I don't think format in camera will add any wear to the card, it just erase
the directory information. I do format instead of 'erase all' 100% of the
time in E-1, 5D II and C5050... They are very fast, I remember format is
even faster than 'erase all' in one or more of them.
C.H.Ling
----- Original Message -----
From: "Moose" <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>> 6) periodically, format the card in the computer being sure *not* to
>> choose "Quick Format". If you do a full format it will write to and
>> verify all storage locations on the card.
>
> I think this is absolutely unnecessary and wastes flash card life.
> Remember, a CF card (and SD(HC)?) has a built in controller with wear
> leveling algorithms. It stores data according to its own rules, which
> aren't linear, and translates actual memory locations to virtual mass
> storage device location data for its interface, so the camera/computer
> has no detail control whatsoever over what's actually on the card and
> where it's stored. All a complete format in the computer does is add one
> more wear cycle to the card. Anybody still using a CF HD, sure, go ahead.
>
>> Then do a format in camera to restore the camera's file structures.
>>
>
> Yeah, if it makes you feel better. I haven't done that in years, since I
> figured out that all the warnings were based on poor OS implementations
> in a couple of brands of camera.
>
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