I just got a Photofast Gmonster 533x cf card

[marcus riley]

Just a quick review. Nothing too scientific but just my thoughts.

I've always had Transcend memory cards and have always had good luck with them. I bought a Transcend 32gb 133x card for a great price this last year and was disappointed because of the lag that it had. It wouldn't be a big deal for photography, but it was a deal breaker for making videos. It was also annoying to have to wait 4-5 seconds after turning the camera on, or waking it up, to be able to see the menu or review pictures. It was also slow when trying to scroll through photos quickly.

Oddly, the Transcend 32gb 133x card was NOTICEABLY slower than the Transcend 8gb 120x card I've been using for a few years. Actually, it's even slower than my super old (now back up) Transcend cards, rated at 1gb 45x.

The Photofast Gmonster 32gb 533x (the non "plus" version) seems to be a huge upgrade, whether in my camera or transferring to the computer. Even when shooting large JPEG and large RAW together in burst mode, the card seemed to be able to keep up constantly. Other cards would shot 6 fast frames, 2-3 slower ones, and then bog down for a second or two between shots. The Gmonster shoots 6-7 fast, and then seems to stay at 2fps for as long as hold the shutter down. It also clears the buffer very quickly and is ready for another burst even after just letting off the shutter for one second.

The packaging was almost nonexistent (just the card in a cheap card holder, in a padded envelope. You might actually thing that the card is used or perhaps fake.), but the shipping was fast. Seems like a great value over all. Also, works great with my old cheap card reader and my newer lexar udma reader.

Just my thoughts (not affiliated with the company in any way). I was a little nervous to buy from a company that I knew nothing about but it seems like a good purchase in the end.

Marcus

[BigBlueDodge]

where did you get it from? I'm thinking about getting the Photofast card myself, after reading several glowing reviews

[marcus riley]

amazon

[sabesh]

I have the 32gb PLUS version. Incredible read & write speeds. I got it here:

http://www.dvnation.com/Flash-Media-Cards.html

Also available in Canada:

http://www.cameracard.ca

[bigpow]

I use flash memory toolkit (free) to benchmark my flash cards, any of you happen to know how fast the Gmonster is in the benchmark?

[sabesh]

I use flash memory toolkit (free) to benchmark my flash cards, any of you happen to know how fast the Gmonster is in the benchmark?
Check here and scroll to the bottom for tested speeds:

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

I use a Sandisk FW-800 reader. This card is the fastest at downloading that way. It's in-camera write speed is faster than the Sandisk Extreme Pro for the 5D-II, which I use. Very good value. I've been using both the 16GB & 32GB PLUS versions @ Gigs with no problems. Cheers.

[Mocows]

I have the 32gb PLUS version. Incredible read & write speeds. I got it here:

http://www.dvnation.com/Flash-Media-Cards.html

Also available in Canada:

http://www.cameracard.ca

Really eh? Might be the next card I order as I've heard good things about them as well and the price is great, not much more then 8GB lexar 300X. Thanks for the links :D

Edit: Just ordered a non-plus 16gb. We'll see how it goes I guess hehe.

[sabesh]

Really eh? Might be the next card I order as I've heard good things about them as well and the price is great, not much more then 8GB lexar 300X. Thanks for the links :D

Edit: Just ordered a non-plus 16gb. We'll see how it goes I guess hehe.
Glad to help! Did you order from Cameracard? Cheers.

[bigpow]

just checked the price, no wonder it's super fast.
I'm not a pro, so I'll wait :)

[Mocows]

Glad to help! Did you order from Cameracard? Cheers.

Yes I did, been looking for a 16gb card to go with my 8gb lexar 300x so hopefully it work out well :) Newegg has the transcend I was going to get but a 16gb there is like 150 or something so meh.

[myjunk]

I just got this card as well. Much cheaper when you get it from HK. I got it for HKD635.

http://www.hkgolden.com/hardware_price/item_price.aspx?model_id=17072

it really is a steal. MUCH cheaper than the advertised price. Then again, perhaps I've gotten a dud?

[Mocows]

I just got this card as well. Much cheaper when you get it from HK. I got it for HKD635.

http://www.hkgolden.com/hardware_price/item_price.aspx?model_id=17072

it really is a steal. MUCH cheaper than the advertised price. Then again, perhaps I've gotten a dud?

How much was the order? I can't figure out how to add it to a cart to check hehe.

Been using the card for about a month, probably 600-800 shots on it, good price for a good card, no issues so far :) It does fit weird in my card reader while my lexar fits just fine, otherwise it's awesome.

[hollis_f]

It does fit weird in my card reader while my lexar fits just fine, otherwise it's awesome.

Hmmm, that woulkd worry me. Poorly-fitting cards are a good way to get bent or broken pins.

[pixelshooter.net]

I love my Photofast GMonster. I use the 16GB and 8GB 533x ones on my 5D Mark II and they have been great so far.

[Mocows]

Hmmm, that woulkd worry me. Poorly-fitting cards are a good way to get bent or broken pins.

