File number sequence on D300

[afuecker]

Dear folks,

i've been using my D300 for 9 month now and soon i'll have to reset the file numbers, i.e. the counter reaches

' DSC_9999'. Now, i don't want 'DSC_0001' being overwritten by another file with the same name. Do i understand

correctly that the camera opens up a new folder to go around that problem?

Being an amateur i don't have huge loads of photos, so which is the way to go:

1. Go with a new folder and keep the 'DSC_xxxx' numbering. Flipside: i get different folders.

2. Keep the actual folder and change the prefix 'DSC_xxxx' to 'AAA_xxxx'.

3. Rename the files/photos while uploading unto the computer.Problem: I'm lazy.

Thank you for any input, and maybe an explanation as for 'why'

Andreas

[ken_kartes]

I would like the file numbers to start with the date.

[leicaglow]

Personally, I have the camera reset the numbers each time it formats the card, but I upload them to different folders. I like this approach because it gives me date stamps on the folders. The other thing is that if you let the numbers go on and on, it's a little more difficult to tell which image numbers were used for a specific shoot. If I've got number XXX_3929, what was the first number? Everytime I upload files using the Nikon capture program or ACDSee, it puts the images in a separate folder. If you take them off the camera by "hand", then you have to manage the folders yourself.

[Rene11664880918]

A new folder won't make any difference when you down load the files to your computer. If you don't want to override your

files you will have to change the prefix of the files. Personally, since I used to have a D80 I renamed the files to 300_0001

and then I will go to 301_0001 and so on. Rene'

[berg_na]

I've actually never had to deal with this situation, but I'd choose your 2nd option and increment the filename prefix to DSD, DSE,... This way the images will still be in the correct order sequence. Good question!

[tachion]

Actually this IS a big problem if you are not careful, because you will have multiple photos with the same name floating about in your computer folders, a total pain in the rear. The same issue would crop up if you use more than one camera body.

 

The best solution I think is to use Nikon Transfer to download the photos from the camera or the card to the computer. You can configure Nikon Transfer to automatically change the name of each file the way YOU want to name them. It allows you to add a date, to change the prefix, to add a suffix and it will automatically create a new folder for you for each download, if you so desire. This way you can be lazy and still have all the names of your photos be unique. It works really great.

[afuecker]

Thanx for the input,folks!

@tachyon:Is that under the 'Primary destination','rename photo' -option?

The problem is: I sometimes shoot jpeg and these pictures are downloaded onto the computer with

PS elements 5.1.If i downloaded with Transfer the pics would retain their name and i would have to import them into PS instead of using the automatic download tool?

Should i maybe do a 'How to get pics onto a computer without getting confused'-course?

Thanks a lot for all your answers!

[ken_kartes]

Tahcion you are correct, start moving files around and you will have duplicate file names, which is why I would like file names that start or have the date included.

[gary_krieg]

I used the file name prefix option, first 9999 pictures prefixed with D30, second 9999 pictures prefixed with D31 and so on.

[robertbody]

I use a Prefix of NK0_ initially, when i reached NK0_9999, i changed the prefix to NK1_ so next file was NK1_0001...

<br><br>

well actually when i uploaded the files to the computer i noticed it wrapped around to NK0_0001 so I knew it's time to change it on the D300. I ran a program that changed the existing computer files. But that is manually copied files through Windows, you said you use some other program.

<br>

<img src="http://www.robertbody.com/panoramic08/images/2008-09-04-supers-silh-23688sp.jpg">

[pyndt]

<p>I have always used Nikon View for transferring my files from my D200 and now also D300. Nikon view lets you choose current date as folder name i.e. Img2009-01-15 and adds the date to the filename i.e. Img2009-01-15_0001<br>

This way you get unique file names and its easy to find files</p>

[dan_brown4]

<p>I use the prefix NFX and NDX for my D700 and D200 respectively, and I do not reset the count. The files order themselves in a directory listing. I just wish the numeric sequence was 5 digits instead of 4. Then, it could even represent the shutter count ;-)</p>

[phule]

<p>[[because you will have multiple photos with the same name floating about in your computer folders, a total pain in the rear]]</p>

<p>I have lots of image files with the same name on my computer. I never have had a problem with it, because I use a data management tool. (In my case, Lightroom.)</p>