Resetting File Sequence # to Match Shutter Count

hark

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When I took some photos with my D7100, I noticed the file sequence number and the shutter count didn't match. Thanks to @nickt for a link that explained the process, I was able to match them up.

In the shooting menu of the D7100 (and no doubt a menu option for other bodies), d7 gave me the option to change the first 3 letters for the file name. Below that is an option to reset the file sequence number to 0000. The option to reset the file number was staring me in the face, but I didn't see it until Nick told me to reset the digits there (even Jake said the option was there but I just hadn't seen it).

After pressing the option to reset the digits, I had to go through a short process to change the actual file number sequence to match the serial number. So I took one photo which gave me the file number of 0001. I inserted the memory card into a card reader on my computer and uploaded the image to CameraShutterCount.com to obtain the shutter count.

Then I went back to the memory card which was still in my computer's card reader and changed the file digits to the same 4 digits of the shutter count. When I was finished, I did the same thing for the second card and inserted both cards back into their respective slots in my D7100 (first slot shoots NEF and second slot shoots jpeg) without yet reformatting the cards.

I took a few additional test shots and saw on the back of the display the file numbers were shooting with the next digits in the sequence. And to be sure, I pulled the cards out and checked the shutter count. I reformatted both cards in camera and took a few more test shots. The numbers definitely continue in the correct sequence.

So if your shutter count doesn't match your file sequence number (and if you want to change it), this process should allow you to reset it correctly.
 

nickt

Senior Member
Glad to help. Just a reminder for everyone, these numbers, the actual shutter count and file sequence number, will drift apart over time. Live view shots make an extra shutter count that will be logged but it will not be reflected in the file number. In the other direction, things like an in-camera edit will generate a new file sequence number without a shutter count increase.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Glad to help. Just a reminder for everyone, these numbers, the actual shutter count and file sequence number, will drift apart over time. Live view shots make an extra shutter count that will be logged but it will not be reflected in the file number. In the other direction, things like an in-camera edit will generate a new file sequence number without a shutter count increase.

It can get a lot worse if you use a camera with an electric shutter option, my Panasonic is about a 1,000 out now.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
Other than knowing what the shutter count is, why are folks concerned that the file sequence stays in sync with the shutter count?

It takes 3 seconds to determine a shutter count. And the info is only useful if you're "buying" a used camera... Even Nikon doesn't use shutter counts in any meaningful warranty service except as an indicator of wear... and/or some internal distinction when "refurbishing" a camera...
 

hark

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Other than knowing what the shutter count is, why are folks concerned that the file sequence stays in sync with the shutter count?

It takes 3 seconds to determine a shutter count. And the info is only useful if you're "buying" a used camera... Even Nikon doesn't use shutter counts in any meaningful warranty service except as an indicator of wear... and/or some internal distinction when "refurbishing" a camera...

I was considering selling a body but had no idea why the shutter actuations and the file sequence were different. Nick gave me helpful insights and explanations. I had no clue they could get out of sync - and never really gave it any thought.
 

nickt

Senior Member
Do things like Open Shutter For Cleaning, Long Exposure Noise Reduction, etc count as shutter actuations?
Cleaning-yes. I think anything that cycles the shutter gets counted. I'm not sure what the shutter does during long exp noise reduction, I thought it stayed shut for the black shot, but not sure off hand.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Cleaning-yes. I think anything that cycles the shutter gets counted. I'm not sure what the shutter does during long exp noise reduction, I thought it stayed shut for the black shot, but not sure off hand.

If so, then the file numbers will be off the first time you do so.

The next issue will be Nikons only number files up to 9999. It won't go to 10,000, it will revert to 0000. So once you hit 10,000 actuations, the count will forever be different from the file number.
 

hark

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If so, then the file numbers will be off the first time you do so.

The next issue will be Nikons only number files up to 9999. It won't go to 10,000, it will revert to 0000. So once you hit 10,000 actuations, the count will forever be different from the file number.

When I reached that number on my D750, I opted to change the DSC to 10K so my files are now listed as 10K0001 etc. But if I do that for every body, then I will have multiple files with the same file numbers. Since I don't shoot a lot, and my D750 has the most shutter actuations, it isn't a concern at this point.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Seems like a lot of work for........?

Why not just fuhgeddabowdit and if you ever need the shutter count, look it up using a recent image and a good EXIF reader?
 

hark

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Seems like a lot of work for........?

Why not just fuhgeddabowdit and if you ever need the shutter count, look it up using a recent image and a good EXIF reader?

I had no idea going into this that it was so easy for the file numbers and the shutter counts to be different. Just thought others might want to know the why and how. I'm curious to check my other bodies but not so sure I will change any if they are different. It's just something I never heard about previously.
 
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