Should I format a Compact Flash card before use?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave
  • Start date Start date
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Dave

I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.
 
Dave said:
I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.
Click to expand...


You don't have to format as they come already formatted.





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If you format the card always do it with the camera usint the camera's
internal format program. That is usually a good way of clearing all the pix
off the card once you are sure you do not need them on the card and have
them stored in the computer or printed.

Do not format the card using the computer. It is possiable that some
computer's format program may be differat than the internal one to the
camera. If this hapens it may make the card unusable .
 
Dave said:
I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.
Click to expand...


What would happen if you just tried to use it in the camera before doing
anything with it. Seems like if it needs formatting, you wouldn't be able
to save a picture to it.
 
I just got my first serious digital camera, a Canon 20D, and the
manual recommends that I format its Compact Flash cards VIA the
camera's format utility before I use them. I've never done this
before and never had a problem and I tend not to fix what ain't broke,
so I wonder what the facts are. I use high quality (Lexar Pro) cards.

I asked this question at the digicam group and got answers ranging
from "Always!" to "Never!" so I thought I'd ask the hardware geeks to
see what they think.

Thanks very much for any help.
Click to expand...

Try it in camera as-is, and if it doesn't work right, format
in camera.
 
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