Automatic naming of pics in the camera as they are taken

I just got a 3100 and even reading the manual I can seem to figure out how to change the way pics are named in the camera its self.
I want the file name to come from the time and date at the time. Right now it automatically saves as 0001 or 0012 and so on but repeats every time I dump the pics in the camera. This way I am always getting notified, there is already a file by that name, do I want to replace it? So then I have to save to different folder and change name then put in folder I originally wanted. If it uses the date time to name it I will never have a duplicate file name.
Please Help. [email protected]

I don't know about the 3100, but in the D700 if you can change the settings in the menus. I am sure the two are similar in the way you name stuff. What I do for personal stuff is change the file name to my initials, STM, or when if I am doing client or portaiture work, I change the file name to their initials and re-zero the count on the file with each new shoot.

Nikon's manuals were most likely written by engineers, not photographers, which is why they read like damn stereo instructions. I am sure you could probably go to a search engine and find a more user friendly explanation.

You cannot change the format of the filename, and on the D3100 you cannot change any part of it (the prefix can be changed on some cameras from DSC to anything you'd like). You're limited to 8 character file names, which I'm sure has everything to do with saving bits in the operating system. If you want to change the name then import modules like Lightroom will allow you to use exif data to manipulate the name on import.

You can, however, make sure the numbering doesn't restart from 1 every time you turn the camera off. On the D90 it's under the Custom menus in the Shooting section and is called File Sequence Numbering. It needs to be ON if you don't want it to reset every time.

Also if you use the software that came with the camera (ViewNX2) you can change the name when you upload. Almost unlimited changes. Also you will find it useful to let it create a new folder each time it uploads. It will create a new folder using the date. You can then go back and change that folder name to something more useful like zoo trip 3/5/13 or wherever you shot today.

My issue is that I use one folder to dump all my various pics into and then from there I can change things as needed or move them to other folders. It simplifies it for my use. It is a pain in my ass to have to change everything as I dump the pics. If I could get it to at least never start from 0001 again and keep a running count, that would work. But the numbering seems to start from 0001 everytime I dump the pics. Major PIA

heepfan said:

My issue is that I use one folder to dump all my various pics into and then from there I can change things as needed or move them to other folders. It simplifies it for my use. It is a pain in my ass to have to change everything as I dump the pics. If I could get it to at least never start from 0001 again and keep a running count, that would work. But the numbering seems to start from 0001 everytime I dump the pics. Major PIA

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I find it easier, frankly, to not automatically import photos when I plug in my camera. I either pull the SD card out of the camera and use a USB card reader, or set the default Windows action to "Open the Folder for Viewing" (or browsing or whatever it calls it) instead of importing automatically. I don't like letting Windows have too much control over s--t like this...

Anyway, with the folder now open, I select the photo's I want to move (or use Ctrl+A to select them all) and drag and drop them the destination folder I want. The files are being numbered sequentially in your camera, but they're being resequenced 0001, 0002, 0003 ... BECAUSE you're importing them. Look at the files on your camera's SD card and I think you'll see what I'm talking about. I don't know if you'll find my method acceptable but it's fast and efficient once you get the hang of it, aaaand you maintain perfect control over everything.

I use my camera just like another drive when I plug it in. I do it all manually. nothing automatic. I take so many pics of so many different things it is much easier for me to dump them all in 1 folder and then at my leisure I can sort through them. I never use the programs that come with any camera. I have enough programs on my pc already. I was playing with it earlier and I think it will work once I turned sequencial numbering on. I just need to finally get above the highest number already in my folder. I dumped all pics and turned it off, then back on and took more and it seems to keep going instead of restarting the numbering. We will see.