20D to 5D - Computer Worries

[jimlp]

I run a Mac G4 tower with a 1.25 gig processor, I have had no problems with my 20D RAW files but I am a little concerned about the 5D RAW files. Can anyone comment on the difference if any between the 2 file sizes? I am currently running 512 meg of RAM but that is easily remedied. Thanks in advance for any replys I may receive.

[Tdragone]

I have the 20D. It's 8 MP; and the file size is 7.72 MB (8,102,831 bytes) according to windows explorer [Not a mac] So your 12.8 MP images should be 1.5 times that.

I don't think RAM will help too much since this is just basic file transfer speed.

How are you moving the files from the CF card to your PC? USB cable from camera or a card reader? If you're using a card reader; does it specifically say USB 2.0 on it? If not; spend 12 bucks and buy one that is. (ASSuming your G4 is USB 2.0)

[Jonny]

I don't think RAM will help too much since this is just basic file transfer speed.


RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM RAM

SHOULD I SAY IT AGAIN?

512 is simply not enough for processing photos anymore. You really should consider installing 2gb and you will notice a decent increase in performance.

This RAM will help you when the files on on your computer, it will not improve transfer speeds from the card to the mac.

[Jonny]

SORRY, i may have forgot to say..... RAM !!!!!

[tim]

Upgrade to a new intel based mac with at least 1GB of memory, 2GB is better. It'll run everything very, very fast (even photoshop, under windows).

[cforslund]

I would agree that more RAM would be at the top of the list. You have to remember that the resulting files from the 5D will be much larger. Working with larger files will require more RAM. You should also take available disk space into account. When I purchased my 5D I added additional disk space as well as larger CF cards. Disk space fills up quickly.

[SWPhotoImaging]

I am running a two-year old PC with a 2.xGhz processor and 2GB of RAM, and it runs plenty fast with CS2 and 5D RAW files. Some functions (smart sharpen is one) take a while to finish, but overall, it's fast enough that I wouldn't go through teh pain of an upgrade to improve speed. I think RAM is teh most critical, and having your scratch disk set to other than your program disk is also helpful to speed things up.
The 5D files will fill up your disk in a hurry though. A 13MB raw file becomes a 45-75MB TIFF pretty rapidly.

[blue_max]

Nobody has mentioned RAM. I think that will help. :lol:

You should have five times the largest file size as a bare minimum or it'll start swapping the data to the hard drive - and that is not quick.

But if you are not worried about time, it will manage it.

You can always see how you get on before you upgrade.

Graham