Sharing CF cards between mrc1k and dslr? at DVinfo.net

Joe Bourguignon · July 20th, 2010, 01:27 PM

I know this may seem like a bad idea, but I'm considering getting a dslr soon and would love (at least initially) to not have to re-invest in expensive CF cards for it as well... How well does it work to re-format cards and use them back and forth between devices? (e.g. hvr-mrc1k and a Canon 5D MKII dslr, re-formatting each time I change devices with it)

Will this "break" the CF card for mrc1k use? I know formatting a CF card with windows/mac will "break" it sometimes, making the mrc1k unable to use it, yes?

Has anyone done this before successfully (or unsuccessfully)?

Cheers!

-joe

Zach Love · July 21st, 2010, 12:55 PM

I think if you get a card that breaks when you format, you either have a cheap device or cheap card. Professional gear shouldn't cause this type of a problem.

I think if you spent 24-7 formatting cards you'll end up having trouble, but normal use with quality equipment should work fine.

I have a Canon 7D & Sony Z7, I've moved cards back & forth & have yet to have a problem. I'm pretty sure (please correct me) that they both use FAT 32, so you don't really have to re-format between uses. If you're really worried, "delete all" instead of "format."

Joe Bourguignon · July 21st, 2010, 01:01 PM

Zach, that's great news... Thanks! Does anyone else have similar experience with sharing cards? I'd love to have a few voices on this... Cheers,

-j

Zach Love · July 21st, 2010, 01:17 PM

I would suggest NOT to transfer files from one unit to another w/o backing up the files. I don't think they would write over files, but I personally wouldn't take the chance unless I absolutely had to.

Philip Howells · August 1st, 2010, 01:34 AM

Zach, to answer your specific question I had a Sandisk Firewire 2 reader which completely blue screened 12 CF cards. They simply would not format in my MRC1s.

In some desperation I tried formatting them in my Sony Alpha 1.

That worked OK and enabled me to re-format them in the MRC1s. Since then no problems - but no Sandisk Firewire 2 reader either!

July 20th, 2010, 01:27 PM	#1
Joe Bourguignon New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 14	Sharing CF cards between mrc1k and dslr? I know this may seem like a bad idea, but I'm considering getting a dslr soon and would love (at least initially) to not have to re-invest in expensive CF cards for it as well... How well does it work to re-format cards and use them back and forth between devices? (e.g. hvr-mrc1k and a Canon 5D MKII dslr, re-formatting each time I change devices with it) Will this "break" the CF card for mrc1k use? I know formatting a CF card with windows/mac will "break" it sometimes, making the mrc1k unable to use it, yes? Has anyone done this before successfully (or unsuccessfully)? Cheers! -joe __________________ Joe Bourguignon Cinematographer / Documentary Filmmaker www.lemurfilms.com

July 21st, 2010, 12:55 PM	#2
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	I think if you get a card that breaks when you format, you either have a cheap device or cheap card. Professional gear shouldn't cause this type of a problem. I think if you spent 24-7 formatting cards you'll end up having trouble, but normal use with quality equipment should work fine. I have a Canon 7D & Sony Z7, I've moved cards back & forth & have yet to have a problem. I'm pretty sure (please correct me) that they both use FAT 32, so you don't really have to re-format between uses. If you're really worried, "delete all" instead of "format." __________________ Nothing says you're a serious video maker like S-VHS

July 21st, 2010, 01:01 PM	#3
Joe Bourguignon New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 14	Zach, that's great news... Thanks! Does anyone else have similar experience with sharing cards? I'd love to have a few voices on this... Cheers, -j __________________ Joe Bourguignon Cinematographer / Documentary Filmmaker www.lemurfilms.com

July 21st, 2010, 01:17 PM	#4
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	I would suggest NOT to transfer files from one unit to another w/o backing up the files. I don't think they would write over files, but I personally wouldn't take the chance unless I absolutely had to. __________________ Nothing says you're a serious video maker like S-VHS

August 1st, 2010, 01:34 AM	#5
Philip Howells Trustee Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1,212	Zach, to answer your specific question I had a Sandisk Firewire 2 reader which completely blue screened 12 CF cards. They simply would not format in my MRC1s. In some desperation I tried formatting them in my Sony Alpha 1. That worked OK and enabled me to re-format them in the MRC1s. Since then no problems - but no Sandisk Firewire 2 reader either!