A digital camera’s memory card is key for capturing images. Read on for tips regarding the memory card for your Canon Rebel T1i/500D, including which card to buy, and how to insert, remove, and lock the memory card.
The kind of memory card
The Canon Rebel T1i/500D uses a specific type of memory card called an SD card (for Secure Digital), shown here. You can also use the new, high-capacity Secure Digital cards, which are labeled SDHC, as well as Eye-Fi SD cards, which enable you to send pictures to your computer over a wireless network.
How to insert the memory card
First, be sure that the camera is turned off. Then put the card in the card slot with the label facing the back of the camera, shown below. Push the card into the slot until it clicks into place.
How to format the memory card
Formatting your card ensures that the card is properly prepared to record your pictures. When you first insert a new card into your camera, choose the Format command from the Setup Menu 1. You can now opt to perform a normal card formatting process or a low-level formatting. Low-level formatting gives your memory card a deeper level of cleansing than ordinary formatting and thus takes longer to perform. Normally, a regular formatting will do.
Formatting erases everything on your memory card. So before formatting, be sure that you have copied any pictures or other data to your computer.
How to remove the memory card
First, check the status of the memory card access light, labeled in the figure above. After making sure that the light is off, indicating that the camera has finished recording your most recent photo, turn the camera off. Open the memory card door. Depress the memory card slightly until you hear a little click and then let go. The card should pop halfway out of the slot, enabling you to grab it by the tail and remove it.
How to handle the memory card
Don’t touch the gold contacts on the back of the card. When cards aren’t in use, store them in the protective cases they came in or in a memory card wallet. Keep cards away from extreme heat and cold as well.
How to lock the memory card
The tiny switch on the left side of the card, labeled lock switch in the figure below, enables you to lock your card, which prevents any data from being erased or recorded to the card. Press the switch toward the bottom of the card to lock the card contents; press it toward the top of the card to unlock the data.
