Ctrl-C + CtrlV for download: is it wrong or not?

[PhilT]

I wonder if just doing copy-paste from the SD card the computer is ok or is there a problem?
I read many advices about downloading pictures with all kind of photo softwares,but is it not more simple with just Ctrl-C & Ctrl-V to a folder you create for it?
Thanks for you understanding if this question looks dumb
Philippe

[odds]

I wonder if just doing copy-paste from the SD card the computer is ok or is there a problem?

Your camera may re-use image file names ("dsc_0001.nef" has repeated a few times on my Nikons), but I guess all is well if you know how to mitigate that.

I use Photo Mechanic (software) to transfer files because I want to automate tasks like changing filename, adding/changing image metadata, registering images in a database, copying image files to a backup disk/folder etc.

--
Odd S.

[Manfred M]

I see nothing wrong with your approach to get files from your SD card. You are not altering the data on the card itself when you transfer it to your computer.

Over the years I have read comments that the camera manufacturer's handling of the actual file system on the cards themselves may not be as robust as what we are used to on our computers, especially when it comes to deleting captured images and overwriting that same area of memory.

I personally have never had any problems when I did this, but I have found cameras somewhat finicky from time to time, so I just fill up my cards and reformat them in the camera after downloading / backing up my image data.

[xpatUSA]

I wonder if just doing copy-paste from the SD card the computer is ok or is there a problem?
I read many advices about downloading pictures with all kind of photo softwares,but is it not more simple with just Ctrl-C & Ctrl-V to a folder you create for it?

The problem is that your SD card will eventually fill up ...

[Tronhard]

Copying any files in Widows should work with Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, these are standard Windows commands and should work fine. I worked on the design of the interface way back in history and was a master trainer for about 15 years, so I hope that gives you some assurance. What I would avoid with a media card is Ctrl+X (the cut function), just to be on the safe side if there is any issue in the transfer process.

Also, I would always use the Windows Eject command to break any file links before you physically remove the card from your reader. If a process is still using the card, it can cause an unrecoverable error on the card, so not only is any data lost but the card may not be re-formatted.

When you have transferred all the files you want from your card to your computer (or hard disc), then I would remove the card and format it in the camera in which it is used.

[DanK]

I'm one step more conservative than Trev: I don't format the card in the camera until I have the files backed up as well as uploaded. The card is my backup until then.

My procedure is this:

1. Insert the card into a card reader and plug that in.
2. using a file manager, create a folder with whatever name I want for the photos. This always includes the date and usually includes some hint about the content, e.g., 2021_3_20_amaryllis.
3. Copy (DON"T MOVE) all of the files on the card into that folder, just dragging them in the file manager.
4. Eject the card from within Windows, as Trev suggests.
5. Create a backup,
6. Format the card in the camera.

I have two backups. The first is not really a backup; I synchronize the photos parent directory to an external hard drive. The second backup is online and works in the backgound. I do the sync as soon as the photos have been uploaded, or sometimes after an initial culling. That's when I format the card.

There are lots of tools for synching, some free, like Microsoft's SyncToy. However, I prefer to use a high-quality file manager as a substitute for the rudimentary one in Windows. I use PowerDesk Pro; another very much like it is Directory Opus. These have superb sync tools that are very easy to use, very powerful, and make it trivially easy to check what you are doing before you start the process. Unfortunately, these aren't free. PowerDesk Pro currently costs US $32 per computer. Directory Opus Pro (which looks very good, but I haven't used it) costs AUS $49.

[xpatUSA]

<> Also, I would always use the eject feature to remove the card from your reader - if a process is still using the card, it can cause an unrecoverable error on the card, so not only is any data lost but the card may not be re-formatted.

When you have transferred all the files you want from your card to your computer (or hard disc), then I would eject the card and format it in the camera in which it is used.

Hate to say this, Trev, but my SDHC cards get plugged into a front-panel card slot and my CF cards get plugged into a card reader. Neither type of card can be ejected, unlike CDs.

[pschlute]

Hate to say this, Trev, but my SDHC cards get plugged into a front-panel card slot and my CF cards get plugged into a card reader. Neither type of card can be ejected, unlike CDs.

Ted, the term "eject" in this context does not refer to a physical movement of the card itself , accompanied by whirring gears like when a CD is ejected from a drive. It refers to a software process.

[davidedric]

I follow DanK's six steps exactly.

My initial backup is to an external hdd, then the cloud backup kicks in.

[xpatUSA]

Ted, the term "eject" in this context does not refer to a physical movement of the card itself , accompanied by whirring gears like when a CD is ejected from a drive. It refers to a software process.

Got it, Pete. Just tried it on the card slot. One lives and learns, ta!

[pschlute]

Got it, Pete. Just tried it on the card slot. One lives and learns, ta!

Talking of CD slots, one of my dogs favourite tricks is to open the CD tray on my desktop tower with his nose ! He can also open the tailgate on the Range Rover with his tail !

[xpatUSA]

Talking of CD slots, one of my dogs favourite tricks is to open the CD tray on my desktop tower with his nose ! He can also open the tailgate on the Range Rover with his tail !

Excellent!

My cat RIP could open kitchen cabinet doors after a few irritating 'klunk's ... never knew why it did it and finally trained it to stop with a harsh terse "eh!". I still use it on the wife for other irritating activities but it works less well ...

[DanK]

Got it, Pete. Just tried it on the card slot. One lives and learns, ta!

This is to ensure that the OS has completed any reads and writes made necessary by an existing process and that it doesn't attempt more while you are physically removing the device.

[MrB]

I'm no computer/camera technician but it has always seemed sensible to switch the camera off before inserting or removing the memory card. Is this also good practice or is it unnecessary?

Philip

[pschlute]

I'm no computer/camera technician but it has always seemed sensible to switch the camera off before inserting or removing the memory card. Is this also good practice or is it unnecessary?

Philip

I would say essential practice. On my camera I don't get the choice. Open the SD card door and the camera automatically switches off.

[DanK]

Mine does as well, but I always turn it of manually anyway.


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[billtils]

I download images from a new shoot to a named folder in CaptureOne, which is set to eject the card on completion of the download.

When the card is approximately half full I copy the files to an external drive (and identify the content by date range) and reformat the card after retuning it to the camera.

I was a bit surprised by Ted's comment that "neither type of card can be ejected". This may depend on the platform but you can set the display options on a Mac to show (or not) attached external discs and then eject them when you are done with them.

[xpatUSA]

I was a bit surprised by Ted's comment that "neither type of card can be ejected".

By "ejected" I meant physically pushed out of card slot, Bill.

It has already been explained above that "ejected" does not mean ejected.

This may depend on the platform, but you can set the display options on a Mac to show (or not) attached external discs and then eject them when you are done with them.

Wasn't talking about disks ...

[Tronhard]

Ted, my apologies... I was a bit distracted when I wrote to try to explain the Eject command and used my terminology loosely - something I do not normally aspire to do. I have amended my post with clearer text and a diagram for those who may find that useful.

[xpatUSA]

Ted, my apologies... I was a bit distracted when I wrote to try to explain the Eject command and used my terminology loosely - something I do not normally aspire to do. I have amended my post with clearer text and a diagram for those who may find that useful.

Thank you Trev. No prob. because I was actually unaware that plug-in memory cards could be "ejected" in Windows-speak. We live and learn, eh? ...