Duplicate Filenames and Multiple Canon EOS Cameras

[xplorer-3]

Is there an easy way (program) to prevent duplicate file names when transferring pics via card readers from multiple Canon EOS devices which all have the same filename format "IMG-xxxx". Specifying downloads to a dated folder name exacerbates the problem when combining the pics into a common folder at a later time. We have been manually renaming but this is becoming burdensome. Was wondering if PSP X4 has a front end downloading program that could handle this. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Mike

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

I use the Canon Utility to transfer my images.

I viewed the Canon software and it allows you to choose a new file name rather than using the default camera name.
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Windows Explorer can batch rename if that will help with the existing files.
Using Ctrl+A will select all, now right click the first and re-name, all files will be renamed plus a prefix number.

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Batch rename software may help, one called Bulk-Rename was quite good and could rename to any format, a little difficult to use, but excellant results

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Not sure about PSP?

Edited

Just tried PSP to import from camera, the program uses the cameras file names.
However there is a Re-Name option using PSP X4?

[ronzie]

This $30 download utility allows camera metadata from the exif or dnc formats embedded in the image to be added to folder and image title. You set up a macro format for the folder and for the image which also has a macro field available that will prompt you for input. It can use your camera direct USB (Canon specific models) or card reader (most brands) and will via either provide thumbs so you can select from the card storage those you wish to download. For me this allows me to name folders by subject besides the actual shooting timestamp to the file/folder name. The there is a symbol for camera type as well.

http://www.breezesys.com/Downloader/features.htm

Here are just some of the symbols (tokens) than can be added to the folder and file names. Note camera model is one of them. In addition if the camera allows you to input an owner name into its storage fields that also might prove useful to you if your cameras are specifically assigned to certain staff.