SanDisk 2GB Questions?

[Samm]

My brother just gave me a SanDisk 2GB (non Ultra nor Extreme) CF. He had used it briefly elsewhere. I formatted it with my Rebel XT. However, on the Format screen, it says that it has only 1.8GB and 64.0KB used.

According to p.118 on the Rebel manual, the card's capacity displayed on the Format screen may be lower than the capacity indicated on the card. But, this is a difference of 0.2GB or 10%. Does it sound normal to you? For those of you who had bought 2GB CF cards, what does it tell you on the Format screen? Thank you.


Samm

[robertwgross]

Samm, put the card in a card reader on the computer, and do a full format. That way, if there are any little piles of file debris in there, they will get wiped clean. Then put the card in the camera and do a quick format there. That sets up some files and directories the way the camera needs to use it.

Then, when you use the card in the camera, the number of available shots remaining will show in the top display, and the number will vary according to the ISO of the camera and some other minor factors. Don't worry about it.

---Bob Gross---

[Samm]

Thanks Bob. It sounds like a good idea, but I don't have a computer that will take the CF nor I have a card reader. Any other ideas? Do you have a 2GB card yourself? If you do, what does it say on the Format screen? Thx.

Samm

[robertwgross]

Thanks Bob. It sounds like a good idea, but I don't have a computer that will take the CF nor I have a card reader. Any other ideas? Do you have a 2GB card yourself? If you do, what does it say on the Format screen? Thx.


If you are using an older computer that cannot take a card reader, then you will have lots of headaches. Nearly all newer computers have USB or Firewire ports, so it is good to get a card reader that uses one of these interface types that your computer will have. Card readers cost $5 with USB1.1.

Whether I have a 2GB card makes no difference. However, if you format the card in the camera, the camera will show about 1.9GB formatted. That is correct.

---Bob Gross---

[Samm]

Thanks Bob. I'll buy a card reader and see what happens then. I'm still interested to know from the people who already have a 2GB card.

[Jack W.]

My Kingston Elite Pro 2g card shows 1.9g.
Jack

[eenorton]

I switch my CF cards between my S1IS and my Pro1. Each time, I just format the card in the camera. I've never had a problem. Have I just been lucky? Bob Gross suggested a lot of headaches, but I have experienced any. (yet)

[JayHu]

The problem occurs because there is a difference in the way the marketing department counts bytes versus how an actual computer counts bytes.

The marketing dept, counts 2GB as 2*10^9 bytes, but a computer counts 2Gb as 2*2^30. So in hard numbers, marketing says 2*10^9 bytes, which it has, but a computer only sees 2*10^9/2 ~ 1.86Gb, which is why your camera thinks it's only 1.86Gb.

Hope this helps you.

[Samm]

Thank you all again for the valuable info. Now I don't feel as bad about the card.

Samm

[canon shooter]

I have some CF cards I used in P&S digital do I need to reformat the card to use with the 20D? If so how do I do that

[lancea]

Insert the card, turn the 20D on, press the Menu button and go to the "Format" item. Press the Set button, confirm that you want to format. The card should quickly be formatted.

[robertwgross]

Insert the card, turn the 20D on, press the Menu button and go to the "Format" item. Press the Set button, confirm that you want to format. The card should quickly be formatted.

Keep in mind that the camera does a quick format, not a complete format. For routine purposes, that is fine. However, if the card is new and suspect, or if it is old and suspect, then it is a good idea to do a complete format in the computer. Once done there, then do the quick format in the camera, because that builds some directories and files that are necessary.

---Bob Gross---

[canon shooter]

I formated card in camera and now no options for RAW.

HELP how do I get them back

[robertwgross]

Switch your camera to one of the creative modes, such as P or Tv.

---Bob Gross---