Author Topic: CoolPix vs iPhoto (Read 2856 times)

RHPConsult · « **on:** January 05, 2004, 11:53:18 AM »

I'm puzzled by the following conflict.

I have encountered (strong) recommendations (from someone/somewhere, I don't recall) that to erase pics from a CoolPix's memory card, one should ONLY use the camera's feature, NOT - - under any circumstances - - the option to accomplish the same end that is avaiable in iPhoto.

Right?

Wrong?

No difference?

Does someone out there have really definitive advice?

Thanks.

Attempts to find a CoolPix 880 user forum on the 'net were totally unsuccessful. After all it's 2+ years old . . .really ancient, thus even the company sponsored user forum was moribund. No posts for the last 18 montths, or so!

Bruce_F · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2004, 01:34:21 PM »

Dick, that's the same recommondation that I read/heard about.

Memory cards should be erased in the camera, followed by a formatting. I have actually formatted without erasing the pictures first because the information is completely wiped off the card during a format.

RHPConsult · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2004, 01:45:57 PM »

That's it, Bruce.

But, I wonder why iPhoto offers the option, since I've also heard (from somewhere) that to do so - -- in the Mac - - can really screw over the card.

What's that really all about, I wonder?

tortoise · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2004, 02:39:37 PM »

QUOTE(RHPConsult @ Jan 5 2004, 7:45 PM)

That's it, Bruce.

But, I wonder why iPhoto offers the option, since I've also heard (from somewhere) that to do so - -- in the Mac - - can really screw over the card.

What's that really all about, I wonder?

Hi Dick

Remember curiousity killed the cat and may kill your card as well.

I would hazard the guess that most cards have the PC market as their target (least you forget Macs are still a tiny minority) and the card is probably formatted in some PC format that is totally incompatible with Macintosh. I have read the same things and advise my clients to follow the manufacturers recommendation. What does the Nikon operators manual say? I know who reads the manual but I figured with your current limited mobility it might fill your free time. I did have a client that tried it and sure enough the card was junk. But he did not have a Nikon, think it was a Kodak.
Perhaps if you have a small inexpensive card that you don't care about you could blaze a path and prove them wrong?
Myself if the information is not in the manual, I would send an email inquiry to Nikon tech support or check their web site for relevant information.

Are we going to see you hobbling around on the cane (or even better walking slow without the cane) next week at MWSF?

Cheers Dale

Paddy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2004, 04:15:27 PM »

My guess is that the formatting that iPhoto offers may be dodgy sometimes. I don't trust iPhoto as the only repository of my photos (read of too many disasters) and I certainly am NOT going to trust it to reformat a $100 CF card! Again read of too many problems, and the manufacturers generally recommend to reformat IN THE CAMERA. Even Windoze users can have problems if they format outside the camera! See:

http://www.computing.net/windows2000/wwwbo...orum/53048.html
Info from Canon re: formatting (halfway down page - though some other interesting info too)

More about iPhoto and formatting:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?sto...003080621094258 (paulrob's post, second from last, though entire thread has interesting info about recovering "lost" photos)

Anyway - I'd follow the expert advice. Reformat in the camera only - no point in courting disaster.

Highmac · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2004, 04:27:47 PM »

I recall that thread, Dick. On my camera - a positively prehistoric Minolta Dimage EX1500 (bought in San Francisco in 2001

) - even formatting the card leaves (or probably recreates) a little text file which I believe holds the equivalent of the OS. Mine too insists you should never format the card on a computer, Mac or otherwise. As the rest say - don't chance it unless you don't mind losing the card.

RHPConsult · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2004, 08:58:01 PM »

I'm satisfied, everybody. Thanks.

krissel · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2004, 10:36:57 PM »

Well I guess I am living on the edge.

I have never formatted a card, period. In camera or otherwise.

For about 5-6 years I've been using a couple Compact Flash cards from which I downloaded pics by serial cable via Epson and Kodak cameras for the first 3 years then erased with the camera software installed on the Mac.

The past 2-3 years I've used a card reader. After copying the photos from the folder to the hard drive I do a Select All, drag to Trash, empty Trash and drag card to Trash to eject. Only problem I ever had was one chip did not want to be recognized in someone else's camera. Using a Nikon Coolpix now with those same cards.

Anybody want to go to Atlantic City with me?

Highmac · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2004, 11:53:55 PM »

All praise for your courage in telling us that they've never given you trouble. My grandmother called that tempting Providence. Ever noticed that whenever you say some piece of technology has never given you any bother, within a day or two.... it turns round and bites you

. Hope it doesn't though.

zodraz · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:32:38 AM »

I've used a multi-format memory card reader for my Kodak (Compact Flash) and Panasonic (SD) cards.

I've deleted and ADDED pictures to the cards from the good ol' OS 9 desktop.

No problems.

Oh, and I use Graphic Converter (slide show mode) to preview the photos while still in the card!

I'm just a rebel.

News:

Author Topic: CoolPix vs iPhoto (Read 2856 times)