There is one other thing I could try I guess...for all the SD card tests I've been formatting the card first. But I wonder of doing a "low level" format on those big 4 GB SD would make a timing difference.
I was intending to use the SD as a backup to the CF, but it's looking like a hinderance, unless perhaps as others have mentioned, it gets set as a switch over overflow card if you need to keep shooting at the end of a CF card.
Low level format on Extreme III SDHC 4GB card is 45 sec to clear, so it does help. Not as good as CF 4GB at 32 sec or 2 GB SD card at 26 sec. But better than 61 seconds with ordinary format on same SDHC card.
I wonder if the SDHC format has more overhead and is just plain slower than SD? That would be unfortunate. What cluster size does the camera format the SD card to? What happens if you try a larger cluster size?
...i´m kinda interested in seeing some real world samples. So...anyone got more they can post showcasing the overall low iso IQ? I know one of the monumental strengths of this camera is high iso/low noise specs but this is also a camera with a large potential as far as beeing a great allround camera, at least according to the white paper.
Anyone able to do a non scientific comparison to the 1DsII?
One of the top 2 or 3 reasons for me for getting this camera would be the step up from 12-bit to 14-bit sensor readings. Some of the high ISO shots have shown that this makes a difference, but I haven't seen anyone addressing this in more "normal" shots.
It would be very interesting to see a high contrast scene taken with a single tripod mounted lens using a Mark III body and some other body like a 5D or Mark II N. Of interest would be the dynamic range of the captured images and the their tonal qualities.
I don't know if it helps, but i have shots from a car show on Sunday.
The first 27 are with the 1d3. I can supply larger images if you want. http://www.pbase.com/602crew/bugout_61
Nill Toulme wrote:
I wonder if the SDHC format has more overhead and is just plain slower than SD? That would be unfortunate. What cluster size does the camera format the SD card to? What happens if you try a larger cluster size?
Nill
~~
www.toulme.net
The highest capacity cards are always slow. It probably has to do with the fast, dense memory needing to come down in price. Fast and highest capacity is probably too expensive. But since the camera has more to do with SD and SDHC speed than it does with CF speed, we probably should be a little concerned.
But, the only device I've seen that makes SDHC go fast enough for our needs is a special sandisk card reader.
So I think what we are seeing in the 1DIII is probably the current state of the art for SDHC in portable devices. But maybe we'll get lucky and it's a Canon firmware problem.
Or, to put it more succinctly, my guess is that current SDHC cards suck, but better cards will eventually arrive.
602crew wrote:
I don't know if it helps, but i have shots from a car show on Sunday.
The first 27 are with the 1d3. I can supply larger images if you want. http://www.pbase.com/602crew/bugout_61
Doesn't show off the camera, but I love the shot of "The Thing".
dcmiller wrote:
The highest capacity cards are always slow. It probably has to do with the fast, dense memory needing to come down in price. Fast and highest capacity is probably too expensive. But since the camera has more to do with SD and SDHC speed than it does with CF speed, we probably should be a little concerned.
But, the only device I've seen that makes SDHC go fast enough for our needs is a special sandisk card reader.
So I think what we are seeing in the 1DIII is probably the current state of the art for SDHC in portable devices. But maybe we'll get lucky and it's a Canon firmware problem.
Or, to put it more succinctly, my guess is that current SDHC cards suck, but better cards will eventually arrive. ...Show more →
But why should SDHC cards be any worse than equivalent SD cards (e.g., 4GB SD vs. same model 4GB SDHC), unless it's something inherent in the new format?
602crew wrote:
I don't know if it helps, but i have shots from a car show on Sunday.
The first 27 are with the 1d3. I can supply larger images if you want. http://www.pbase.com/602crew/bugout_61
I assume the B&W was taken in B&W mode?? I haven't read much discussion (or found it) on the B&W mode with the mk3.
Thanks...
Forget that! I see it was taken with a 20D according to the exif info.... Have you tried B&W mode?? Anyone?? I convert images all the time to B&W just curious how they look straight from the camera in hopes it could save me a couple minutes
While waiting for my 1D3 to come, I was able to convince another owner to let me use/test his 1D3......again. :-)
This is a Sunny afternoon, I went with 2 birders, I use 1Ds2, another one using 1D2N and another D2x user. Both Canon shooters use 600 F4 IS + 1.4x, D2x shooter use his 600 + 1.4x.
First we exchanged our gear to try the AI servo speed on stationary objects while waiting for the birds, all 3 of us came to the conclusion that the 1D3 is fastest. I think the difference is small between D2x and 1D3, but if I have to say which one is faster, I will vote for 1D3. The D2x owner is more affirmative, "The 1D3 is surely faster!".
While we are still chatting, the first tern came from the sea and fly straight towards the pier that we are staying. Anyone who has shot Black-naped Tern should know how fast they are flying and is a real challenge to AF system.
Robr wrote:
I'm curious about the folowing: when shooting RAW on multiple CF 2 gb cards an use one SD card f.e. 4gb in JPG only for backup, is it possible to change during the day lets say 4 or 5 CF card and keep the SD in place so at the end of the day I have a complete backup? Is this the way the backup mode is designed for? Should give me a very safe feeling during weddings.
That's how I'm using it. So far it seems to work. But I haven't paid much attention to it. I think the people disappointed with SDHC wanted to back up raw. But with better white balance, I feel jpg is adequate.
Interestingly, with more interest in shooting jpeg, the situation can be reversed. Shoot jpeg to the smaller card with the intention of using these files. Custom white balance when concerned. In case of a big problem with a corrupted file, off white balance, of exposure problem, go to the raw folder.
This would be like shooting raw plus jpeg, but having the safety of multiple cards.
