EOS R5: Duplicate file names, unable to merge into one folder

[jess1230]

Hi, 

Ive got home from a shoot and went to unload the images and found that there are multiple folders and some of the files have matching file names so they cant be merged into the one folder.

What causes this? Ive never had this issue before (shooting with an R5 and RF70-200 lens.)

Thanks!
Jess

[jrhoffman75]

File names consist of eight characters. The first four are unique to the camera. ( Some cameras do allow the user to create there own four character prefix). The last four characters go from 0001 to 9999. Then the camera starts over again. But for you to have two files with 9990 means you would to have taken almost 20000 images if you started with a fresh formatted card and anew camera. Was it new or used?

I need to leave now. I will check in tomorrow   

[jrhoffman75]

Here is a page from your camera manual:

 I did check in your manual and see that the R5 lets you create your own file prefixes. Here is what I do:

1. My file prefix starts as 1D30 (my camera is a 1D X Mark III)

2. My camera is set for continuous file numbering.

3. I when my file count nears 9999 I change the prefix to 1D31 and reset the file counter.

4. Now my files are 10001 through 19999.

5. I repeat again when numbering approaches 9999.

6. When I import images I use the renumber tool in Canon DPP4 for final file numbering. I use: 1DX3_xxxxxx (previous cameras would be 1DX1, 1DM4, 1DM2).

[jess1230]

Thanks John, sorry I think I missed this message! I also to answer a few other questions, no I didn’t create a new folder on the card. 

thank you for the suggestion about renaming the first digits on the camera, I will try that and see if it works! I’ll do a test run during the week and report back! 

[jrhoffman75]

If you are shooting an event you might want to consider setting the first four characters unique to the event and then  format the card. Then you would have files directly connected to the event. If you do that for each event you wouldn’t have duplicates unless you tske more than 10000 images at the event. 

[jess1230]

Okay great idea I will try doing that. Thank you! 

[p4pictures]

Do you have a card in the other card slot, even if it is not being written to?

To download the pictures from the card, do you remove the card you are using and close the camera's card door while you download from the card to your computer?

[jess1230]

Hi guys, sorry for the delay in responding. Yes I have two cards in the camera.  When I got home, I took the card out of the Camera and put it straight into the card reader. I honestly don’t remember if I closed the door on the camera straight away or not. I definitely would have at some stage because the camera is back in my bag and I wouldn’t have stored it with the latch open. 

I worked out how to rename the files so that they are in order of time taken. So at least that’s fixed but I have a huge event coming up in two weeks and I need to get this sorted out before then! 

Thanks again for your help. 
PS I read that screen shot from the manual thank you. 

Jess

[shadowsports]

John,

Your file naming is impressive 😄

Brian,

I think you're on to something.  If you close the door after removing a card, file naming discrepancies including the destination can change.

[p4pictures]

Here's my thinking. The EOS R5 is a two slot camera with CFexpress and SD slots.

Assume that the OP writes the files to the CFexpress normally, and the SD is simply used as potential overflow if the CFexpress fills up when the Rec options are Standard or Auto switch card.  

Assuming that the last file written on the CFexpress is IMG_8000.CR3 and it's in folder 105CANON. When the CFexpress is removed and put in a card reader, if the camera card door is closed the camera has to check which cards are present and what is the largest numbered file and folder. If the SD card happens to have a folder 101CANON with IMG_9001.CR3 in it. Then when the camera checks what cards and what is the largest file number it finds IMG_9001.CR3 and updates its counter so the next image written is IMG_9002.CR3 even if no pictures are taken. The camera also decides to carry on writing in the 101CANON folder of the SD card. 

So when the CFexpress is replaced in the camera and the door is shut, then the camera looks at both cards, finds the IMG_8000.CR3 on the CFexpress and just carries on with numbering images from IMG_9002.CR3 on either card. 

However the EOS R5/R6 the dual card operation has an option to select a priority card, it's card1 - the CFexpress on the R5. IF you don't enable the priority card, then the camera would write on the SD card even when the CFexpress is put back in the camera. If priority card is set and the CFexpress has space the camera writes to this card, starting from IMG_9002.CR3 in 105CANON folder. Soon enough the card will roll over and need to create a new folder after IMG_9999.CR3 is captured. It creates folder 106CANON and resets the counter to IMG_0001.CR3. When this CFexpress is removed to download to the computer and the door is closed, the count is updated and the next image will be IMG_9002.

This scenario is the one that results in duplicated filenames much more quickly than after 9999 images.

The solution is to format the SD card so that it has no photos on it. Then format the CFexpress. Then even when the CFexpress card is removed the count will simply follow the number on the CFexpress card.