Sony Alpha help needed, A100 Max CF size

[gamebit]

Hi Sony alpha users,

I am having a very wierd case, which i dun think makes sense.

I just gotten a 32GB kingston CF card for my A100. This card has no problems when taking pictures, reviewing pictures on the camera itself. But when I connect to the computer using the Mass Storage option under transfer mode, the drive appears on My Computer as usual. but when i try to access it, it gives me an error that i need to format the device. Which i tried to do it, I only see 7.87GB as the allowable format size. [ many question marks popping up all over my head...]

Anyway I managed to access the files from my comp, when i set the transfer mode to PTP (which is the PictBridge)... I can only copy the files, but not delete them, as i used do as with the Mass Storage option, when i was using my 4GB CF card.

Anyone knows is there a limitation on size of CF for A100, or is this a size limitation on WinXP? i doubt its the later, since my usb ext-hdd, can be of 500GB and has no problem for me.

Another question, if there is really such a limitation for A100 to detect 32GB, then it should not have displayed "2106" RAW pictures for me... Darn puzzling, can someone pls enlighten me?

[Galdor]

I did a quick search and found that someone had tried using a 16GB card on the A100 and it worked perfectly. Not sure about the 32GB though, you may want to do a search or contact Sony directly.

[lenrek]

Have you try format the CF with your A100?

[gamebit]

Originally Posted by Galdor I did a quick search and found that someone had tried using a 16GB card on the A100 and it worked perfectly. Not sure about the 32GB though, you may want to do a search or contact Sony directly.

Hmmm, shucks.. Ok will try then.

Originally Posted by lenrek Have you try format the CF with your A100?

Yes Lenrek, already tried. Still cannot.

[Oberon]

Hi Gambit,

According to Sony's website on Memory Stick size to be used on A100, Sony recommends a size of only up to 8GB for memory stick. (Using the memory stick adapter)

I've tried 8GB CF (Lexar and Kingston). Both are working properly on the A100.

A 8GB CF works out to about 500+ RAW files. Your 32GB CF shows 2100+ Raw files. (4 times my size and 4 times the storage amount of RAW files) I'm sure the CF is working well. But connecting using mass storage or PTP might be causing problems. Try using a card reader?

[gamebit]

Originally Posted by Oberon Hi Gambit, According to Sony's website on Memory Stick size to be used on A100, Sony recommends a size of only up to 8GB for memory stick. (Using the memory stick adapter) I've tried 8GB CF (Lexar and Kingston). Both are working properly on the A100. A 8GB CF works out to about 500+ RAW files. Your 32GB CF shows 2100+ Raw files. (4 times my size and 4 times the storage amount of RAW files) I'm sure the CF is working well. But connecting using mass storage or PTP might be causing problems. Try using a card reader?

I guess thats the only alternative, to make my job easier, cos it seems the transfer rate thru PTP is slower too.

I just sent a message to Sony, so hope they will reply on it soon.

[Oberon]

In addition to my post, I read somewhere that some of the bros and sis in CS have reported problems with their S5 pro when they used PTP/Mass storage. Apparently plugging in and pulling out the cables caused problems in the circuits of the boards inside the camera which resulted in $$$$ for repairs. Not sure whether Alpha 100s will have this problem if I continue long term with this.

To play safe, I've stopped doing that as well for my Alpha 100.

[gamebit]

Originally Posted by Oberon In addition to my post, I read somewhere that some of the bros and sis in CS have reported problems with their S5 pro when they used PTP/Mass storage. Apparently plugging in and pulling out the cables caused problems in the circuits of the boards inside the camera which resulted in $$$$ for repairs. Not sure whether Alpha 100s will have this problem if I continue long term with this. To play safe, I've stopped doing that as well for my Alpha 100.

Wow, serious ah.. Hmm i think maybe i should get a CF reader then.

[gamebit]

Just an update to you guys:

From Sony:

Quote: Thank you for your support for Sony products. With regard to your enquiry, please be informed that the DSLR-A100 is able to support up to 16GB of CompactFlash card and thus is not compatible with 32GB CompactFlash card. Customer Contact Centre Department Customer Interface Marketing Division Sony Singapore

So.. to bad for me.. I'll get a CF Card reader then.

[tabako]

Use a card reader, I never connect to the USB on my camera before. Luckily my Dell 2408WFP monitor has a built in card reader. Can take everything from MS Pro to CF to SD and XD.

[blurnard]

am i correct to say that once i used a card reader...i wont have to reformat my card before my laptop can read it? bought the same cf card too....and did a reformat on my camera before use...but my laptop prompted me to reformat the card...i have impt pics in the card...cannot reformat..aha...

[lenrek]

Originally Posted by blurnard am i correct to say that once i used a card reader...i wont have to reformat my card before my laptop can read it? bought the same cf card too....and did a reformat on my camera before use...but my laptop prompted me to reformat the card...i have impt pics in the card...cannot reformat..aha...

It maybe to the limitation of the card reader itself. I have a card reader that cannot read more than 2GB. But that was a very old card reader, thrown away after I realised its limitation.

[blurnard]

guess i will go buy a card reader....connected thru my camera...but my laptop insisted on a reformat before i can open the card...

[lenrek]

Originally Posted by blurnard guess i will go buy a card reader....connected thru my camera...but my laptop insisted on a reformat before i can open the card...

In this case, I am not sure.

[Darcy.Zhou]

32GB is too big... somehow dangerous to use
I never use card over 8GB 2000+ raw files... on trip over 10 days?

[blurnard]

heng....bought a cf card reader....can read the contents without needing to reformat the 32gb memory card...haha

[gamebit]

Quote: heng....bought a cf card reader....can read the contents without needing to reformat the 32gb memory card...haha

Alamak.. Anyway, ultimately, the important thing is that we need to get a CF card

[Oberon]

Hi All,

My message above talked about how our bros/sis using Fuji S5Pro had problems because of plugging in/out usb between camera and pc.

I advised against doing the same for our Alpha's.

Here's the link to that discussion.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=489800

Originally Posted by KopiOkaya Simple... the USB 10-pin terminal is connected to the camera's main circuit board. According to both Mr Tan of Fujifilm and Steven Lee of Camera Hospital, the most common 'low battery' problem of both the S5 Pro and D200 comes from a broken or dislocated copper track along one of the terminal pins (which is connected to a diode that 'monitors' the battery's voltage level). This is caused by prolong movement and force exertion (pushing and pulling) on the USB socket + cable. Usually if this happens to your camera, the entire circuit board has to be replaced. This means $$$$$ on your repair bill.

[tchoonyong]

To play safe,

I would rather buy 4 or 8GB CF Cards instead one shot get a big CF Card you never know if the sectors will spoilt or not. The most put all the CF Card in a mini pouch. Especially when it comes to RAW having a higher cpacity CF Card is more risking than a low capacity CF Card.

[Galdor]

Originally Posted by tchoonyong To play safe, I would rather buy 4 or 8GB CF Cards instead one shot get a big CF Card you never know if the sectors will spoilt or not. The most put all the CF Card in a mini pouch. Especially when it comes to RAW having a higher cpacity CF Card is more risking than a low capacity CF Card.

I agree with you bro. My biggest card is only a 5GB followed by a 4GB.