Can a Canon EOS-1Ds use CompactFlash cards larger than 8GB?
Asked 1/26/2014
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I’m trying to confirm the real CompactFlash card size limit for the original Canon EOS-1Ds running firmware 1.0.3. Some sources say the camera is limited to 8GB, especially when formatting in-camera, while others report successful use of 16GB or 32GB cards. Since the camera uses FAT32 for cards over 2GB, is 8GB a true hardware limit or just an in-camera formatting limitation? Has anyone verified whether the camera can actually use more than 8GB if the card is prepared on a computer?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
9
I have a Canon EOS 1Ds mark 1, and I have recently put in a 32GB card. It is true that in-camera formatting only allows for an 8 GB partition to be created. However, if I re-partition the card on my computer and create a 32 GB partition, the camera will recognize all 32 GB.
I have tested filling the card beyond 8 GB, and it still seems to work in the camera.
So conclusion, it works, but only if you format on a computer :)
Originally by user28336. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user28336
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the community report, the EOS-1Ds can use larger CF cards than 8GB, but its in-camera formatting appears limited to creating an 8GB partition.
A tested example with the original EOS-1Ds and a 32GB CompactFlash card showed:
- formatting in the camera created only an 8GB partition
- repartitioning/formatting the card on a computer as a 32GB partition allowed the camera to recognize the full 32GB
- the card was reportedly filled past 8GB and continued working normally
So the practical limit does not appear to be a strict 8GB hardware cap. Instead, the main limitation is the camera’s own formatting behavior. If you want to use a larger card, prepare it on a computer first, then insert it into the camera without reformatting in-camera.
As with older cameras, compatibility can still vary by CF card model and filesystem setup, so it’s wise to test a card before relying on it for important shooting.
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