Memory Card size

Sparhawk · 09-09-2006, 22:09

Hello All
I am wondering what anyones thought is on the size of memory cards. I a have a couple of 256mb cards for my Olympus E300 camera, would I be better getting a couple more of that size or smaller or would it be better to go for larger cards say either 1 or 2 GB.
I ask this as I am worried that if I use a larger card I run the risk {if the card malfunctions} of loosing all of my pictures but I do not wish to spend a lot of time swapping memory cards back and forth
What do the people on here think, which way should I go?

Thanks in advance
Sparhawk

**Sonsey** · 09-09-2006, 22:58

I think it all comes down to what you feel comfortable with compaired with what your shooting requirements are, then decide on a size that dosn't compromise either too much. Lots of photographers don't want/need to risk going over 1Gb, other's that regularly shoot lot's of frames need the higher capacity so go up to 4Gb cards (a 4Gb card fit's nicely on a blank dvd if you carry a laptop

).

**stepheno** · 10-09-2006, 08:04

As Sonsey said, plus it depends on how often you download to PC. I think 256 is a bit small and you'd be better with a couple of 1Gb. If you have a 2 or 4Gb card and you wait 'til they are full before d/l then you are at risk (small) of losing shots.

I use a 256, 512 and 1Gb but I always d/l after a shoot not when the card is full. Having said the above I do have a 2Gb Microdrive but only use it for video on my S602.

daveyuk · 10-09-2006, 09:24

I have about eight or so 1gb cards in my bag kinda collected them over time

I'm happy with swaping cards if I'm having a long day after it only takes a few seconds anyway.

Using a bigger card size may become more of an issue if you continuely shoot RAW images as a 1gb card is just not good enough for the job.

I've found that I can get 1gb cards for as little as £17.99 for a 133x their own brand but I have one and it works fine for me. Site URL below.
http://www.mymemory.co.uk/

When 2gb cards get down to around this sort of price I think I might change but until then I'll use 1gb cards.

nicklovick · 10-09-2006, 10:56

I mainly use 1gb cards, but I find for sports photography 2gb cards are more useful. This is because of the large numbers of photos taken in a short space of time thus decreasing the time spent changing cards.

But for everything else I find 1gb is the optimum.
I have one 512 card but rarly use it as it's just aint big enough when shooting at high resolution.

**Dabhand16** · 10-09-2006, 12:24

I use 1gb pretty much all of the time. I always download at the earliest opportunity (no laptop) when I get back to base, even if there are only a few images. I never use 'in use' cards for storage.

P-E · 10-09-2006, 12:25

Personally I have several 1G cards with a couple of 512 and find they suit my needs perfectly.

Sparhawk · 10-09-2006, 14:37

I Thank you all for the advice you have posted as I said I was concerned about using larger memory cards but you have all put my mind at rest. I admit I am unsure as to microdrives as I have read they do need a lot more care when being used so I think I will go for a couple {to start with} 1GB memory cards and see how I go from there.
Thank you all for your help
Regards
Sparhawk

**stepheno** · 10-09-2006, 17:17

Glad you are sorted. Now that there are 2, 4 and 8 Gb CF cards I'm surprised if you'll find any MDs. As an MD has a moving disk then, yes it is more susceptible to damage but mine's been going strong for a couple of years, no trouble.

**stepheno** · 11-09-2006, 09:02

Before you buy, Sparhawk, you might want to have a look at this thread.

Sparhawk · 11-09-2006, 09:54

Thank You Stepheno
This looks an great place and the prices are so much better than the local main stream and independant local photografic suppliers that I normaly use. I have save it to favorites and will be trawling through it over the next couple of days.
I am so happy that I found this site as it is so helpful to a relative newcomer to Digital photography, in the past I have looked at other sites but have found that unless you want advanced information they do seem to shun you
Keep up the GREAT job you are doing
Thanks again

Regards
Sparhawk

nicklovick · 11-09-2006, 14:18

Another place to find cheap memory cards is here...
MX2: Food for Enthusiasts

Sparhawk · 11-09-2006, 17:02

Thank you for that one Nick,once again that looks a good site
To me it is handy having people on here that are willing to help out beginners like me.
I thank you and ALL of the other posters that have given me plenty to go on with for the moment
Thanks Again

Regards
Sparhawk

09-09-2006, 22:09	#1 (permalink)
Sparhawk Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 300	Memory Card size Hello All I am wondering what anyones thought is on the size of memory cards. I a have a couple of 256mb cards for my Olympus E300 camera, would I be better getting a couple more of that size or smaller or would it be better to go for larger cards say either 1 or 2 GB. I ask this as I am worried that if I use a larger card I run the risk {if the card malfunctions} of loosing all of my pictures but I do not wish to spend a lot of time swapping memory cards back and forth What do the people on here think, which way should I go? Thanks in advance Sparhawk

