I just got a D600, a lovely camera. I am curious that when I use 4GB cards with raw files with the camera set up to use the card in the second slot as overflow that the capacity for each card is showing 74 frames. With those same cards in my Nex-7, the capacity is 158 frames. Both are 24MP cameras and looking at the files sizes from each camera, they are about the same, 25MB. I format the cards in their respective cameras when using them. Why the difference?
card capacity
- Thread starter jlabate
- Start date
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
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Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor
Thanks
If you fill out your profile we can better answer any questions that you might have.
You can do that at http://nikonites.com/profile.php?do=editprofile
Some useful links
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans.../nikon-product-manuals-available-for-download
Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor
Thanks
The numbers are always an estimate. Take an image of your lens cap and compare it to an image with a well-exposed scene. The file sizes will be different. There's no way to accurately predict how many images you can still take on a card since every image is different. So it's just a guess.
I start off with 284 with my 16g cards, and can easily take 600 shots with room to spare.
I start off with 284 with my 16g cards, and can easily take 600 shots with room to spare.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
Are you sure Slot #2 hasn't been assigned to "Backup" instead of "Overflow"?
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Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
That is odd, then; because 74 images is just about right for a 4GB card.
If you have two 4GB cards, and slot #2 is assigned as "Overflow", you should definitely be seeing something along the lines of 150 images.
Have you reformatted both cards, in-camera?
What kind of files? Same in both cameras?
Is the D600 "74 frame" report for Raw files?
D600 manual page 335 shows Card Capacity for a 8 GB card (divide by 2 for 4 GB)
Raw lossless 12 bits - 190 images (on 8 GB)
Raw compressed 12 bits - 258 images
JPG Large Fine - 506 images
Compressed files are an "average" size. Image files will vary size a bit due to image content.
The card capacity number is very conservative.
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Thanks for all your help. Yes, I reformatted both cards in the camera.
Page 335 seems to confirm what I'm seeing in the camera. 14 bit NEF's = 147 on an 8GB card. Half that for my 4GB cards and it's 74 each. I'm assuming that the 74 it's showing is just for the first card and when that is filled, it will show an additional 74 for the second card. I'll know soon enough when I flll that first card.
Page 335 seems to confirm what I'm seeing in the camera. 14 bit NEF's = 147 on an 8GB card. Half that for my 4GB cards and it's 74 each. I'm assuming that the 74 it's showing is just for the first card and when that is filled, it will show an additional 74 for the second card. I'll know soon enough when I flll that first card.
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
The book's number is an estimate sort of like the car companies telling you your mileage will vary .
The file compression varies in size depending on image content. The camera does not know about your future images, nor how many more will fit on the card. It shows an extremely conservative guess. All you know is that at least that many more will fit, worst case. No matter what you might expect, it is NOT a precise number, not even close. So frankly, more concern than that is a futile worry. If concerned about adequate future storage, carry a spare card. Relax, enjoy your pictures.
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
It just comes down to what kind of photos you are taking. I just put a 32 GB card in mine so I don't have to worry about it. It is rated at 1300 RAW photos for my camera. I carry a spare if for some reason I need more. I load all photos to my computer every night and reformat the card as soon as I make sure they are all on the computer.
It can see the size of the pictures you have taken, but it simply does not know about the future pictures not taken yet. Maybe it is more of a warning than an estimate, but it is extremely conservative. That many more WILL fit, and in that sense, you will not find it to be wrong. 
It will approach a precise value as card fills and the number reaches zero. That has always seemed very adequate. Just change the card when it is full.
It will approach a precise value as card fills and the number reaches zero. That has always seemed very adequate. Just change the card when it is full.
I offload the cards ASAP as well, but leave the cards alone until I need them and MUST clear them off to use them. I've had cases where transferring the images corrupted a few shots, and the cards are the only good files to fall back on.
Putting 1300 images onto one card before transferring them is a bad idea... if the card dies, all the images go with it. Multiple smaller cards are a much better option.
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
I mostly shoot for fun so nothing lost. I rarely shoot over 200 or 300 shots at a time and most of the time not even that.
My comment was for general information, not specifically aimed at you.
I shoot for fun too. But losing half a days efforts takes all the fun out of it.
Blade Canyon
Senior Member
Are you doing the RAW+JPEG? That's what I do, and obviously it reduces the number of pics you can take. Maybe I should change because even Windows 8 can read RAW files now, so I'm not sure why I record a JPEG too.
Changing the camera from RAW to RAW+JPEG will change the number displayed automatically.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
What I believe is happening is that the D600 is displaying the capacity of the current card only and not both, while the NEX shows combined capacity. Put 4 GB cards in both slots, shoot a bunch of photos on the card in slot one and then remove the card ... BAM!! The number goes back up.