Compact flash or Microdrive?

Not in the least unusual. What do you think other manufacturers do with components returned under warranty? If you think they discard all the parts you're not living in the current world of manufacturing economics.

What is slightly unusual is Hitachi admitting to it.

If you can send it back for a full refeund or store credit .. then Don't even open it!

I too have not tried one in my MkII.. but the like so many others I tried one in the 10D.. no dice.

Bottom line.. even if it DOES work in the MkII.. you will then just end up using it.. and that is a frightening proposition because I can allmost guarantee it will fail.

Google "dead magicstor"

My take is the cost of CF is sooo low that I would not bother with a Microdrive. As for speed.. well in certain cameras they are VERY fast.. but in the 10D they are indeed pretty dog slow.

You can get 2GB CF cards for less than $125.00 per GB right now... how can you argue with that?

Certainly other factors (e.g., long-term reliability, rugged use) are important, but (edit: for the cost cited) that still amounts to about a 25% premium for the cards over microdrives ($200 after rebate for 2 gig microdrive).

Jay Giusti

i use microdrives and they are okay. I also have CF cards.
When shooting I usually choose to use the CF cards first and then go to a MD when they are full or emptying.

My advice would be buy a CF card if you can afford it, if not then get a MD

Other manufacturers do use those culled functioning parts as replacement for units being returned for service or for exchange. As examples illustrating your point, Samsung's consumer warranty provides that a defective unit may be replaced by a refurbished one; similar to Apple Computer (even for AppleCare coverage). But they don't (at least admit to) sell used units as "new".

This, though, is selling a used item (even to the extent it may be 100% used mechanism, or substantially refurbished) as "new." The concept of "new" then loses distinguishing meaning in the marketplace, and misrepresents value (a used mechanism labeled as such would probably sell for less). Overall, it seems likely that even if such a "new" mechanism functions properly beyond the one-year warranty period, its likelihood of failure is greater than a unit that is actually not previously used, particularly for a medium where careful handling is explicitly instructed.

In the scheme of relative harm it's not so major, but it seems at least to be misrepresentation, which can be a drag on a consumer electronics company's reputation. For a consumer facing a decision whether to buy a CF card or microdrive, it might be sufficient reason to avoid microdrive (and therefore, its only source, Hitachi).

Jay Giusti

True.. I did not say CF was cheaper.. (though it can be.. "standard speed" CF cards be had for much LESS than a 2GB MD drive.. approx $75.00-$80.00 per GB if you shop for the deals.)

MD drives were at one pouint less than half the cost of CF cards of you go back about two years. When the IBM 1GB first hot the streets it was at least half the cost of the cheapest 1GB CF card.. that price advantrage is now ancient history as sold state ram chips are becoming much easier to produce in bulk than microscopic moving parts and magnetic platters are.