Questions for Nikon D800/D810 users about the memory cards: I am debating between the Nikon D810 and the D750. In my searches I came across a photo of the memory card slots of the 810...

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I am debating between the Nikon D810 and the D750. In my searches I came across a photo of the memory card slots of the 810 and saw there is an SD card and a Compact Flash card. Why the compact flash card?

If it's better than why not both slots for the compact cards?

My D7000 has 2 SD cards. I have been shooting RAW on one card and JPEG on the second.

Any information will be greatly appreciated!!!!

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

The 800 series is considered a pro-level camera and the professionals seem to like the larger, more easily handled and harder to lose cards. So they might leave the SD card alone and use the CF as the card that goes in and out. In the past, CF cards were faster and had more capacity, but that is changing very rapidly. So I have a feeling that they would like to have used two CF cards, but the body is smaller than the D3/4 series and there is not enough room. So why not two SD cards? What does it matter. Oh God, I sound Like Hillary Clinton!

I have the D800 and here is my take: I don't care - maybe it was for space, whatever. I take pictures and do not worry or care about things like that. It is what it is. I look at it like this: If I knew the answer would it change what I do? If not, then I just go take more pictures.

If you knew the answer, would it affect which camera you bought?

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

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CaptainC wrote:

The 800 series is considered a pro-level camera an... (show quote)

Hello Captain C,

Thank you so much for responding. No, it doesn't make a difference in my purchase decision. I was just a little surprised since I thought the CF card was heading towards obsolete now that SD cards are new thing. I didn't know whether there was some specific advantage of one over the other. This does mean that if I purchase the 810 that I will have to buy a CF card reader. Currently my Mac has a built in slot for the SD. That is non-issue as to whether or not I purchase the 810.

With my luck, I will purchase the 810 and they will come out with an 8?? that will use 2 SD cards or the CF card will become obsolete and I will be looking for another new camera.

If you wouldn't mind answering a couple more questions....which brand and size/speed Cf cards are the best and approximately how many RAW images in large size will the card hold?

I greatly appreciate any info you are willing to share!!!!

Thanks,
Dodie

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

luvmypets wrote:

P br br Hello Captain C, br br Thank you so much... (show quote)

I use 32GB cards in both slots. I have no idea how many raw image they hold, but then I am a portrait photographer and have never come close to running out of space after a 2-3 hour session. I just looked at the camera and it says 400 raw files, BUT I shoot raw Lossless compressed and that means more than the 400.

Th SD card is a SanDisk Extreme Pro, 95MB/s and the CF is a SanDisk Extreme Pro. 90MB.s UDMA7.

Speed is not all that important for me.

Bobbee

CaptainC wrote:

The 800 series is considered a pro-level camera an... (show quote)

CC is pretty much on with his information. CF were considered the best. It is changing or has changed. The D7100 I just got has two SD'd. My D800 as was noted has a CF and CD, My SD is the primary. I do like the feel of the CF, similar to my D800 it has 'body'.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I have the D810 and the CF slot is primary and the SD is set to overflow. BTW since it is so easy to make a JPEG in LR why use your second slot to take JPEG of the same image that you have in RAW?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

luvmypets wrote:

I am debating between the Nikon D810 and the D750. In my searches I came across a photo of the memory card slots of the 810 and saw there is an SD card and a Compact Flash card. Why the compact flash card?

A better question would be, why the SD card. CF cards have traditionally be associated with top level pro cameras. Adding a slot for the SD is probably a concession by Nikon to the more common format.

One thing that kept me away from the D800 series is the CF card. Every other camera I have, except my IR D70, uses SD cards. I don't want to start buying and stocking a different kind of card.

steveg48

luvmypets wrote:

This does mean that if I purchase the 810 that I will have to buy a CF card reader. Currently my Mac has a built in slot for the SD. That is non-issue as to whether or not I purchase the 810.

With my luck, I will purchase the 810 and they will come out with an 8?? that will use 2 SD cards or the CF card will become obsolete and I will be looking for another new camera.

\

Thanks,
Dodie

I have a Kingston card reader. It reads both types of cards.

Bobbee

luvmypets wrote:

P br br Hello Captain C, br br Thank you so much... (show quote)

The CF slot is there, I 'believe' if the CF slot is empty and you have the configuration correct the SD will now store the shots. So, technically, I don't think you need to have a CF.

steveg48

Bobbee wrote:

The CF slot is there, I 'believe' if the CF slot is empty and you have the configuration correct the SD will now store the shots. So, technically, I don't think you need to have a CF.

That's correct.

ValliPride Loc: Lost in Florida

Just an FYI I have the D810, I use Hoodman cards they are made in the USA, are Expensive but I never had any problems with the cards.
I am also thinking of purchasing the D750 as a back up. The reason I bought the D810 over the D750 is that, I put an external lightning trigger on my camera! On the D750 it was not adaptable. Good Luck

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

luvmypets wrote:

P

.....

With my luck, I will purchase the 810 and they will come out with an 8?? .......

Thanks,
Dodie

No refresh of the D810 until 2016 according to www.nikonrumors.com

I hope they move up to a moveable LCD screen.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Be aware that one of my D800s had the card reading problem.
I bought many different recommended cards and for both slots some worked and some didn't. Sent to Nikon they fixed software and cards worked fine. Wondered why this known problem wasn't fixed in a firmware patch.
Sold both D800's now have Sony's.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

ValliPride wrote:

Just an FYI I have the D810, I use Hoodman cards they are made in the USA, are Expensive but I never had any problems with the cards.
I am also thinking of purchasing the D750 as a back up. The reason I bought the D810 over the D750 is that, I put an external lightning trigger on my camera! On the D750 it was not adaptable. Good Luck

I use only SanDisk Extreme 64GB cards in my 810. I also keed a 64 GB SD card in as a backup but have never used it. Takes just a couple of seconds to reformat the extra card when I go out for a shoot.

I have never had an issue with image loss with these cards on a D700, D3, D4, D800, or D810.

I thought that the inclusion of the SD-like card slot in the D810 had something to do with a new card format that Sony was trying to get started, but I could be (probably am) wrong on that point.

ggttc Loc: TN

luvmypets wrote:

I am debating between the Nikon D810 and the D750. In my searches I came across a photo of the memory card slots of the 810 and saw there is an SD card and a Compact Flash card. Why the compact flash card?

If it's better than why not both slots for the compact cards?

My D7000 has 2 SD cards. I have been shooting RAW on one card and JPEG on the second.

Any information will be greatly appreciated!!!!

My wife and I went thru the same dilemma. And chose the 810 for the extra megapixels...the reason is the 36mp makes a big difference when cropping...and of course gives you more image to work with...has the same focusing system as the Nikon D series...handles very well in low light...and the list goes on...