Labeling and storing SDHC cards

[pd17]

How are HMC150 owners storing and labeling their SDHC cards while out on a shoot ? All of my other cameras have been tape based and I always pre label my tapes . The cards are obviously too small to write on . I bought some Transcend SDHC cards that don't come with cases . Has anyone found any cases to store multiple SDHC cards in ? Anyone have a system to keep their cards organized while on a shoot?

Dave

[ilauzirika]

The pana cards I buy have a writeable back were you can write something, usually some kind of code that you'll understand (ie. ce1 for ceremony first card , then ce2 or af1 for after party first card. I don't know something like that). Or if you don't like codes and have a nice and small handwriting you could always write full lenght sentences...
The codes could be even more complicated, you could keep a list with all the code references and a description for each one (this is more for long time storing).

I for one don't write anything cause I only have two 16 cards and when the first one is full I put it in a safe place and replace it with the empty one. The second one won't leave the camera till I get to my computer were I'll exchange it with the other one. That way they will never be together at the same time and I won't take the wrong one.....sounds more complicated that it is (mainly due to my lack of ability to explain things easily...).

Hope this helps.

[pd17]

Thanks for the ideas . I just picked a Pelican 0910 case . It's a small hard case with slots for 8 SDHC cards . I currently have 6 cards and I just want to make sure my cards are not swimming around in my camcorder bag . I've already misplaced one when it got caught in the pages of my manual that was in a side pocket . These things are so small I could see losing one easily . I thinks I'll label each slot and move the cards from one side of the case to the other once they are full .

Dave

[impressive creations]

Yeah, I am thinking those little circle colored stickers you can nab anywhere. ie.. Yellow's are Ceremony, blue's Receptions, orange prep, etc..

I too have a case that holds 8 cards. I have 4 right now. Used cards go on the top new on the bottom. Also, you can slide the little record safe thing as well.

Works for me.. Love it.. Expect my FCP wont log and transfer anymore. Weird.

Happy New Year.

b.p.

[David Saraceno]

The Pelican 0910 is a really solid, watertight, well built case.

[ullanta]

I have a case , from Hakuba, that holds 8 cards. As someone else has said above, one side of the case is only for empty cards, one is for cards with essential footage. This is strictly enforced. I have a second 4-card Hakuba case with "just in case" additional cards.

Most important, as a standard procedure, any time a card comes out of the camera with important footage, the write-protect switch goes on. The switch only goes off after downloading and backing-up of footage. In the field, except under the direst of circumstances, I never move a switch from protected to un-protected.

Next, each card has a number written on it with a permanent sharpie. I always carry a small pad or notebook where I can log the contents of each card by number. Even the ones that have a writing area don't have much room; and i don't really like the idea of the eraseable marker gun k so close to the connecors and electronics of the camera.

For me, this system has triple safeguards against any accidental erasure of footage, and provides very convenient logging...

[KKeller]

I wrote on my cards 1, 2, 3...etc. in sharpie and just shoot in order. I have 4 16gig and 3 8gig, I have never gotten mixed up.

[pd17]

I like the idea of numbering each individual card . That seems to be the most logical system for me . I can then use a notepad or the notes function in my Iphone to log the content . One more use for the Iphone . Thanks for the ideas . And I do like the Pelican 0910 case , just big enough to be easy to find and small enough for easy storage.

Dave

[Kit_L]

I won't be labelling any of my four Panny 16G cards; from stills work I have the convention of placing empty cards in the protective holder with brand facing out, and placing filled and locked cards back in facing the other way. I download to two FW drives; one for editing, and one for archiving that never gets touched (touch wood).

I plan on the same convention with the Panny cards.

[denverphotog]

I've found that those little stickers that came with my old dv tapes work perfect. I'll usually peel off the original label that was on the card so it is not too thick. use a pencil and you can re-use them.