Question on Fast CompactFlash

[kn_guy87]

Hello everyone,
I'm a new member to this forum.
I just bought the Canon 10D. I'm so glad that it seems like that what you all have been discussing about this camera.
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L is on the way. Can not wait :)

For the compact flash, I'm thinking of buying either the Lexar 40X speed http://ww1.onecall.com/PID_19208.htm

or the SimpleTech Pro X
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10342289&hdwt=30421&loc=101

Does anyone have experiences with these two CFs?
Should I spend the extra money for these high-speeds CF?
Thanks,
Ken

[CyberDyneSystems]

Some will disagree with me,. but my answer is NO. (where the 10D is concerned)

The cacheing algorithms in the 10D's buffer memory is such that the card speed has no effect on day to day use. Even if you shoot in "burst mode" and fill the 9 frame buffer,. the way in which the camera parses its write buffer to the card with the read buffer from the C-mos maintains a fairly consistant speed no matter the card speed itself.

Read this test;

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos10d/page11.asp

... and you will see there is only the slightest difference from card to card. Oddly in some cases the MicroDrive which should be the slowest manages to come out on top.

My two cards seem to reflect this. The "faster" card seems no faster than the "Standard" Sandisk.

[martcol]

I agree with CyberD..... I have four different types of CF which I have used in a different camera and a PDA over the last two years. I couldn't tell any difference when using the camera between the cards. If there is any, it doesn't really affect the user.

Mind you, depending how you download your images, it might make a bit of a difference there but even that doesn't bother me - I just take a slurp of my tea/beer depending on time of day (tea only before 10.00 a.m.)

Martin

[Longwatcher]

I don't have experience with the 40x, but I use the 12x 256meg Lexars with very good result. I have two of those and one memorex. The Lexars are slightly faster, but not significantly. I have been using one for over a year now (Kodak DC4800, D60, and now D60) with no problems.

I have looked at several comparisons done by other sources and there is not a significant difference between 12x and 40x as far as the 10D taking pictures is concerned is concerned, however you will get faster CF card to computer transfers.

Just my experience and research,

[kn_guy87]

Thank you all for your advice.
I ended up getting the SimpleTech ProX from Dell with 10% coupon :D

[lobo4200]

Check out DELL
I have not tried the Kingston brand but have not found much saying they are bad. So I just purchased 2 of their 256MB flash cards for $96.29 and through DELL they are offering a $20 rebate for up to 5. That make my purchase of 512MB for $56.29.

[Light Chaser]

My micro drives have (2 - 1gig) have never failed.
My Lexar Cards have never faild (5 of them).
My SanDisk have never failed (4 of them).

Both of my cards from I-O Data (128 meg) failed with pictures on them! They just quit in the middle of a shoot and now give me an error message. I was able to recover the images using my lap top but will never buy cheep cards again.

Have never tried Kingston sounds like a great deal, Dell usually does not sell poorly made stuff.

Flash cards are probably like so many other things - only a few manufactures and lots of lables?

I have never noticed a speed issue ether.

Steve