D is only rated at 0-40degC or 32 - 104F.

Colin

[Inspeqtor]

Interesting figures about the temperature range. Problem is even a Pro-rated camera like the Canon 5D is only rated at 0-40degC or 32 - 104F.

Colin

Thank you Colin for this info. So why bother with the extreme cards, if in fact the camera body (and MY BODY!) will not hold up to these extremes! :D

[Codebreaker]

I guess speed is the main factor, the other is a marketing bullet.

Colin

[Not4wood]

I just came from my Local SMALL Staples and they had the faster Extreme III card only in 4 Gigs and they were trying to charge $49.99 for it. They also had a brand new sign saying it was the Newest version and Faster Card. To top that off they no longer carried the regular Extreme III speed and did not have any of the Extreme III in 2 Gigs at all in any versions.

But, they now had more versions of the Ultra II in 2 Gigs, 4 Gigs, and now even the 8 Gigs which this smaller store never had before.

BTW, the Extreme III is not only rated to work in more extreme Temps its supposed to be able to take more abuse, shocks and so on without loosing any information.

The only thing I really care about is the faster speed that it can handle fast downloads from the Camera to the Mem Card so the camera can take advantage of the speed and you don't have to worry about having to wait for the download to keep on shooting.

[Codebreaker]

Mark....

I'd expect any memory card to be able to take more shock and vibration than my camera, so this feature is in my opinion not worth very much either.

Colin

[Not4wood]

Mark....
I'd expect any memory card to be able to take more shock and vibration than my camera, so this feature is in my opinion not worth very much either.Colin

I've heard of people having a full card left in there pockets and then the pants were thrown into the wash. Dropping a card and having something roll over it wouldn't be as good either I suppose. We all pull full cards out of the camera to be replaced with empty cards to continue shooting. If something should happen to these cards and they withstand all of the abuse without loosing any images I would take the greater expense of the Extreme III's........ ;)

[fjricciardi]

You should really format in camera after every download. I have been doing this for a long time and never had problems with my card. It's better and faster'

[acarcifi]

I have used the formatting process as well for a long time (with my P&S). While the residual data may be less with formatting than with erasing, I would think that both ways leave residual data otherwise they would not have programs such as KLIX (recovering pictures from a deleted, broken or reformatted memory card).

We need to call in an engineering expert to answer this though :)

[smiles]

Wow, what a great thread, thenak for all the information! By the way, I format each time after uploading to my pc.

[exnihiloman]

Hello, I'm new to this forum.

First: I agree with Charles re: format after each upload. I have read that by just deleting files while the card is in the camera can lead to read/write errors. This happened to me once using my previous camera which was a Samsung point-and-shoot. I then formatted the card and did not have any problems.

Also one should not use cards in multiple devices for the same reason above. I don't use my wife's card for my Nikon and I won't let her use my card in her Samsung.

Second: To answer Mary Lou's question, whether you delete or format all the photos are still on the card UNTIL one securely wipes the card with a program designed for this purpose. I use a program called Eraser. It's free and easy to use. I upload pics to my laptop and then reformat the card. Then after several uploads I'll run Eraser to wipe the whole card. I'vd had my Nikon D40 and a 2GB card for just over a year and haven't run into any problems.