If you use a digital camera then you will more than likely be using memory cards. The most popular today are SD or CF cards and over the years I have found below are the best practices for the use of memory cards.
- Always format your cards in the camera – not on the computer. Especially if you have more than one camera and card. Format the card each time and as soon as you put it in the camera ready to use.
- Never format or erase a card until you know it’s been backed up in at least two places. Also, don’t erase or format until you’ve verified the backup.
- Ejecting your memory card from any computer by dragging it to the trash or select “Safely Remove” on a Windows machine or Command + E on a Mac.
- If you use multiple cards, reference / ID the cards. Marking it easy to identifying your cards from cards used by other user. Sequential numbering may also helpful in making sure you know which card you are dealing with.
- Always buy Brand cards, I have always used SanDisk, they have never let me down. True that there are only a few component manufacturers, while these manufacturers build to different quality standards depending on who they manufacture. Generic cards, are not normally made to the same standard. Other brands Lexar Fuji and Sony.
- Not all cards (specifications) work the same in all cameras, ie speed and capacity. Why not go into your local camera store and try one out.
- Always carry your card on your person, not in your camera bag, especially after a days photography. If you have lost or mislaid your cards you can’t take or make photographs. Try some sort of wallet like the Think Tank Photo Pixel Pocket Rocket.
- To help you keep track of which cards have been used and which are empty, place the cards you’ve filled in your memory card wallet upside down or reverse them so you can see which ones are ready.
- Never edit files on the card. Memory cards are designed to get data from the camera to the computer.
- Try not to delete images on the card from the camera. If you delete images on the back of the camera you may easily make a mistake. It’s better to delete images in your computer software.
- Accidents do happen so if you delete an image on a card STOP using it and obtain a data recovery program to try to restore the image.
- Don’t share cards or put them into other people’s cameras or computers. This can cause a crash since the other camera or computer may attempt to write a system, desktop or file of unknown format to the card.
- Turn your camera off before inserting or removing a memory card.
