SD Card Compatibility
The number of RAW for a 2 Gb card seems very low to me. My 2Gb CF card for *istD holds 144 RAW images. Also from your own figures, a 2GB card should hold approx 4x that of the 512Mb card!
Andy
Nowadays, many cards come pre-loaded with software for recovering lost files. It needs to be moved to the main computer.
G
But it does demonstrate that different brands have slightly different capacities. All have been formatted in the camera.
I'd therefore expect a 2GB card to hold around 180+
somebody smarter than me please throw in a difinitave answer before I hurt my witto bwain...
The jpegs will vary in size, my D estimates 122 available shots on a 512Mb CF card when formatted, but can easily accommodate 200 if the conditions are right. Likewise, the RAW image filesize will vary because, as far as I'm aware, there's an embedded jpeg within the file, which is used for previews in some software I guess. Hence this jpeg will vary in file size, and therefore the RAW will too.
What I have noticed from these posts is that the D saving to CF gets around 36 RAW files per 512Mb, whereas the DS/DL saving to SD get around 45+. Any ideas why?
Dan
What I have noticed from these posts is that the D saving to CF gets around 36 RAW files per 512Mb, whereas the DS/DL saving to SD get around 45+. Any ideas why?
I believe that the newer cameras have a better lossless compression applied to the RAW files
Andy
But then, better in-camera processing probably more than makes up for that if there is. (D owners look a little less smug )
Dan
For RAW it could be: a) a difference in the way the thumbnails are created, b) differences in the CF & SD technologies.
I'll let you know about the differences - have a D already, and a DS arriving today. I'll try and set something up.
I do know that CF and SD technologies are very different. It might be down to how the spare data is used in the flash blocks. You see each page of 512 bytes (or 204 has an extra chunk of information that's used for the filesystem linking, ECC (error correction), and the like. I'd have to double check the details as I mainly work with bare NAND-flash chips (which is what xD and SmartMedia cards are).
In addition, all flash media has bad blocks (either shipped, or acquired). Normally you don't know about those blocks, except perhaps that when you check the exact size of the card it isn't quite what you expect
Edit: Have tried a few shots with the *ist-DS. My guess is that the thumbnail JPG isn't as large in the DS PEF, compared to the D PEF.
And also - what a completely different shutter sound they have! I thought they'd be the same. Even the grip is a bit more "definite" on the DS, though the grip part at the rear is a bit "sharp".
Matt
Seems like quite a big difference for a smaller jpeg - I'm guessing the DS PEFs are around 10.5Mb? My D ones are usually about 13Mb.
I recently tried the DL2(?) to see what the 50-200 was like, and the grip did seem better than the D, although no vertical grip option is a big no-no for me. The lens seemed to be quite slow in focusing, compared to any of my lenses on the D - just seemed sluggish, not so much hunting as taking its time to get anywhere. Is this normal on the DL, or a dodgy lens, or just the way the lens is geared?
Dan
I'll check out the DS vs D format in dcRAW when Iget half a chance.
Yes, the DS is achingly slow at focus compared to the D. I don't think it's the lens at all, but the body. The grip is mire 'positive', and the shutter is 'softer'. Still prefer the D overall
Matt
Oh, and the LCD's better.
And that grip of course...
Dan
They probably expected you to be using huge lenses on the D.
Let's hope they put the power AF motor on the new D replacement...
Incidentally, getting back on track - I received an SD-CF adapter from DigitalEra in the UK. Speedy delivery, and works exactly as it says. I shoved a 256Mb SD card in the adapter and put it in the *ist-D. No problems.
Can't give you any timing tests... will have to wait until I get the faster SD cards delivered.
Matt
Dan
Dan
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7 posts
17 years
Lincs,
UK
NB. The numbers in brackets after the card relate to the number of images stored in RAW and JPEG-HI at full resolution (6MP), ie (46/166)
Here are my contributions;
Sandisk 512mb Ultra II (46/166)
Sandisk 2Gb Extreme III (186/689)
(Edited the 2Gb figures after checking again - thought I'd formatted the card, but apparently not! - thanks to those who pointed out my ineptitude!!)
Dave
*ist DL2 + 18-55 + 50-200
... and tons of other cameras!