RAW file size on D200

[leek]

On the D70, if I put an empty 2Gb CF in, it would display 378 frames available on the top LCD.

On the D200, when set to uncompressed RAW, it displays 120 available.

This seems lower than I would have expected... I haven't had time to compare the file sizes yet, but wondered if anyone knew why you only get 120 10Mb files on a 2Gb card...

[Alpha_7]

Hmm you get 378 frames ? I only get 365 I wonder what's the deal there. (Firmware versions maybe?)

120 Does seem a little low there Leek, have you actually filled up a card to find out if that is accurate ?

[gstark]

Craig,

Different cards may have different absolute capacities. Plus, if there are mapped errors on any card, those sorts of things may be taken into account when calculating the theoretical maximum.

John,

The D70, in raw, only saves as compressed NEF. I think that the D200 gives you a choice of compressed or uncompressed, and the values you're seeing may be the projected uncompressed available capacity.

[radar]

John,

from Thom Hogan's site:

A 2GB card shooting NEF will net you about 120 images per card

Your results agree here.

Cheers,

André

[Greg B]

I think that the D200 gives you a choice of compressed or uncompressed, and the values you're seeing may be the projected uncompressed available capacity.

Correct.

John, You can change it in the Shooting menu, RAW Compression. Would be interesting to see what effect Compressed v non-compressed has on the number of shots.

[Michael]

I've found the D200 shows dodgy readings with how many pics are left, In the 1 gig cards it displayed 60 but I could get at least 100-120 if not more out of the one gig card.

Then when I got the 2 gig card it jumped to 120 pics, but I still havent filled the card up yet, so im assuming I can get over 200 photos on the 2gig.

end conclusion is that the remaining photos display is just a tad wrong.

[gstark]

I've found the D200 shows dodgy readings with how many pics are left, In the 1 gig cards it displayed 60 but I could get at least 100-120 if not more out of the one gig card.

Then when I got the 2 gig card it jumped to 120 pics, but I still havent filled the card up yet, so im assuming I can get over 200 photos on the 2gig.

end conclusion is that the remaining photos display is just a tad wrong.

It's essentially the same as the original D70 firmware, where the calculation was based upon the uncompressed raw, but it was saving as compressed, and thus you'd see about double the estimated number oif images.

[Greg B]

Whatever the case, I'm going to need to buy a 4 gig card next time Birdy has a special.

[Michael]

I've found the D200 shows dodgy readings with how many pics are left, In the 1 gig cards it displayed 60 but I could get at least 100-120 if not more out of the one gig card.

Then when I got the 2 gig card it jumped to 120 pics, but I still havent filled the card up yet, so im assuming I can get over 200 photos on the 2gig.

end conclusion is that the remaining photos display is just a tad wrong.

It's essentially the same as the original D70 firmware, where the calculation was based upon the uncompressed raw, but it was saving as compressed, and thus you'd see about double the estimated number oif images.

Yeh I understand that, I hope they fix this when they release a updated firmware version which I hope is soon.

[gooseberry]

If you choose NEF quaility The D200 will report the estimated number of shots as incompressed NEF, changing to compressed NEF will not change the number reported back.

[Greg B]

Some numbers.....

NEF file, uncompressed - 15.8 Mb = 16,179 Kb
NEF File, compressed - ~8 Mb = ~8,192 Kb

2 Gig card. Do we assume that card manufacturers use the same disgracefully dishonest version of the Gig as do Hard Drive manufacturers?

If so, a 2 Gig card actually holds 2,000,000 Kb (instead of 2,097,152 Kb, ie you get screwed by 5%)

2,000,000 / 16,179 = 124 (i.e. 120 + some system space)
2,000,000 / 8,192 = 244 (i.e. 240 + some system space) (roughly)

JPEG Large Fine 4.8 Mb = 4,915 Kb into 2,000,000 = 407 shots +/-

[birddog114]

Buy 8Gb card and you'll forget the problems.

[Greg B]

Which problems - the problems about trying to decide what food to buy?

Besides, I've got my 40 Gig PSD, (although the capacity has now been reduced from 6500 D70 NEFs to 2470 D200 NEFS!!!!!)

Progress.

