jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've accumulated lots of links on SD cards. If you get a good brand name card, you'll be okay. I don't plan to use 128GB cards. Aside from being unnecessary for my needs, the eggs and basket motto comes to mind - aside from the high price. I use mostly 32GB and the occasional 64GB. Class 10 is good.

http://improvephotography.com/676/9-things-photographers-need-to-know-about-memory-cards/
https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-memory/sd-card-formatting
http://digicamhelp.com/accessories/memory-cards/why-format-a-memory-card/
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/fastest-memory-cards-money-can-buy
http://www.cameramemoryspeed.com/
https://www.slrlounge.com/handle-sd-cards-to-minimize-data-loss/
http://digital-photography-school.com/13-tips-for-using-and-caring-for-memory-cards/
http://www.cameramemoryspeed.com/
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-10-best-sd-memory-cards-tested-2015-17827
http://www.howtogeek.com/189897/how-to-buy-an-sd-card-speed-classes-sizes-and-capacities-explained/

Jim Bob

Not confused at all. I think you might be. I know what camera uses which cards since I own them.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

I don't use any SD card larger than 32 gig since I lost one card with 64 gig full of pictures. If you do it once, lose all your pictures that is, you won't ever use a large SD card again.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

This link should answer your questions:

http://www.cameramemoryspeed.com/nikon-d7200/sd-card-comparison/#RecommendedCards

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

We are going on an extensive road trip to Glacier and Yellowstone. I have two sets of SD 32 Extreme Pro 90s.
I am considering buying A WD Wireless 1TB portable external hard drive with Wi-Fi and a built in SD Card Reader. ($150). You can download every night either wirelessly or by inserting the SD card from your camera.
Sounds interesting.

Duane

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I guess it depends on how important the photos will be to you. A little over a week ago, I had my first card failure working a wedding. Thankfully, my D-7100 has the dual card slots, and I set mine to back up.

If you want to use one for video, and one for stills, there is always a chance that something can happen. I'd rather lose a few, than all.

Also keep in mind, Sandisk has the highest reports of knock offs out there, so you don't ALWAYS get "the best" by the company that invented it. I know of someone personally, who picked up one from Office Depot. Said it was a 64mb card, when he checked it out, it was a re labeled 16gb card. He sent it to Sandisk, and was told it was a knockoff.

That was from a Office Depot, in original packaging. Not sure how they do that, unless they purchase the actual card, and somehow put the fake one in, and return it to the store? However they do it, it does happen.

I've had 2 Sandisk cards that wouldn't work at all, right out of the package. Got a "read error"

Anyway, long story longer, Memory cards don't take up room in your baggage, I'd stock up on several, and change frequently...but that's just me.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

I would second this recommendation. In fact, I stick to 32gb cards. Think about it, with a 24mpix camera, you should get well over 500 raw images with a card that size. Plan a system ahead of time - one card per day or per place visited. Number the cards and check that they are formatted in your camera prior to the trip and make sure that each will record and play back prior to the trip. Lastly, since the smaller size cards are inexpensive, there is no reason to fill them. Change them when it is convenient and makes sense to do so.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

I may be missing something here but I do not understand the concern about using large cards and losing too much data if there's a loss or failure. To avoid this simply back up your cards frequently, after every shoot of importance for example.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

Thanks for the links, Jerry. Like you I use smaller cards (16GB) and keep a few with me. Never filled one up yet, but I only shoot raw ... no JPGs or video.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I agree with OP who prefer not to use the very high capacity SD cards. Testing the cards before going on a trip is a good idea, but is still not insurance against malfunction. And changing the card in the field is quick and easy.

As for losing the cards, this is very likely if you don't have a designated card carrier. They come in various sizes, are not large, and easy to carry. Hard case is more protective. Mine has a key-chain loop on it if I want to attach it to my belt or camera bag, but fits well into a zipper or velcro pocket. If you want to carry a large supply of cards, you do not want to carry them all with you when out shooting, so would need two different cases in small and large.

Backing up at the end of the day is highly recommended, even if you decide to keep the memory cards without reformatting until after you get home. On my last trip, I backed up to my laptop and then for a second level of insurance, also backed up to some memory sticks! Then reformatted the cards.

genesampson

Personally I'd go for multiple 64 gig cards. Shoot Raw on one and either slot 2 as a backup or overflow. These are cheap and easy to carry multiple cards. Get a little packet of some kind and keep them where you know where all are. I use a baggie for full cards to keep them separate. It's like always putting your keys in the same place. Just my thot.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

Could not agree more. I use nothing larger than 32G, but I shoot little or no video on them. It may not be a valid point, but think about data density.

ecurb1105

I shoot a D600 and have been using a pair of Sony 64GB cards with no problems. I have just started using a Lexar 128GB in place of one 64GB card with no problems to date. I shoot stills, RAW + jpeg, as well as video.
Sounds like you have a wonderful trip to look forward to, take as much backup as you can and have a ball!

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

When I was shooting the D7200 and 7100 before that, I always put the second slot to use as a backup. I have had, though not for years, cards that failed. A backup card would have saved me. My cards failed without letting me know, so I lost a whole shoot on two separate occasions.

Cards are inexpensive and very light weight. I used to get, with the D7200, a little more than 1000 images RAW+Jpeg on a 32gb card. Changing cards in the middle of the day was not a big problem. I would just not go bigger. If your card fails; if you lose it, if . . . you will only lose the last 1000 shots.

My advice is stay with 32gb max and change the cards after 500 or 600 shots (We used to have to change film after 36. LOL

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

I know someone who got an external drive where you could insert a card and back it up to that device. I haven't looked into them, but I really like the idea of multiple backups.

Personally, I'd go the route of multiple 64GB cards. On my 7200, I think I get 1.4k 12-bit RAW per card or 1.1k 14-bit. On a good trip, I'd go with the card backup option and have a few extra sets of cards. If I had that device, I might go with extra cards and back them up as I go (keeping the original cards and only using backup as a backup).