So this topic tends to be a bit controversial as I have heard both sides of this topic from many people over the years. As a photographer, videographer, or content creator, you understand how essential having dependable storage devices is. SD cards are a favorite choice for lots of experts due to price point and convenience. Nevertheless, some creatives (like myself) might be hesitant to reuse their SD cards for vital tasks due to the fear of corruption. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of reusing SD cards or buying new cards for each project. Now I understand that there are different brands and types of cards that are better than others, everyone has their preferred brands. (I will save that topic for another time). I have heard great things about the new CFexpress cards, however, as a Fujifilm shooter, I’m limited to SD cards with my gear.
To begin with, let's talk about the reasons you could be hesitant to reuse SD cards. The fear of corruption is a valid issue, as formatting an SD card multiple times can raise the possibility of data loss or corruption. I’m sure at least once in your career you have experienced or heard horror stories from colleges about them inserting their card into their computer and experiencing corrupted files. It’s not a feeling anyone wants to experience. I get anxious just hearing about it. If your SD card gets corrupted, it could lead to substantial financial and time losses, since you may need to reshoot or recreate your work if you are not able to recover the card, and this is especially true for professionals who work on tight deadlines or high-stakes projects. I do own an older copy of EaseUS I obtained a few years back that I have used to recover data from friend’s and colleagues’ storage cards. The only reason I have it is that one time I hired a second shooter a few years back who ended up having a corrupted CF card that had Photos that I really needed. To my surprise, the software worked right off the bat and we were able to recover all the files.
Nevertheless, buying new SD cards for each job can also have its drawbacks. The cost of memory has decreased drastically in recent years, making it easier to add the cost of a card to the cost of the job. However, for some creators, the expenses of continuously buying new SD cards can accumulate quickly, especially if they are working on multiple projects at once. Additionally, buying new SD cards all the time can be wasteful, as the old cards could end up being discarded or unused. I myself keep important jobs such as weddings or high-priced commercial work on the cards and store those in a fireproof safe for up to 3-4 years. They are still backed up onto 2 separate drives which contain the raw and edited files, but the SD Cards won't be reused in the time frame. Now I do have a few 120 GB cards as secondary cards in my camera. but even those get retired after a few months. I myself have never experienced card corruption, I shoot tethered to my Computer for most of my Jobs which automatically back up to a cloud drive.
So, what is the best solution? It ultimately depends on your individual requirements and preferences. If you are working on a high-stakes project or are worried about data loss or corruption, it may be best to use a new SD card for each task. This will guarantee that your data is stored safely and reduce the risk of corruption. However, if you are working on multiple projects at the same time or are on a tight budget, reusing SD cards might be a more practical solution. If you do opt to reuse your SD cards, there are steps you can take to reduce the chance of corruption. Primarily, make sure to format your SD card in your camera properly before every use. This will clear any residual data and prepare the card for new files. Additionally, consider investing in a dependable SD card reader and using it consistently. This will lower the risk of physical damage to the card and ensure that it is read correctly every time.
The decision to reuse SD cards or buy new ones ultimately depends on your individual requirements and preferences. Although the fear of corruption is a valid concern, taking proper precautions such as formatting your card before each use and using a dependable card reader can help minimize the risk. With the cost of memory going down, it may also be more feasible to include the cost of a new SD card in the cost of a job. No matter what method you decide to take, make sure to prioritize data safety and dependability in all of your projects.