D810 Buffer question

Paperman

And what does the buffer show at 14 bit?

Ironheart

I agree, something is not right. @deejaysoul have you tried a two-button reset?

deejaysoul

@Paperman, this what Im getting,

NEF (RAW), Lossless compressed, 12-bit, Large = 47
what I'm getting = 25

NEF (RAW), Lossless compressed, 14-bit. Large = 28
what I'm getting = 19


NEF (RAW), Compressed, 12-bit, Large = 58
what I'm getting = 28


NEF (RAW), Compressed, 14-bit, Large = 35
what I'm getting = 22

NEF (RAW), Uncompressed, 12-bit, Large = 34, Small = 18
what I'm getting, Large = 25 , Small = 12

NEF (RAW), Uncompressed, 14-bit, Large = 23
what I'm getting = 19

---------------

@Ironheart
I did last night, still no change

PB_PM

I think you should contact Nikon support, if the following does not work, because that does not seem right.

That said, Nikon does note this about the buffer: From the D810 manual page 491.

2 Maximum number of exposures that can be stored in memory buffer at ISO 100. Drops if Optimal quality is selected for JPEG/TIFF recording > JPEG compression, ISO sensitivity is set to Hi 0.3 or higher, or auto distortion control or long exposure noise reduction is on.

I tested this with the D800. If I have long exposure NR, a "Hi" high ISO setting, or distortion correction, turned on the buffer size is reduced from it's rated high numbers. Make sure all of those are off to see maximum buffer size.

deejaysoul

But thats the thing, I dont have these settings on, I never use any settings, I dont do auto-iso, nr, distortion, nothing. all that stuff is off.

PB_PM

So you have High ISO noise reduction off? Yes. Check. But do you have long exposure noise reduction off? Those are two separate settings! I know I'm being a pain, but just make sure!

If all else fails, contact Nikon or your camera dealer, because we've given you all the information we can.

deejaysoul

I did send a quick note to Nikon, the odd part is their support site lacks so much. I feel I can only get an answer from a forum like this. But I thank everyone for their help, and I will post any answers I get from Nikon.

PB-PM, yes all that is off, I even turned the camera off, but then I couldn't take any photos...

spraynpray

I even turned the camera off, but then I couldn't take any photos...

LMAO!

PB_PM

I did send a quick note to Nikon, the odd part is their support site lacks so much. I feel I can only get an answer from a forum like this. But I thank everyone for their help, and I will post any answers I get from Nikon.

Phone support is usually better, but they do answer questions online.

PB-PM, yes all that is off, I even turned the camera off, but then I couldn't take any photos...

It solved the buffer problem though right? I mean once the camera is off you can use the buffer of your mind to take photos.

Ironheart

@DJS Do me one more favor and pull the battery out for at least 5-10min...

deejaysoul

Thats been today before going out I had the battery on the charger while I was getting ready. Still no change.

Vipmediastar_JZ

I believe your card is on the approved list for Nikon and the D810.

Here is from another forum. Not sure if it helps or not

Did a test today to compare my Sandisk Extreme 60MB/S card versus my new Sandisk 160 MB/s CF card. Both cards are on Nikon's recommended list.

Using FX frame and 14bit raw only. 1/1000s AF (AFON) 5 frames/s

Number of frames to fill buffer 60MB/s 21 160MB/s 26-27

This is a useful increase for me which means that I can stay on 14 bit raws. With the slower card I got 27 raw 12 bit files before buffer flll.

Maybe useful for those wondering what card to buy.

If buffer size not imperative then the much cheaper Sandisk 60MB/s will be fine.

If not the new 160MB/s offers a buffer increase but at a price.

deejaysoul

It does and it doesn't, since I put a nine year 2GB CF card with 15mb/s, versus my newer 800X 75mb/s and had the same numbers appear with increase or decrease.

Paperman

Please guys ... Buffer size has nothing to do with card speed. Everyone has been saying it since the beginning. Yes, fast cards will increase # of shots taken in one go but buffer is buffer - that is what you will get even WITHOUT a card. And a fast or slow card will surely have no effect and what you see as buffer initially on the screen.

It looks like a software problem ; maybe you see it set as 12 bit but it gets stuck at 14 bit. Have you tried looking/comparing sizes of files taken at 12 & 14 bits ... The 28 shot buffer you see on screen relates to 14 bit so that is the place to look at ...

