Canon 50D CF Cards

Paul Holtom

Paul Holtom

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Having just got a 50D body to replace my 400D, I think given the size of files when shooting in RAW and JPEG that I will need to get some new CF cards. I note that the 50D can take advantage of the newer UDMA style cards so any recomendations of cards and where to purchase from.

Currently use a Sandisk Extreme 3 4GB 30MB/s but don't think this is UDMA.
 
To be honest, unless you have your finger solidly on the shoot button, the buffer and write speed of the Extreme 3 should be fine - and in my opinion if downloading them 2mins faster is not crucial :)
 
Sandisk extreme Ducati are the quickest cards for a 50D (according to the Rob Galbraith site test results.) Double the speed of the original extreme 3 cards, and about 25% quicker than the newer 30MB/s cards (not sure which extreme 3 you have.)
 
I'm quite happy using 32GB 133X Transcend cards in my 50D. I understand the theoretical benefits of the faster cards, especially UDMA, but they aren't benefits I need. It's a bit like buying a car that will do 200mph, only to drive it on British public roads at no more than 70mph - nice I'm sure but rather expensive and with limited practical advantage.

I only shoot raw and I do shoot action bursts but I've yet to hit a buffering problem with the "slow" card.

According to Rob Galbraith's tests my card will clear at 11.2MB/s, or about one raw file every 2 seconds. The fastest 32GB card in the list (Sandisk Extreme III) clears at 21.6 MB/s or pretty much twice the speed.

My 32GB Transcend cards cost £54 each from 7dayshop. I bought two. Today's price is £70 for one or £52 each in quantities of two or more.
The Sandisk 32GB Extreme III costs £144. There are no volume discounts.
The Extreme IV card are £70 for 8GB, or £280 for 4x8=32GB. There are no volume discounts.
 
Yup, that is the important question: Do you ever have to wait for the buffer to clear? If not, then your current extreme 3 is fast enough.
 
Have to say don't really know the answer to this one yet, as I only upgraded at Focus on Monday. But given that you only get approx 120 shots on a 4GB when shooting RAW and HQ JPEG think I will need to get a couple more cards very soon.
 
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