Spare memory card, easier than a roll of film.

jonbeeza

jonbeeza

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The thread title is only tongue in cheek, I enjoyed trying film again, even though I am poop at it.

Looks like I am going to have to start carrying a spare memory card with me. I have had four memory cards keep showing errors, even after formatting in camera. I changed the cards in both the Compact camera and the DSLR recently. The Compact camera is showing card error now and again, the cards are probably a year or two old. Just got two brand new cards, so I will use them when the other cards do fail.

Looks like I will have to start carrying a spare card with me, you never know when a card will fail. But it is much easier to carry, than a roll of film. Until you can't find it because of it's tiny size. Will have to look for a container, to keep the card in.
 
I have to say that’s an unusual high number of card problems. Is it a specific brand or just the fact you use them a lot?
 
It's good advice - I never don't have a spare about my person (been the same since I got my EOS10D back in 1873 - because if it goes bad "out there" I have a higher chance of recovering images at home than out on location - plus I don't want to wreck my day for the sake of a modest SD card)
 
Try doing a full format (NOT quick) in your PC then format in camera, may simply be some data corruption. :)
 
gramps said:
Try doing a full format (NOT quick) in your PC then format in camera, may simply be some data corruption. :)
Click to expand...
I recall my Sony RX100 was 'fixed' by doing this and it hasn't recurred, but I think they did a firmware tweak as it was widely reported.
 
Mintchocs said:
I have to say that’s an unusual high number of card problems. Is it a specific brand or just the fact you use them a lot?
Click to expand...

They are SanDisk cards, bought from high street shops (retail parks now), bought from Currys Wilco Jessops. One is only about six months old, and it has started to show up "Card Error". I can either turn camera on and off a few times, or failing that sometimes removing card works.
gramps said:
Try doing a full format (NOT quick) in your PC then format in camera, may simply be some data corruption. :)
Click to expand...

I must admit, I have not tried to do a format on the PC, always do it in camera. Next time a card shows an error, I will try and format it on the PC, and see if that does the trick. ;)
 
jonbeeza said:
Next time a card shows an error, I will try and format it on the PC, and see if that does the trick. ;)
Click to expand...
TBH I would do it now in the hope of preventing a reocurrence. :)
 
gramps said:
Try doing a full format (NOT quick) in your PC then format in camera, may simply be some data corruption. :)
Click to expand...

Card still formatting, nearly fifteen minutes passed, and not even half way, and it is only an 8 GB card. One of my older cards.
 
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At least I could see where my roll landed when it fell out and unravelled across the grass :D
 
I recently bought a new Domke bag like the one I used when I shot film (They've been making that same bag for 40 years. Early reviews suggest, why the heck did I try anything else?)

One thing is different. I used to reserve one full, big pocket for film storage. That pocket is empty now. If you're looking to sublet some space, let me know.
 
Mintchocs said:
I have to say that’s an unusual high number of card problems. Is it a specific brand or just the fact you use them a lot?
Click to expand...

I normally upload my images within days of taking them, often within a hour of getting home. Then I delete 'all images on card' but every month or so I format the card, in camera, to delete them. Every 6 months or so I use the camera's 'Low Level' format feature to delete them. I do tend to do the same with that cards in my helmet cams and my dash cam and my other cameras.

I think I have had one card fail in 20 years and still have cards in regular use for about 15 years and they still work perfectly. I only ever use the Windows format function or the in equipment function if present. If I have to use a card reader on the computer to upload files I sometimes remember to eject them.
 
when you have a very high rate of card failures it is so easy to forget that the more likely fault is the camera. SD cards have no memory controller it relies on the memory controller built into the camera if that is faulty corrupted data will be written to all your memory cards
 
I do have a habit of taking the card out, and inserting it in the computer, I wonder if it could be that? Although I am trying to use the dedicated camera cables, to transfer the files, and see if that makes a difference.
 
The advice I have always been given (from a few sources) is that it is better to take the card out and use a reader - obviously some care does need to be given with the physical handling. After uploading the images and putting the card back in the camera, I have been told it is *much* better to format the card every time than use any delete function. The advice to avoid the delete function also extends to any "duff" images - just leave them on the card and don't upload them.
 
Two cards that showed up "Card Error", have been ok since I formatted them on the PC. No errors since.
 
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