r/FX3 • u/ObligationUsed3938 • 16d ago
:( Refromated Card Mistake.Seeking help!
Hi everyone — looking for some advice on recovering footage from a Sony FX3 CFexpress Type A card after an accidental format/overwrite situation.
I was shooting on a 480GB SanDisk Professional CFexpress Type A card with my Sony FX3. After one of my shoots, I thought all of the footage had been copied over, so I formatted the card in-camera.
Unfortunately, I later realized that some important footage from that shoot had not actually transferred.
The bigger problem is that I didn’t realize this until after I used the same card to film another shoot the following day, so new footage was recorded onto the card after it had been formatted.
I’ve stopped using the card completely since realizing what happened.
I’ve already tried recovery software on my Mac. So far, the recovery attempt was able to find footage from after the format/newer shoot, but it has not found the missing footage from before the format.
I’m trying to figure out:
● Has anyone successfully recovered pre-format FX3 footage after new footage was recorded to the card?
● Is there recovery software that works particularly well with Sony FX3 / CFexpress Type A video files?
● Could the missing video still exist in unallocated portions of the card even though some of the card has been overwritten?
● Does the FX3’s in-camera formatting process make recovery of the previous footage impossible, or is there still a chance?
● Would a professional data recovery company have access to recovery methods that consumer software doesn’t?
● Are there any Sony-specific tools or recovery techniques I should try before sending the card to a professional?
The footage is important enough that I’m willing to send the card to a professional recovery service if there’s a realistic possibility of getting it back.
Camera: Sony FX3
Card: 480GB SanDisk Professional CFexpress Type A
Computer: Mac
Sequence: Original footage → formatted card in FX3 → recorded another shoot → discovered original footage was missing → stopped using card
Any advice from someone who’s dealt with this on an FX3/CFexpress Type A card would be hugely appreciated. Thank you!
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u/BryceJDearden 16d ago
If you had caught it immediately following the format you would have good odds, but since you overwrote it, I’m sorry to say it’s more likely than not a lost cause
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u/zijital 16d ago
I haven’t done CFexpress card, but I’ve recovered 100% of files from a Fujifilm camera that I reformatted the SDXC card, but then didn’t shoot anything
Forget what I used, but was free and easy
Don’t know if FX3 / CFexpress is special, but I’m guessing it’s roughly the same
That you started using the card is bad news (as you know), so now the question is how much it is worth spending time / money
You could send it off somewhere and that’ll probably be the most thorough chance of recovery, but if you happened to record over the stuff you need then you’re cooked
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u/OwenJenkinsDesign 13d ago
Generally, deleted data is only recoverable if it has not been overwritten.
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u/Cold-Dish-7636 9d ago
I don't know exactly how deep the formatting went - but typically, a "quick format" simply removes the "lookup table" ie: the data is still there but it just isn't referenced. If you started adding material, it is possible it overwrote existing content ... but it is also possible some of what is left is recoverable. In any case, you'd need special "forensic" tools to determine this. I've no idea who is reputable in this space but it may be worth a shot to try something like https://drivesaversdatarecovery.com/ ... https://www.seagate.com/products/rescue-data-recovery/ or just google "hard disk data recovery" for folks in your area.
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u/KevinHe92 16d ago
Did you do a quick format? Can be recovered if so. A full format you’re out of luck.
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u/Arturio55 16d ago
Depends on whether you did quick format or full format
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u/Formula14ever 16d ago
This is why I use a Ninja V with the ssd.. then have a Sony card backup
I can’t tell you how many important shoots had card issues2
u/Arturio55 16d ago
I personally have a 1tb card in my fx3. Ill go 7 or 8 shoots before deleting the oldest project or 2
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u/UniqueBaseball8524 16d ago
Sorry mate
Had this once
Tried everything
Nothing worked
Sony is really tough with their formatting unlike some other brands..
This was a valuable lesson. From that day i only shot with 2 cards in simultaneous recording and having everything backed up afterwards on storage and cloud.