WestEndBoy

Paperman, that is true. However, the faster cards clear the buffer faster enabling more continuous shots before the buffer fills. I believe that the Photography Life article at the beginning of this thread uses this measurement methadology.

And it is the correct methadology, because it measures what photographers care about. Of course the numbers will change a bit depending on card speed etc.

And certainly confusing to the non-technical.

Paperman

Yes WestEndBoy but "# of shots in one go" or how fast the cards are not in discussion here ... And I specifically said " what you see as buffer INITIALLY on the screen. "

The OP sees 28 instead of 47 as buffer on the screen. We are trying to find out why that is happening. What you see as buffer has no relation whatsoever to what card is inside the camera.

WestEndBoy

Actually Paperman, "# of shots in one go" is what is being discussed. You said, "the OP sees 28 instead of 47 on his screen", but I don't see where he said that. In fact, in a later post, the OP said, "........while shooting the buffer ran out after "28" shots while only shooting 3FPS..........."

His "advertised buffer capacity" refers to the table in the Photography Life article which is from Nikon according to Photography Life. Note the fourth line in the table which says ways that I will get 17 shots shooting in FX with 14 bit lossless compressed. This is what I shoot and what my D800 is currently set at.

My "screen" says "12", but when I shoot at 4fps in FX, I get 17 shots before the buffer fills.

So we, and not even Nikon, are not talking about buffer capacity in the strictest sense, but "# of shots in one go".

Interestingly, when I first purchased my D800 a year ago, my "screen" said 13. About half a year ago, it changed to 12. I have not been able to identify why or return it to 13.

I think that if my camera was having this issue, now would be the time to take it back to Nikon and see if there is a problem.

Paperman

Just for giggles, I put in an old 2GB SanDisk Ultra CF (15MB/s), it even SHOWED "28".

I put a nine year 2GB CF card with 15mb/s, versus my newer 800X 75mb/s and had the same numbers APPEAR with increase or decrease.

There are also some figures he mentioned in page1 - buffer with all different compression/12/14 bit combinations. You are not suggesting he did all those tests. My understanding is that he was just quoting what he saw on his screen.

The OP is saying he neither SEES ( on screen ) nor GETS (by testing) the the advertised buffer.

WestEndBoy

And any old card I put in mine shows 12, but I won't get the 17 that Nikon advertises.

PB_PM

@WestEndBoy Sounds like your D800 has a problem too. In fact this seems to be a common problem. My D800 shows 16 frames with 14bit RAW lossless compressed. That's 1 off of the official 17 listed in the manual. In 12bit it still only shows 16 frames, even though Nikon states 21. My guess is that it isn't a real problem at all, just a software glitch in the firmware. I say that because I recall it being correct with previous firmware.

deejaysoul

Thank you every one on the feed back with my buffer issue, but I think Im returning the camera. My D810 falls into the recall that Nikon is putting out today, instead of sending it back, Im getting a refund.

deejaysoul

I got this email from Nikon Answers:

Our DSLR Cameras are equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage, allowing shooting to continue while photographs are being saved to the memory card. When the buffer is full, the shutter is disabled until enough data have been transferred to the memory card to make room for another photograph. In continuous mode, shooting will continue to a maximum of 100 shots, although the frame rate will drop once the buffer has filled. The approximate number of images that can be stored in the memory buffer at current settings is shown in the exposure-count display in the viewfinder while the shutter-release button is pressed. Unfortunately, this buffer count is only an estimate and does not reflect the true buffer count 100%.

Best Regards,
Julien B.

WestEndBoy

I sent an email like this to Nikon once and got the same non-sensical answer. It is like they have 100 standard responses and paste the closest that they can find even if it makes the Nikon rep look like a moron.

spraynpray

I sent an email like this to Nikon once and got the same non-sensical answer. It is like they have 100 standard responses and paste the closest that they can find even if it makes the Nikon rep look like a moron.

Can you tell us what about that reply isn't clear to you? It seems to answer the questions, even if it is in some cases by omission.

WestEndBoy

I sent an email like this to Nikon once and got the same non-sensical answer. It is like they have 100 standard responses and paste the closest that they can find even if it makes the Nikon rep look like a moron.

Can you tell us what about that reply isn't clear to you? It seems to answer the questions, even if it is in some cases by omission.

I think it is clear but bullshit. His buffer is operating at 50% of spec and Nikon chalks it up to normal file size variation.