IBM 1 Gig Microdrive

[straya]

This is my first experience with the microdrive beast.......Maybe someone can tell me what is happening.....I was shooting the other day when (All of a sudden) I was getting "ERR" displayed on the top LCD and I couldn't write (Raw) to the drive......I had a couple of shots already saved...there was nothing I could do.

So I slapped in my solid state card and went on my merry way.
When I got to the computer I downloaded the couple of shots I had and cleared the microdrive.....Everything is working fine again. ?????? What happened? Is there anything I did to cause this or is this one of those quirks I must live with using a microdrive? :confused:

[memobug]

The microdrive has higher power consumption, maybe you had a voltage sag during a write operation.

I had both the 340Meg Microdrive and the 1 Gig. I haven't used them since you can obtain generic 512Meg cards for a couple hundred bucks or even a slow name-brand one for not much more.

IMHO the Microdrives had their time, but they aren't worth the trouble anymore.

Regards,

Matt

[Iain]

Haven't experienced any problems with my 1Gb drive, but have had the err message on the top display. I found that taking the battery pack out and putting it back in cleared this. Sometimes I had to spin the batteries around in the holder, either bad batteries or contacts.

Iain

[jknights]

I think Memobug is right.

When the 1GB CF cards are affordable both my Microdrives will take up residence on a shelf.

[straya]

FOR YOUR INFORMATION: The "ERR" occured again...this time with a 1GB 16X Solid State Card!!!!!....There is nothing wrong with the microdrive...I have too, pulled the battery pack and re-installed it, everything was fine.....It must be a voltage drop or some other power issue. Will need to talk to Fuji....:)

[jknights]

There are reports on the Nikon D1X forum that some 1GB CF cards are not compatible with D100.

Can't remember which make.

May be the same with the S2.

[straya]

Just wondering about my Microdrive Problem in relation to my AA Battery selection.........I was using Ni-MH (Recharge) but have since switched to Lithium AA's.

As you may know, the recharged batteries deliver 1.2V as compaired to the full 1.5V with non-recharge batteries....this would be a voltage deficit of 1.2V total!:(

Combined with the power drain of a microdrive, this could be the problem.....any thoughts?

Of course, as stated earlier, I did have the same error mess. with a solid state card also.....the 1.2V drop is maybe too severe for this body alone.

[Iain]

I have constantly used my microdrive with 1.2 NiMh batteries with no problems. I use Panasonic 2000's, which seem to last for a good time.

Iain

[Marvo]

Hi Straya,
I haven't got my manual to hand but I seem to recall reading that it says NOT to use lithium AA batteries. I haven't got the foggiest idea why they are not suitable, my Olympus E10 CAME with lithium batteries. I think the whole world (inc. myself) is using 1.2v NiMH batteries in their S2s - something which fuji says is OK for the camera. I am, like you, wondering how the camera copes with both of either 6v or 4.8v supplied through the same battery chamber. Anyone got any ideas on this one?
Marvo.

[mrrjm]

With the rechargable batteries it is very improtant that you do not touch the contacts. What happens when using the Microdrive the current draw is very hi. The oil from your skin causes high resistance which heat up the contact and in some cases causes it to go intermitent. I believe in the S2 manual or a battery manual I read it says don't touch the contact. I recommend cleaning the contacts with a cloth before recharging and before putting them in the camera. And after 300-500 recharges just throw them out. The capacity starts to go down. I just bought 20 of the 1800ma batteries for 80 cents a piece from MCM electronics. So they are really cheap. I apologize about going on and on. But I have seen a single battery fail causing the same thing to happen. It this case it causes a low voltage condition which gives you an error message. I keep my batteries in sets of 4. I don't mix them up. I regards to the lithium. They are great for long life in a low current draw situation. But don't use them in the S2. The current draw is too high.


Ray

[straya]

It's true....Lithium AA are a no-no.....Go Figure!

I have switched back to Rechargables........I'm using 1800's ...anyone finding larger cells?

Thanks

[Iain]

I'm using Panasonic 2000's. They last well and are well priced. See www.7dayshop.com.

Iain

[ali]

This site has many digital memory products.

http://www.cititronics.com/Product-detail.asp?ProductID=51

IBM Microdrive $248 (Dec 2002)

[KPRussell]

Originally posted by straya
It's true....Lithium AA are a no-no.....Go Figure!

I have switched back to Rechargables........I'm using 1800's ...anyone finding larger cells?

Thanks

Straya, I have 3 sets of 2100 mah batteries from http://www.ipowerus.com/ and they have been working great for me. No problems or issues at all. They worked flawlessly in -7 Fahrenheit temperatures when I was in Minnesota recently.

[Angel1403]

I have had the same message. However, it would appear to be linked to the AA batteries requiring replacing.

When I replace them all is ok again until one bar shows on the battery indicator.