Why does my Nikon D3300 create a new folder every 999 photos, and how do I stop duplicate file names?

Question

My Nikon D3300 automatically creates a new folder on the memory card after a folder reaches its image limit. When that happens, the file names start over, which causes duplicates when I copy everything into a single folder on my laptop.

I transfer photos by removing the SD card and using my laptop’s built-in card reader. Is there a camera setting that keeps file numbers continuing across folders, or another way to avoid duplicate file names when importing?

user32110 · Accepted Answer

In your cameras reference manual, page 249, the menu setting "file number sequence" is described:

On

When a new folder is created, the memory card formatted, or a new memory card inserted in the camera, file numbering continues from the last number used. If a photograph is taken when the current folder contains a photograph numbered 9999, a new folder will be created automatically and file numbering will begin again from 0001.

Off

File numbering is reset to 0001 when a new folder is created, the memory card is formatted, or a new memory card is inserted in the camera. Note that a new folder is created automatically if a photograph is taken when the current folder contains 999 photographs

So, if you set this to "On", your photos will be numbered continuously up to 9999, spanning folders. (Unfortunately, only 4 significant digits are available)

There is no setting to put all photos in one folder (probably because of performance problems on FAT file systems), but this will help solve your problem of duplicate file names.

Why does my Nikon D3300 create a new folder every 999 photos, and how do I stop duplicate file names?

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