Question about SLR memory card...

[pixiedust247]

I have just recently bought the Sony SLR Alpha A200 and I am slowly understanding the settings and how to use it. My question is abou the memory card...I have a 4GB card and have my setting on 10 mpxls...how many pictures can I expect to take before I have to load them onto my computer. My trip is in 14 days... and I will be bringing a lap top to upload photos daily...will I be okay? Or should I purchase an extra memory card?

 

[dr_zero]

Try out this link
http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=298433

HOW MANY PHOTOS CAN I TAKE?

The number of pictures you can take varies depending on your camera model and complexity of the scene being photographed. To calculate how many pictures your card can hold, divide the capacity of your card by the average file size of your images. For example, if you have a 256MB card, and use a camera that has an average file size of 1.2MB, then 256 divided by 1.2 gives you approximately 213 pictures. As you change modes on your camera, the number of images will increase if you shoot in a lower resolution mode, and decrease if you shoot in a higher resolution mode.

APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF IMAGES PER CAPACITY OF CARD

Camera Type File Size* 32mb 64mb 128mb 256mb 512mb 1gb 2gb
4 Megapixel 2.0MB 16 32 64 128 256 512 1024
5 Megapixel 2.5MB 12 25 51 102 204 409 819
6 Megapixel 3.2MB 10 20 40 80 160 320 640
7 Megapixel 3.7MB 8 17 33 66 132 264 527
8 Megapixel 4.2MB 7 15 29 58 116 232 464
9 Megapixel 4.7MB 6 13 27 54 108 216 432
10 Megapixel 5.5MB 5 11 23 46 93 186 372

MB = megabytes GB= gigabytes

* Average file size using cameras highest resolution JPEG mode. The actual number of images per card will vary and depends on the camera model and compatibility of the scene being photographed.


So it would be about 744 give or take to fill up the card.

Also you can get SD Cards cheap from Newegg.com they have some fast cards that will work for cameras also!

 

[pixiedust247]

Wow...then I should be fine! Thanks for your help and guidance! I am enjoying my transition from a point and shoot to SLR...the photos that I have taken so far are amazing...it makes me feel like a real photographer!

 

[MICKEY88]

I would personally recommend getting at least 2 more 4 gig cards..

cards are relatively cheap and it's better to have cards you don't need , than to have a card fail and be without, or have to pay higher prices in a tourist/vacation area


I take it you are shooting jpeg...???


I'd also recommend shooting raw, you get a lot more info in the file and can do more editing or save more pics that are less than you'd like them to be..

I just got 2 Sony A700s, I bought 2 16 gig cards so I can shoot raw/jpeg.


I used to shoot only jpeg, back in march I shot a sweet 16 party the lighting was horrible, black walls with colored spotlights, like a nightclub, I decided to switch to raw that night to give myself extra help if needed during the editing process, I was very glad I did, the jpegs were very hard to work with, the raw files only needed one or 2 adjustments to look great..


if you'd like I can give you several websites with great prices on memory cards..

 

[dr_zero]

That is a good point about cards failing I have seen to so far both were A-Data brand.

Check out Newegg they some 2 gig for less than $4 right now after $4 rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...00070068 1053107930 1053307940&page=1&bop=And

 

[MICKEY88]

That is a good point about cards failing I have seen to so far both were A-Data brand.

Check out Newegg they some 2 gig for less than $4 right now after $4 rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...00070068 1053107930 1053307940&page=1&bop=And

2 problems with those cards...
1.. the A200 takes compact flash not sd cards.
2. cards that cheap are usually older/slower cards

I wouldn't want to limit my camera by using slow cards, plus they also take longer to upload to PC..

 

[dr_zero]

2 problems with those cards...
1.. the A200 takes compact flash not sd cards.
2. cards that cheap are usually older/slower cards

I wouldn't want to limit my camera by using slow cards, plus they also take longer to upload to PC..

Np did realize it took CF cards.

Dont judge a items quality soley on price because I got a 60x RiDATA Lightning SD card for $5 from newegg on sale the other day that is one of the reasons I use them they carry inexpensive stuff that is not all junk granted there some but the reviews help alot there.

Here is a link to the CF cards http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E&N=2000070000+1053107923+1053313500&name=4GB

 

[MICKEY88]

Np did realize it took CF cards.

Dont judge a items quality soley on price because I got a 60x RiDATA Lightning SD card for $5 from newegg on sale the other day that is one of the reasons I use them they carry inexpensive stuff that is not all junk granted there some but the reviews help alot there.

Here is a link to the CF cards http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E&N=2000070000+1053107923+1053313500&name=4GB

newegg is great, not saying the cheaper cards are junk

but the Ridata pro cards are 150x

the lightning series are 233
and the supreme are 266.
so to me 60x is slow

if I have the need to shoot in burst mode I don't want my cards slowing me down.., plus when uploading 500-1000 pics after a photo shoot, I want the fastest upload speed possible.

 

[dr_zero]

so to me 60x is slow

if I have the need to shoot in burst mode I don't want my cards slowing me down.., plus when uploading 500-1000 pics after a photo shoot, I want the fastest upload speed possible.

I hear ya there but mine used the SD cards so Im stuck witht the 60