Formatting CF

[JSchraub]

I have been just taking random shots to learn how to use this new bad boy and when I go to format the card after it is formatted it says there are less pictures available than when I first turned it on. For instance when I turn it on I have 518 available shots. I will take 30-50 and format the card from the camera. After that I have 489 shots available? I am using a 2gb card and shooting the photos large and fine.. Is there information on these cards that is not deleted? And is there a way to completely delete it?

[Moose135]

What are you shooting with, and what settings are you using? With my 30D (and 300D before that) it estimates the number of shots remaining on the card based on the camera settings - things like ISO make a difference in file size, so if you've made changes while experimenting with the camera, that will effect the number of shots it shows remaining. If you format the card in the camera (don't format it in a card reader on your PC!) it will delete everything except perhaps a very small bit of formatting info (just like when you format your computer's hard drive). Also, it is better to format the card rather than erasing all the photos.

With my 300D (6.2mp) shooting at large/fine jpeg and 100 ISO, i've gotten over 600 shots on a 2mb card.

[Mungous]

As above ^ It takes an average / guess from the shots you've already got. Mine does the same thing, after format it says around 280 but usually i can get 400-500 on there.

(^ Moose I would love to know how you cram 600 photos into 2 MB )

[Moose135]

(^ Moose I would love to know how you cram 600 photos into 2 MB )

Oops, I guess that should have been a 2 GB card

[JSchraub]

Ohh I see. I am using the 350D. I didn't even think of this.. Thanks for the help guys