Embedding contact info on an SD card

DavisBXL

So after reading all of the stories of gear being stolen, I was playing around with putting contact info on my SD cards. I've already got a .txt file on each with phone number, etc. but was wondering about something more 'obvious', especially for those who wont necessarily explore the SD in itself and will just turn the camera on.

I've seen this rather humorous way to do it: http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-get-your-camera-back-when-you-lose-it

But was wondering where to physically keep those photos? It seems they can't be made on the PC at the same size as camera pictures and then exported onto on the camera - instead they need to be photographed by the camera in the first place.

I generally try to empty the SD card after each trip, but it seems putting it in the DCIM folder alongside all of the other pictures (ie same folder) is the only way to make it stay put and appear on the camera screen.

Any ideas or other tips?

Tokyo

Sadly mate, if I had nicked your camera (if I were that way inclined, which I'm not), the first thing I'd be doing is formatting the memory card, which is what I imagine any thief would do before he passed it on to an unsuspecting buyer, therefore anything on the SD card would be wiped in the process. IF your camera has genuinely been found, then something like a luggage tag on your camera bag with your contact details seems like it would be a lot more straightforward for a genuine good Samaritan to follow.

One option available to you in higher end cameras is to automatically embed copyright data, including contact information, in every photo taken. As this info is stored in the camera itself, it is not affected by a memory card format, and not something that most thieves would think to check. The camera also embeds the serial number of the camera in each photo too, at the same time.

Ultimately, the only thing you can do is a) be careful with your photographic equipment, and b) keep a record of the serial numbers of each item, and if they get nicked, hope that you get lucky in that either the cops find it, or it pops up on eBay somewhere.

DavisBXL

Thanks for the reply - fair point on making it as obvious as possible. I wasn't really thinking about it getting nicked, more along the lines of good Samaritans out there.

Excellent idea for the embedded copyright code - I have that on mine but neglected to fill it in as Im not using it commercially. Have added details!

Any suggestions for good, durable stickers to attach to the bottom of the camera with contact info, to go along with the luggage tag on the bag.

Thanks again for the advice