Necessary to format memory cards in camera regularly?

[GWestphal]

I was at a photography class put on by a camera store and the guy was say you should regularly format the card in the camera if you want it to last.

That seems totally bogus to me. If you're doing a high level format, all you're doing is wiping the partition table and file pointers. And technically that still counts as writes against the partition tables which I would think is especially bad. I don't see why it would make any difference if you just delete your photos vs formatting in a camera or on a computer.

What's the deal here?

 

[Joseph F]

That makes no sense to me, either.
I could see the need to defragment Microdrives, but I don't understand why you'd want to reformat a flash card.

 

[tdawg]

After downloading images to my pc, I always format the card in the camera so it's clear and ready to go.

The reason given to you by the camera store guy doesn't make any sense to me either.

 

[corkyg]

I very rarely have ever formatted a media card in the camera. That changes my numbering system . . . not good.

 

[tdawg]

I very rarely have ever formatted a media card in the camera. That changes my numbering system . . . not good.

Huh? Not sure what camera you're using, but the photo numbering system in all the Nikon's I've owned is controlled by the D90, not the memory card.

 

[corkyg]

Canon. This just started a year or so ago. There are now folders created - choices? Daily and Monthly. No "none" available. Numbering can be set at continuous or reset. Continuous used to retain a number after format. No longer. Format starts it over at 001.img. That requires manually editing it and putting the next number desired. After that,l the numbering goes on,even across folders.

The 5D MKII provides an additional choice for numbering. . . Manual Reset. That is also new from the original 5D. With Format, it starts over.

Anyway, I only format when necessary, and that is very rare.

 

[Gintaras]

If you ask a such question on dpreview, prolly most would suggest to format card in camera instead of erasing photos - files.

I do format cards(mostly CF, xD - rarely used) EVERY time after all pictures were transfered to PC. I do use Kingston Elite Pro 133x 4G & 8G cards. Never had any problems.
Only problem I did have: I forgot once to transfer files to PC and did format CF in camera. But Get Data Back got every single file restored.

I did same in my C5050Z P&S camera - not a single problem with formatting CF in camera every time after files were transfered to PC.

Canon. This just started a year or so ago. There are now folders created - choices? Daily and Monthly. No "none" available. Numbering can be set at continuous or reset. Continuous used to retain a number after format. No longer. Format starts it over at 001.img. That requires manually editing it and putting the next number desired. After that,l the numbering goes on,even across folders.

The 5D MKII provides an additional choice for numbering. . . Manual Reset. That is also new from the original 5D. With Format, it starts over.

Anyway, I only format when necessary, and that is very rare.

I think, it has something with camera settings to do.
Either you format card or do erase, files still there anyways. It just camera can't see or PC GUI. Files completely would be erased after start shooting new photos - new files overwriting previous ones.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/canoneos5dmarkii/discuss/72157625412271264/

http://books.google.com/books?id=6W...D MARK II file Numbering after format&f=false

 

[you2]

I rarely format the cards myself but some of hte cameras can be a bit picky and prefer that you format (in them).

 

[corkyg]

What those references say are what I said. When a card is formatted, all existing images and numbers are erased, and unless the user takes action to copy in a copy of the last image, the numbering starts over even in "Continuous." Canon format includes a folder called DCIM. That then has two subfolders - the dated image folder i.e., \200__02, and the \CANONMSC folder. The latter contains the data file (M0200.CTG.)

 

[Gintaras]

When a card is formatted, all existing images and numbers are erased

nothing is erased if you format card or use "erase" in camera. Everything - photos/files are still there until you start taking new photos that that overwrites existing - erased or formatted.

I did recover all photos after format CF just because I didn't start taking new photos on that card.

It's all about computing. If you delete a file on your PC, and even after do "empty Recycle Bin", files still there - on HDD, unless, you start saving new files on HDD sectors that "deleted" files where.
Even deleting a partition on HDD, nothing is gone.
To make data-files gone forever - you've do C:format/U - Unconditional format, which erases HDD almost the same way as Zero Format, LLF - how want you it to call or name.
Or overwritting "deleted" files with new files/data.
Even deleting partitions on HDD, doesn't mean that all files/data are gone. It can be restored.

When a card is formatted, all existing images and numbers are erased

At the end, camera does control memory card, not otherwise.
Never heard about such issues, either it's canon or your camera - doesn't hold settings, let's say, when changing batteries.

it should not be that way.

Try to post your problem on computing forum or on dpreview Canon forum.
Let's see, what people on there has to say...

 

[corkyg]

I don't have a problem.

 

[Gooberlx2]

OP, I think it's for the same reason SSDs have TRIM and garbage collection. Performance degrades over time otherwise.

I know I've seen discussion about this before in various forums.