Sandisk 8GB

[xtremediver 0]

I went to my local photo store to purchase the Sandisk 8GB Extreme III compact flash card, and the sales person said that there is a problem using the card on the Canon 20D (and maybe other Canons). Anyone know otherwise? <_<

[dawktah 0]

I'm using the 4G Extreme III in 5D flawess.

[bmyates 3]

The only reason I can think of that certain cards wouldn't work in certain cameras is physical size (Type I CompactFlash cards are 3.3mm in thickness; Type II, 5.0mm and don't fit in all cameras). But the 20D takes both types (see Galbraith test of CF cards in 20D), so that shouldn't be the issue.

 

I'm guessing any CF card that "fits" should work just fine, especially a reliable brand like Sandisk. I have a 4gb Extreme III, plus 4gb and 8gb Ultra II cards, and I swap them between the 1D cameras and 20D all the time. I haven't used or seen an 8gb Extreme III card -- is it supposedly physically too big to fit in your camera, or are they saying there's some "electronic" reason it won't work? I would seriously doubt the latter, unless you have to make sure you've got the latest firmware in the camera to use the biggest cards...

[bmyates 3]

Just a quick afterthought. Frankly, I'm not sure why you'd WANT an 8gb Extreme II card for your 20D. A 4gb card will hold hundreds and hundreds of RAW files from a 20D, and is slightly faster...plus it's cheaper (per gig)...plus you have a backup card (in the unlikely event the card goes bad) rather than relying on one big one.

 

If I were you, I'd get two 4gb cards (probably one Extreme III and one Ultra II) rather than even worry about an 8gb Extreme III...

[synthetic 4]

I'd go for the Ultra II and save a few bucks. It's not like you'll be taking motor drive shots underwater -- I'm usually waiting for my strobes to recharge. I just grabbed a 4GB Ultra II on the bay for $120.

[xtremediver 0]

The "alleged" problem is an electronic one, not a matter of fit. It has supposedly "fried" some 20d's, again it was relayed to me and I don't know if this is indeed the facts. I presently use a 4gb III and have filled the card at a most inconvient time. Ended up deleting some images to make room. I also use this camera in my land photography, so I could use the extra space (at times). Yes, I could just fill a card and then add another 4GB, but in a raw format that is only about 450 shots. Breaking the action is not always convient (although most of the time it isn't a problem) and I would prefer to simply have the additonal option if I can.

[mattdiver 0]

Other than physical and electronic compatibility, there may be a firmware issue that sets the limit of the cards that can be used with a particular camera. For example on my D1X, I can't use anything larger than 2GB, regardless of brand and type (CF I or II). Using larger cards doesn't do anything to the camera or card, but you just can't take pictures. There may be a similar issue with the 20D.

[bmyates 3]

Other than physical and electronic compatibility, there may be a firmware issue that sets the limit of the cards that can be used with a particular camera. ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I don't think that's it. I read somewhere that the 20D is capable of using cards up to 500gb (if such cards existed).

[drsteve 6]

I am using a 8Gb Ultra in my 5D and it has been working perfectly. I am a little confused why people will pay so much more for the Extreme cards. The 5D buffers is so big that I cannot imaging filling it (~17 Raw images and ~65 JPG), espically underwater. Maybe it would help read out the card, but for me that isn't a time critical process.

[dawktah 0]

Quite honestly I bought the extreme III since I have already dropped a camera into salt water and at least the images survived. Dropped in long enough to say "Oh, ......" and quickly pulled out. Camera fried.

[drsteve 6]

You make a good argument for CompactFlash over microdrive. Flash is much more likely to survive a flood. However, I was curious about why people spend extra for the speed since, unless you are using it for sports photography, it only makes a difference during readout. Besides if sport photography is your thing, the 5D is not the best camera to use. It only does 3 frames/sec, which is plenty fast for me, but not if you are trying to capture that photofinish on the racetrack!

[LChan 0]

i never got a microdrive because those things are fragile!

 

one drop... gone.

 

i have heard of people having flooded cameras able to recover an intact CF card. that is good enough reason for me!

[echeng 0]

The 2GB max issue in the past was one related to FAT vs FAT32. Now that pretty much all cameras are using FAT32, that barrier is gone.

 

Steve -- as for filling the buffer, I'm here at the sardine run in South Africa, and I have filled my buffer pretty much every time I hit the water. As someone who doesn't typically shoot more than 50 images on a good dive, I surprised even myself.

 

I agree with the Microdrive assessment. too risky to use.

 

As for speed, the difference when copying to your computer can be drastic. A fast card can transfer a gig in just over a minute and a half (I'm talking practically here, not theoretically), whereas a slow card may take 5-6 minutes. If you're copying on USB 1.0 or using a non-CardBus PC card adapter (the $10 ones as opposed to the $40 ones), you're looking at closer to 15 minutes per gigabyte. That's 7 minutes per 4 GB instead of an hour.

