Formatting SD Cards

[Bean Counter]

So I took the SD cards from my cams and previewed the photos on my DSLR while afield last time. I am wondering if anyone has ever run into a problem with the file allocation structure of going between a DSLR and the trail cam. For instance, say I put in a fresh SD card into my DSLR, format it, then shoot a photo or two, and then later put it into my trail cam without formatting it, and then have problems with the cam writing cards to the card. Or vice versa: start it off in the trail cam, formatting it to the cam, and then later it gets mixed up into your DSLR and you start snapping photos and later have problems. Anyone?

[Skyvalhunter]

My experience have led me to formatting the SD card in whatever device you will be using it in. Don't format on your computer then put it in your camera and expect it to start allowing images to be put on.

[billythekidrock]

I have had issues changing from cam to camera and even from cam to cam. I found it best to run the same brand of cams, never preview in my camera and always format before switching cards.

I prefer formatting in the cam, but have never had an issue formatting on my pc before using in a trail cam.

[Skyvalhunter]

Fresh from the internet:
Formatting through devices is the third option that is available to those who do not have access to a computer to format their cards. The devices that use the SD cards may have a built in format option to format the cards to work at optimum capacity with the device. This type of formatting is only recommended when the card is only going to be used in the one device to ensure that it remains compatible with the device. Cameras, phones, gaming consoles, and various other devices will usually have the built in function to format an SD card to work best with said device

[Knocker of rocks]

My experience have led me to formatting the SD card in whatever device you will be using it in. Don't format on your computer then put it in your camera and expect it to start allowing images to be put on.

 

I can view trail cam pics on another camera, but I can't shoot onto it without reformatting and losing my previous images.

[Becky]

We've had just the opposite experience.. Smossy uses one of his GoPro SD card in his trail cam, no formatting, it just creates it's own folder for images based on the new camera. We then will take it out and view pics in either his little cannon or my sony point-and-shoot camera and we can still take pics and it creates a THIRD folder lol. Never had problems with writing new pics on any devices  ..

I think it might depend on your SD card class too, we use class 10 and have never had issues. The lower grade ones will give us issues even using with one device only.

[Bean Counter]

I have San Disk cards.

I tried carrying my laptop out to the cams, a Crapple Macintrash, but it is giving out after less than two years (another story) so while I was checking them last time I needed to decide in the field whether to move the cams or leave them in place. So I popped the cards into my DSLR which Iwas also lugging around with me. Intentionally taking a photo with my DSLR sounds like asking for problems but Iwas mainly asking just incase they got mixed up. The DSLRread the images just fine and there was no corruption when I was finally able to boot my laptop up back at home. 

I was also wondering if Ican use my DSLRor laptop to "preformat" (so to speak) the cards before I get out there and swap in a few weeks. Next time I get up there, the cards I'll be putting in as replacements have lots and lots of photos on there. Photos I have now uploaded to my computer and need to be cleared out I'm wondering if it might be better to delete them all on my camera before I head back out there, and just pop 'em in, reformat inside the trail cam, and get the heck outta there. That way I wouldn't have to wait for the trail cam to delete all the files.

[Becky]

I have San Disk cards.

That's what we have, but class 10. Normal ones are usually class 4 or 5.

I would back up all your pics off the card, then delete or format before you get out there. Give your trail cam a fresh one to work with. Not that we've ever had problems leaving old photos on the SD card it's just to me - the digital cameras are made for this stuff and made to work and be versatile and work with an array of SD card levels and settings and speeds of writing. Trail cams are used for one purpose, so IMHO it'd be best not to confuse it's one job by leaving pics or anything on the card.

[bobcat]

I always format cards in my computer, usually at home, but sometimes out in the woods when I pack the laptop with me.

[NOCK NOCK]

I always format cards in the trail cam. I use all Bushnells taking video with 32g class 10. I have formatted cards that were completely full, it doesn't take but a few seconds in the cam to get the card ready for the next set.

[Bean Counter]

Great. Thanks peeps.

[Jingles]

Maybe I've been lucky but have not had any problem with cards from either of my trail cams being read to either the computer or the camera and switching back and forth with out formatting in any of the devices San Disc cards 16 and 32 Gig cards

[BULLBLASTER]

I try to keep the sd cards to specific cams to avoid any issue. Only ever goes in laptop or specific cam. I have a set of 2-3 cards for each cam.

[180-GRAIN]

I'm new at the trail cam game and was wondering what you guys mean by formating the cards before use? I just set up a camera last weekend and all i did was put a brand new SD card in and ten programmed the camera to the settings I wanted. Did i do something wrong because I did not do anything with the SD card?

[NOCK NOCK]

You need to format the card (clears the card & puts it in the same format/file type that t-cam takes pics in. ie: avi. )so the trail cam recognizes it. The trail cam should be equipped to do that, check your instructions. You can also format the card in a computer.

[180-GRAIN]

Dam that sucks I will have to go through the manual again and see what I find. Will it not function at all then without being formated?

[Bean Counter]

Since the card is brand new you might be ok. It might be a differ t story if you were taking it from a digital camcorder or something. I hope you aren't 4-5 hours from your trail cams like I am!

[bobcat]

It will probably function fine. The first year or so that I used trail cams I didn't know anything about formatting either. I had several different kinds of trail cams and they all worked without ever formatting a card. I do it in my laptop now, and basically the only reason for doing it is to clear the card out so it's ready for it's next use.

[180-GRAIN]

Since the card is brand new you might be ok. It might be a differ t story if you were taking it from a digital camcorder or something. I hope you aren't 4-5 hours from your trail cams like I am!

Only about an hour and a half but I wont be able to go back until this weekend so its going to be bugging me all week. 

[jackelope]

I've never "pre-formatted" an sd card before putting it in a camera. Never had issues. I have moved cards from camera to camera, but they've all been Bushnell cameras. Never had an issue.
 

[180-GRAIN]

It will probably function fine. The first year or so that I used trail cams I didn't know anything about formatting either. I had several different kinds of trail cams and they all worked without ever formatting a card. I do it in my laptop now, and basically the only reason for doing it is to clear the card out so it's ready for it's next use.

I'm using a moultrie 880 and I guess I didn't read far enough into the manual to find the formating process. We will see hopefully it works out

[rim_runner]

I've never "pre-formatted" an sd card before putting it in a camera. Never had issues. I have moved cards from camera to camera, but they've all been Bushnell cameras. Never had an issue.
 

same here. I've had some trouble using a card in one camera that has been used in a different make of camera. With my older moltrie I erase all the photos on the camera when I change cards to erase any photos stored on the camera itself. The camera storage is very small and if there are any photos on the camera itself the camera won't write to the SD card.