Question on Microdrives

[ldft]

Hi All,

Anyone of you have had any experience using microdrives in either the 5D or 7D.

Thinking of getting microdrive as much cheaper than CF cards. Can get brand new 4GB Hitachi drive (not ripped from a Muvo) for about $290 which works out to be only $72.50 per GB

The pros I see are: Cheaper
Larger available capacity (got 6GB available)

The Cons: Not as robust as CF
Some other users have had issues using microdrives in their cams.
Poer consumption of Microdrives higher, thus will drain your baterry faster.

Your expert opinions greatly appreciated.

[apchoo]

Originally Posted by ldft Hi All, Anyone of you have had any experience using microdrives in either the 5D or 7D. Thinking of getting microdrive as much cheaper than CF cards. Can get brand new 4GB Hitachi drive (not ripped from a Muvo) for about $290 which works out to be only $72.50 per GB The pros I see are: Cheaper Larger available capacity (got 6GB available) The Cons: Not as robust as CF Some other users have had issues using microdrives in their cams. Poer consumption of Microdrives higher, thus will drain your baterry faster. Your expert opinions greatly appreciated.

I used an IBM 1GB Microdrive in my 7D for a couple of months before getting my RiData 2GB. It worked very well in my 7D---just bear in mind ...

1. It drains batt power faster than flash memory. On a good day, I could get up to 250 shots on microdrive on one full charge. You can easily get 350-400 shots with flash memory.
2. When I was shooting constantly, my 7D grip got quite warm from the microdrive.
3. Compared to my RiData Gold Pro 80X, the microdrive is a bit slower when shooting continuous images (about 12 in a row before my 7D pauses compared to at least 15 for Large+Extra Fine) and when rotating images on the LCD screen.

Like all microdrives, you need to be careful not to drop them and they have altitude limitations as well.

[ldft]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a 5D so think it's safe to assume the microdrive will work. Maybe will try and get a second hand one cheap to try out. Anyone with a 5D tried a microdrive yet?

[apchoo]

Originally Posted by ldft Thanks for the feedback. I have a 5D so think it's safe to assume the microdrive will work. Maybe will try and get a second hand one cheap to try out. Anyone with a 5D tried a microdrive yet?

Before I bought my 7D, I used my 1GB microdrive when testing the 7D, 5D & D70s at the shop. The 5D worked without any problems.

[weikee]

i had one bad experience with MicroDrive..

I snap about 500mb of photo from this microdrive.. when back and to my suprise all my files missing, but 500mb is used.. i got to run chkdsk /f to recover the files. all files become CHK00001 - CHK000xxx.. i got to rename every single one.

[apchoo]

Originally Posted by weikee i had one bad experience with MicroDrive.. I snap about 500mb of photo from this microdrive.. when back and to my suprise all my files missing, but 500mb is used.. i got to run chkdsk /f to recover the files. all files become CHK00001 - CHK000xxx.. i got to rename every single one.

Like I said, microdrives are mechanical devices so not as robust as flash memory.

[apchoo]

Originally Posted by apchoo Like I said, microdrives are mechanical devices so not as robust as flash memory.

I shot >2,500 photos on mine before switching to flash memory. Never had a single problem.

[weikee]

sometime is luck..but failing rate for microdrive is higher. and it drain more power.

[leeshock]

Originally Posted by weikee i had one bad experience with MicroDrive.. I snap about 500mb of photo from this microdrive.. when back and to my suprise all my files missing, but 500mb is used.. i got to run chkdsk /f to recover the files. all files become CHK00001 - CHK000xxx.. i got to rename every single one.

Got a Seagate 5GB microdrive in June. It can contain some 1400 images - using the jpeg large fine mode.

No problems with it until last month. I think I have the same problem as you, Weikee. I can see the photos from screen on the camera but I cannot access it from the card reader. The camera also indicated that MD space has been used. I cannot even use any disk recovery tools to recover the files, as my card reader cannot even access the MD.

Before last month, it was OK. I can transfer all my files from the MD to my computer. NOt sure what happened. When I insert the MD to my card reader, it just freezes. Changed to another card reader (which was tested OK erlier) also encounter the same problem. Since I lost my USB cable, I am now still thinking of how to recover the files from the MD. Good thing they are personal images, and I am not in a hurry to retrieve them.

I think if I reformat the MD in the camera, it will solve the problem with access through card reader, but I will lose all my existing images. I am not sure but I feel that the MD should be reformatted every once in a while. All the time, I just cut and paste the images from the MD to my PC.

With CF prices now so cheap, I think you should get CF - less problems.

[MadAnt]

I have a 3+years old 1GB microdrive.
Dropped it several times, travelled round the world ( with my parents ), still working well.
Not too sure with regards reliablity, some people have problems with their CF cards, some have horror stories of their microdrive.
Luckily I have no problems with either.
Now I have got a CF card to replace the microdrive as the "main" card.

Pro
- Cheaper, less $ per MB
- Larger capacity available

Cons
- Slower
- Drains more battery
- Runs hotter
- Has moving bits in it ( it is a mini harddisk afterall )

With CF card prices that low now, I can't find myself recommending a microdrive.
Furthermore, the more data you store, the slower the microdrive runs.
When the drive is nearly full, it gets very sloooooooooowwww.....
If you feel the savings and the larger capacity is worth the heat, shorter battery life, slowness and the higher risk of dying due to abuse, the microdrive is worth it.

[ldft]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the comments and feedback, much appreciated.

On further consideration, I think that I will stick to CF cards, because of the following:

1) I sometimes a "little" clumsy , and likely to drop the card now and then
2) Like to get max shots per battery charge.
3) Slow down of MD as it gets full.

Will probably get the Lexar Professional 80X WA Series CompactFlash 1GB (2nd Edition) which is available for S$135.

[zcf]

with most 5D & 7D users posting a faster write speed for Sandisk than Lexar in dyxum.com, I will stick to Sandisk if the price differences are not too big.

[TME]

Originally Posted by zcf with most 5D & 7D users posting a faster write speed for Sandisk than Lexar in dyxum.com, I will stick to Sandisk if the price differences are not too big.

The price difference is quite large for me... but if u dun shoot sports or subjects that require u to max out the frame buffer on the 5D/7D, I dun see the need for the SanDisk ultra-high speed CF cards.

[user111]

just stick to cf

u never know when u will drop the microdrive by error

[ratboy]

Originally Posted by user111 just stick to cf u never know when u will drop the microdrive by error

then again you shouldn't take for granted and drop CF cards too...

anyway, my microdrive IBM 1 gig since Sony 828 days
now used in 7D, also used for file transfers from work, emails backup etc
functions fine still ...

But if i was to purchase new, think i will go with CF cards now.

[synapseman]

My IBM 1GB MD has been serving me well for about 1.5-2 years already, used on 3 diff cameras. I experienced my first problem the past few days, but I think it's more of a camera issue and can happen to any camera.

Low-batt conditions may cause write failures.