PhotoFast GMonster 8GB 533x Plus mini-review

[pixelshooter.net]

Just got my hands on the PhotoFast GMonster 8 gb 533x Plus card.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4048404461_167e14bebb.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/4049151074_5eccb8068d_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4048404529_ed636cd937.jpg



Some quick and dirty tests with my 5D Mark II and 100mm f/2.8 lens at F/8, shutter speed of 1/200:

21 frames before the camera showed busy @ ISO 100. The camera allowed me to shoot in spite of the busy sign - it just slowed down a little. Shooting with a Sandisk 2 gb Extreme III under the same conditions - 15 frames with no further shooting possible after the busy sign.
The camera wrote buffer data to the card real fast. Sorry, didn't measure how long.
At ISO 800, 18 shots before the camera showed busy (and still allowed me to shoot).I purchased the card off ebay (http://myworld.ebay.com/love...baby). DVNation (http://www.dvnation.com/), though considerably cheaper, wouldn't reply to my pre-sales emails. I don't live in the US. This also makes rebates useless to me, so the PhotoFast was a cheaper option.

I have no verdict on the reliability of the card yet. Also, haven't tested for video. Any tips on how to test for video?

Warranty offered on the card is ambiguous. See the second photo. While the package reads 1 year warranty, the sticker from the dealer says life time warranty.

Another observation - the words on the card and the colors make the card look like a cheap imitation. The words are not sharp. I am not sure if the third photo makes that obvious. Anyway, let me see how it goes.

[vipergts831]

Any one use these cards? Im thinking of purchasing the 16gb version for the 7D. Im attaching a review site what do you guys think? They go for 144 versus the sandisk equivilant at over 200.

Place to purchase
http://www.dvnation.com/Flash-Media-Cards.html#CF

Card Speeds
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-10043-10255

Review
http://www.photographybay.com/2009/10/07/photofast-cf-and-sd-cards-review/

[vipergts831]

Thanks for this mini review!, i just stumbled upon the same brand but im looking at the 16gb plus version. I posted a thread over here

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=789565

Just got my hands on the PhotoFast GMonster 8 gb 533x Plus card.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4048404461_167e14bebb.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/4049151074_5eccb8068d_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4048404529_ed636cd937.jpg





Some quick and dirty tests with my 5D Mark II and 100mm f/2.8 lens at F/8, shutter speed of 1/200:
21 frames before the camera showed busy @ ISO 100. The camera allowed me to shoot in spite of the busy sign - it just slowed down a little. Shooting with a Sandisk 2 gb Extreme III under the same conditions - 15 frames with no further shooting possible after the busy sign.
The camera wrote buffer data to the card real fast. Sorry, didn't measure how long.
At ISO 800, 18 shots before the camera showed busy (and still allowed me to shoot).I purchased the card off ebay (http://myworld.ebay.com/love...baby). DVNation (http://www.dvnation.com/), though considerably cheaper, wouldn't reply to my pre-sales emails. I don't live in the US. This also makes rebates useless to me, so the PhotoFast was a cheaper option.

I have no verdict on the reliability of the card yet. Also, haven't tested for video. Any tips on how to test for video?

Warranty offered on the card is ambiguous. See the second photo. While the package reads 1 year warranty, the sticker from the dealer says life time warranty.

Another observation - the words on the card and the colors make the card look like a cheap imitation. The words are not sharp. I am not sure if the third photo makes that obvious. Anyway, let me see how it goes.

[JDubya]

Man that's some gimmicky packaging/labeling lol
Plus! X! Professional! Power! Monster! Fast!
I think they left out a Super!

For something as important as the CF card, I stick with name brands. If your card fails after an important shoot you'll really be kicking yourself for skimping on one of the most important pieces of your kit.

Good luck with it though.

[pixelshooter.net]

Guys...shot over 5k pics so far and still going strong...not a single corrupt image and blazing fast performance on the 5D Mark II. Picked up a 16GB version too. I guess I'll report back in case I ever have a bad image on any of the cards (touchwood).

Thanks for reading the review!

[jetcode]

All die for flash memory comes from factories in various lot grades based on block failure and temperature specifications. All flash media come with bad blocks managed by an on board CPU in the media card. Each media card manages bad blocks and wear leveling to ensure maximum longevity. It is not likely a card will fail entirely if it worked in the first place.

[vipergts831]

Guys...shot over 5k pics so far and still going strong...not a single corrupt image and blazing fast performance on the 5D Mark II. Picked up a 16GB version too. I guess I'll report back in case I ever have a bad image on any of the cards (touchwood).

Thanks for reading the review!


I just got the 16gb 533x plus today in the mail as soon as i get the 7D next week ill be able to report on it! Excited to try it out.

[DutchOven]

Any updates?

[vipergts831]

The card is flawless. Just got my 7D this past tuesday and its worth every penny. Have recorded video and the burst rate never slows down. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.

[DutchOven]

Thanks! Just placed an order for a 16GB PLUS. can't wait!

[vipergts831]

Thanks! Just placed an order for a 16GB PLUS. can't wait!

Forgot to add went to the New Jersey Nets vs Utah Jazz game yesterday and thats where i tested the card with bursts. Worked flawlessy! And for the record the tickets were free, why should we pay to see the nets ;)

[Starved]

I placed an order and receive this brand as well. My version was the 32GB. So far has worked flawlessly as well. For the speed and price this can't be beat.

[vipergts831]

I placed an order and receive this brand as well. My version was the 32GB. So far has worked flawlessly as well. For the speed and price this can't be beat.

+1 i totally agree. I was shooting a nets game and i shot off over 100 jpegs with no issue. Someone asked me what card i was using and told them. Love thier reaction when they have never heard of it.

[DutchOven]

i purchased a photofast card right after i read this thread and took it on a trip to Hong Kong, shot a lot of pics including a few minutes of HD video with no problems at all. I formatted the card right when i put it in so i hope that helps with reliability. I'll report here if i encounter any problems.

[vipergts831]

i purchased a photofast card right after i read this thread and took it on a trip to Hong Kong, shot a lot of pics including a few minutes of HD video with no problems at all. I formatted the card right when i put it in so i hope that helps with reliability. I'll report here if i encounter any problems.

Lets us know kevin! So far ive had zero issues! Card works as advertised and saved me easily 100 on the sandisk equivelent.

[bonzl]

Does anybody know of a source for these cards in the UK?

[Starved]

Find them off ebay. Ships free from Hong Kong sellers.

[vipergts831]

Since i just linked this to another thread just wanted to say alls well with this card. No issues and no slowdown at all!

[DutchOven]

Me neither! Had it for about 4 months so far.

[dolina]

Any bad experience with the card?

[DutchOven]

so update on photofast reliability:

9 months of countless cycling pictures, and its still working just fine. I have the 16GB one and its very quick. No data corruption at all. Highly recommended for best bang for buck CF card.

[vipergts831]

Same here. Its been a bargain purchase vs whats out there. Non-stop shooting and non stop video. No issues. The card performs as billed.

[pixelshooter.net]

I am the OP and I have been using this card since Oct 2009 with no issues at all. Gear: 5D MK II and now a 1D MK III.