Question for CDS or any other 4Gb MD users

[neil_r]

I have a 1D MkII and am using a 512 SD a 512 CF and a 1 GB MicroDrive, I also carry an X drive.

I have just had a remarkably successful sale on e-bay and can afford some big storage. It’s a toss up between 2 x 2Gb MDs or one 4Gb.

The question is, how many RAW images can you get on your 4Gb drive and what are the pros and cons of it?

A supplementary question, I posted this on the Small Compact forum and got not one answer. I have recently bought a Canon PowerShot S70 do any of you know:-

a. What is the maximum size CF card I can use with it (the manual only mentions up to 512 Mb) ?

b. Any idea when PS, BB or C1 will support the S70 RAW conversion?

Many thanks

N

[CyberDyneSystems]

Neil.. I paid $200.00 for my 4GB via an older model "Muvo" MP3 player.. I would not spend the retail cost on one personally.

I do use it and very much like the capacity (300 plus RAW files,.. i'd give an exact number but I don't have the gear at work..)

Right now a 2GB CF card can be had for about $250.00... I also have one of these.. and THAT is the card that LIVES in my MkII

I'd say a pair of them and an X-drive makes more sense. Couple that with a 512 or 1 GB SD card and your up to 3 GB of flash memory for not a whole lot.

Needless to say.. I do use the MD drive though.. filled it a number of times with no problems and in the MkII it is plenty fast. It is a lot slower when it comes time to transfer though.. either to an X-drive or via USB2 card reader.

I actually don't tend to use it with the X-drive.. unless I have AC power as it drains the X-drive battery fast. So when the 4GB is full it stays that way untill I get to a PC or an outlet.

[neil_r]

Many thanks

N

[sGu]

why MD, Neil? despite the cost ... of course

what if you drop it by mistake? isn't that gonna affect data and cause damage?

[Cadwell]

why MD, Neil? despite the cost ... of course

what if you drop it by mistake? isn't that gonna affect data and cause damage?

Nope. I've dropped mine often enough. They all still work just fine.

[sGu]

what about speed? are you happy with it when you shoot motorsport? just curious since i've never used one before

[Cadwell]

what about speed? are you happy with it when you shoot motorsport? just curious since i've never used one before

The 4GB is slow on a 10D (although it improves greatly if you format it on the PC with the right block size rather than let the camera do it). The 1GB microdrive is better. I use it and 2 x 1GB cards (Sandisk UltraII and Lexar 40x) for trackside work.

I normally use the 4GB round the paddock and pits where speed isn't that important.

[sGu]

thanks for the reply :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

On the MkII the 4GB MD is in fact a regular speed deamon.. besting Lexar's 40X cards and a lot more.

No Idea why? But it cooks.. now of course it's access times for play back are a different story.. something on the order of 30 times slower! RG's database does not go into that.. but then it is hardly a big concern as it doesn't effect shooting performance.