50
votes
Accepted
SD Card speed degrading and doesn't work on one of my cameras: can I do something?
Yes, there's something you can do. Stop using the card and replace it. Even reputable, high-quality cards have failures. And every such device has a limited lifespan. Don't risk it. You may do ...
- 140k
38
votes
How to recover footage from a bent SD card?
Send it to a data-recovery company.
If you're lucky, the only damage is to the internal wiring of the card. A data-recovery company will be able to open up the card, pull out the memory chips, and ...
- 836
29
votes
How is formatting an SD card different on Mac than on Windows?
Why not save all the confusion and just format it in the camera?
Both Mac and Windows can read, write and format exFAT, but you need to make sure you are using MBR rather than GUID and the correct ...
- 19.6k
23
votes
Why is my DSLR taking duplicate pictures?
Have you checked file extensions? You might have your camera set in the RAW+JPEG storing mode, producing both .JPG and .NEF file for each shot, showing the same thumbnail for both of them. Also many ...
- 2,113
20
votes
How do you unlock a memory card?
The write-protect lock on an SD card is a very small plastic slider on the side of the card itself. It should be labeled as such, probably in fine print.
(File modified from original on Wikicommons ...
- 140k
17
votes
How to recover footage from a bent SD card?
Since this is a full sized SD card, it is possible there is a MicroSD card inside the bigger package. If the inner card is not damaged, it may be extracted and read with suitable adapter.
Like on ...
- 279
16
votes
Why do people recommend copying the entire Canon SD card folder structure?
I have no idea why someone would recommend this. I suspect it is just superstition. There generally isn't anything important or useful to you outside of the DCIM folder, and you certainly don't get ...
- 140k
13
votes
Accepted
What would constitute a need for a high bit rate capture?
Both of those are video concerns, and have no real impact on still photography at all. A faster card may allow you to shoot more pictures more quickly, or to shoot longer in high-FPS burst mode (...
- 306
12
votes
Accepted
Would Wi-Fi enabled SD cards affect battery performance?
Yes; I have an EyeFi card and my battery doesn't even stand 50% of its performance. Fortunately I can turn EyeFi-wireless-mode off in my Nikon's D3200 menu.
It's described in the user manual here:
- 585
12
votes
How to recover footage from a bent SD card?
I think scottbb's answer is probably correct - but there's one other possibility that's worth checking, which might give similar symptoms.
I have an SD card that wasn't being recognised by some ...
- 2,903
12
votes
SD Card speed degrading and doesn't work on one of my cameras: can I do something?
Is there something I can do to solve this situation ?
Get another card.
- 167k
10
votes
Accepted
What can I do when I suddenly cannot view older photos taken with my camera while on vacation?
The card has probably developed an error. Flash cards (including SD cards) have a limited number of writes, and, while the expected number is large, sometimes failures happen early. Or it could simply ...
- 140k
9
votes
Accepted
How do I shorten the "loading" of photos on the card?
Your camera is probably not the best or fastest USB memory card reader you can own, so even if you are using the fastest card you can buy and the camera claims to be using the fastest USB protocol ...
- 1,262
9
votes
SD Card speed degrading and doesn't work on one of my cameras: can I do something?
Good (not super) quality 64GB cards are around 10 to 14 "generic bucks" (US Dollars, Euros, UKP). "Good quality" defined as "built as designed by a reputable brand, no reason to expect b grade product ...
- 7,007
9
votes
What would constitute a need for a high bit rate capture?
The answer to pretty much all your questions is one word: video. Exact details of bit rates, video formats and whatever else are off-topic on this site which is about still photography so I won't go ...
- 19.7k
8
votes
Accepted
Is there any reason to choose a standard size SDXC over Micro SDXC?
I've read that the performance is indeed comparable (at least from reputable vendors), so that makes the only real factors the form factor and the price.
I find using an adapter a mild inconvenience, ...
- 140k
7
votes
Accepted
Does the brand of the micro SD adapter matter?
A micro SD to SD card adapter is a passive device, i.e. it does nothing but provide a set of contact points bridging those on the micro SD card and those on the SD slot. That being the case, it should ...
- 5,234
7
votes
Accepted
How many SDHC card insertions/ejections does an average camera slot withstand?
Note: the links in the list below are likely to go stale, as manufacturers and distributors often change their numbering/indexing; and as parts go out of production.
Not knowing which manufacturer(s) ...
- 31k
7
votes
Does a micro SD–to–SD card adapter affect the write speed of micro SD cards?
Micro SD to SD adaptors are just passive wiring adaptors. So they should not have any impact on speed.
- 753
7
votes
How to recover footage from a bent SD card?
If you want to get an idea of the probability and cost to recover your data, open up the card enclosure to see what's inside. It should look similar to this:
Typically, you have a flash controller ...
- 296
7
votes
Is it better, for durability, to remove card+battery or to connect to charger via USB-C?
Not a definitive answer, but I'm a fan of using the USB connection first.
My thinking is that if the USB port suffers mechanical failure, you'll still be able to charge and export files externally, ...
7
votes
Accepted
How do I tell my new Windows 10 PC to import images via SD card or card reader when I insert a card?
but I'd rather import them properly, rather than copy them, to retain the quality.
I don't know the answer to the Windows part of this question, but there's a fundamental worry you have here that I ...
- 140k
6
votes
Would Wi-Fi enabled SD cards affect battery performance?
The cards are considerably more complicated electronically. Additional power would be needed to drive the ARM processor vs. a typical SD controller. Once you add in Wi-Fi radio and the encryption ...
- 9,430
6
votes
Accepted
Is there any engineering proof to which type of memory card is more reliable
In general the top tier Compact Flash cards available to the typical consumer via retail channels when compared to the top tier Secure Digital cards available to the typical consumer via retail ...
- 167k
6
votes
Should I use a SD to CF adapter in my older camera?
The primary advantage of the former is that it avoids necessitating the purchase of a CF-USB adapter to upload photos to my computer (and from thence to my hardrive).
If this is your main reason then ...
- 161
6
votes
Accepted
How to update the A-GPS file on Nikon 5300?
It looks like the problem was that you created the NIKON folder inside the DCIM folder, rather than at the root of SD card's filesystem. From the section Updating the A-GPS File (D5300) at the A-GPS ...
- 31k
6
votes
How long can an SD card last in salt water?
Thanks to everyone who responded.
I hired a scuba diver and he found the camera (almost one week to the day in 20' of water). He rinsed the SD card for me before I picked it up.
Put SD card I my ...
- 227
5
votes
What can I do when my Nikon D5200 gives an SD card error with every card?
Here are some suggestions as to how to approach your problem:
Clean out the contacts within the card slot, if dirty — This can be done using compressed air, or very gentle work with pliers or q-tips ...
- 185
5
votes
Is it safe to store rechargeable lithium ion batteries and SD memory in a zip lock bag?
SD cards are very safe when stored in their original plastic container at room temperature in a dry place. The same is generally true of Lithium Ion batteries. Protecting the metal contacts on the SD ...
- 151
5
votes
Accepted
Can a firmware upgrade enable a camera to use SDXC memory cards?
It is possible and has been done before but AFAIK not by Leica. Pentax and Canon both did it early on as SDXC was introduced. This added support for large card sizes and also the exFAT file system.
- 101k
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