Canon filename numbering

[Borris-Bear]

Does anyone know if a new Canon camera should always start at _MG_0000 or is this number just a random start number?

I ask as i assumed the latter as when i bought the camera the first pic was something like _MG_2789. Ive had the camera a while and not really thought anything of it until as a friend was looking through photos with me.

Friend reckons all cameras start at zero and ive been conned into paying full retail for a second hand camera (bought from large photo retailer)

any thoughts?

[MikeGTi]

It depends on how the camera is configured as to whether the image number is the total number of images captured by the camera or just the total since the last time the images were downloaded from it. But that's besides the point; All of the Canon cameras I've owned- I'm up to 3 now, have started at IMG_0001.

Sounds a bit iffy to me.

[Ollerton57]

MikeGTi said:

It depends on how the camera is configured as to whether the image number is the total number of images captured by the camera or just the total since the last time the images were downloaded from it. But that's besides the point; All of the Canon cameras I've owned- I'm up to 3 now, have started at IMG_0001.

Sounds a bit iffy to me.

I agree, mine started at 100-0001...

[selwonk]

Did you put a card in with images already on it, or was it completely blank and formatted?

[Borris-Bear]

could have been a card out of the old camera as that was also a Canon. Do you think it may have just continued numbering where the old one left off.

I'm sure i'd have formatted the card before use though maybe it read the card first.

[MikeGTi]

You could always try http://blog.planet5d.com/548

I would have thought different cameras would create a different folder on the card for storing images and/or stick with their own numbering rather than that of the last image on the card?

[Mr E]

Borris-Bear said:

could have been a card out of the old camera as that was also a Canon. Do you think it may have just continued numbering where the old one left off.

It may well have done.

[MartinP]

There is a piece of software called 'EOS Info' that you can download (Google it and you should be able to find it) which will read the shutter count directly from the camera. That will let you know one way or the other.

[MartinP]

Here's the link to the shutter count utility that I described above: www.astrojargon.net/EOSInfo.aspx

[tog]

Mr E said:

Borris-Bear said:

could have been a card out of the old camera as that was also a Canon. Do you think it may have just continued numbering where the old one left off.

It may well have done.

If the file numbering is set to "Continuous" in the menu (as it is by default I think) it will definitely just carry on with the next number from the highest numbered image in the folder on the car.

[007singh]

Borris-Bear said:

could have been a card out of the old camera as that was also a Canon. Do you think it may have just continued numbering where the old one left off.

I'm sure i'd have formatted the card before use though maybe it read the card first.

This.

If you have been using a card in an older camera, and then use it in a newer camera (i used one from my 350d, and then put it into my new 7d), the numbering continued from the "old" sequence. I formatted the card in the new camera, and reset the counter. Started back at 001 after that.

As said by others, only sure fire way to know is by a shutter count check.