CF Cards

[dkandcar]

I would like some info on CF cards. My Canon camera came with a 2gb ATP 80x HD card and I want to get a 2nd one and am not sure what to look for or, stay away from.
Dick

[Ian]

Re: CF Cards

I would like some info on CF cards. My Canon camera came with a 2gb ATP 80x HD card and I want to get a 2nd one and am not sure what to look for or, stay away from.
Dick

Hi Dick,

There are few issues with compact flash card compatibility these days. As ever, buy from a reputable vendor so that if, in the rare event there is a problem, you will be helped by the vendor.

Ian

[dkandcar]

Re: CF Cards

Thanks, Ian. I was also curious about speed of the cards as I see that there are some quite expensives ones claiming all kinds of good things.
Dick

[Ian]

Re: CF Cards

There are two things to consider when evaluating card speed - performance in the camera and download performance when emptying the card.

Typical budget high-speed cards offer around 120x to 133x speed ratings, though not all manufacturers use this rating system (notably SandDisk).

But unless you have a fairly high-spec camera, speed is not a big issue in-camera as cards are not usually the performance limiter.

If you have a card in mind, post the brand and spec. (not forgetting the supplier and price) and I'm sure we can help you decide if it's a good deal.

Ian

[dkandcar]

Re: CF Cards

Thanks, Ian. Some cards I've noticed are (all 2gb)
Sandisk Ultra II $35 Best Buy
Sandisk Extreme III $50 Circuit City
Transcend 120x $30 Tiger Direct
pq1 (1gb) hI Speed $18 Sterling Tek
My camera is a Canon Rebel XTi
Dick

[Ian]

Re: CF Cards

Thanks, Ian. Some cards I've noticed are (all 2gb)
Sandisk Ultra II $35 Best Buy
Sandisk Extreme III $50 Circuit City
Transcend 120x $30 Tiger Direct
pq1 (1gb) hI Speed $18 Sterling Tek
My camera is a Canon Rebel XTi
Dick

Hi Dick,

All those brands are reputable. I really rate SanDisk out of that list and the Ultra II is arguably the best value for you. Go for it!

Ian

[kennykodak]

Re: CF Cards

a thought on CF Cards.
first and foremost, Made in China.
that said, cheap one vs. Main Brands?
rescue software that works?
how long is their useful life? (great mystery)
routine:
1. number each card on the back and record its purchase date.
2. don't put all of you photographic eggs in one basket. better 2-2 gig cards as opposed to i-4 gig card. less images at risk if card fails.
3. never insert or remove a card from the camera when it is turned on.
4. never turn off a camera, open the card door or attempt to remove the camera battery while images in the camera buffer are being written.
5. never write any (other than new camera firmware) from the computer to a card.
6. erase images and reformat cards in the camera rather than the computer.
7. avoid static electricity (corrupts or totals cards)
8. try to rotate my older cards to studio work and replace them with newer for more demanding events.
9. image drop... yes it is possible to shot something and it doesn't write. if i suspect this has happened, i avoid editing files in the the camera even if the flash doesn't fire. after downloading them to the computer i can check sequence numbers to ensure that there is no gap.
10. i shoot Canon, i prefer Sandisk cards. Extreme IV
11. before formating a cards, i have the images written to two different computers and burnt to a DVD. all of which are spot checked.

did you know that a CD has a live expectancy of 10 ten years?
therefore back ups are made on DVD's.

[coupekid]

Re: CF Cards

I would like some info on CF cards. My Canon camera came with a 2gb ATP 80x HD card and I want to get a 2nd one and am not sure what to look for or, stay away from.
Dick

The best way would be enter our salon competition Dick! You may end up with one for free!

[dkandcar]

Re: CF Cards

Thanks for the added info
Dick

[kennykodak]

Re: CF Cards

something to consider.

Card Life?


a footnote about the author, Nick Coury;
i presented him with his Photographic Craftsman's Degree a few years ago in New Orleans.

[kennykodak]

Re: CF Cards

just spent a few moments on the phone with Canon tech support:

don't go through airport security with a card in your camera. could definitely corrupt the card. this takes me back to the olds days of film and x-rays. here's new one for me, don't store you cards next to your cell phone. the ringer can corrupt your images. if this isn't enough, being within close proximity of a cell phone tower can hurt your feelings as well.

[kennykodak]

Re: CF Cards

oh yeah, try to never completely fill up a card or a hard drive. it's best to leave at least 10% free on each.