SD/SDHC Memory Cards
Moderators: nomis, keeper1616
SD/SDHC Memory Cards
My new DSLR takes SD/SDHC memory cards. I see they come in sizes ranging from 1GB up to 32GB. However, 2, 4, and 8 GB seem to be the most common capacities and are reasonably priced. I am curious as to who manufactures the best quality cards? How does Transcend stack up against the competition? I am thinking that I would want cards that are fast enough for my Canon that can snap continuous pictures, but not overload the buffer while shooting fast-moving trains passing by.
Sincerely,
Ron
Sincerely,
Ron
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
In my experience, you get what you pay for in Secure Digital cards (or Secure Digital High Capacity). I've never heard of Trancend, but I've had good luck with SanDisk and Kingston. You probably will not run into any buffer problems with still cameras, but if you're planning on taking videos with your DSLR (some of the newer ones can), then the speed of the SD card matters.
~~~Cyrus~~~
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
Some of the brands I've used, all with no problems, are:
Kingston
SanDisk
Patriot Memory
Lexar
SDHC cards tend to be a little bit slower than SD cards (something to do with the different type of file system required for the higher capacities), but I don't think the difference is enough to cause performance problems.
SanDisk Ultra II and Extreme III are known for having some of the best performance and reliability on the market today. Just make sure you buy from a reputable retailer; there are cheap look-alike knock-offs floating around that appear identical to the real thing but are junk.
Kingston
SanDisk
Patriot Memory
Lexar
SDHC cards tend to be a little bit slower than SD cards (something to do with the different type of file system required for the higher capacities), but I don't think the difference is enough to cause performance problems.
SanDisk Ultra II and Extreme III are known for having some of the best performance and reliability on the market today. Just make sure you buy from a reputable retailer; there are cheap look-alike knock-offs floating around that appear identical to the real thing but are junk.
MEC407
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
My advisement is if you want to shoot JPEG, get 2GB. If you're like me, and use your SLR (in my case, a Nikon d60) to shoot raw, I purchase 4GB SDHC cards. I wouldn't purchase anything higher, though, because a larger card encourages you to put more pictures on it, before a transfer. And I've had REALLY good cards crap out on me before, so don't buy the largest one you can find. Also, I purchase class 6 cards. C6 is the HIGHEST class of SD/SDHC card out there, with C2 being the lowest. So just beware...
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
Agreed. I've been fortunate and have never had a card die on me, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. I'd rather lose 1GB of images than 4 or 8 GBs, wouldn't you?Chessie GM50 wrote:I wouldn't purchase anything higher, though, because a larger card encourages you to put more pictures on it, before a transfer. And I've had REALLY good cards crap out on me before, so don't buy the largest one you can find.
If you're going on a trip or a really big shooting spree and you honestly need that much storage space, the best thing to do is to bring several smaller cards rather than one huge card.
MEC407
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
my 16 gb sandisk takes a reasonable 136 minutes of video and hasn't failed me yet! and i got it cheap ($40)
but even then, i had to double it up with my 8 GB backup for the Railfest 2009: Steamtown Scranton: http://railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=64900
pretty much filled up both cards.
also have a 4, a 2 and a 1 GB.
but even then, i had to double it up with my 8 GB backup for the Railfest 2009: Steamtown Scranton: http://railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=64900
pretty much filled up both cards.
also have a 4, a 2 and a 1 GB.
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
I use a K10 Pentax raw format and 8G cards. I typically have the laptop with me on trips and will back up the car at the hotel that evening. So far never had a card fail.
~Ken :: Fairmont ex-UP/MP C436 MT-14M1 ::
Black River Railroad Historical Trust :: [/url]
Black River Railroad Historical Trust :: [/url]
Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
I believe there are only actually 3 or 4 companies that manufacture memory media, the rest simply being re-branded. I'd say just go for the lowest price.
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
Do make sure you go for the highest speed.
I have a couple of 32gb cards and they are not at the price or speed yet where I could recommend them.
4gb Kingston and 8gb Sandisk cards are readily available and affordable.
Also consider the 'Super Talent' range -- this is a disk in the SD card size/shape but without the rarely-if-ever used copy protection that all SD cards have. The lack of this feature makes the cards cheaper to make, as the manufacturer doesn't have to pay the licensing fees to the DRM companies.
I have a couple of 32gb cards and they are not at the price or speed yet where I could recommend them.
4gb Kingston and 8gb Sandisk cards are readily available and affordable.
Also consider the 'Super Talent' range -- this is a disk in the SD card size/shape but without the rarely-if-ever used copy protection that all SD cards have. The lack of this feature makes the cards cheaper to make, as the manufacturer doesn't have to pay the licensing fees to the DRM companies.
Oh, I bet you read a lot of Gordon Wood, huh? You read your Gordon Wood and you regurgitate it from a textbook, and you think you're awesome doing that and how 'bout them apples and all that Gordon Wood business?
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
I've been using a Transcend 8GB SDHC card (class 6) for the past several months and it works great, even when shooting HD video. They now have a Class 10 version that is even faster: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... _Card.html
Also available in 16GB and 32GB versions, handy if you're shooting a lot of video:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... _Card.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... _Card.html
If you want the ultimate in durability (steel-plated / waterproof) and don't mind spending $120 for a 16GB card, there's this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... _SDHC.html
Also available in 16GB and 32GB versions, handy if you're shooting a lot of video:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... _Card.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... _Card.html
If you want the ultimate in durability (steel-plated / waterproof) and don't mind spending $120 for a 16GB card, there's this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... _SDHC.html
MEC407
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Re: SD/SDHC Memory Cards
I got a PNY Professional 16gb Class 10 SDHC card four months ago and it's been working great. I use it for still photos as well as HD video.
MEC407
Moderator:
Pan Am Railways — Boston & Maine/Maine Central — Delaware & Hudson
Central Maine & Quebec/Montreal, Maine & Atlantic/Bangor & Aroostook
Providence & Worcester — New England — GE Locomotives
Moderator:
Pan Am Railways — Boston & Maine/Maine Central — Delaware & Hudson
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