To format or not to format

Mike Aiken · 03-11-2005, 14:14

Quick question guys,

After moving your images from your format card onto your computer is it best to format your cf card or will deleting them suffice??

Thanks Mike

noah · 03-11-2005, 14:32

i always format... nothing like a fresh file table

SammyC · 03-11-2005, 14:48

Format is much quicker it seems so that's why I do it.

GfK · 03-11-2005, 15:14

Formatting will prevent fragmentation and allow the camera to write to the card faster.

However, if you're deleting all the images so that the file allocation table is empty, then it doesn't matter whether you just delete them or format.

***Steve*** · 03-11-2005, 15:43

My usual practice is to copy the images to the computer then return the card to the camera and format there after I am sure that all images have copied fine.

I have had one occation where two files had somehow been corrupted on the pc but were fine on the card so I just moved them over again and everything was fine. If I had cut rather than copied I may have been in trouble.

Steep · 03-11-2005, 15:59

I use downloader pro from BreezeSys, it downloads from and then deletes the images off the card all in one (because I set it up to do that). I can't think why you would want to reformat your card every time, seems like a lot of work for no good reason?

Mike Aiken · 03-11-2005, 16:03

Many thanks Guys,

Mike

03-11-2005, 16:55

I open the folders up in Windows, and cut and paste the images over.
I then pop the card back in the camera, and *usually* format, although sometimes as part of my post shooting ritual, the battery may be on the charger, so I tend to do it as par for the course when the battery goes back in too. (As a double check before the beg gets zipped up...and it doesnt get zipped up until I've checked everything is ready for grabbing and going).

daveyuk · 03-11-2005, 17:21

Mike
Liek some of the others I alway format after copying my images that way the card is always fresh and ready for use

Bachs · 03-11-2005, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by noah

i always format... nothing like a fresh file table

Ditto..in the camera of course

IanC_UK · 03-11-2005, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steep

I can't think why you would want to reformat your card every time, seems like a lot of work for no good reason?

Sometimes if you dont reformat you end up with a whole host of empty folders on the card, and if nothing is done about them they can cause issues.

I always format the card in the camera after im sure they are off and safe on the pc !

Mike Aiken · 04-11-2005, 00:27

Gentlmen, many thanks for all your replies.

Mike

Arkady · 04-11-2005, 07:35

Always format.
Occasionally use Image Rescue to do a full 'wipe' then re-format just to make really sure

03-11-2005, 14:14	#1 (permalink)
Mike Aiken Been here a while Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 417	To format or not to format Quick question guys, After moving your images from your format card onto your computer is it best to format your cf card or will deleting them suffice?? Thanks Mike

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03-11-2005, 14:32	#2 (permalink)
noah Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: cardiff and bristol Posts: 414	i always format... nothing like a fresh file table

03-11-2005, 14:48	#3 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	Format is much quicker it seems so that's why I do it.

03-11-2005, 15:14	#4 (permalink)
GfK Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 861	Formatting will prevent fragmentation and allow the camera to write to the card faster. However, if you're deleting all the images so that the file allocation table is empty, then it doesn't matter whether you just delete them or format.

03-11-2005, 15:43	#5 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	My usual practice is to copy the images to the computer then return the card to the camera and format there after I am sure that all images have copied fine. I have had one occation where two files had somehow been corrupted on the pc but were fine on the card so I just moved them over again and everything was fine. If I had cut rather than copied I may have been in trouble.

03-11-2005, 15:59	#6 (permalink)
Steep Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inverness Posts: 964	I use downloader pro from BreezeSys, it downloads from and then deletes the images off the card all in one (because I set it up to do that). I can't think why you would want to reformat your card every time, seems like a lot of work for no good reason?

03-11-2005, 16:03	#7 (permalink)
Mike Aiken Been here a while Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 417	Many thanks Guys, Mike

03-11-2005, 16:55	#8 (permalink)
Marcel Posts: n/a	I open the folders up in Windows, and cut and paste the images over. I then pop the card back in the camera, and usually format, although sometimes as part of my post shooting ritual, the battery may be on the charger, so I tend to do it as par for the course when the battery goes back in too. (As a double check before the beg gets zipped up...and it doesnt get zipped up until I've checked everything is ready for grabbing and going).

03-11-2005, 17:21	#9 (permalink)
daveyuk Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berkshire Posts: 1,150	Mike Liek some of the others I alway format after copying my images that way the card is always fresh and ready for use

04-11-2005, 00:27	#12 (permalink)
Mike Aiken Been here a while Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 417	Gentlmen, many thanks for all your replies. Mike

04-11-2005, 07:35	#13 (permalink)
Arkady Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aldershot, Hampshire Posts: 1,198	Always format. Occasionally use Image Rescue to do a full 'wipe' then re-format just to make really sure