Can I format CF Cards in different brands/types of cameras?

DSLR Video

Can I format CF Cards in different brands/types of cameras?

Posted by Lynn Weissman on August 9, 2013 at 3:28 pm

Hi, All,

I just got a Canon 5D Mark III. I already own some:
– 32 and 16GB Sandisk Extreme CF cards that I use with my Sony Z7U (HDV camera).
– 32 and 16GB Sandisk Class 10 SD cards that I’ve used with a Canon T4i (DSLR camera)

Will there be any problem with re-formatting either the CF or SD cards used with other cameras for the 5Diii ? I’d likely just use them only for the 5D after that.

In general, can one re-format cards (CF, SD) from camera to camera or brand to brand, without any issues, as long as the cards are compatible with each camera?

Thanks!

Lynn Weissman
https://vimeo.com/weisswomanprodns
Sony Z7U, Sony Z1Us, Sony V1U, Canon HV20, Mac iMac (Model iMac12,2, 3.1 GHz, Memory: 20 GB), Final Cut 7.0.3

Lynn Weissman replied 12 years, 11 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
2 Replies

Joseph W. bourke
August 10, 2013 at 4:01 pm

It seems as if the prevailing opinion among the “pros” is that, yes, some cards will read and write between camera brands, but that you should always format each card in the camera you intend you use before each shoot. Notice that they say “format” rather than “erase all images”.

Now I use Magic Lantern in my T2i, so I sometimes break the rules – but, that said, the T2i is my only camera. Here’s a nice, quick rundown on some rules for extending the life of your memory cards:

https://digital-photography-school.com/13-tips-for-using-and-caring-for-memory-cards

Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com
Lynn Weissman
August 13, 2013 at 1:34 pm

Joe,

Thanks! I took a deep breath and reformatted 2 cards with my with the 5D Mark III:
– a Sandisk 60 Mb/sec 32GB CF card (previously used with my Sony Z7U, and
– a Sandisk 95 Mb/sec 32GB Class 10 SD card (previously used with Canon T4i).

All worked just peachy! Here was my workflow, fyi.

I shot in 1920/24/IPB for over an hour (2 rounds of just under 30 minutes).

I then uploaded the CF footage (though I have not uploaded the SD card) to my Mac external drive, transcoded with MPEG Streamclip to 100% Quality Apple ProRes 422 (1920×1080 unscaled, with the ‘Interlaced Scaling’ box un-checked), and edited a little in FCP7 (in a ProRes Timeline). I even then mixed with some 24p footage from my Sony Z7U, as a test.

Awesome!

Lynn

Lynn Weissman
https://vimeo.com/weisswomanprodns
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, Sony Z7U, Sony Z1Us, Canon HV20, Mac iMac (Model iMac12,2, 3.1 GHz, Memory: 20 GB), Final Cut 7.0.3

Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up

Creative Communities of the World Forums