Is your computer ready for 21-24 MB files?

This isn't just a 5D question but applies to the 1Ds III, Sony, future Nikon, etc.

If I purchased a new high mpix camera I would need to upgrade my computer (2yo 2.16GHz Intel 2 Duo processor) if I wanted acceptable performance.

Just wondering how many others would be faced to do the same.

Well, I have the storage space, but this would double+ my processing time if I ripped raw files in batch for final output.

I'd take less MP for a better quality file. Seems like there's a MP war going on.

The cpu should be fine, but make sure you have a lot of ram, opening up and editing numerous pictures will eat alot of ram.

wytwolf wrote in post #6329605
The cpu should be fine, but make sure you have a lot of ram, opening up and editing numerous pictures will eat alot of ram.

My batch only does one at a time, just make sure if you PS batch you have it close the working file.

4G of ECC ram is what I have and process on, but that's probably outdated now.

Ugh, actually now that I think about it, I've had to zip up raw files and send them out...... hmmmm, I need a faster connection now.

Macpro with x2 Xeon 2.66Ghz CPU and 6GB of RAM should handle it OK still.

If I had a 5D2, I'd probably use it on 10Mp 90% of the time. (sRaw).

René Damkot wrote in post #6329693
If I had a 5D2, I'd probably use it on 10Mp 90% of the time. (sRaw).

Same here. It matches my 40D better and I don't need 21MP for family stuff too.

I have an 8-core 3GHz Mac Pro with 5GB of RAM (still planning on upgrading to maybe 8GB or so), so I think I'll be fine.

All totaled I probably have close to 3TB of storage, but it's across multiple locations (actually in the Mac Pro, a file server and external hard drives)... I have 1TB worth in a mirrored RAID already, but I'd love to get a Drobo or something else with a solid RAID setup and throw some 1TB drives in solely for photo storage.


As much as I hate to "waste" the 21MP of the 5D Mark II, I think I'll probably also shoot in sRAW for most random shooting, only bumping to 21MP for more special occasions.. but that also depends on how big those 21MP RAW files end up being, too...

I'm ready - I upgraded last November in anticipation of the February release of the 5D replacement. Perhaps I was a bit premature....

I upgraded 2 weeks ago

Core 2 quad 8 gig ram vista 64bit.

syntrix wrote in post #6329595
Well, I have the storage space, but this would double+ my processing time if I ripped raw files in batch for final output.

I'd take less MP for a better quality file. Seems like there's a MP war going on.

that's a major reason i love the 1d mark III.

ed rader

I use a 533 mhz Mac G4 for my 12-14mb 40D raw files. Very slow. To me, anything is better; a core 2 duo would be like going from night to day for me.

I can't believe you think your computer wouldn't be fast enough.

Since I just bought a 1Dsmkll and right away shot an event that took just over 1000 RAW + JPG's (yes I shoot both at max file size) I want to warn everyone that it took over 6 hours to download all the cards. Now that by itself wasn't the worst part, the hard drive failed with about 40 files left to download, so I had to do it all over again. Big files take a long time to download, and a lot of disk space. There will be a lot of USB hard drives being sold to those buying the new bodies, and that's another story.

ed rader wrote in post #6329902
that's a major reason i love the 1d mark III.

ed rader

Zing !!! where the thumbup icon, hmmmm.

I am ready. I just upgraded my SATA disk from 300GB to 500GB, but I might have to move to a 2TB network attached NetGear disk.