How much Memory

[Arun Nicklen]

Hi, I was just wondering if 21gb of SD cards is going to be enough to shoot a wedding, or am i going to need more. I shoot in Raw usually.

Cheers

[SurplusCorn]

I'd say that would be plenty. I did once on a 400D with only 8GB and I had to shoot some of the less important shots in JPG. I'm doing one in 2 weeks (!!!) and for that I'll have a 40D with 4x4GB cards which I think will be plenty.

[egordon99]

I have 4 4GB cards for my first wedding tonight. I get ~300 shots per card (40D/RAW). I'll let you know if it's enough later this weekend ;)

[ben_r_]

Depends on how you shoot... Is your percentage of keepers high, or are you the spray and pray type who goes home after an event with 1000 images and has to delete 927 of them because they are bad or repeats from you firing off at 3 FPS all day?

[SMP_Homer]

Based on your gear info, the memory should be the least of your worries...

[Kippei]

I can squeeze 400+ raw in my 8GB card

[Jim G]

I reckon that would be plenty - just don't go mad holding the shutter down. Are you intending on doing a wedding without any backup gear!?

[ben_r_]

I can squeeze 400+ raw in my 8GB card
Huh, what body are you using? On my 5D I can get a little over 650 images in Large RAW on an 8GB card.

[NathanJK]

Hi, I was just wondering if 21gb of SD cards is going to be enough to shoot a wedding, or am i going to need more. I shoot in Raw usually.

Cheers

The problem is that 90% of the time you will be fine...it's the other 10% where you are completely and totally screwed. I've gotten by just fine for my last 10 or so weddings only taking 16 gigs with me, but I also knew that none of them were longer than 8 hours and I could get by just fine with that. At only one of those weddings did I even get into the last 4 gig card and that was at the very end of the reception. However, next Friday I am shooting a wedding that will start with getting ready stuff at 9am and the couple departs the reception at 11:30pm. We'll be shooting for almost 15 hours next Friday, there is NO WAY I would show up with only 16 gigs, I'm taking 40 gigs which SHOULD be enough. Just in case of a dire emergency card shortage I'm taking a laptop and some blank dvd's so we can backup less important cards if absolutely necessary and re-use them. Note: I REALLY don't want to do that, and I sincerely doubt it will be necessary, but its good to be prepared for any eventuality.

Edit: I'm shooting at 8.2mp, RAW only...I get a little over 100 shots per GB, so I can basically take upwards of 4000 images at this big wedding coming up. I really don't want to do that because editing that will make me want to slam my head against a wall until the endless pictures disappear.

[egordon99]

oops, I just got back from my wedding. I ran out of memory about 30 minutes before the end of the reception. :(

[JBaz]

don't worry about reception, shooting it is like an added bonus for most clients. They mainly care about the shots that matter like the actual ceremony.

[egordon99]

Yeah, I don't think the bride will mind. She really just wanted the formal shots, for everything else she said "shoot away"

That said, in starting to go through the photos, I think she will be VERY pleased.

Note to self - While making sure that the bride/dress doesn't blow out for a formal shot, also ensure that her bouquet doesn't blow out :rolleyes:

don't worry about reception, shooting it is like an added bonus for most clients. They mainly care about the shots that matter like the actual ceremony.

[NYC2BGI]

21GB should be more than enough even shooting in raw.

[johnlo]

Hi, I was just wondering if 21gb of SD cards is going to be enough to shoot a wedding, or am i going to need more. I shoot in Raw usually.

Cheers

that depends how much you are planning to shoot?? if you want to have 50 images of the same pose.. then maybe you wont have enough. like someone earlier said, that less of your worry.

[Maxdave]

I figured on 20GB-22GB when I used the 40D as the main and XTi as the secondary, but with the 50D and the 40D I'll buy some more (say to total 30 GB). I shoot RAW exclusively.

Maxdave

[JBaz]

BTW, since the Sandisk III sales are on right now, CF and SD cards are cheap as dirt. Just picked me up another 24GB worth of CF cards for $12 after rebates. I got my Lexar 300x 4GB card earlier in the spring for $30 after rebate and its burning rubber fast.

Also when I get time to relax at the wedding, I'll chimp and delete as many bad and OOF frames to save space and time going through them on the computer.