guys, formating the card with ur camera is the best idea

also, use the cable provided by the package > camera. 100% safe

avoid card reader. the plugging and unplug of memory card in and out of the card reader, due to the power (5v) is always on in the cardreader, when u slot it, sometimes it cause a high static discharge dmg to the memory card, thus why, some people will get "format card" when plug in the cardreader (but no problem in camera), worst case is, the card dmg itseld and All Data Erased.

even u insist of using card reader, plug in the Mcard to the reader first, Then only plug the card reader USB in. at least it doesnt cause power surge.

Ayark really? I bought a pack of 4 (2000mah) and so far it lasts about whole day of macro session. Mind telling whats the poor part?

Uzumaki NaruTo: That's from the info I gather around the forums.

naruto, u will know after 6 month of using it. not reliable as eneloop and imedions

hokc77: Real niiice!

Ksano: I have a 30 minute GP charger with 4 2300 mAh AA batteries. It works but I suspect it wears the batteries faster, and it is picky about what batteries it can charge in what slot. They even had a 15 minute version.

I think GP realized that these chargers were spoiling batteries, so I wouldn't mind using the more reliable 1 or 2 hour chargers. 6 hour chargers are the cheaper ones.

ronnie: My Energizer 2500 mAh batteries were good when they were good, but soon one of them was unchargeable so that left me with 3 good ones. Also because they were not Low Self Discharge they looked bad compared to my Eneloops.

I am tempted to get their new 2450 mAh ones which claim to be LSDs.

However nothing can touch Energizer alkalines. Damn reliable.

I have Uniross LSDs which had very little charge the first 3 times I charged them. It is very stable now though.

ieR: I got a "Format card" but that was because I'd bent one of the pins inside the card reader while inserting the CF card. Threw away the cheap card reader already!

cheap card reader is slow. Cap ayam..

i got a cap ayam and been suffering for 2 years (i didn't know better) and then I started complaining and complaining and the feedback was to try an alternate card reader. I bought the apacer steno AM400. WOW!!! fast!!

cap ayam 8GB == 40min
apacer 8GB == 4mins (22mb/s)

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Added on December 1, 2009, 11:09 ameneloops are best for lazy bastar*s like myself. No need to always charge and it retains power.

Uniross are CRAP (at least those that I have), charge 1day, tomorrow die already.

BTW, I still have a Beercan for sale if anyone is interested. The last guy who wanted / reserved it FFK and I've been lazy to re-advertise it.

This post has been edited by myjunk: Dec 1 2009, 11:09 AM

oh hai myjunk..
I think I just read about your thread sells enelope battery... do you still selling it?

albnok : hoo thanks for the battery info sifu might considering it rather than energizer

nope... I cannot get that deal anymore so no more selling.

no need apacer ma, i bought mine for RM13 from lowyat. also around that speed for my Kingston 8Gb 133x

I also got a cap ayam card reader that is quite fast. I got about 22-23MB/s for reading the Kingston 8GB 133x. HOw about the write speed?
I do a few test . mine can reach 5MB/s if writing multi flies like photos. if writing a single huge file, it might be faster.

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Added on December 1, 2009, 11:27 amI have 2 set of Energizer rechargeable failed long long time ago.. year 2003. It's really good in the 1st few charge cycle.. after a few month tat.. err... within 3 day the charge gone..

This post has been edited by hkhk: Dec 1 2009, 11:27 AM

apacer was RM25. So it was OK as well.
mostly cap ayam not good. Anyway, your mileage may wary

depend on the product I guess

I did bought card reader long time ago (rm10)
Use it for transfer file, then one day I let it connected for a night..
tomorrow the card reader fried already, (MELTED) lucky didnt damage my CF card

lucky you then.

Rm25 is worth it man... with the speed difference.

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Added on December 1, 2009, 11:45 amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

pay the writer..

This post has been edited by myjunk: Dec 1 2009, 11:45 AM

hence, advisable to use the cable provided for the alpha. card reader although rm10 or 30 or 60, its like buying a Risk.... when u got a safe cable to use >.<

i normally use the cable to transfer pic from cam to pc. what i notice is that the cam batt will drain faster a bit if left connected for a longer time, is this normal?

Use the cable to transfer picture will use the batt of the Alpha camera. I don't recommend it

Using the cable to transfer pic will eat into your battery. That's a fact.

If your alpha battery is low then do not transfer the pics until you have charged the battery. If the battery runs out while in the middle of the transfer, most probably you will get corrupted files.

Will any of you buy this?

yes, cable will use ur batt IF u waste ur time with it, usually i copy then off it. better then risking damaging the CF card, it may not cause big damage, but sooner, where those common 'corrupted' file happens is due from using card reader.

woh albnok...interesting..but i would never use that thing..ahah how to fit in a bag safely .nevermind..we live and learn... better just fix small filter ( cloth mesh ) at the intake of the bulb also can no? hahahah..