Are all SD cards more or less equal, given storage volume? (I see
B&H has
some 1Gig Sandisks from $88, which looks ok.) I have downloaded
the pdf
manual on the DS, and estimate 1Gig would hold about 86 RAW
images. If this
disk fills up in the field, can I slip in a new one, just like
changing
film?
Buy 45x to 60x rated cards. They're a good balance between what the
DS can actually use, download speed to the computer, and price. (I
standardize on Sandisk Ultra II cards in 1G capacity, although I also
have a few others ... PQI, Transcend, ATP ... ATP seem to be the best
made. I've not had any problems with any of them.)
Definitely get yourself a USB 2.0 card reader too. Much more
convenient than plugging/unplugging the camera from the computer all
the time. BTW: a *ist DS will fit on average 96-97 RAW image files on
a 1G card, not 87.
Don't even think of trying to efficiently download 1G cards with USB
1.1 ... average transfer rate with a Sandisk Ultra II card is
6.5Mbytes per second on my system, a full 1G card takes about two and
half minutes at that rate. At USB 1.1 speeds, that same card would
take over an hour to download.
Changing disks in the field is easier than changing film. Your DS
is a computer. I would use typical caution, and turn off the camera
while changing SDs. Nothing untoward may happen if you change SDs
with the camera on, but ...
Opening the card slot door on the DS automatically powers the camera
off before you can touch the card. No need to touch the main power
switch. Don't open the door or turn the power off while the card
activity light is lit, that's all.
Godfrey
