Writing on CF cards

[nacamera]

Simple question:
What are people using to write on CF cards? We've discovered that the back side of a Red CF card which seems to be the "writing" area doesn't work with dry erase, or china pencils.(They are basically permanent) What's everyone using? The data tech here needs to be able to make some kind of an erasable notation on the many cards we'll go through every day.


Thanks,
Bob Donnelly
North American Camera

 

[Dylan Reeve]

If dry-erase markers aren't working, try putting some sellotape on there and writing on that with the dry-erase markers (the shiny type of tape, not scotch tape). Should work, and can be pulled off if it gets nasty.

 

[David Didato]

Why would I want to write with dry erase when the writing will be gone in 2 seconds once touched? I'm using camera tape as tags. Once backed up, a tag is pulled and kept on a board or wall. This keeps track of what 'mags' have been shot.

 

[Brian Broz]

Good to know that camera tape works. I would have thought the thickness of the tape would make the CF card too thick...but good to know!

 

[Leo Ticheli]

Here's a suggestion that should be fairly easy to implement: could Red print each CF card label with a serial number?

These individual numbers could then be keyed to anyone's system.

Good shooting and best regards to all,

Leo Ticheli
Director/Cinematographer

 

[nacamera]

CF card labeling

CF card labeling

I think I'd be VERY nervous about putting any kind of tape on the CF card, and then sticking it in the CF module. If that were to come off for any reason (heat) while still in the module, you've got a big problem.
We'll do some more experimenting, and if anything interesting comes up I'll share it here.

Best,
Bob Donnelly
North American Camera
Milwaukee, WI

 

[Shawn Booth]

Sharpie. I wrote my company name and card number on the back.
I only have four for now, so it was easy.

No one's using Sharpie?

 

[Brent J. Craig]

Here's a suggestion that should be fairly easy to implement: could Red print each CF card label with a serial number?

Every CF card I have ever seen has a long serial number printed or embossed along one edge. Don't yours?

 

[nacamera]

Every CF card I have ever seen has a long serial number printed or embossed along one edge. Don't yours?

Yes, all my cards have serial numbers. These aren't really the point. I'm speaking about the ability to (or in this case not to) be able to easily write a temporary number/letter on the card to make it easy for the data tech to keep track of what's what in the heat of shooting. Looking at some fine-print multi-digit serial number on the card doesn't really help with that.
I never thought I'd say that this makes me miss Panasonic's P2 cards with their built in dry erase board on the card, but they do.
The search continues...

 

[Harry Clark]

I wrote my company info in Sharpie, just for ID purposes.
Brother P-Touch to write on with fine line dry erase...
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Bmoreshaun]

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I would think a black permanent marker marking them by number, #1, #2, #3,etc... should be enough...if you have enough CF cards going that this might get confusing before you have the chance to unload and log, just have a paper log that will keep em' straight for the logger. unless you were planning on keeping them for storage, though I wouldn't imagine. Oh, I guess you could also mark them according to how you want to keep them formated, though I imagine that would inevitably change when needed.....