D3 continuous mode only 15 photos?

[kevin_penczak]

<p>I was shooting with a D3 today and i was in high continuous mode (9 fps) and the camera was only letting me shoot 15 images in a row before it was stops/slows down. I checked a number of setting and couldnt find out why it was stopping me. I was shooting somewhere about 1/500th of a second, and using a SanDisk Extreme III card (30 MB/s). I tried shooting in raw, jpegs small and large and still no difference. Thank you for your help!</p>

[bmg5]

<p>Hi, 15 is about the buffer on the D3 without an upgrade, I think technically it is 17 but you are running into the buffer limit and the unit cant write to the card fast enough to give you more clearance. At that point you can rip off about 3 fps until the buffer clears. Hope that helps, and for $500 Nikon will double your buffer if that is any help. Thanks Brian</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>The D3 has enough memory buffer for about 15 or so RAW files. It varies a bit depending on whether you are using a high ISO, Active D Lighting, noise reduction, etc.</p>

<p>If you use a SanDisk Extreme IV, it'll be table to empty its buffer a bit faster.</p>

[kevin_penczak]

<p>i tried shooting in the smallest jpeg and still it would only let me do 15. ISO was about 800 dont know if the others where on</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>I never tested the D3 shooting a lot of JPEGs, but keep in mind that the camera always shoots RAW. If you want JPEG, it has to convert the RAW files into JPEG and then save the JPEG files into the memory card.</p>

[hans_janssen]

<p>You can set a maximun amount of shots in a burst, maybe that is on 15. Check the d3 setting.</p>

[elliot1]

<p>You may find this of interest:</p>

<p><a href="http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25465">http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25465</a></p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Hans may have the answer. I would check the "Max Continuous Release" Custom Setting. If you shoot small JPEGs, the regular D3 buffer should allow you to shoot a lot more than 15 consecutive shots.</p>

[StuartMoxham]

<p>Wow my old D1h does one thing better than a D3 it has a 25 frame RAW buffer. Yeah yeah yeah go D1h. Now if only it had better battery life and that clean D3 full frame sensor :)</p>

[elliot1]

<p>Kevin, in your original post, you mention your camera "stops/slows down". If it stops completely, the setting for menu item d3 is likely set at 15. If it is set higher and/or this does not resolve your issue, also check to be sure you are not shooting RAW/JPG by mistake.</p>

[jnina]

<p>Check the settings you are shooting in. If you are shooting in a slow shutter speed this can also affect the fps.</p>

[kevin_penczak]

<p>looks like the first response (Brian Gudas) nailed it on the head. Thanks!<br /> </p>