09-09-2006, 22:58	#2 (permalink)
Sonsey Pixalo Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: N. Ireland Posts: 7,242	Re: Memory Card size I think it all comes down to what you feel comfortable with compaired with what your shooting requirements are, then decide on a size that dosn't compromise either too much. Lots of photographers don't want/need to risk going over 1Gb, other's that regularly shoot lot's of frames need the higher capacity so go up to 4Gb cards (a 4Gb card fit's nicely on a blank dvd if you carry a laptop ).

10-09-2006, 08:04	#3 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,634	Re: Memory Card size As Sonsey said, plus it depends on how often you download to PC. I think 256 is a bit small and you'd be better with a couple of 1Gb. If you have a 2 or 4Gb card and you wait 'til they are full before d/l then you are at risk (small) of losing shots. I use a 256, 512 and 1Gb but I always d/l after a shoot not when the card is full. Having said the above I do have a 2Gb Microdrive but only use it for video on my S602.

10-09-2006, 09:24	#4 (permalink)
daveyuk Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berkshire Posts: 1,150	Re: Memory Card size I have about eight or so 1gb cards in my bag kinda collected them over time I'm happy with swaping cards if I'm having a long day after it only takes a few seconds anyway. Using a bigger card size may become more of an issue if you continuely shoot RAW images as a 1gb card is just not good enough for the job. I've found that I can get 1gb cards for as little as £17.99 for a 133x their own brand but I have one and it works fine for me. Site URL below. http://www.mymemory.co.uk/ When 2gb cards get down to around this sort of price I think I might change but until then I'll use 1gb cards. __________________ http://www.pbase.com/davey_uk http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/s..._hill_2005.php

10-09-2006, 10:56	#5 (permalink)
nicklovick Been here a while Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orkney Islands, Scotland Posts: 292	Re: Memory Card size I mainly use 1gb cards, but I find for sports photography 2gb cards are more useful. This is because of the large numbers of photos taken in a short space of time thus decreasing the time spent changing cards. But for everything else I find 1gb is the optimum. I have one 512 card but rarly use it as it's just aint big enough when shooting at high resolution.

10-09-2006, 12:24	#6 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,999	Re: Memory Card size I use 1gb pretty much all of the time. I always download at the earliest opportunity (no laptop) when I get back to base, even if there are only a few images. I never use 'in use' cards for storage.

10-09-2006, 12:25	#7 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,505	Re: Memory Card size Personally I have several 1G cards with a couple of 512 and find they suit my needs perfectly.

10-09-2006, 14:37	#8 (permalink)
Sparhawk Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 300	Re: Memory Card size I Thank you all for the advice you have posted as I said I was concerned about using larger memory cards but you have all put my mind at rest. I admit I am unsure as to microdrives as I have read they do need a lot more care when being used so I think I will go for a couple {to start with} 1GB memory cards and see how I go from there. Thank you all for your help Regards Sparhawk

10-09-2006, 17:17	#9 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,634	Re: Memory Card size Glad you are sorted. Now that there are 2, 4 and 8 Gb CF cards I'm surprised if you'll find any MDs. As an MD has a moving disk then, yes it is more susceptible to damage but mine's been going strong for a couple of years, no trouble.

11-09-2006, 09:02	#10 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,634	Re: Memory Card size Before you buy, Sparhawk, you might want to have a look at this thread.

11-09-2006, 09:54	#11 (permalink)
Sparhawk Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 300	Re: Memory Card size Thank You Stepheno This looks an great place and the prices are so much better than the local main stream and independant local photografic suppliers that I normaly use. I have save it to favorites and will be trawling through it over the next couple of days. I am so happy that I found this site as it is so helpful to a relative newcomer to Digital photography, in the past I have looked at other sites but have found that unless you want advanced information they do seem to shun you Keep up the GREAT job you are doing Thanks again Regards Sparhawk

11-09-2006, 14:18	#12 (permalink)
nicklovick Been here a while Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orkney Islands, Scotland Posts: 292	Re: Memory Card size Another place to find cheap memory cards is here... MX2: Food for Enthusiasts

11-09-2006, 17:02	#13 (permalink)
Sparhawk Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 300	Re: Memory Card size Thank you for that one Nick,once again that looks a good site To me it is handy having people on here that are willing to help out beginners like me. I thank you and ALL of the other posters that have given me plenty to go on with for the moment Thanks Again Regards Sparhawk

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