Memory Card Care - best practice?

phog

What's the best practice for care of memory cards?

I've two for my camera and only formatted them once with/to my camera.

If I lots of pics on the card - I use the delete option on the menu
If I have only a few pics - I delete them individually

Should I be doing more to mind/prolong the life of my cards?

Fajitas!

Every time I empty my card onto my PC I reformat my cards.

Paulw

Yeah, I would generally format the card after use. I have 5 cards and rotate them. I wouldn't keep a card more than 2 years.

Fajitas!

I've some cards for 3 years. Not a bit of a difference on them.

Sebzy

Just a few

- Ok it dose not matter how old a card is if it works it works.
- Never use the delete functions on the camera as this makes disaster recovers difficult if not impossible.
- Always store cards in proper holders when not in use and keep away from moisture.
- If a card fails once preform a full diagnostic scan or never re use it.
- never swap cards between camera body's while pictures are on them.
- Always format the card using the camera's format utility.
- do not touch the contacts on non CF type cards it may damage them right away or down the line.
- Never buy MicroDrives no need to explain this one.
- When buying cards dont go for the cheap option get the Sandisk/Nikon/kodak brands.
- Beware of fake cards only buy from trusted source.
- Never remove a card when the camera is on unles directed to by the camera.
- Card corruption may happen if running on a nearly empty battery.
- Always write your name and PH number on the backs of the cards in case of loss.

Sebzy

Fajitas! wrote:

I've some cards for 3 years. Not a bit of a difference on them.

Nikon card here 9 years old and it's still perfect but feck all use (8MB) might donate it to a museum

Fajitas!

Heh!

Wouldn't even fit a single photo on my cam.

rymus

I tend to put my sandisk CF cards through the wash with a load of clothes every so often to keep them sparkly clean... Although admittedly, by accident...

Paulw

Yeah, it's always good to give them a wash every now and then ... as long as you don't use salt water. The sea just kills memory cards.

phog

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Sebzy wrote:

Just a few

- Ok it dose not matter how old a card is if it works it works.
- Never use the delete functions on the camera as this makes disaster recovers difficult if not impossible.
- Always store cards in proper holders when not in use and keep away from moisture.
- If a card fails once preform a full diagnostic scan or never re use it.
- never swap cards between camera body's while pictures are on them.
- Always format the card using the camera's format utility.
- do not touch the contacts on non CF type cards it may damage them right away or down the line.
- Never buy MicroDrives no need to explain this one.
- When buying cards dont go for the cheap option get the Sandisk/Nikon/kodak brands.
- Beware of fake cards only buy from trusted source.
- Never remove a card when the camera is on unles directed to by the camera.
- Card corruption may happen if running on a nearly empty battery.
- Always write your name and PH number on the backs of the cards in case of loss.

Sebzy..thanks for your tips, I like the last two in particular would never have thought of them.

Phog

Cabaal

Sebzy wrote:

Nikon card here 9 years old and it's still perfect but feck all use (8MB) might donate it to a museum

haha, thats about the only use for it now alright