Which SD card for my 1D markII? I have decided to start using my second card slot for backup but the specs only say SD card. I would like to get at least a 512 gig card and just leave...

fotoman150

I have decided to start using my second card slot for backup but the specs only say SD card.

I would like to get at least a 512 gig card and just leave it in the camera and clear it after each job is complete.

From my research I find that I need SDXC to accomplish this.

Which cards are compatible? I know it’s a dinosaur but does anyone still have one of these cameras?

Also, would a difference in write speed between the CF and the SD card be a problem while shooting?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I don’t THINK SDXC cards are supported on the 1D MK2, which means you are limited to SDHC, 32 GB max, but if I’m mistaken, someone please correct me. I don’t see any reference in the manual.

As far as the write speed, a fast CF card is a little faster than an SD such as the Sandisk extreme pro @95 MB/sec, but you’re typically writing a larger (raw) file to the CF. The fact is that anytime you write to both cards, you cut the max buffer size and diminish the frame rate, but there is not a big hit on the ID2.

Mgofrenchy

TriX wrote:

I don’t THINK SDXC cards are supported on the 1D MK2, which means you are limited to SDHC, 32 GB max, but if I’m mistaken, someone please correct me. I don’t see any reference in the manual.

No you are right. SDHC.

I know people have used an adaptor to put bigger SD card in the CF slot...
That won't help you and always have bad "feelings" on use an adapter.

Fat Gregory Loc: Southern New Jersey

Using the physically small high capacity card through the format adapter can significantly slow burst transfer rate... I’d check with your camera user group.
Greg

Mgofrenchy

Let me precise more of my previous comment.

The SD card slot do not accept bigger than 32GB card.
However, you can find people saying (on the internet) they did use bigger than 32GB - It is by using the CF slot with an adaptator.
And that information can be miss leading.

Witch I personally do not recommend. As you say it slowdown the card specification most of the time, and it also give you more risk of error as you had a piece of hardware in the middle of your workflow.

fotoman150

Ok that helps. I don’t like messing with changing SD cards in the middle of like, a wedding. I find SD cards cumbersome.

Every time I have bought a new camera it comes with a small SD card and I usually give it away or toss it. It wouldn’t be bad though if I just left it in the camera.

That camera is meant to shoot bursts and has a buffer of 40 jpgs or 20 RAW before it slows down.

I know CF has fallen out of favor but many people, like myself still prefer them.

32 gb may be enough for a whole wedding on that particular camera because I only use it as a backup or to shoot long shots with a 70-200 since it is a crop sensor.

All of this is very helpful. Thanks everyone.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I prefer CF cards over SD and you just need to take a little care when changing the CF cards. Never have had a problem with one.

I have a couple 256mb CF cards from 15 years ago... I can get 8-10 RAW shots on each with my 1Dx2 and about 20 with my 1D3...😳. Almost like shooting a roll of film...

Mgofrenchy

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

I prefer CF cards over SD ...

Yeah - I feel you on that one.
I am still dead on my CF... I still have a 4GB San Disk Ultra II 15Mb/s (I remember paying like 100 euros for it in 2007/08 about). I tried it the other day on the 5D MK IV ... in Raw, it was ... hum "buffering-baffeling".

I probably own over 50 CF cards over 15years, I had only 4 fails - 3 were All the same brand (16GB SiliconPower 400X), all the same type, all bought together... I had a 4 cards - The 4Th is with the 4GB in a drawer (Never used after the 3rd one failed).

The 4th failed card was a rely poor use on my side (I removed the battery from the camera while it was buffering due to a very bad series of miss movement ... I still can't believe I did that)... It was a Lexar, they recovered the content at that time for free and gave me a new card with no charge.

I probably own 15 SD cards (For the X100F and Eos R and 6D) and had numerous error over time with 5 dead one in the last few months (3 were Lexar witch as been hard to get the warranty working).

fotoman150

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

I prefer CF cards over SD and you just need to take a little care when changing the CF cards. Never have had a problem with one.

I have a couple 256mb CF cards from 15 years ago... I can get 8-10 RAW shots on each with my 1Dx2 and about 20 with my 1D3...😳. Almost like shooting a roll of film...

I have some of those cards too. Paid $50 for them

fotoman150

Mgofrenchy wrote:

Yeah - I feel you on that one. br I am still dead ... (show quote)

Wow. 5 dead SD cards! Yikes!

I have had numerous CF cards since 2001 and have never had a problem. I’m not sure how I’ve escaped the card problems over the years. All of the cards have had moderate to heavy use.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Should be little difference, but the CF is faster and more reliable they say ...

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

fotoman150 wrote:

I have decided to start using my second card slot ... (show quote)

When many photographers are trying to put a maximum of photographs on an SDHC card, I'm shouting don't do it. Match the GB for each card and keep it below 32GB. If you use a higher GB card you probably don't want to lose it. If you do lose a card, you'll be sorry. When you fill the card pop in a replacement.

fotoman150

Scruples wrote:

When many photographers are trying to put a maximum of photographs on an SDHC card, I'm shouting don't do it. Match the GB for each card and keep it below 32GB. If you use a higher GB card you probably don't want to lose it. If you do lose a card, you'll be sorry. When you fill the card pop in a replacement.

But I’m using it as a backup card. And I will fill the card at a wedding. I think 32gb is enough though. So I won’t have to change the card.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

fotoman150 wrote:

But I’m using it as a backup card. And I will fill the card at a wedding. I think 32gb is enough though. So I won’t have to change the card.

We are definitely in different classes of photographer. I felt that the 1D camera would get too far in front of me. I have a 5D Mark IV. I use the CF Card and have it set to the highest possible setting. The SD Card is set to the lowest possible setting. Every now and then I check how much is stored on the card. When the cards are full I copy the photographs to my external hard drive. Then I put these cards in a memory card holder. I never format these cards and reuse them. I have heard too many tragedies so I don't want to experience them first hand.

fotoman150

Scruples wrote:

We are definitely in different classes of photogra... (show quote)

I’m not sure what you mean by two different classes of photographer. I fill small CF cards 4 and 8gb at a wedding and copy the data to my laptop hard drive then copy again to my external hard drive and then I have a cloud backup storage (Backblaze). No need to keep buying new cards. This would be cost prohibitive.

I think what you mean is it takes you awhile to fill a card. If I understand you correctly you don’t upload the files until the card is full. I find this odd. Seems like you would copy the files to your hard drive and retouch them after each shoot. I’m confused.

Maybe you copy the new files to the hard drive as you go and keep them on the card and keep shooting and uploading until the card is full. Then you store the card and never format it and buy a new card.

There is a much better way in my opinion but to each his own. It seems like there are as many workflows as there are photographers.