CF capacity

[videocafe]

I was shooting today in landscape mode with my G3 and the supplied 32MB CF card. With resolution set at M1 (1600x1200) the function menu indicates fifty-five recordable images but the card was filled after thirty-three photos.

The card had been erased before working today.

I know I need more memory overall but is the indicater off or undependable? Was this a failure of the CF card? Am I overlooking something with this overly complicated camera and its poorly designed manual??

Any insights would be appreciated!

[cityboy_ca]

I would say "If you think the Canon manual is bad, look at the Nikon one" but I really don't believe that finding something worse can make something better.

The number of pictures you can record on your card depends on the complexity of the image. Lots of blue sky/water, large expanses of simple design, etc. take less room on your card. On the other hand, complex images with lots of detail, texture, etc. will take much more room. I don't remember exactly what Canon says, but I do know that the estimated number of images that will fit on your card will depend on the complexity of the image - Canon assumes a certain amount of simple and a certain amount of complex areas... the estimate uses this average.

Now if you want to write back and say that your images were of white birds against a white cloud... well then, your card is knackered.

[FlyingPete]

I wouldn't be too worried, some of my more detailed shots at 1600x1200 (on my old Sony, now have a G3) got up to 1300kb! They generally averaged around 800-1000kb in size. This would mean that a 32MB card (formatted capacity 30.5MB), would hold between 30-38 images, with a worst case possible of 23!

Of course this all assumes that my old Sony has similar compression to the G3. I haven't tested this on my G3 as I always shoot at full resolution, extra fine compression.

Seems a little strange that the G3 reports enough space for 55 shots though?

After shooting for a while you get a better idea of how many shots you generally fit on a card, I find a counter that just tells you how many shots you have taken rather than how many more you can take more useful. Not sure if the G3 does that. Any ideas anyone?

[dtrayers]

Depending on the complexity of the detail in the image, as well as the ISO setting, file sizes can vary up to 1 MB for a Superfine/Large JPG or RAW file.

I recently took about 75 shots in Toronto, and the SF/L JPGs range from 1,179 Kb to 2,562 Kb. The RAWs are from 3,118 to 4,310 Kb.

More detail or high iso = larger file size.

The 'images remaining' indicator is assuming an average file size.

One more thing... the actual capacity of the card is somewhat less due to the file system overhead. My 128Mb card only reports as 122 Mb available in the 'Format' menu. My 32 Mb card reports about 30.

[Andy_T]

Actually, you should read the forum to find out why most people consider RAW files the way to go before deciding on your future CF needs.

In a nutshell, RAW gives you a lot more flexibility to adjust things like white balance and exposure after the picture has been taken, so you can correct errors on your PC. It was also mentioned that RAW files take between 3 to 4 MB each.

You should look at least at a capacity of 256 MB for your CF card (especially if you want to buy more than one).

I have been using an IBM 1GB microdrive for a year now on my G2 (approx. 350 RAW images) and had no problems, even if I spent more days out and did not have the possibility to download the photos to my laptop.

Regards,
Andy

[videocafe]

Thank you all for your responses.

Cityboy: Sure enough, most of my images were filled with detail and file sizes were well over 1MB; on the rare occasion where an expanse of sky was showing the file was smaller.

Likewise, FlyingPete: I bumped up the compression to Superfine for today's shoot, which yielded twenty-one frames on my meager CF card despite the indicator telling me I could expect thirty . . . this time I knew better (a little). And unless I'm reading the controls incorrectly the G3 counter is for shots remaining rather than the current frame number. Sigh.

dtrayers: Thanks for pointing out that ISO can also affect CF capacity. I discovered the actual capacity before I posted when I tried reformatting the card and 30.5 is right on. Btw, your name is uncannily similar to my own; change one letter is all.

Andy: Good advice; I plan to spend some time browsing the forum. I wonder, can you comment on record and ready time with the Microdrive compared to CF? Certainly sounds like the IBM is worth the money.

Again, thank you all for your timely replies.