Nikon D70 memory (CF, compact flash)

[albert01]

Hello,

I picked up a 18-70mm Nikon Lens that comes with a Nikon D70, battery and charger. However there is no memory card.

I see many different size and speed CF cards. However I'm not certain which I am able to choose as memory tech. keeps changing and have read about people using various sizes, but no real max. size or anything about cf card speed, type (type 1, type 2), etc.

I suppose a 4 to 16 GB CF card would suffice for my uses of a D70. (I also have other Nikon DSLR's such as a D80 and D90, however I thought I would carry the D70 for more generalized shooting events, while traveling, as a backup, etc. where resolution and other DSLR features aren't as important)

I've used CF cards in the past but usually older ones that are low speed and small size. I think I still have a few point and shoot cameras that use CF at lower speeds and capacity.

What do I need to know about CF before purchasing memory for the Nikon D70, 4GB and larger?

I'm uncertain about the D70's firmware as it has not arrived yet with the Nikon 18-70mm lens.

 

[cosmicnode]

Hello,

I picked up a 18-70mm Nikon Lens that comes with a Nikon D70, battery and charger. However there is no memory card.

I see many different size and speed CF cards. However I'm not certain which I am able to choose as memory tech. keeps changing and have read about people using various sizes, but no real max. size or anything about cf card speed, type (type 1, type 2), etc.

Type 2 cards are miniature hard drives

I suppose a 4 to 16 GB CF card would suffice for my uses of a D70. (I also have other Nikon DSLR's such as a D80 and D90, however I thought I would carry the D70 for more generalized shooting events, while traveling, as a backup, etc. where resolution and other DSLR features aren't as important)

I've used CF cards in the past but usually older ones that are low speed and small size. I think I still have a few point and shoot cameras that use CF at lower speeds and capacity.

What do I need to know about CF before purchasing memory for the Nikon D70, 4GB and larger?

I'm uncertain about the D70's firmware as it has not arrived yet with the Nikon 18-70mm lens.

I have just tried several cards in a a D70 4, 8 gb work I tried a Transend 32gb and that worked my Lexar 1066x 64gb also worked ! amazing , however I don't know if the camera sees the whole card. A 2gb or 4gb will be more than enough, some cameras can be a little temperamental as to the make of card. The colour on these cameras is really nice, enjoy it when it arrives.

Firmware is version 2.00 for A and B this was a big upgrade issued when the D70s was released.

--
Mike.
"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit, it's the only way to be sure."

 

[bflood]

Something I have noticed over the past decade plus is that many of the people who post to a photography forum to ask about a memory card problem are trying to use a card that is either distinctly faster or higher capacity than what was available at the time the camera was introduced. Card read and write speeds and max capacity are always increasing, to the point that cards that run at the same speeds as those available when new D70s were on store shelves probably cannot be found any more.

Your best bet is to get a copy of the Nikon D70 manual - you can download it from Nikon at nikonusa.com. In the back of the manual it will list cards that Nikon had tested and knew that worked satisfactorily. For max storage capacity, I suggest limiting the card size to twice the largest size Nikon shows in the D70 user manual. Given the file sizes for a 6 MP camera, that should provide plenty of storage.

Card speed has a different consideration. The cards available today most likely all run faster than the D70. While a card has a read speed and a write speed, so too does the camera. Today's cards are undoubtedly faster than the D70 - spending more money to get more card speed won't help - a faster card won't make the camera go any faster. And I think there's a risk of malfunction if the card speed to dramatically faster than the camera's speed. So I suggest aiming low - get the slow cards - it'll save you a little money (and I mean a little) and might help avoid card-related problems down the road.

 

[David Lal]

I picked up a 18-70mm Nikon Lens that comes with a Nikon D70, battery and charger. However there is no memory card.

I see many different size and speed CF cards. However I'm not certain which I am able to choose as memory tech. keeps changing and have read about people using various sizes, but no real max. size or anything about cf card speed, type (type 1, type 2), etc.

Albert, you do NOT need a large fast CF card: my D70 in 2004 came with a 512mb, yes, mb, type 1 card. Since then I've used 4gb, 8gb and 16gb Transcend cards among others.

 

[albert01]

One problem with using Nikon approved cards on older equipment is the testing was performed years ago when memory tech wasn't the same as it is today.

Here is a Nikon list of approved CF cards. Even though the website shows the 000001781 article was last updated on 01/30/2017 I highly doubt any new testing was performed. The compatibility list is most likely something that was created just after the D70 and D70S first came out.

