Some notes when using memory cards to protect your data and cameras

Jeff Cable is a photographer who specializes in Olympic sports photography and has many years as marketing manager for the well-known memory card company Lexar.Jeff Cable recently posted on his personal blog some of Jeff's recommendations and experiences to best protect data and cameras. So please refer to the following advice of the photographer to better protect the data as well as to preserve and use the memory card effectively.

1. Do not delete photos in the memory card with the camera.

1. This is a conspicuous habit of most camera users.We do not like it, we will delete it right on the camera .According to Jeff, this is not recommended.The camera is specifically designed to take photos, but it is bad in managing files on a memory card.In essence, when you delete a photo with a camera, the image is not deleted.
2. To make it easier to understand, there is one thing in the memory card: File Allocation Table , or FAT table for short .If the memory card is a book, your image is the content in the book, FAT Table is the table of contents for the device based on that content.If you delete the image, you will only delete it in the index section, the image is still in the memory card and will be erased, overwritten when used.If you delete with the camera, you will create a messy table of contents making the ability to access become slow.

2. Format the memory card with the camera, not on the computer

1. Many of you will format the memory card on the computer and put it into the camera to operate, or format the memory card with a Canon then take it to a Nikon device.The memory card will still work, but there may be an error.
2. The best way is to use theformat on which machine to use on that machine.If you insert a format memory card from other devices, you should format it to avoid errors

3. It is recommended to back up the data on the card and format the card before each shoot.

4. Use genuine card reader

1. Many people use very good memory cards, plug it in extremely expensive body but use an unnamed memory card reader.This is very not so because for later complicated memory cards, you need a card reader with smart control chips inside .
2. In fact, I have seen a CF memory card because I plugged it into a bad reading head and got it broken, then when I plugged it into the camera, it would damage the memory card slot on the device.So you should pay attention to using card readers with brand name, compatible with the type of card you are using

5. Do not use the card until the capacity runs out

Jeff recommends that you do not use it until the card is 100% capacity because it will affect the usage and speed of the memory card. Jeff himself used the hard drive, only storing up to 90% of capacity and specializing in another hard drive.

6. Do not unplug the card when the camera / card reader is reading data.

1. Do not remove your memory card when the card reader or the camera is accessing data from the card because it may cause the card to fail, you may lose some or all of the images in the card.
2. When the camera is reading / writing data from the card, there will be a flashing light, and will turn off when it is finished.But Jeff said he should not believe this lamp too much.After the lights are off, you should wait a few seconds before removing the card .

7. Should use the parallel card recording feature

If your device has 2 memory card slots, shoot in Backup mode, copy the image to 2 cards simultaneously. If this card is damaged, your data is still protected in the 2nd card

8. Using branded cards

You put the safety of the image on the memory card, so you should use a branded memory card. Investing in branded memory cards can cost more but in the long run, your products need protection, and this investment is worth it.