07-08-2025 02:31 PM
Ok, I need to admit that I am stumped and can't find an answer in the manual (pages 601 - 607). Guessing the answer is buried elsewhere, but I can't find it. I'm sure someone here knows what I am missing/not think of.
I've owned the R6 Mk ll for over a year and a half, have shot thousands of photos, and erased images at least a couple times per month... from BOTH cards. I should add that card #1 is set up for RAW, and card #2 is set for JPEG (due to rare times that I need the JPEG).
Erasing all images on the card > Blue menu > #1 > Erase all images on card.... Typically I always have the option of choosing either card 1 or card 2 somewhere along the line, and my typically routine is to erase one, then the other. However recently (about a month ago) the card icon in the upper right of this menu page only shows card 2. I can't figure out how to get it to go to card one. I'll erase card 2 (because that is showing) then back out, then go in again to erase card 1, but the camera says No Images and still shows card 2. I have to switch the cards to opposite slots, then it will give me the option to erase again. I don't see anywhere to switch cards in this menu.
Things to note...
* Images are added to both cards still when I shoot.
* One card is not faulty because when I switch cards to opposite slots, same thing happens not letting me erase whichever card is in slot 1. I've tried two totally different cards as well.
* If I go to the part of the menu to Format, then I can see both cards, and can format both.
This is going to sound incredibly stupid (so go ahead and tell me so - lol) but for years I've been erasing the cards on any camera pretty much by muscle memory without paying a heck of a lot of attention. So I honestly cannot tell you what I was doing to switch from card 1 to card 2 for erasing, but I can tell you there was a way that was so simple that I was doing it without thinking.
Maybe I need to switch back to regular coffee instead of the recent switch to decaf? 🙂
The image below is a screenshot of the manual. My actual camera menu only shows Card 2.
07-08-2025 03:54 PM - edited 07-08-2025 03:56 PM
I just grabbed my wife's R6 II and set it up for 2 cards (she only uses slot 1) using various dual card configurations. In the blue menu you refer to, I could only get card 1 to show and allow me to erase images.
Now, what I did find that allows me to manipulate both cards is the format function in the Wrench 1 menu. You could use this to erase images on card 2 🙂
Since I use both slots in my R5 series, I download from card 2 after every shoot and delete, using my computer, after transferring to my computer. Card 1 retains my shots until I am certain all is well. After editing, I delete images from card 1.
If you want to use the camera, just swap out cards - put card 2 in slot 1 - and delete that way. There may be a configuration of the cards that will allow both to show up in the Blue menu, but I couldn't find it, but I just fooled with it for a short time... Wife - "What are you doing to my camera? Me - Nothing Dear 😉
Newton
07-08-2025 05:59 PM
I go wrench then to format then I just format a card and then the other. This is probably wrong, but it has worked so far.
07-08-2025 06:58 PM
You need to go to the yellow wrench menu section and first choose one card for playback and then the second.
07-08-2025 08:12 PM
Greetings ,
Great thread guys. I've seen a few posts this year of people asking (some complaining) why can't I just erase both cards at once? I'm sure this is as designed to keep people from inadvertently losing images or data. I think there are some instances where this feature could be useful, but I personally prefer the "Fail-Safe" (for lack of better words) and don't find it cumbersome or difficult to select one card and then the other.
Cinema OS operates a little differently where you can actually select either card with a tap but in photo mode the R5 C operates as Newton and John outlined.
Like Newton, I also do not erase either card until I'm absolutely sure what they contain is on my computer and readable. I typically use CF ExpressB for video and SD for images. I occasionally keep the data (on camera) until I've backed up the data to a second source, usually a NAS.
I see the pros and cons and understand people's desire, but in the end my preference is for the format command to remain individual.
I respect the views of others and encourage them to leave [+]Feedback on the Canon USA homepage. This is the way to ensure product and feature requests make it to the right place. 🙂
~Rick
Bay Area - CA
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07-08-2025 08:14 PM
Why don’t you just format the card, instead of erasing all images? Similar result. Better in my opinion.
07-08-2025 10:41 PM
Some cameras allow settings to be saved to the card. Formatting would wipe that.
07-09-2025 04:02 AM - edited 07-09-2025 04:04 AM
“ Some cameras allow settings to be saved to the card. Formatting would wipe that. “
Non-sequitor. I don’t see how that relates to the problem of wanting to erase all images. Maybe I missed a comment somewhere.
I have two 1D bodies. Just like a firmware update, I used a different memory card to save and restore camera configurations. I used it just about as often as I performed firmware updates.
The camera is capable of storing three different configurations as custom shooting modes. I didn’t make a habit of restoring camera settings from a memory card in the field. Three stills camera configurations are enough for me.
My primary reason for saving and restoring camera configurations was for switching between shooting stills and capturing video. The R6ii is capable of storing three separate shooting modes each for stills and video.
My other motive for saving and restoring camera configurations was experimenting for learning about the camera by using different settings. I am past that stage.
07-09-2025 05:46 AM
@Waddizzle wrote:
“ Some cameras allow settings to be saved to the card. Formatting would wipe that. “
Non-sequitor. I don’t see how that relates to the problem of wanting to erase all images. Maybe I missed a comment somewhere.
I have two 1D bodies. Just like a firmware update, I used a different memory card to save and restore camera configurations. I used it just about as often as I performed firmware updates.
The camera is capable of storing three different configurations as custom shooting modes. I didn’t make a habit of restoring camera settings from a memory card in the field. Three stills camera configurations are enough for me.
My primary reason for saving and restoring camera configurations was for switching between shooting stills and capturing video. The R6ii is capable of storing three separate shooting modes each for stills and video.
My other motive for saving and restoring camera configurations was experimenting for learning about the camera by using different settings. I am past that stage.
Directly relates to the topic. It relates to the statement about formatting to erase images. Some photographers save multiple camera settings (not talking about C1, C2 etc.) to their cards. They allow changing the entire camera setup when recalled from card. Formatting a card would wipe out those files.
07-09-2025 05:52 AM
@Cantrell wrote:
I go wrench then to format then I just format a card and then the other. This is probably wrong, but it has worked so far.
Not wrong, but for certain cameras (R5II, R1, 1DX for example), formatting would wipe out saved camera settings.
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