The largest CF card used then was 4GB, since the testing was performed larger CF cards have been successfully used.

I will probably find a 4GB to 16GB CF card based on what is found in the Nikon CF card list for the D70/D70S

Recommended CF cards

Lexar Media 40x WA* USB series 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB
Lexar Media 80x WA* USB Series 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB

Sandisk SDCFH (Ultra) 128 MB, 192 MB, 256 MB, 384 MB, 512 MB and 1 GB
Sandisk SDCFH (Ultra II) 256 MB, 512 MB, and 1 GB
Sandisk SDCFX (Extreme) 512 MB and 1 GB
Sandisk SDCFX (Extreme III) 1GB, 2GB

I think a 4GB to 16GB CF card same or similar brand should work ok. One can also check user forums where people have reported CF cards they used with the d70/D70S

e.g eBay has some 16GB Sandisk CF cards which appear would work ok. I think yes higher capable speeds of newer CF cards may not be utilized by older cameras designed for slower cards?

Refurbished CF Sandisk https://www.ebay.com/itm/SanDisk-Ex...363281&hash=item25f1acfb86:g:ehkAAOSwL4Rb4xut

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SanDisk-Extreme-16GB-Compact-Flash-CF-Card-SDCFX-016G-Certified-Refurbished/153473106539?hash=item23bbb5c26b:g:ndoAAOSw1YRcy2RM

16GB Sandisk CF cards https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Sa...162746&hash=item2163a5851d:g:~MQAAOSwByhdnGVL

New ???

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-SanDisk-16GB-Ultra-Compact-Flash-CF-Card-200X-30MB-s-16G-II-SDCFH-016G/143405712669?epid=6033162746&hash=item2163a5851d%3Ag%3A%7EMQAAOSwByhdnGVL&LH_ItemCondition=3

 

[albert01]

I'll keep Transcend and other brands in mind.

I recently purchased a brand new ( unrefurbed) Sandisk 16GB for under $18.00, estimated arrival Wed. Oct. 30. location: Miami, Florida, United States

I see now I could have saved a few dollars purchasing an "open box" Transcend for $12.99 , Coming from China - would probably take longer to arrive.

I'll give the new 16GB Sandisk a try, 16GB seems to save me a few dollars vs spending $$ on smaller CF cards. Which is another thing to think about when purchasing flash memory. You want speed and size flash memory that a particular camera is able to utilize.

For my D80 and D90 I purchased a couple of Samsung 32GB Micro SD Card SDHC EVO+ 80MB/s UHS-I Class 10 TF Memory Card HD

For $4.99 each. I don't really have all the facts but remember reading that the D90 shouldn't have any problems with 32GB SD memory.

I've read for some memory card sizes and speeds the D90 may not be able to utilize a higher speed SD card. I think the D90 may be limited to a 32GB maximum SD memory card size?

Sandisk created compatible memory list for the D90.

SanDisk products for Nikon D90

D80 list - https://pct1.sandisk.com/ProductList.aspx?DeviceID=1504

D70S/D70 list - https://pct1.sandisk.com/ProductList.aspx?DeviceID=1449

 

[David Lal]

I think the D90 may be limited to a 32GB maximum SD memory card size?

32gb is plenty big enough - why seek anything larger, especially if not doing video? If I go travelling I take two or three 32gb cards and swap them out each day so that should anything go wrong I don't lose ALL my photos.

 

[albert01]

I think the D90 may be limited to a 32GB maximum SD memory card size?

32gb is plenty big enough - why seek anything larger, especially if not doing video? If I go travelling I take two or three 32gb cards and swap them out each day so that should anything go wrong I don't lose ALL my photos.

Yes that's why I chose the Sandisk 32GB SD card for the D90 and D80. I can always carry more than one SD card if needed. A larger one really isn't required unless doing alot of movies.

SanDisk | Product Compatibility Tool

D80 - https://pct1.sandisk.com/ProductList.aspx?DeviceID=1504

D90 - https://pct1.sandisk.com/ProductList.aspx?DeviceID=2121

 

[StefanFromTheNorth]

I used Kingston 4GB CF cards in my D70s and they work fine. I believe I bought them in 2015.

Best advice I was ever given was to format them (from the camera menu) after each transfer to the computer. Never hand any issues.

 

[bjn70]

It makes small files so speed and size aren’t so important. I used 1 and 2 gb cards with my d70s.

 

[cosmicnode]

It makes small files so speed and size aren’t so important. I used 1 and 2 gb cards with my d70s.

