Memory card opinions - after failure

I went to Fiji for a week recently, I took a single camera (D700), a 16-35, and a single 16GB Transcend memory card. When I came home one single RAW image was corrupt (verified on another computer). This is my first corrupt image ever, I used Sandisk cards for years, and i've used this memory card for a wedding season with no issues. I never used a memory card for more than 3 years though, I tend to replace them with bigger ones.

The card that lost an image is an orange label Transcend memory card, 133X. It's a cheaper one that uses MLC memory, which stores multiple bits per cell, but has hardware error detection and correction. For reference, all Sandisk memory cards are MLC, and few if any have error checking or correction. You can also get cards with SLC memory, it stores a single bit per cell so it's higher quality, and should last longer.

First question: is a single error enough for people to throw away a memory card, and all the others like it?

Second question: assuming you threw them away, would you replace with Sandisk Extreme, or Transcend SLC?

Transcend is a good brand, and with SLC memory and error checking/correction it should theoretically be better than the Sandisk extreme. It costs a bit more, but price isn't important.

if i get an error, maybe is something i did in camera like turn off camera when it was writing (bump the power switch) or the camera just messed up. id use the card again (mark it so u know which card it is) and if u get error again, bye bye card.

Thanks for the thoughts mate. I decided that i'm not willing to take the risk, so i've ordered two new Transcend SLC 16GB memory cards. I'll sell the old ones on an auction site.

I can't find any software made to test memory cards, so I might have to write some myself.

i'd personally get rid of the card with the error. i wouldn't then get rid of the others bought at the same time or anything unless they also have a problem.

Hmmm, scary getting an error like that. The controller should have marked the spot as unusable, I wonder if it occured during a bouquet toss? It could have been the camera. You will know if your new cards give you trouble I guess. I would have kept it personally but I guess I like to tempt fate.

I'm running a through test of the card now. It's been going about three hours, eight hours to go on a really comprehensive test, and so far no errors.

I did order two replacement cards, but only one's available in the country - it's not a high demand part so they'd have to order one from overseas. I guess i'll keep using the card for a while longer.

Like Tim I had one corrupt raw file. Sandisk Extreme. I marked it and only took non important shots with it, till I felt satisfied that it was not an ongoing problem. I have shot a dozen weddings and many family/engagement sessions since this happened without a problem ...

I would also be very interested in software that checks these cards.
The card I was using was only about a month old at the time.

I started a thread about the memory card testing software I found.

I would write zeros to it then use the heck out of it for non-critical things to see how it performs.

I don't have any non critical uses. If i'm taking a photo, I want to see it.

You can fill it with BS just to test it, Mr Photo God.

Or I could use the memory card testing software I linked to above...

I'd want to put images on it too.

If I got a corrupt image I would toss the individual card, but not others like it (if I had them). You are just as likely to have a new untested card fail as have your known good card fail. It's just psychology that makes you think otherwise.

Already done, over and over again, before the problem. The testing software does about 20 passes using different patterns, which is better than just putting a few images on.

Plus, 600 images is 600 shutter actuations, I don't want to wear my shutter out testing a CF card.