Common User Mistakes – Re-using Memory Cards and Deleting Files in Your Camera
As follow up to our Number One Cause of Data Loss post, we’ll cover some common user mistakes when using flash memory devices. Follow along each month to learn more and keep your data safe!
WRONG: Re-using memory cards for photo/video shoots and deleting files while you’re still shooting (yes, that happens to the best of us).
All memory cards write files to the card in a linear fashion and if you delete a file, the camera will try to put the next file you create in the hole that was made in the linear string. Depending on the size of the new file, part of it will go into the hole and the rest will go to the end of the string. If that’s done a few times, the risk of having a corrupted memory card increases. And the ultimate result of it are fragmented images and videos.
RIGHT: So, how to minimize the risk of losing your data?
- Make sure you have more than enough memory cards to complete the entire job. Start off with completely empty, freshly formatted cards and number each one for reference.
- If you are a photographer who shoots in a burst mode, make sure your memory card is fast enough to handle high writing speeds. If your memory card is slow, your camera will be writing data for a very long time. Plus, there is a significant chance of images overwriting each other.
- Do not delete any photos or videos from the card while you’re shooting, and if you do, stop and power down the camera, then replace the card with a new one. Always transfer your files off your memory card before editing and deleting.
- When you have what you need and backed up, format the memory card so you start with essentially a fresh card.
And if something happens to your memory devices, we are always here to help.