Anyway, looking forward to the next CF Card special deal sale Birdy

[stubbsy]

If you choose NEF quaility The D200 will report the estimated number of shots as incompressed NEF, changing to compressed NEF will not change the number reported back.

Exactly. And FWIW the D2x is the same - it assumes uncompressed even when set to compressed.

[leek]

Aha... all clear now... thanks for the replies... I naievely thought that if a 6.1Mp image was 5-6Mb that a 10Mp image would be 9-10Mb... I'd forgotten that the NEF was compressed on the D70...

While we're on the subject of CF cards and the D200, are the 80x CF cards fast enough for the D200? or do you need the 120x versions? My current CF card seems to be coping very well with the continuous 5fps, but I haven't had a chance to check the specs yet...

[birddog114]

80x is fine but 120x is better

[phillipb]

I've found the D200 shows dodgy readings with how many pics are left, In the 1 gig cards it displayed 60 but I could get at least 100-120 if not more out of the one gig card.

Then when I got the 2 gig card it jumped to 120 pics, but I still havent filled the card up yet, so im assuming I can get over 200 photos on the 2gig.

end conclusion is that the remaining photos display is just a tad wrong.

It's essentially the same as the original D70 firmware, where the calculation was based upon the uncompressed raw, but it was saving as compressed, and thus you'd see about double the estimated number oif images.

Yeh I understand that, I hope they fix this when they release a updated firmware version which I hope is soon.

You would think that the nikon engineers would learn from the first mistake and not repeat it on a subsequent model.

[LostDingo]

Aha... all clear now... thanks for the replies... I naievely thought that if a 6.1Mp image was 5-6Mb that a 10Mp image would be 9-10Mb... I'd forgotten that the NEF was compressed on the D70...

While we're on the subject of CF cards and the D200, are the 80x CF cards fast enough for the D200? or do you need the 120x versions? My current CF card seems to be coping very well with the continuous 5fps, but I haven't had a chance to check the specs yet...

John my guess is you would have diffficulty being able to notice a difference between 120x and 80x shooting high speed....that said faster is always better

So I take it you have your new D200 now We have to get you out on an early coastal sunrise now

A 120x card won't make a difference at that hour but it does when you return home to download

[johndec]

Leek, my D200 with a newly formatted 4gb Transcend shows 244, so the numbers you are getting sound about right. 4gb / 16mb = 250 exposures.

[birddog114]

4Gb on the D2x shows 196/ 20Mb file

[LostDingo]

4Gb on the D2x shows 196/ 20Mb file

My D2xs shows 201 on a 4 gb card...must be the "s"

[leek]

So I take it you have your new D200 now We have to get you out on an early coastal sunrise now

A 120x card won't make a difference at that hour but it does when you return home to download

Sounds good... Maybe this or next weekend...

[Greg B]

Some numbers.....

NEF file, uncompressed - 15.8 Mb = 16,179 Kb
NEF File, compressed - ~8 Mb = ~8,192 Kb

2 Gig card. Do we assume that card manufacturers use the same disgracefully dishonest version of the Gig as do Hard Drive manufacturers?

If so, a 2 Gig card actually holds 2,000,000 Kb (instead of 2,097,152 Kb, ie you get screwed by 5%)

2,000,000 / 16,179 = 124 (i.e. 120 + some system space)
2,000,000 / 8,192 = 244 (i.e. 240 + some system space) (roughly)

JPEG Large Fine 4.8 Mb = 4,915 Kb into 2,000,000 = 407 shots +/-

Just out of interest, the card manufacturers do use the dodgy Mb/Gb measurements, although the position is actually worse than I indicated above.

Transcend, for example, say that
1 Gig = 1,000,000,000 bytes

whereas a real Gig = 1024 x 1024 x 1024 = 1,073,741,824 bytes

A real Mb is 1,048,576, therefore the dodgy Gig is just over 70 MB less than a real Gig. On a 4 Gig card, you are done to the tune of 280 Mb.

(As far as I know), the file sizes on the D200 and other digital cameras utilise "traditional" MBs, ie 1,048,576 bytes.

I just find this sort of thing by Card and HDD manufacturers absolutely extraordinary in it's blatant and yet accepted dishonesty. (It is like you go to rent a flat and the landlord says it is $1,600 per month. Later, he tells you that a month = 4 weeks, and there are 13 months in a year)