5D III Buffer: How best to utilize the memory cards

I've set RAW files to write to the CF card, and JPEG files to write to the SD card. I was surprised at how quickly I filled the buffer while shooting ice hockey.

Google tells me that was a dumb thing to do for fast sports, and I should have expected slow performance.

What I can't find, however, is the best way to utilize the cards for fastest perfomace. I would really like to save both RAW and JPEG for now: until I get my picture styles dialled into the point where I can do away with the RAW file capture for ice hockey.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The SD card slot is an albatross around the neck of the 5D3. Try shooting RAW+JPEG both to the CF card with no SD card in the camera. You could just shoot RAW only until you get your picture style dialed in. That would be a whole lot faster.

rrblint wrote in post #17925472
The SD card slot is an albatross around the neck of the 5D3. Try shooting RAW+JPEG both to the CF card with no SD card in the camera. You could just shoot RAW only until you get your picture style dialed in. That would be a whole lot faster.

I have an idea. I think I should be able to setup three different custom shooting modes, with the differences being what files are saved to what cards, right? So, I have one mode setup as it is right now, one mode which saves both JPEG and RAW to the CF card, and then one mode that just saves RAW to the CF card. I think that should work?

Do I actually have to remove the SD card? I've read a lot of conflicting information: where some people say it has to come out and other's say it can stay in (as long as it isn't being utilized).

I believe if the SD card is in the slot on a 5D Mark III, the transfer speed slows down to the slow interface of the 5D Mark III SD interface in the camera. If my memory serves me well (no pun intended) the SD interface in the 5D Mark III was not quite up to speed, when they released the body. If you want speed, DON'T put the SD card in.

Hope this helps,

110yd

I just tested it. As long as you're just writing to the CF card, you get the faster speed. I got 10 shots off when writing to the SD card or to both, and 20 shots off when shooting to just the CF card with the SD sitting lonely in its slot twiddling is thumbs.

I think this limitation is because of the interface chip that was available to Canon - and everyone else - at the time.

what are the speeds of each of your cards

The SD card is 400x (20 MB/s write). The CF card is 800x (75 MB/s write).

I have been down this path a few times. Canon decided to build the 5D Mark III with one very fast CF slot which supports the newer UDMA7 protocol and a STANDARD SD card slot which does NOT support the high speed standard...

frugivore wrote in post #17925669
The SD card is 400x (20 MB/s write). The CF card is 800x (75 MB/s write).

buy a much faster SD card

- Sandisk Extreme Pro 95 MB/s SD Card


Shoot Raw to both cards (this is faster)

You really should have any buffer problems unless you aren't removing your finger from the shutter because it has fallen asleep

wallstreetoneil wrote in post #17925676
buy a much faster SD card

- Sandisk Extreme Pro 95 MB/s SD Card...

Won't matter. The CARD SLOT read rate is limited to 20MB/s.

rrblint wrote in post #17925688
Won't matter. The CARD SLOT read rate is limited to 20MB/s.

When I had my 5D3s I tested it - it matters. Made about a 3 shot buffer difference.

wallstreetoneil wrote in post #17925695
When I had my 5D3s I tested it - it matters. Made about a 3 shot buffer difference.

Glad that you got such a good performance increase, but all the other accounts that I've read say that it makes no difference. I can only rely on written reports of people that I trust as I don't have a 5D3 to test it on.

I'm more deliberate when shooting and almost never have the drive on continuous H, so no need for me.

I do have a 1000x SD, so I'll do a quick test with that and report back...

I did some unscientific tests. I went by feel.

RAW (CF) and JPEG (SD) to separate cards. I filled the buffer uncomfortably fast. This will be fine for anything but shooting fast action.

RAW and JPEG on Autoswitch. This was a bit better. I still filled the buffer too quickly, but I think I could tolerate it for some fast action shooting. I think I got another three (or so) shots before it slowed down.

RAW only, on Autoswitch, SD card left in camera: It took noticeably more time to fill the buffer. It is unlikely I would fill the buffer while shooting fast action. i think I got an extra 8, or so, shots over writing the two file types to separate cards.

RAW only, SD card removed: It felt exactly the same as with the SD card left in the camera.

I didn't try just saving to the SD card, but I suspect the buffer will fill quickly and annoy me.

neacail wrote in post #17925916
RAW only, on Autoswitch, SD card left in camera: It took noticeably more time to fill the buffer. It is unlikely I would fill the buffer while shooting fast action. i think I got an extra 8, or so, shots over writing the two file types to separate cards.
.

I found this out a few years ago - just shoot RAW to both cards separately, if you need the backup, it gives you more buffer than shooting RAW to CF and jpg to SD - it doesn't sound right but it is. Once I did the tests myself, I removed ever shooting jpg.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by auto-switch, but I shoot RAW to each card separately - and yes when you do this you get more capacity than shooting jpg to the SD card - and since it hockey it would be insane to shoot jpg - raw and raw is far better than raw and jpg.