Compact Flash Life?

I recall a few years ago when the SD/CF etc cards were introduced, it was wise not to buy anything bigger than 2GB because they had a higher fail rate? Not sure if that's right, but it's what I recall reading or hearing.

Does that happen to still be the case? I've been thinking about picking up a 64GB CF card for the 5D MKIII, as I hate switching between cards.

Would this be wise? Should I buy two 32's instead? Or three 16's (I already have one 16)?

Thanks!

HailttRedskins wrote in post #16447346
I recall a few years ago when the SD/CF etc cards were introduced, it was wise not to buy anything bigger than 2GB because they had a higher fail rate? Not sure if that's right, but it's what I recall reading or hearing.

It wasn't right then and it's not right now. Besides, when CF cards were introduced nobody even dreamed of 2GB capacity. My first CF was a massive 0.008 GB!


Buy the largest card you need to hold a full day's shooting. Some people will say something along the lines of 'blah, blah, bleat, lose all your shots, bleat, blah, blah, all your eggs in one basket, blah, bleat, blah'. I've been using CF cards for around 15 years and never have had one fail. I have, however, lost a card (put it somewhere 'safe' in the heat of the moment).

With one big card the only way I can lose it is if I lose the camera - and I'm likely to notice if that falls out of a pocket.

all my cf cards are still working even my 128mb days of the rebel

Thought it was a load of crap, but thought I should check just in case. Thanks. I've never lost one and I'm pretty good about that. Unless something happens to the CF card, I can't even delete all my photos at once like I could with the 400D, without going in the menu and purposely doing it.

Thanks for the responses!

I can't believe you've never had one fail. In the last 8 years, I've had 2 fail. One was a Sandisk and the other was a Lexar (I think both were 2GB cards). I'll never get a Lexar again since they wouldn't work with me on replacing the card that I think had a lifetime warranty.

I shoot with 16GB cards now and haven't had any problems. If I needed a 32GB card, I would get one.

hollis_f wrote in post #16447605
It wasn't right then and it's not right now. Besides, when CF cards were introduced nobody even dreamed of 2GB capacity. My first CF was a massive 0.008 GB!


Buy the largest card you need to hold a full day's shooting. Some people will say something along the lines of 'blah, blah, bleat, lose all your shots, bleat, blah, blah, all your eggs in one basket, blah, bleat, blah'. I've been using CF cards for around 15 years and never have had one fail. I have, however, lost a card (put it somewhere 'safe' in the heat of the moment).

With one big card the only way I can lose it is if I lose the camera - and I'm likely to notice if that falls out of a pocket.

A few years ago I was photographing a local castle and another photographer there was preaching to his friend about the safety/benefits of smaller capacity cards. As his small card was full he removed it and, unfortunately dropped it - he was nearly waist deep in a river! The timing was just perfect!
I just managed to suppress my giggles, I hate to see people have problems, but it was so funny.

Just a point of interest, I see that Best Buy has a sale on the Sandisk 32 GB Extreme CF card (120 mb/s) starting tomorrow (11/17). Price is $80, normally $150 so says the ad. Likely this price can be beaten by mail order but sometimes it is nice to deal with a reputable source for memory and visually examine packaging prior to purchase.

I might take a look at that. Thanks John.