D850 Buffer Can Exceed Specs (under certain conditions) ..

[Surselva]

Hi Tony

what you say is correct, but go to the booklet "Menu" to page 269 (I am referring to the German version, so it might be different in the English one).

There you will see, that the buffer capacity is different, depending on the type of battery.

And it is 29 for lossles compressed 14 Bit with the EL-15.

(Have in mind, that the manual has a mistake: the two battery types are mixed up.)

All the best from Switzerland

www. rudolf-hug.ch

 

[Surselva]

Well, I assumed, that the manual is wrong. But obviously not! Very strange.

I can only get about 30 frames before it slows down. Without grip, 14 Bit lossless, ISO 100, RAW only. XQD only (Lexar 2933).

 

[Tony Bonanno]

Hi Tony

what you say is correct, but go to the booklet "Menu" to page 269 (I am referring to the German version, so it might be different in the English one).

There you will see, that the buffer capacity is different, depending on the type of battery.

And it is 29 for lossles compressed 14 Bit with the EL-15.

(Have in mind, that the manual has a mistake: the two battery types are mixed up.)

All the best from Switzerland

www. rudolf-hug.ch

Hi Serselva,

Apparently my manual is different as I can't even find any figures for the buffer capacity with the grip, only without it. I have heard that the larger EN-EL18 battery with the grip does affect the buffer capacity. I think it increases the frame RATE to 9 fps, but the capacity of the buffer is reduced. I don't have the grip yet, so don't really know from actual experience. There may be some errors in the manuals too. I do know that I can easily obtain over 51 frames (14 bit lossless compressed RAW) before buffer slows down with just the EL-15 battery (no grip) as long as I turn auto ISO Off, shoot RAW only (not RAW + JPG), and use just the XQD card.

All the best from Santa Fe

Tony

--
Tony Bonanno Photography, Santa Fe, New Mexico
ASMP Professional Member, APA National Member
Instructor, Santa Fe Photographic Workshops
www.bonannophoto.com

 

[Slugsworth]

Well, I assumed, that the manual is wrong. But obviously not! Very strange.

I can only get about 30 frames before it slows down. Without grip, 14 Bit lossless, ISO 100, RAW only. XQD only (Lexar 2933).

Has anyone tried a Sony G series XQD to test the buffer with grip in 14 bit lossless?

I have both cards, but still waiting on my D850 delivery. :-(

Marc Mol

Biography I first developed an interest in photography over 40 years ago, back in the old days of film. I enjoy all forms of Nature photography, with a passion for African wildlife in particular. I enjoy capturing images that tell a story and often what others fail to see. I've often thought of...

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[Fritz Wilhelm]

Use to shooting the D5 for action. Very pleased to get a D850 to work alongside the D5. Was curious about the buffer capacity. Generally, with most of the normal settings, Nikon's spec of 51 frames for 14 bit Lossless Compressed full size RAW files seems to be fairly accurate. There are several features and variables that come into play regarding buffer capacity. Generally, the higher the ISO (and noise that affects file size), the fewer frames before buffer slows down. Card speed is another variable, etc.

HOWEVER, I did find an easy way to pop that buffer capacity up to 80-90 14-bit lossless compressed full size RAW files before the buffer slows down.. Not that most of us need that kind of performance very often, but if you do, try the following:

1. Use ONLY an XQD card (remove the SD card)

2. Set Image Quality to 14 bit lossless compression full size RAW

3. Cut OFF Auto ISO

4. Use a low ISO... at 200 ISO I was getting over 80-90 frames before the buffer slowed down. At ISO 400 getting about 80 frames, etc. You get the picture..

Try it and see if it works for you..

Cheers..

Tony Bonanno Photography, Santa Fe, New Mexico
ASMP Professional Member, APA National Member
Instructor, Santa Fe Photographic Workshops
www.bonannophoto.com

Thanks for the info. Can you leave the SD card in if you use it for overflow only?

 

[Tony Bonanno]

shops
www.bonannophoto.com

Thanks for the info. Can you leave the SD card in if you use it for overflow only?

Hi Fritz,

That is a good question. In theory, should be able to get max frames before buffer fills just as if you were shooting only with an XQD, but I've not tried it ??

Tony

 

[nextlife]

I know it was asked before but has anyone gotten around to testing the buffer size in 1.2x crop mode? I never really used that on my D810 but can imagine I might be very interested in using it in certain situations if it significantly increases the D850 buffer (having been spoiled by the D500!).

 

[Tony Bonanno]

I know it was asked before but has anyone gotten around to testing the buffer size in 1.2x crop mode? I never really used that on my D810 but can imagine I might be very interested in using it in certain situations if it significantly increases the D850 buffer (having been spoiled by the D500!).

Good question.. On the road right now without my 850, and I never use the DX mode, but would be interesting to see how that mode affects buffer capacity.

Another question I want to look into when I'm back in the studio is how XQD card size affects buffer. I'm thinking larger cards (64 and 128 GB) might show different results (fewer files) ?

 

[nextlife]

I know it was asked before but has anyone gotten around to testing the buffer size in 1.2x crop mode? I never really used that on my D810 but can imagine I might be very interested in using it in certain situations if it significantly increases the D850 buffer (having been spoiled by the D500!).

Good question.. On the road right now without my 850, and I never use the DX mode, but would be interesting to see how that mode affects buffer capacity.

Another question I want to look into when I'm back in the studio is how XQD card size affects buffer. I'm thinking larger cards (64 and 128 GB) might show different results (fewer files) ?

 

[nextlife]

Well, I assumed, that the manual is wrong. But obviously not! Very strange.

I can only get about 30 frames before it slows down. Without grip, 14 Bit lossless, ISO 100, RAW only. XQD only (Lexar 2933).

I didn't catch that you said this was in the Menu Guide (not Owners Manual) so I initially couldn't find it, but just did. This is very disappointing--even more dramatic in DX mode where it goes from 200 to 45. So my view that continuous shooting performance was going to get noticeably closer to the D500 seems wrong--looks like one has to choose between 9 fps or larger buffer, but not both!

 

[calson]

Or it can be a lot less if a MB-D18 battery pack is used with the EN-EL18 battery at which point 14-bit lossless compressed shooting the memory buffer is good for only 29 shots. No such problems when a second EN-EL15 battery is used in the battery pack.

 

[nextlife]

Or it can be a lot less if a MB-D18 battery pack is used with the EN-EL18 battery at which point 14-bit lossless compressed shooting the memory buffer is good for only 29 shots. No such problems when a second EN-EL15 battery is used in the battery pack.

Correct. But then you don't get the 9 fps. Can't have both......