compact flash cards d800: I have noticed in the process of buying cf cards for my d 800, the write speed differs from 200x to 1000x in 200x increments. does the d800 require 1000x...

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

I have noticed in the process of buying cf cards for my d 800, the write speed differs from 200x to 1000x in 200x increments. does the d800 require 1000x write speed? I do not want the camera to freeze up while shooting. I actually would not even know how to begin to do the math, any help/information would be appreciated. {am looking at Lexar}

don1047 Loc: Colorado

No. I use 600x in mine and they are great.

amehta Loc: Boston

redhogbill wrote:

I have noticed in the process of buying cf cards for my d 800, the write speed differs from 200x to 1000x in 200x increments. does the d800 require 1000x write speed? I do not want the camera to freeze up while shooting. I actually would not even know how to begin to do the math, any help/information would be appreciated. {am looking at Lexar}

Shooting compressed raw means 40-50MB files. If you are shooting continuous high, 4fps, that can be 200MB/s. The camera may not be able to write that fast, and you may not shoot continuous high very often. The faster cards will also read faster when using a good USB 3.0 card reader.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

got it!! thanks

Cocadori Loc: Montana

I have the D800 and use the 1000X (Lexar) I wish it was 1500+
Go fast, your D800 is writing a A LOT of info to the card.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

redhogbill wrote:

I have noticed in the process of buying cf cards for my d 800, the write speed differs from 200x to 1000x in 200x increments. does the d800 require 1000x write speed? I do not want the camera to freeze up while shooting. I actually would not even know how to begin to do the math, any help/information would be appreciated. {am looking at Lexar}

Make sure the CF card is a Type I.
Other than that, have a look at page 435 of your manual, it specifically mentions Lexar cards.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Yes, get the fastest available. Yes get the largest you can afford. I have a 128GB off brand at 1000/MB transfer rate. I don't ever want to hit the wall on buffers or other issues with stills or video.

You really want to put this card in your camera and leave it there. The CF relies on old pin technology and taking the card in and out increases your risk of bending one of the pins. With 128 GB I can shoot for days and not have to download. If I do need to down load, it is via camera no a card reader. The D800 is a USB 3.0 connection with is fast compared with USB 2.0.

I also have a 64 GB SD card in the camera that I use for overflow. I shoot only RAW.

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

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Cocadori wrote:

I have the D800 and use the 1000X (Lexar) I wish it was 1500+
Go fast, your D800 is writing a A LOT of info to the card.

I also use the lexar 1000x shooing in raw with a 5dII only 23 mp and in long burst it will slow down so with your 36 mp camera I wouldn't use anything less.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

Morning Star wrote:

Make sure the CF card is a Type I.
Other than that, have a look at page 435 of your manual, it specifically mentions Lexar cards.

...I see some cards are not marked type I, etc. how would I identify between them? some information is hard to find, went to lexars site to find what all markings meant! could not find, but always on the search for information......

thank you....bill

amehta Loc: Boston

redhogbill wrote:

...I see some cards are not marked type I, etc. how would I identify between them? some information is hard to find, went to lexars site to find what all markings meant! could not find, but always on the search for information......

thank you....bill

I'm pretty sure all the CF cards you will look at are type I.

Look up the card on B&H. They will include the capacity (GB) and the read and write speeds (MB/s). Those three numbers are basically what you need to decide.

For example, the approximate speeds for two Lexar levels are
* Lexar 800x: read 120MB/s, write 45MB/
* Lexar 1066x: read 160MB/s, write 150MB/s

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

amehta wrote:

I'm pretty sure all the CF cards you will look at are type I.

Look up the card on B&H. They will include the capacity (GB) and the read and write speeds (MB/s). Those three numbers are basically what you need to decide.

For example, the approximate speeds for two Lexar levels are
* Lexar 800x: read 120MB/s, write 45MB/
* Lexar 1066x: read 160MB/s, write 150MB/s

d800 user manual "use type I compact flash cards"...{type II and micro drives cannot be used" just starting out on the path of learning about cf, cards, thans for help

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

PS page 435 in d800 user manual

Cocadori Loc: Montana

1066x is being ordered next week for my D800 fyi....

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

redhogbill wrote:

...I see some cards are not marked type I, etc. how would I identify between them? some information is hard to find, went to lexars site to find what all markings meant! could not find, but always on the search for information......

thank you....bill

A Type I CF card is 3.3mm thick, a Type II card is 5mm thick.
Yes, just now I did a quick Google search, no Type I or Type II markings. I guess the only way then, is to ask your supplier.
The pictures of CF cards are no help, they all are taken from the front.
I never used to worry about it, as my Olympus E-500 could take either type plus an SD card. Then my E-5 and now E-M1 only takes SD.

amehta Loc: Boston

redhogbill wrote:

d800 user manual "use type I compact flash cards"...{type II and micro drives cannot be used" just starting out on the path of learning about cf, cards, thans for help

True. I meant that if you look up SanDisk or Lexar CF cards on B&H or other sites, they are all type I. The type II cards are bigger, and were usually "microdrives". That technology is basically extinct, it basically went away when laptops stopped having "PC card" slots and switched to "SD card" slots.