Duplicate File Names

[robbo56gbr]

Today my Canon 80D hit the 9999th file name and continued at IMG_0001, IMG_002 etc

Do I need to rename the files as I import using the renamer tool, to avoid duplicates of previous much earlier files? If so are there any recommendations such as prefixing with the year or some other simple scheme

Thanks

[Jingo]

I always rename my image files to a more "meaningful" name... I think you'll find the majority of folks do as well. 

I include the camera model and the date along with the image number so IMG_0001 becomes: E-M5MarkII_10-01-23-0001

When I use my phone - files are renamed as well: S22Ultra_10-01-23-143318

If I use one of the other cameras or phones I own, it is super easy to see what system was used from the name: D50_05-02-18-459999  or S9+_09-04-20-4523

Good luck!

[JohnZeman]

Just to add my 2 cents worth I've been using the YYYY_MMDD_HHMMSS_SubSecond naming scheme for many years and I have never had a problem with name conflicts.  Unless I just happen to be using two cameras simultaneously with both cameras taking photos at the exact same time (which has never happened), I'll never have a name conflict and I never have.

For example the last photo I took was yesterday, it came out of the camera as IMG_1053, IMatch renamed it to 2023_1110_163024_098.

[sinus]

Just to add my 2 cents worth I've been using the YYYY_MMDD_HHMMSS_SubSecond naming scheme for many years and I have never had a problem with name conflicts.  Unless I just happen to be using two cameras simultaneously with both cameras taking photos at the exact same time (which has never happened), I'll never have a name conflict and I never have.

For example the last photo I took was yesterday, it came out of the camera as IMG_1053, IMatch renamed it to 2023_1110_163024_098.

That is, from my point of view, one of the best approach for filenaming Unique and sorting is correct.
Of course with a lot of possible variations.
But there are so many possibility, if it fits for the own workflow, all is good.

[ubacher]

Your file naming scheme is just another, additional way to organize/find your pictures.
And, well thought out, it will help you even without Imatch.

I too use the date/time hierarchy to rename and store files.
If I had to start all over I would surely use the file-naming John showed.

[robbo56gbr]

Thanks all for tips - will definitely adopt date time based system

[ubacher]

Forgot to mention: You need to also figure out a file name convention for scanned files or
for files which contain no metadata whatsoever.
This with using date and time can then be difficult because the actual date/time may not be known.

John: how do you handle such non-camera file naming?

[Mario]

The Renamer by default uses the global File.DateTime and this is derived as explained here: How IMatch fills File.DateTime During Import, including the "no timestamps available" fallback The 'Created / Last Modified' in the File System Fallback

The proper way to deal with such files is of course to set a date and time in the Metadata Panel once. Then everything is correct and all IMatch timestamp-based functions will work in the normal way: How You Set or Change Date and Time for Files

Do that before renaming and there are no problems or doubts.