Compact flash memory reducing

[Megaflow]

I have recently been struggling with capacity on a compact flash card. Last time out I out 64 large jpg’s and RAW on to it and thought to myself, I am sure it used to hold more.

Well, I took some pictures off it this morning and the capacity on a blank card was 45, 1/3 less than last time out. Then I knew there was a problem.

I have reformated the card and it has jumped to 798…

Has anybody experienced this?

[Tony1963]

No, because I reformat cards every time I put them back in the camera after downloading the images, as recommended since…. a long long time ago.

[Simpo Two]

When you delete an image it's usually still there, you just can't see it. As you've found, reformatting is the way to clear out the clutter.

Whilst reformatting a PC is fairly nuclear, doing it on a memory card is standard practice.

[Megaflow]

Simpo Two said:

When you delete an image it's usually still there, you just can't see it. As you've found, reformatting is the way to clear out the clutter.

Whilst reformatting a PC is fairly nuclear, doing it on a memory card is standard practice.

Thank you. That is news to me.

I was wondering if it was dying on me.

[sgrimshaw]

Personally I'd look,at replacing it memory cards are relatively cheap.

[Tony1963]

sgrimshaw said:

Personally I'd look,at replacing it memory cards are relatively cheap.

Why? There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s acting as expected.

[sgrimshaw]

Tony1963 said:

Why? There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s acting as expected.

If the capacity is reducing for no apparent reason it is not working correctly.

Reformatting frequently to maintain capacity is not normal.

[Tony1963]

sgrimshaw said:

If the capacity is reducing for no apparent reason it is not working correctly.

Reformatting frequently to maintain capacity is not normal.

It is reducing for a reason, as this thread shows.

If the card isn’t reformatted occasionally, this is what happens. Reformatting each time cards are put back into the camera is what I do.

[sgrimshaw]

Tony1963 said:

It is reducing for a reason, as this thread shows.

If the card isn’t reformatted occasionally, this is what happens. Reformatting each time cards are put back into the camera is what I do.

Being used normally is not a reason for the lost capacity, it's quite possible there is an underlying problem with the card.

I did originally say "Personally I'd look, at replacing it memory cards are relatively cheap."

That is what I would do, simply not worth the risk to me of a corrupted card.

[tog]

If you were deleting the photos with the card connected to a computer, as opposed to in camera, you would need to empty the Bin after doing so to actually free up the space, as with any removable drive. (True on a Mac at least - not sure about Windows.)

I reformat memory cards every time they go back in the camera, seems the best way to be sure everything is clean and ready for use.