I originally had a 512mb card for mine, then got a cheap 2gb card, it was very slow to both read and write. later I bought a 4gb card that if I remember was over 2X faster for read and write, with the slow card the camera slowed to a crawl writing a image to the card.

 

[albert01]

I got this one,

Genuine SanDisk 16GB Ultra Compact Flash CF Card 200X 30MB/s 16G II SDCFH-016G

To check compatibility I used SanDisk's Product Compatibility webpage

SanDisk | Product Compatibility Tool

D70/D70S - https://pct1.sandisk.com/ProductList.aspx?DeviceID=1449

 

[albert01]

The 16GB Sandisk Compact Flash card I've listed above works ok. However the firmware must be updated to at least version 2.0.

d70v200jw.exe

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/171.html

http://download.nikonimglib.com/archive2/ZVTFm00PDx8K02B22ZU48B69Ch48/DSLR_Firmup_Win_En.pdf



Yeah the D70 is an older DSLR, first introduced in 2004. I've been testing it out taking photos of kids, pets, etc.

 

[cosmicnode]

The 16GB Sandisk Compact Flash card I've listed above works ok. However the firmware must be updated to at least version 2.0.

d70v200jw.exe

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/171.html

http://download.nikonimglib.com/archive2/ZVTFm00PDx8K02B22ZU48B69Ch48/DSLR_Firmup_Win_En.pdf

Yeah the D70 is an older DSLR, first introduced in 2004. I've been testing it out taking photos of kids, pets, etc.

Cat photo's are a basic requirement for testing out a new camera or lens.

I got a free catinabox when I bought the D500.







--
Mike.
"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit, it's the only way to be sure."

 

[arikevin]

After reading this thread, I popped-in Sandisk Extreme 128GB into my D70 and it works!

 

[David Lal]

I got a free catinabox when I bought the D500.

That's very strange: my SB800 flashgun came with a cockatoo!

D70; SB800 and lesser sulphur crested cockatoo

 

[albert01]

The cat in my photo is of a Bengal. Bengal cats come in varying percentage of Bengal. It was part of a large abandoned litter where the mother once adopted had a second litter.

I'm uncertain of the percentage of Bengal the cats from the two litters are as they are strays that will mate with non-bengal cats.

Bengals are very smart, different type of smart than your average cat with certain traits and behaviors known of Bengals.

Though not normally known as lap cats this one loves to sleep in my lap when it wants to.

Bengals were originally bred from a domestic cat and an Asian spotted leopard.

You may need at first need to keep a Bengal on a lease, as their known to run off, down the street, into the woods, etc.

But they do learn very fast so after a while (when young) a lease should not be necessary. They eventually learn how to stay around a home and yard.

My friend adopted two brothers from a litter and both love to be indoors and outside, made friends and get along and play with the two pet dogs.

http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/bengal

 

[albert01]

The Sandisk SDCFHS-032 32GB is the same price as the Sandisk 16GB. I'm uncertain if i need to spend $$$ for a larger than 16 or 32 GB CF.

My math shows 16GB CF hold approx. 6400 pics 2500KB in size.

D70's large size pics run from around ~2K to ~2.7K

It's good to here the firmware update accepts even larger CF cards for the D70.

 

[David Lal]

The Sandisk SDCFHS-032 32GB is the same price as the Sandisk 16GB. I'm uncertain if i need to spend $$$ for a larger than 16 or 32 GB CF.

Of course you don't! I don't even go larger than 32gb on my FX D750. As I said before, why put all your eggs in one basket?

Nikon D70 memory (CF, compact flash)

Hello, I picked up a 18-70mm Nikon Lens that comes with a Nikon D70, battery and charger. However there is no memory card. I see many different size and speed CF cards. However I'm not certain which I am able to choose as memory tech. keeps changing and have read about people using various...

www.dpreview.com

 

[albert01]

Yes, that's true. I think I may have gotten a 32GB instead of a 16GB as you never know when additional capacity may be needed these days.

Camera pic sizes have grown quite a bit, plus now we have movie files. You never know when additional capacity may be needed for different types of equipment that use memory cards.

I can remember when I used tape and film as there were no cds and memory cards. I use to have most of my music on large reel to reel as the tape and player quality was much better than the smaller tape players that used smaller tape reels and cassettes.

I use to own mostly Teac reel to reel players. I think there may be one company that still manufactures reel to reel players which have made some sort of comeback along with vinyl with music and sound recordings.