Quickly formatting SD card

ajack · 07-20-2016, 10:17 AM - **1 Like**

I have a habit of reformatting my SD card every time I am done uploading pictures.

Is there a quicker way to do it on the K-1 other than diving through the menus? By my count it is 12 button presses to reformat. I was hoping there was a way to assign one of the user-settable buttons to bring up the Format menu but it doesn't seem like that is an option.

Any other tips for speeding up this process?

**W.j.christy** · 07-20-2016, 10:29 AM

I believe that you can set one of the FX buttons to be a quick/one press format button.

ajack · 07-20-2016, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by W.j.christy

I believe that you can set one of the FX buttons to be a quick/one press format button.

That was my hope but it seems like the Fx buttons can only be set to a limited number of functions and reformat is not one of them. Unless I am missing something...?

foxhead · 07-20-2016, 10:58 AM - **3 Likes**

On my K-5 I have set custom setting 24 to save the last menu location. Since I rarely go to the menus, and I always reformat the SD card after I've transferred the files, the menu button usually opens at the format function. I'm not sure if this is the best way to easily reformat on a K-1, but it works for me on the K-5.

**W.j.christy** · 07-20-2016, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by ajack

That was my hope but it seems like the Fx buttons can only be set to a limited number of functions and reformat is not one of them. Unless I am missing something...?

Check out page 98 - 100 in the manual.

Here's a link to it online. https://www.scribd.com/doc/306646761/K-1-Operating-Manual#fullscreen&from_embed

Its called one push format

Kunzite · 07-20-2016, 11:20 AM

That's to change the file format (JPEG, RAW, RAW+); not to format the card.

**eccs19** · 07-20-2016, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by foxhead

On my K-5 I have set custom setting 24 to save the last menu location. Since I rarely go to the menus, and I always reformat the SD card after I've transferred the files, the menu button usually opens at the format function. I'm not sure if this is the best way to easily reformat on a K-1, but it works for me on the K-5.

This is exactly what I do. Did it on my K5 and the K1 also has this built in. Just hit the menu button, and you're in the menu with the format option. No need to jump through hoops to get to the format function within the menu.

**jatrax** · 07-20-2016, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by foxhead

On my K-5 I have set custom setting 24 to save the last menu location. Since I rarely go to the menus, and I always reformat the SD card after I've transferred the files, the menu button usually opens at the format function. I'm not sure if this is the best way to easily reformat on a K-1, but it works for me on the K-5.

I believe this would be the fastest solution. Not exactly what the OP asked for but the best available method. I shudder just a bit at having a dedicated 'format' button. I am quite confident I would manage to press that by accident.

I also format a card every time it goes into the camera. And I have the menu set to 'stick' as @foxhead suggests. So it is just a couple button presses most of the time. And if more, well I think formatting should be something done with deliberation and intention, not a casual button press. YMMV.

**W.j.christy** · 07-20-2016, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

That's to change the file format (JPEG, RAW, RAW+); not to format the card.

Ahh so it is. thanks for the correction.

Mistlefoot · 07-20-2016, 12:04 PM

The simpler it is to format to card, the simpler it is to lose all your work.

ajack · 07-20-2016, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by Mistlefoot

The simpler it is to format to card, the simpler it is to lose all your work.

I'm not sure I really agree with that. Obviously there should be a confirmation step or two, but is 4 button presses really more likely to result in lost work than 12?

C_Jones · 07-20-2016, 12:52 PM

Personally I find it very simple to use the menu and just format the card or cards. It only takes a matter of seconds and is not password related. I suppose we all are entitled to our own preferences.

**mattb123** · 07-20-2016, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by Mistlefoot

The simpler it is to format to card, the simpler it is to lose all your work.

Then they should make it impossible. I don't want to lose all my work!

Adam · 07-20-2016, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by ajack

I have a habit of reformatting my SD card every time I am done uploading pictures.

Is there a quicker way to do it on the K-1 other than diving through the menus? By my count it is 12 button presses to reformat. I was hoping there was a way to assign one of the user-settable buttons to bring up the Format menu but it doesn't seem like that is an option.

Any other tips for speeding up this process?

A fast way to do this would probably end up being disastrous for many users.

You can, however, easily format the card using your PC once you're done transferring files, whether you're using a card reader or a direct USB connection.

**cpk** · 07-20-2016, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by ajack

Is there a quicker way to do it on the K-1 other than diving through the menus? By my count it is 12 button presses to reformat. I was hoping there was a way to assign one of the user-settable buttons to bring up the Format menu but it doesn't seem like that is an option.

Any other tips for speeding up this process?

I don't know the K-1 menus as I don't have one, but on my K-5 and K-5 II, it's only 6 button presses, not 12, to get to the Format menu item plus two more to actually format. I go backwards and up, back 5 times and up once to be at the Format menu. It becomes automatic after a while.

