Flash Card Suggestions

[bertelm]

I had a question about flash cards; specifically the faster speed cards. Is there any noticable difference when using them? My 10D has a buffer, so I would think that untill I exceed the buffer, the speed of the flash card shouldn't make a difference. So unless you take numerous continous shots, what's the benefit of a faster card?

I am looking to upgrade my card and I was wondering if it's worth it to upgrade to a faster card or just go with the regular ones?

[gudac]

I don't have ay evidence to back this up. But as I understand the information the X speeds don't have a difference in the camer, but in the transfer via USB to a computer.

I have used name brand and generic brands in my D30 and 10D and can't say I see difference. To do a test I would figure a person whould have to take repeated shots under a lab setting where every shot generated the same size file. I would also assume that speed is also affected by the amount of available space available at the time of each shot.

On transfering to a computer
USB has a max transfer rate of 1.5 MB/sec

The CF speeds are:

1X=150KB/sec.
4X=600KB/sec.
12X=1.8MB/sec.
32X=4.8MB/sec.
40X=6.0MB/sec.

From this chart anything above 12X would not be able to write to the computer any faster.

[hurry]

That's right.

The cameras interface writing speed is also limited (8x ?).

So it makes NO sense to use fast but expensive CFs.

Advantage you only get if you use an USB2 reader for reading to computer. This may save some seconds.



Everyone who buys high speed CFs has money but not much knowledge.

[Slow]

hurry wrote:
That's right.


Everyone who buys high speed CFs has money but not much knowledge.

I use 24 speed Lexar cards on my 1D as when taking sport images (F1, NFL etc) I need to use large bursts containing, perhaps, 18-20 images (Raw & Jpg simultaneously)! Your Noddy cards would not be able to handle that quantity in the timespace required!
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing! Make sure you use it wisely!

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Check this link for some write test comparisons with real cameras:

http://216.197.110.125/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007

Regards,

[hurry]

@Slow

If you look Galbraight's list - cards are written with ~ 1.2 MB/s ... 2.7 MB/s.

This means 8x - 16x write speed. No great differences 12x or 40x. Even with 1D.

Lexar 12x ~ 2.4 MB/s write speed
Lexar 24x ~ 2.7
Lexar 32x ~ 2.7
Lexar 40x ~ 2.7

Speed limited by camera interface.
Nothing 4.8 MB/s, 6.0 MB/s ...


PS: 10D's interface is ~ half as fast .... 8x = 1.2 MB/s !

[bertelm]

Thanks for all the feedback.

From the sounds of it, unless your taking multiple pictures that fill up the buffer, there isn't much point in buying the fastest card - even then, the cameral itself has some limitations that impact the speed. From the charts listed, it would seem that beyond the 12x, the rate of performance gain slows considerably.

In terms of the USB download, again, the 12x card seems to be the best bet - beyond that there are no performance gains (unless you go to a usb2 or fireware connection).

One last question - would there be any savings in power consumption with a faster card? My thinking was that since the camera spends less time writing it would consume less power. Anyone noticed any difference between a regular card and say a 12x card?