 

Fast cards are worth every penny, especially these days -- fast 2GB and 4GB cards are all relatively inexpensive.

[mattdiver 0]

I agree with Eric. I'm also one of those who rarely exceed 50 shots per dive. But in some situations, such as capturing behaviour shots, to be able to capture that "it" moment, you'll want to shoot in continuous/burst mode. In such situations, I often fill my buffer too, so fast writing speeds are essential. Of course, you also need a strobe that can recycle fast enought to keep up

[Chuck Jensen 0]

Does anyone know if there are any issues with using a 4gb card in a D70S?

[Jolly 3]

I'm running an 8GB Sandisk Ultra II with the 5D for a year now. No problems at all. I even tried it in the 10D before I sold it, no problems. So I wonder why the 40D shouldn’t work. I am sure it works perfectly with the 40D too! As said, 2GB was a limit due to the maximum address range of FAT, but beyond 2GB the cards work with FAT32.

 

If you have the choice, I would go for the Extreme version. I got the Ultra II because I couldn’t find some store to get the Extreme at that time (a few days before leaving for a trip). I was stuck with a full buffer a few times. Mostly topside but u/w too. It was most horrible when I shot in the press area during Genesis concert. I missed some shots which would have been great. Those shots would have been worth the price difference between Ultra II and the Extreme version.

 

Julian

[Paul Kay 62]

I've been using a Lexar 8GB 133x in a Canon 20D for time lapse work (You DO need 8GB!) and it works just fine. Can't see any reason why a Sandisk card wouldn't work, unless there is an issue which I am sure would be noted and on either andisk or Canon's website by now.

[mjpsfla 0]

The 4GB III is not compatable with my Canon 400D. I learned this the hard way.

 

Best wishes.

 

Michael

[Troy Aitken 0]

Good morning,

 

I have 2 8gig same as you as well as the 16g and we use it at the shop in the 20d canon all the time. Make sure you format the card when using the card every time instead od deleting the files. deleting the files only allows you to copy over retreivable files. Formatting allows the camera to communicate to completely cleared card. for years we have been doing this with no problem. However, professional photographers that don't format come to our lab from time to time with corrupt files.

 

Sandisk is the best.

troy

[JoelD 0]

Does anyone know if there are any issues with using a 4gb card in a D70S?

I use an array of 4gig cards in my D70s all the time, don't be afraid....

[dawktah 0]

As for speed, the difference when copying to your computer can be drastic. A fast card can transfer a gig in just over a minute and a half (I'm talking practically here, not theoretically), whereas a slow card may take 5-6 minutes. If you're copying on USB 1.0 or using a non-CardBus PC card adapter (the $10 ones as opposed to the $40 ones), you're looking at closer to 15 minutes per gigabyte. That's 7 minutes per 4 GB instead of an hour.

 

Fast cards are worth every penny, especially these days -- fast 2GB and 4GB cards are all relatively inexpensive.

 

So which way is the true fastest way to get images off of CF the ExtremeFirewire? Does this need a different 1394 port on your computer? Anybody know?

[TheRealDrew 0]

So which way is the true fastest way to get images off of CF the ExtremeFirewire? Does this need a different 1394 port on your computer? Anybody know?

 

 

Not sure which computer you have (I use Macs) but got a couple of Sandisk ULTRA IV and the Sandisk Firewire Reader and it is incredibly fast. On one trip I bought an older Mac that did not have FW 800, so I used a FW800-FW400 cable and still the speed was great.

 

I also have some 9pin-4pin (the small FW connection, used in many video cameras and some PCs) but have not tried that card but my guess it will still work very well.

 

The only issue I ran into was that a couple of my older cards would not work with the reader (all non-Sandisk cards, some wored, some did not) and had to use the older USB reader. Then I really appreciated the SanDisk and Firewire reader even more.

[Paul Kay 62]

Somewhat oddly, I have various CF cards and find that on occassion some will not download using a usb reader in which case I use a firewire reader. However sometimes this reverses and I haven't found any real pattern to what is going on! I do though always reformat the cards in camera and to date none have actually refused to download although sometimes it has taken a few switchovers (I have 3 readers all told) to actually start the download. I wonderr about static build up as its the only explanation that I can so far come up with. Any suggestions?

[Chuck Jensen 0]

Thanks Joel! Ill get a 4GB then. I just wanted to make sure there wouldnt be any issues with the 4

Edited October 13, 2007 by Chuck Jensen

[jwalker793 0]

I went to my local photo store to purchase the Sandisk 8GB Extreme III compact flash card, and the sales person said that there is a problem using the card on the Canon 20D (and maybe other Canons). Anyone know otherwise? <_<

I am using the Sandisk 8GB Extreme IV with no issues on a Canon 5D. I believe 8GB is the max Canon 5D can handle.