CF Cards.. is there a real difference?

I'm looking on ebay and I notice a huge difference in price (like half), on 8gb CF cards. The Sandisk ones are about $50+ and then there is this Almost generic looking one that is going for $25.
Is there a difference when going with a CF card? Are some better than others?
Are some known to be crap and fail quickly?

Thanks for any and all suggestions and opinions.

If you want to be sure stick with the name brands.
Sandisk has a lifetime warranty and a proven track record.
Have had aSandisk for 6 years now and never a problem.

Wayne

dmmiller wrote in post #6263897
Is there a difference when going with a CF card? Are some better than others?

Oh, yes. I tried timing how long to flush a full buffer (around 21 raw images) on a 40D. I tried four 4GB cards -

Sandisk Extreme IV - 21 s

Sandisk Extreme III - 23 s

Sandisk Ultra II - 26 s

Keymem 133x - 176 s (Yup, almost three minutes)

The Keymem card was a mega-cheap Ebay special. It was unbearable slow, even in day-to-day use. Since then I've only bought Sandisk from reputable suppliers.

http://www.robgalbrait​h.com/bins/multi_page.​asp?cid=6007

I would have never guessed it played a factor in speed for download.

thanks!

There's some more information in this thread. I use the Adata cards and haven't had a problem, burst speed is fine.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=461252

thanks pickupman.

HUGE DIFFERENCE on a couple different fronts. The speed of the card can be significant with downloads and the operation of it. If you are diligent and format every time you download your photos you'll probably sidestep a lot of problems some people have with the CF cards. Also, if your shooting with something other than a point and shoot type camera you'll want to have a "faster" CF card. Whatever you particular camera allows. Where this is critical is the transfer of files from the buffer to the card. If your sitting waiting to shoot while the buffer downloads to the CF card, you need a faster CF card.
The lower end manufacturers have been known to use the least expensive memory products available. That translates into lower prices and less dependable operation with the CF card. I have worked in the semiconductor industry for 25+ years and they are not all manufactured the same. I hate the unexpected surprise when I'm out in the field and a failure occurs. I always use a higher end manufacturer for my CF memory needs and have never experienced a failure yet. And I think that says something after 8 years of shooting digital.
There have been warnings of late about San Disk counterfeits. You can purchase a San Disk memory product anywhere for next to nothing....makes you wonder. You still get what you pay for. If you want to stay with the more reputable manufacturers take a closer look at Kingston Technology or Crucial just to name two.

wow thanks Photogreyph.
I'll take a look at both.

Forget the download times, I think the biggest factor is write them when in burst mode. Nothing is worse than doing 14 shots in a row than having to wait 3 minutes for everything to write to the card so you can take the next series. Using small fast CF cards are almost a must if you do burst mode. Otherwise I think as long as you like grinding and brewing your own cup of coffee the download times are insignificant.

Do not buy memory cards from Fleabay!!! Unless you have a burning desire to be the proud owner of some worthless crap, stick to buying memory cards from legit dealers such as B&H or Adorama....etc. Most of the memory cards for sale on the 'bay are knockoffs and relabeled ripoffs. Shop smart....

Thanks for the advice Aram535 & Dan.
Good to know all this information.

Not a lot of people seem to like these Transcend TS16GCF133 cards, but I haven't found anyone who has had actual bad experience with them. They are half the price of the rest and just as fast and you can take 1000+ shots with a 10.1MP RAW. I have 2 and hardly use anything else except for burst mode. I have a couple of 4 and 8gb extreme IIIs for that.

I've been using a Transcend 8GB 266X Card for a while now and haven't had any issues whatsoever. I used it in my both my 30D & 40D taking bursts of RAW pics at Drag Races and haven't had to wait at all.

At the time they were much cheaper than Sandisk now however they are pretty close so I'd go with Sandisk. Yesterday buy.com had the 8GB Extreme III's for only $64.99 and includes free shipping.

Here's the link in ase anyone is interested.

http://www.buy.com …/q/loc/101/2068​70456.html

Amazon is selling the "slower" Transcend 8GB CF for $20, and the 16GB for $53.78. These are the 133X, the 300X are about the same as the Extreme IIIs.