Compact Flash Seagate Drive

[unconquerable]

This seems really cheap for 5 gigs, is there something I am missing about this compared to my other CF card? It has a RPM listed so there are moving parts, does that make it a harddrive and not flash?

$99

At compgeeks
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ST650211CF&cat=FLM
Seagate
http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/faq/photo_cf_faq.html

[tim]

Yes, it's hard drive, and therefore less reliable. Personally I wouldn't buy one, solid state is more reliable IMHO.

[lmitch6]

It's what's called a microdrive or MD. Seagete recently started making them. They were originally developed by IBM, who sold the division to Hitachi recently. Hitachi improved greatly on IBM's work, yielding a much faster and more reliable system.

I use a 4gb Hitachi and don't have a single issue with it. There are a lot of shooters also who use them without a problem. They might not survive a fall as well as a solid state card, but I'd be more concerned with not dropping any of my equipment rather than what would happen to it if I did. The majority of the negative info you'll find when researching MD's is more urban legend than anything. Remember, that these are the devices that are used in iPod Mini's and other MP3 players - which would receive less gentle use than the average shooter gives to his/her equipment.

For the cost per gb, you really can' beat 'em IMO.

[Jon]

See also Flying Pete's post (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=128510) on poor performance of the Seagate in the 20D.

[bones]

I agree with Tim, It is a HD and thus prone to failure at one point or another. I only stick to CF that have a lifetime warranty. Just to be safe.

[lmitch6]

Here's a great thread on MD's in general...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122856

[ScottE]

I agree with Tim, It is a HD and thus prone to failure at one point or another. I only stick to CF that have a lifetime warranty. Just to be safe.
I have used a variety of IBM, Hitachi and Sony microdrives and Lexar and Sandisk CF cards. The only two failures I have had were both with Lexar CF cards. I am not convinced that CF cards are that much more reliable than microdrives.

The only thing I am certain of is that I will never buy bottom of line CF cards again. I only use Sandisk Ultra and Extreme now CF cards or Hitachi or Sony microdrives now.