07-20-2016, 10:17 AM - 1 Like	#1
ajack Forum Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Maine Posts: 95	Quickly formatting SD card I have a habit of reformatting my SD card every time I am done uploading pictures. Is there a quicker way to do it on the K-1 other than diving through the menus? By my count it is 12 button presses to reformat. I was hoping there was a way to assign one of the user-settable buttons to bring up the Format menu but it doesn't seem like that is an option. Any other tips for speeding up this process?

07-20-2016, 02:01 PM	#14
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by ajack I have a habit of reformatting my SD card every time I am done uploading pictures. Is there a quicker way to do it on the K-1 other than diving through the menus? By my count it is 12 button presses to reformat. I was hoping there was a way to assign one of the user-settable buttons to bring up the Format menu but it doesn't seem like that is an option. Any other tips for speeding up this process? A fast way to do this would probably end up being disastrous for many users. You can, however, easily format the card using your PC once you're done transferring files, whether you're using a card reader or a direct USB connection. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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07-20-2016, 10:29 AM	#2
W.j.christy Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 558	I believe that you can set one of the FX buttons to be a quick/one press format button.

07-20-2016, 10:47 AM	#3
ajack Forum Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Maine Posts: 95 Original Poster	Originally posted by W.j.christy I believe that you can set one of the FX buttons to be a quick/one press format button. That was my hope but it seems like the Fx buttons can only be set to a limited number of functions and reformat is not one of them. Unless I am missing something...?

07-20-2016, 10:58 AM - 3 Likes	#4
foxhead Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 55	On my K-5 I have set custom setting 24 to save the last menu location. Since I rarely go to the menus, and I always reformat the SD card after I've transferred the files, the menu button usually opens at the format function. I'm not sure if this is the best way to easily reformat on a K-1, but it works for me on the K-5.

07-20-2016, 11:18 AM	#5
W.j.christy Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 558	Originally posted by ajack That was my hope but it seems like the Fx buttons can only be set to a limited number of functions and reformat is not one of them. Unless I am missing something...? Check out page 98 - 100 in the manual. Here's a link to it online. https://www.scribd.com/doc/306646761/K-1-Operating-Manual#fullscreen&from_embed Its called one push format

07-20-2016, 11:20 AM	#6
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	That's to change the file format (JPEG, RAW, RAW+); not to format the card.

07-20-2016, 11:34 AM	#7
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	Originally posted by foxhead On my K-5 I have set custom setting 24 to save the last menu location. Since I rarely go to the menus, and I always reformat the SD card after I've transferred the files, the menu button usually opens at the format function. I'm not sure if this is the best way to easily reformat on a K-1, but it works for me on the K-5. This is exactly what I do. Did it on my K5 and the K1 also has this built in. Just hit the menu button, and you're in the menu with the format option. No need to jump through hoops to get to the format function within the menu.

07-20-2016, 11:36 AM	#8
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by foxhead On my K-5 I have set custom setting 24 to save the last menu location. Since I rarely go to the menus, and I always reformat the SD card after I've transferred the files, the menu button usually opens at the format function. I'm not sure if this is the best way to easily reformat on a K-1, but it works for me on the K-5. I believe this would be the fastest solution. Not exactly what the OP asked for but the best available method. I shudder just a bit at having a dedicated 'format' button. I am quite confident I would manage to press that by accident. I also format a card every time it goes into the camera. And I have the menu set to 'stick' as @foxhead suggests. So it is just a couple button presses most of the time. And if more, well I think formatting should be something done with deliberation and intention, not a casual button press. YMMV.

07-20-2016, 11:40 AM	#9
W.j.christy Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 558	Originally posted by Kunzite That's to change the file format (JPEG, RAW, RAW+); not to format the card. Ahh so it is. thanks for the correction.

07-20-2016, 12:04 PM	#10
Mistlefoot Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia Photos: Albums Posts: 328	The simpler it is to format to card, the simpler it is to lose all your work.

07-20-2016, 12:26 PM	#11
ajack Forum Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Maine Posts: 95 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mistlefoot The simpler it is to format to card, the simpler it is to lose all your work. I'm not sure I really agree with that. Obviously there should be a confirmation step or two, but is 4 button presses really more likely to result in lost work than 12?

07-20-2016, 12:52 PM	#12
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	Personally I find it very simple to use the menu and just format the card or cards. It only takes a matter of seconds and is not password related. I suppose we all are entitled to our own preferences.

07-20-2016, 01:43 PM	#13
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Originally posted by Mistlefoot The simpler it is to format to card, the simpler it is to lose all your work. Then they should make it impossible. I don't want to lose all my work!

07-20-2016, 03:08 PM	#15
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 638	Originally posted by ajack Is there a quicker way to do it on the K-1 other than diving through the menus? By my count it is 12 button presses to reformat. I was hoping there was a way to assign one of the user-settable buttons to bring up the Format menu but it doesn't seem like that is an option. Any other tips for speeding up this process? I don't know the K-1 menus as I don't have one, but on my K-5 and K-5 II, it's only 6 button presses, not 12, to get to the Format menu item plus two more to actually format. I go backwards and up, back 5 times and up once to be at the Format menu. It becomes automatic after a while.