Tip of the week - formatting memory cards

Unlike in the days of film we can easily take hundreds of images within just a few days without giving much thought for the memory card and just how remarkable and valuable a piece of equipment it actually is. We take for granted that every shot we take will be safely stored and retrieved on demand - that is until something goes wrong.

So why should I format my memory card?
Most card failures (lost or corrupted images) are as a result of a memory card not being correctly formatted. Deleting the contents of a card when connected to your computer simply does not do the job as well as correctly formatting the card in the camera. Memory cards perform better when formatted so it is good practice to format your card regularly.

What does format mean?
Formatting erases the content (images and associated data) on a memory card. Your camera then creates and writes new file folders / image index file to the card so you are ready to start shooting again.

How do I format my memory card?

To format a card it must be in the camera. Look for 'format' within the menu system of your digital camera, it is then a simple process of selecting 'yes' from the yes/no option (on some cameras format is only accessible when the camera is in one of the manual modes.)

How often should I format my memory card?
Formatting should be done after each time you have safely saved your images. A new card should also be formatted in camera before any shots are taken.

Additional memory card tips
Why risk your important images with a cheap memory card? Buy a card made by a reputable manufacturer such as Sandisk and look out for fake cards if buying online.

If you have more than one digital camera then it's worth having a card for each specific camera. Swapping cards from camera to camera could cause problems and risk losing images.

Look after your cards - store them safely in a suitable wallet or case.

If your memory card becomes corrupted or you have accidentally deleted images don't panic! - data recovery is an option and may give you back images that you though you had lost forever.
Photo Continental offer a data recovery service - call or email for further info.