CF Cards - 1 Big one or Many small ones

[BigBlueDodge]

Well, the title says it all. I'm going to be buying some CF cards for my 20D and I'm debating the best way to do this. Lets say that I want 1 GB of storage space. Do I buy 1 x 1 GB card, 2 x 512 MB cards, or 4 x 256 MB cards. Is it better to have one card and store all of your pictures on it, or have many small cards and spread your pictures out on them. I don't know what the failure rates are on these things, but it just seems dangerous using only 1 high capacity card. If something malfunctions on that thing, then all of your pictures are gone. If the load is spread out among many smaller cards then you are safe.

Am I being too paranoid on this. Will a 1 GB be fine without any high risk. Or should I buy more smaller cards instead. Thanks

[tommykjensen]

I have 2 x 2 GB and 2 x 1 GB cards and the 2 GB cards are used as my main cards. I have never had a card fail on me. I also have a 2 GB Hitachi microdrive which I thought was defect until I discovered that it was a power issue with my card reader.

[lostdoggy]

If you are shooting RAW 512 are very small. Beside it cost more to buy that way. The Ultra II 512 goes for around $60 and the 1GB goes for around $84 @ Newegg.com. So two 512 will cost you $120 for alittle more you can get 2 1GB. I don't have a 20D yet. But with the Rebel @ 100 iso I get 139 shots in RAW. I'm sure for the 2oD will be alot less.

[deedas]

Don't expect to get more than 50 shots in RAW with a 20D using a 512mb. You run out of space before you know it. That's why I'm getting 2 1GB Extreme III.

[tim]

I have 2*2GB and 2*1GB, I use the 2GB cards until they're full then I switch to 1GB cards. I'd not touch anything less than 1GB, I only buy 2GB cards now. If I had to buy something else in the near future i'd probably stick with 2GB, as 4GB is too much to risk to one card. I've never had a single problem with my Sandisk Ultra IIs, except once when I accidentally deleted 50 pictures off one myself.

[Carzee]

I have 2 x 1GB Kingston Elite. I may get more 1GB cards... average of AU$112 each (one ebay one a local shop)

[Cadwell]

More units are better from a data security point of view, but there's a trade off in the irritation factor of having to constantly change cards... With the 1D Mk II I find 2GB cards are about right for me. I find 1GB cards can be a little annoying, but then I'm shooting sports and shoot a lot of frames. If I was doing the tourist thing, then a 1GB card wouldn't annoy so much.

[Marshall]

Don't put all your eggs in one basket .2gig cards are about right. Buy 2 and if you need more space put the money towards an Epson P2000.

[Carzee]

These original Canon CF's are still available. This one is in New Zealand auction...

[Skip Souza]

Get many Big ones.
I have 3x1GB and the wife has 2x1GB and 1x2GB, all SanDisk Ultra II's, She also has a Viking 1GB for her Pro1 plus 512 MB Ultra II. I also have 2x 256MB cards for my A70. The nest time a good sale comes aroung I will probably get more 1 or 2 GB cards.

[cheme]

I use 2x1gb cards with my 20d and they seem to have enough space to shoot raw. I get about 100 shots per card. I also have an 30gb x-drive in case i need to free up more space while I'm shooting.

[jyrgen]

I think you should have at least two cards, e.g. if one fails, you still have something to shoot to. I have two 1GB cards plus a 40 GB x-drive, which I only take to longer trips. Two 1GB cards give me 250-300 RAW images from 10D, which is usually enough for one shoot.

[dsze]

I use Ultra II 512's and I shoot (mostly) RAW. On the 10D, this gives me about 73 shots/card. That is plenty for me and its a little bit of a pain to change cards, but I find it worth the peace of mind, especially for something like a wedding when there is no 2nd chance. If one card gets corrupted somehow (has happened to me), I've only got a problem with 70 shots, not 140 or more. So, I've got almost 4GB worth of 512's. You can get (2) Ultra II 512's right now for less than $90 including shipping. I just ordered two more.

-daniel

[blue_max]

I use Ultra II 512's and I shoot (mostly) RAW. On the 10D, this gives me about 73 shots/card. That is plenty for me and its a little bit of a pain to change cards, but I find it worth the peace of mind, especially for something like a wedding when there is no 2nd chance. If one card gets corrupted somehow (has happened to me), I've only got a problem with 70 shots, not 140 or more. So, I've got almost 4GB worth of 512's. You can get (2) Ultra II 512's right now for less than $90 including shipping. I just ordered two more.

-daniel

In terms of weddings, I don't think the good news is going to make up for the bad!

:lol:

Graham

[dsze]

I'm not sure I follow. Having 70 wedding images to attempt a recovery on isn't better than 140 or more?

-daniel

[Cadwell]

Don't put all your eggs in one basket .2gig cards are about right. Buy 2 and if you need more space put the money towards an Epson P2000.

You'd best take your own advice and buy a pair of Epson P2000s... cos that's now your single point of failure.

[MarkH]

I think that 2 x 1GB cards are a good start.

But if you shoot a lot of photos and use raw, then start with 2 x 2GB cards and add more 2GB cards as required.

I have now relegated my 512MB cards to backup and use a 1GB as my primary card. I like not having to change the card too often and I think that the failure rate is low enough to be of little concern for me and what I shoot.

If you shoot weddings or anything else where you can't tolerate even a small chance of failure then I would advise buying a 1DMkII or 1DsMkII and shooting to a 1GB CF + 1 GB SD card then transfering the images to a digital wallet (the CF to one wallet and the SD to a different wallet).

[CyberDyneSystems]

At least Two Big ones,. and then an X-drive to download them....

[blue_max]

I'm not sure I follow. Having 70 wedding images to attempt a recovery on isn't better than 140 or more?

-daniel


Sorry Daniel, I just tried to imagine the bride's face when you said I have some good news and some bad news!

I guess what I am getting at is that you are quite right, but God help anybody it happens to. It will end up being like computer memory though – you end up throwing memory away because it is so small/slow – and it cost you dear when you bought it. I am sure that nobody would actually pay anything at all for a 32mb cf card these days (except on Ebay!). Buying bigger and faster will give you a little more time before it sees the bin.

If you are shooting weddings for money – you cannot afford to mess about. It's life or death (and you know who dies if it goes wrong!). Belt and braces and assistant to hold them up if that fails.

Graham