I stopped putting in the reader after the first go, I think it's something about the dimensions of the card (plus I have a cheapy reader). But it's been great in my 7D :D

[P51Mstg]

I use 6 of the 32GB 533X GMonsters. I've had them for 6+ months... AWESOME.... No problems, really fast (and there are the FASTER plus versions available)...

I use them in the 5DII, 7D, 1DsIII and the 1DIV. Not a lot in the way of packaging, but I can say that Jason sees they get shipped very very quickly.... Great guy.

Mark H

[hollis_f]

If anybody has one of these cards and a 7D, can they try a speed test? Put the camera into burst (8 fps) mode and shoot off until the buffer fills, then two more shots (should be 20-25 shots in total). Time how long it takes, from first pressing the shutter, for the red light to go out.

[P51Mstg]

No time for a scientific test here. I can say in raw the buffer writes at 2 to 2.5 frames a second. I would say it hits the rated speed of 40 or 50 (I forget which one it is) megs/sec. You'd be impressed.

For reference I got a 32gb 533x cf from tiger direct last week. There were a couple reviews that said it wasn't fast. They were right. Performance was on par with a 266x card.

Mark H

[hollis_f]

No time for a scientific test here. I can say in raw the buffer writes at 2 to 2.5 frames a second. I would say it hits the rated speed of 40 or 50 (I forget which one it is) megs/sec. You'd be impressed.

I may be impressed, but only when I see hard data to show that it's any better than the Sandisks I use now. Vague handwaving doesn't impress.

[P51Mstg]

I'm at the airport with no 7d. So testing is out. You may want simply want to email Jason at dvnation dot com. Ask him if he'd take the card back if you are not happy. I'm sure he would. We've talked on the phone and he seems like a very good guy.

Personally I've used mostly Transcend cards. Never could justify the Sandisk price premium....

Mark H

[myjunk]

I've yet to do any scientific tests of any sort. Heck, I've not even went as far as timing them. But I think I will (later)

but as of right now, on the 7D w/ the 533x (not the plus version) which is rated 40M write / 80M read, I not sure I'm getting that rating.

I have a kingston 133x 16G as well and compared to the 533x, I would say write speed ~same (I guess).

Full RAW quality on the 7D gets me 15 frames both on the 133 and the 533 (press until it starts to do 2 shots at one stall 2 shots, stall) Hence for me, at that time, I'm saying it's bout the same. But I've yet to determine how long it takes for the buffer to empty into the CF. That may be the "test".

Read speed, esp during reviews on camera (chimping etc) is fast definitely tho.

[P51Mstg]

For the record card speed doesn't affect buffer size. The test is in how fast the buffer writes to the card. You will see that there is no comparison between the 133x and the 533x GMonster.


Mark H

[myjunk]

hence, the "test" is how fast the buffer gets emptied into the card right? Will time it.

[P51Mstg]

Exactly. The test is how fast the buffer writes to the card.....

Mark H

[hollis_f]

hence, the "test" is how fast the buffer gets emptied into the card right? Will time it.

Yup, shoot with a fast shutter speed at a bright target with manual exposure and focus. Hit the shutter button and start the timer. When the frame rate drops, let it take two more shots! and remove finger from shutter. Record the time for the red light to go out.



! Wow! I can be dim. I've just realised why, with a full buffer, the camera takes shots in pairs. It must be down to the dual Digic processors.

[myjunk]

My tests shows 533x clears buffer in 11.5secs vs Kingston 133x in 30s

[hollis_f]

My tests shows 533x clears buffer in 11.5secs vs Kingston 133x in 30s
Impressive! That's about the same as my 60 MB/s Sandisk. Sounds like they're pretty good.

[myjunk]

They are rated as 80MB/s read and 40MB/s write supposedly. I wanted to do a test using the sandisk 60mb/s but haven't had a chance to borrow a card to test out.

Worth the money tho.

[alemmo]

hmm the card seems fast and all, i am looking at the plus model but it really doesn't seem the price is low enough for me to consider.

For example the Photofast 16gb 90mb/s card is $156 shipped

Sandisk Extreme Pro 16gb 90mb/s card is $174 shipped at Adorama

I'd have ot go with the known brand for just a little bit more money.

[cpforyou]

hmm the card seems fast and all, i am looking at the plus model but it really doesn't seem the price is low enough for me to consider.

For example the Photofast 16gb 90mb/s card is $156 shipped

Sandisk Extreme Pro 16gb 90mb/s card is $174 shipped at Adorama

I'd have ot go with the known brand for just a little bit more money.

Hard decision for me as well. To go with a reputable brand, or go with a newcomer (2 years?) who is making waves in reviews.

[KurtGoss]

a Transcend 32gb 133x card for a great price this last year and was disappointed because of the lag that it had. It wouldn't be a big deal for photography, but it was a deal breaker for making videos.

Are you sure this statement is correct? Shooting multiple STILLS (21 meg files on 5Dmkii) is way more taxing than shooting video.

I use Lexar 8GB 300x, and just bought a new Transcend 64GB 400x -- for shooting stills
I use all my Transcend 16GB 133x for video... never had ANY issues at all with lag