Batteries and CF cards

[gryshnak]

I plan on getting a Canon EOS 350D this week.  I have two questions:

1. How long should a standard battery pack last, and can I use conventional (AA size) rechargable cells instead?

2. How many shots can I store per GB of Compact Flash memory card (assuming I shoot RAW)?  I read it's better to have 8 x 1GB cards instead of 1 x 8GB card, so if it goes wrong you don't lose the whole lot.  Does this happen often?  I've always used SD cards and never had one fail yet.

Gryshnak

[Hagar]

1. All I can say is that I have a spare battery which I've never needed yet.

[gryshnak]

Okay, sounds like you're saving as ,jpg files, so how many do you typically get on a 1GB card?  I'm just trying to figure out whether I need one card or two...

Gryshnak

[Woodlouse2002]

It's an 8mp camera so your looking at 500 odd shots on a 1gb card. If shooting in RAW then you'd probably be looking at around 150.

[Hagar]

At the highest resolution possible it shows 287 images on an empty 1Gb card. This might vary slightly depending on the card quality & image content.

In my view you can never have enough memory. Depends what you want to do & what you can afford.

[gryshnak]

Sounds like I'd better get two cards after all  ;D

Thanks for the advice.

Gryshnak

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Two cards will never hurt.  I have four 2GB cards... so far I've only used two up at a time.  


As for batteries, if you buy an optional battery grip (I recommend the Opteka one since it is HALF the cost of the Canon one and only difference is the label.)  it will hold two batteries AND comes with a cartrage thing that holds six AA batteries.  This saved my life last weekend as I was an idiot and broke my charger.  

I got my Opteka battery grip along with 2 new batteries (950's I believe) for $80 on e-bay.  

If you plan on shooting an entire airshow, I higly recommend having two batteries.  That should be plenty to get you through the day.

Anyway, congrats on getting the new camera, you'll LOVE IT!!

[BAW0343]

I have a 5MP camera and a 1GB SD card with 37 mb camera internal memory and I can get 630 pictures on it (Jpeg files)

works for me  ;D

[Rifleman]

I work regularily with 3 gigs in my camera (2GB CF and 1GB xD-H).....my 2GB card will yield 84 images in the highest res I can capture, so I can bring home around 125 shots when full on both cards........I know its not much, but then if I shoot 640x480 in "web" format, I'll bring home around 40,000 images.........quite a nice range.

[BrittMac]

Your number of shots on a CF (or any other type) of card will vary by composition. I shoot Large/Fine JPG though.