Is there a file size limit for importing photos into an iPad?

Coraline

Hi all,

For some reason my iPad (4th generation 64GB) will import photos from one camera , but not the other. The only thing I can think of is that the camera that works puts out rather small files (8MB JPGs) and the one that doesn't puts out rather large files (25-30MB JPGs).

Tried different cards on each camera, which makes no difference and all else the same the only thing I can think of is the files may be too big.

Does anybody know if this is true, and if so, what is the maximum file size the iPad will take? I've seen in some forums that the iPad automatically downsizes photos if needed, but this doesn't happen. All I get is a red circle with a white exclamation mark in it over each failed photo upload.

This is a real pain because I was planning to travel with this iPad rather than my 3 kg laptop..but not if I can't upload my photos!

Many thanks!

WTFH

Are you sure the larger files are JPG and not RAW?

I'm not aware of any file size limits, but I don't transfer photos direct from my cameras to my iPad. I'm sure some of the photos I've put on it are over 20MB.

If you're thinking of using the iPad as a backup device, then that's OK, but if it's just as something to view the photos on, then there's no point in putting anything over about 4MB, since that's all the screen can display.

Coraline

Hi WTFH:

I only work with JPEG...so no RAW files to import. The little camera I have is a P&S, the large one a 24.1 MP STL. So that's why I can't sort out what the problem is.

(I just realised the next step is to take several dozen photos at medium-low quality on my big camera and see if those import--just to rule out if it's another issue)

That's exactly right--I want to use the iPad to transfer each day's photos to it as a backup, as opposed to lugging around my Macbook Pro in my backpack.

WTFH

Yes, that would be the next test.

Also, what way are you transferring them? Is it from the camera, or do you take the memory card out and plug it into an adaptor? (if so, what adaptor - is it an Apple one or a third party, and what type of memory card?)

Coraline

Will do that test tomorrow!

I'm using an Apple Lightening Bolt --> SD Card reader, the cards are both SanDisk Extreme Pro: One (in the P&S) is an 8GB, the other in my STL is a 32GB.

Do you think it could possibly be the size of the memory card? (I can't see how that would be possible but I'm stumped). Another test I'll do is taking pictures with the STL on the 8GB card and seeing if that makes any difference.

But even if that worked...I can't go traveling with 8GB cards, way too little room on them.

WTFH

I go travelling with 3xDSLRs, 2xCompacts and most of the time they have 4GB cards in them. I get about 140 shots per card with the DLRs

If you've only got a 64GB iPad, you're still going to be limited as to how much you can put on it, no matter how big your memory cards are.

Coraline

I travel with the two cameras I mentioned (the only two I have).

When I leave my flat in the morning I take 2x32 gb for my STL (only use one, but have one as a back) and likewise with my P&S but with 8GB cards.

Typically on a day out I can take 1,000 pictures (I bracket my shots with three steps) and can spend about 12 hours doing street photography). If I come across something really nifty, I film HD video which takes loads of space.


So...the 32GB cards are more of insurance policy than anything else, but it's often that I can fill 20GB.

Out of all those pictures, let's say 1,000 as a top end estimate, I go back to my flat at night and spend about 2 hours deleting all the ones that don't work and usually whittle it down to 200 or so, so conservative estimate 5GB per day...so over 10 days 50GB at most.

(Also overnight I upload files to dropbox--I have 50GB on that)

Johnmcl7

Which camera is it you have, I'm assuming it's one of the Sony SLT's?

From a quick read around there shouldn't be a file size or resolution limit on import but there does seem to be various issues when importing large photos so I think you're right that could be the cause. It may be worth having a hunt for D800/Ipad4 issues to spread the net a bit further as the D800 has the higher resolution sensor and will suffer more so from size limits. There's some discussion here but I suspect it's out of date as it's for IOS 6.0.1:

http://www.georgewheelhouse.com/blog/2012/10/ipad-ios-6-update---camera-connection-kit-fix

John

Lifeforms

When I bought the sd card adaptor it came with a usb one for lead. I don't know if this is the case with the new lightning adaptor one, but if the cad didn't work, then you had the usb adaptor to use with the lead. So if you have the usb one as well, try that.

Coraline

Hi Johnmcl7,

Yes, that's it...I have a Sony a77. This is by far the only "problem" I've ever had with it...and I know it's not the camera's fault! Thanks for the tip--I'll look for D800/iPad 4 stuff later tonight.

Lifeforms, the lightening adaptor doesn't have any USB on it, one end is for the SD card, the other plugs into the Lightening port...so there is no way (that I know, I'm still learning the iPad) to plug USB into the iPad. I thought all of this "lightening" business was supposed to make it faster!

Coraline

Hi all...

Update: It works now!

I upgraded the iPad to iOS7 (never knew I had an outdated OS on it) and it's perfect! It downloaded about 250MB of 100 odd photos in a couple minutes.

The big test is going to be if it will take 500 photos...but if anything I think downloading them in batches will suffice.

Thanks to everyone for your ideas and tips!