CF Cards Type 1 / Type 2

[Michael Hiltner]

I joined this forum a couple days ago. It is way cool. I have been trying to find an answer to this question but have not found an answer anywhere.
As I understand it the MD memory slot on the S-2 is thicker than the smart media memory slot and many S-2 users are using CF cards rather than the micro drive. What I do not understand is the difference between the type 1 and type 2 compact flash cards. Can you use either one in the MD slot?
Thanks very much. Michael

[justinb]

Hi Michael,

Unless my memory is hazy, Type I is compact flash and Type II is microdrive. Fuji, in their manual, only recommends for the use of Type II cards. Either one will work in the microdrive slot, however, the S2 seems to have some definite preferences concerning CF cards. Check past threads of this site, DPReview, and Nikonians for countless discussions on this. From my reading and experience, Simpletech and early Sandisk cards are a no-no, while Microtech, Ridata, and Lexar are a few of the cards that people seem to have success with.

If you are worried about compatibility with a card that you can't find any information on, buy it locally, where you can test it on the spot.

Justin

[snapthepicture]

I use sandisc and lexar cards both smart media and CF's. This way I can shoot more without stopping to change cards out. I have heard horror stories about the micro drives though. They do have moving parts and are more subject to vibration, heat and breakdown. They do have 1gig solid state cards (CF). That is what I am sticking too.
Bruno
http://www.snapthepicture.com/composite.jpg

[stclairn3]

I understand the difference in the designation has to do with the capacity of the card.

[polly]

I too would like to know about using type 1 compact flash cards in my s2 pro. The camera works fine with them ( they are the only cf cards I have) but I would like to know if any harm can be done to the camera using them. I know how reliable they are, as one went through the washing machine last year and all the pix on it were ok. Just worried about the damage thing!

cheers

[Lab Rat]

The following is from the compact flash association. You can read the full FAQ at http://www.compactflash.org/faqs/faq.htm

What is CompactFlash®, CF Type I, CF Type II and CF I/O?
CompactFlash® is a small, removable mass storage device. First introduced in 1994, CompactFlash cards weigh a half ounce and are the size of a matchbook. They provide complete PCMCIA-ATA functionality and compatibility.

At 43mm (1.7") x 36mm (1.4") x 3.3mm (0.13"), the CF Type I card's thickness is less than one-half of a current PCMCIA Type II card. It is actually one-fourth the volume of a PCMCIA card. Compared to a 68-pin PCMCIA card, a CF card has 50 pins but still conforms to ATA specs. It can be easily slipped into a passive 68-pin PCMCIA Type II to CF Type I adapter that fully meets PCMCIA electrical and mechanical interface specifications.

At 43mm (1.7") x 36mm (1.4") x 5mm (0.19"), the CF Type II card's thickness is equal to a current PCMCIA Type II card. It is actually less than one-half the volume of a PCMCIA card. Compared to a 68-pin PCMCIA card, a CF card has 50 pins but still conforms to ATA specs. It can be easily slipped into a passive 68-pin PCMCIA Type II to CF Type II adapter that fully meets PCMCIA electrical and mechanical interface specifications.

The only difference between CF Type I and CF Type II cards is the card thickness. CF Type I is 3.3 mm thick and CF Type II cards are 5mm thick. A CF Type I card will operate in a CF Type I or CF Type II slot. A CF Type II card will only fit in a CF Type II slot. The electrical interfaces are identical. CompactFlash is available in both CF Type I and CF Type II cards, though predominantly in CF Type I cards. The Microdrive is a CF Type II card. Most CF I/O cards are CF Type I, but there are some CF Type II I/O cards.

CompactFlash cards are designed with flash technology, a nonvolatile storage solution that does not require a battery to retain data indefinitely.

CompactFlash storage products are solid state, meaning they contain no moving parts, and provide users with much greater protection of their data than conventional magnetic disk drives. They are five to ten times more rugged and reliable than disk drives including those found in PC Card Type III products. CF cards consume only five percent of the power required by small disk drives.

CompactFlash cards support both 3.3V and 5V operation and can be interchanged between 3.3V and 5V systems. This means that any CF card can operate at either voltage. Other small form factor flash cards may be available to operate at 3.3V or 5V, but any single card can operate at only one of the voltages.

CF data storage cards are also available using magnetic disk (Microdrive).

CF I/O cards include modems, Ethernet, serial, Bluetooth wireless, digital phone cards, USB, laser scanners, etc.

The connector used with CF and CompactFlash is similar to the PCMCIA Card connector, but with 50 pins. Years of field experience in portable devices have proven the reliability and durability of this connector in applications where frequent insertions and ejections of the card are required. Other small form factor flash cards use connector technology that is not reliable or durable in these applications .

CompactFlash provides the lowest cost flash storage solution for capacities of 16MB and above. With the built-in controller, a wide variety of low cost flash technologies can be used. The built-in controller lowers costs further by reducing costs in the host device and allowing defective flash chip cells to be mapped out, thus increasing flash chip yields. Microdrives provide the lowest cost data storage solution for capacities of 340MB and above.

When compatibility, interoperability, reliability, cost, and performance count, CF and CompactFlash cards are the ATA-compatible solution that delivers.



Hope this helps.
Ken

[snapthepicture]

Yeah,
That's what I was trying to say. :)

[polly]

Thank you for your comprehensive reply Ken, it does help and I have just had this reply from Fuji UK, to my question sent last night!
..........................................

Can I use my compact flash type 1 with my s2 pro. If I use them what damage can be done?

The following response has been made:

Thankyou for your enquiry.

Compact flash 'I' can be used with the S2 Pro. No foreseeable 'damage' will be caused by their use.

Hope this answers your question.


Sincerely,

Fujifilm