SD card exposure tolerance

35mmfilmfan · 07-09-2021, 03:11 PM

I know that various film emulsions were either more or less tolerant of deviations from the 'correct' exposure. Does anyone know if the same applies to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards - and if so, which ?

kypfer · 07-09-2021, 03:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

I know that various film emulsions were either more or less tolerant of deviations from the 'correct' exposure. Does anyone know if the same applies to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards - and if so, which ?

No relation whatsoever. It'll be the sensor in the camera that exhibits exposure limits, the card is just a recording device, storing whatever data the camera sends it.

**SelrahCharleS** · 07-09-2021, 03:23 PM - **1 Like**

The SD card make no difference at all, it just records whatever digital information is stored by the camera (unless it's going bad, in which case you'll probably get images that can no longer be viewed at all). The only real difference you'll see with SD cards is in the size, and the speed at which you can write images to them.

Now the image sensor inside the camera itself is more like the film, and all the difference in 'tolerance' is in the different camera models available. Camera's newer than 2010 or so are generally quite good in that regard.

35mmfilmfan · 07-09-2021, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by kypfer

No relation whatsoever. It'll be the sensor in the camera that exhibits exposure limits, the card is just a recording device, storing whatever data the camera sends it.

OK, thanks very much for this. I was just curious, that's all.

35mmfilmfan · 07-09-2021, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by SelrahCharleS

The SD card make no difference at all, it just records whatever digital information is stored by the camera (unless it's going bad, in which case you'll probably get images that can no longer be viewed at all). The only real difference you'll see with SD cards is in the size, and the speed at which you can write images to them.

Now the image sensor inside the camera itself is more like the film, and all the difference in 'tolerance' is in the different camera models available. Camera's newer than 2010 or so are generally quite good in that regard.

Again, my grateful thanks.

**DWS1** · 07-09-2021, 06:17 PM

None whatsoever. The SD card only records 1's and 0's.

**pentaxus** · 07-09-2021, 09:43 PM

If you shoot in continuous mode a faster card can help.

35mmfilmfan · 07-10-2021, 08:55 AM

Thanks for all your replies - I think we can consider my query well and truly answered now !

BTW, I tried my K3 in video mode today, using a Sandisk 128GB card, to catch the last few minutes of the TDF from TV. Worked like a dream, kept up beautifully. I now have Mark Cavendish's record-equalling stage win immortalised for ever - with several copies saved on different media !

07-09-2021, 03:11 PM	#1
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339	SD card exposure tolerance I know that various film emulsions were either more or less tolerant of deviations from the 'correct' exposure. Does anyone know if the same applies to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards - and if so, which ?

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07-09-2021, 03:16 PM - 1 Like	#2
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,596	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan I know that various film emulsions were either more or less tolerant of deviations from the 'correct' exposure. Does anyone know if the same applies to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards - and if so, which ? No relation whatsoever. It'll be the sensor in the camera that exhibits exposure limits, the card is just a recording device, storing whatever data the camera sends it.

07-09-2021, 03:23 PM - 1 Like	#3
SelrahCharleS Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 937	The SD card make no difference at all, it just records whatever digital information is stored by the camera (unless it's going bad, in which case you'll probably get images that can no longer be viewed at all). The only real difference you'll see with SD cards is in the size, and the speed at which you can write images to them. Now the image sensor inside the camera itself is more like the film, and all the difference in 'tolerance' is in the different camera models available. Camera's newer than 2010 or so are generally quite good in that regard.

07-09-2021, 03:24 PM	#4
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339 Original Poster	Originally posted by kypfer No relation whatsoever. It'll be the sensor in the camera that exhibits exposure limits, the card is just a recording device, storing whatever data the camera sends it. OK, thanks very much for this. I was just curious, that's all.

07-09-2021, 03:26 PM	#5
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339 Original Poster	Originally posted by SelrahCharleS The SD card make no difference at all, it just records whatever digital information is stored by the camera (unless it's going bad, in which case you'll probably get images that can no longer be viewed at all). The only real difference you'll see with SD cards is in the size, and the speed at which you can write images to them. Now the image sensor inside the camera itself is more like the film, and all the difference in 'tolerance' is in the different camera models available. Camera's newer than 2010 or so are generally quite good in that regard. Again, my grateful thanks.

07-09-2021, 06:17 PM	#6
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	None whatsoever. The SD card only records 1's and 0's.

07-09-2021, 09:43 PM	#7
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	If you shoot in continuous mode a faster card can help.

07-10-2021, 08:55 AM	#8
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339 Original Poster	Thanks for all your replies - I think we can consider my query well and truly answered now ! BTW, I tried my K3 in video mode today, using a Sandisk 128GB card, to catch the last few minutes of the TDF from TV. Worked like a dream, kept up beautifully. I now have Mark Cavendish's record-equalling stage win immortalised for ever - with several copies saved on different media !