flashbang

I am a working pro and the majority of my work is events, mostly corporate. I never shoot video, sports type action or rapid sequences and all photos are shot Jpeg. Just about everything I shoot is used on line and very, very rarely am I asked for prints. When that happens, it is usually for a single 8x10 for somebody's ego wall.

When I switched to digital about 15 years ago, my dealer recommended Sandisk CF cards so I used them. Now that I am using SD cards, I have pretty much used those and Kingston, avoiding 'off'' brands. I fond that 16 GB is enough for my jobs (and personal use). I have only had one card go bad (a Sandisk) and after what seemed like an overly dragged out e-mail exchange, it was replaced. Hey, once in 15 years and I probably shouldn't complain. I have also made it a point to replace a couple of cards every year and 'retire' the older ones.

So today I stopped by my local shop (one of the big NYC 'names' – I am fortunate that way!) to pick up a few replacements. So first off,it seems like the selection of SD cards has increased dramatically. As has the range of prices. Some 16 GB are offered with a few dollars difference ny the same maker, some with a range of lots of dollars My question is basically which cards do I need? Is there any advantage, given my usage, to buying the more expensive cards?


As always, my thanks in advance for any advice!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

What are the spec differences between the cards you are questioning? That's what typically causes the price difference.

User ID

`

I find that the very cheapest cards do
take a second or two to write a single
jpeg on a 24MP camera, but anything
just a step better than the cheapest
will write so fast I don't see it happen.
IOW, I never notice the pilot light on
after the shot.

Also, I never use 16s. 32 is minimum
for me just becuz they cost about the
same as 16 and I figger they'll stay a
bit "cleaner" if less crowded with data.

Don't know what your newer digital
camera is, but for instance my Nikon
610 and 750 write jpegs about twice
as big as those by my other, slightly
older, 24MP cameras, so I put better
cards in those, more than just a step
up from cheapest, 64MP minimum.

My cameras are mostly 20 or 24MP.

Prices all on the same sales display
can be misleading and erratic. Same
specs [ALL the specs], same brand,
and slightly different trade name and
two identical cards are selling at a
crazy difference like $45 and $110. I
read ALL the eye straining fine print
when comparing. I mean identical !


`

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

flashbang

Most of my work these days is done with Olympus E-M1.

User ID

Get 32GB Sandisk in the
$35 range. Very affordable
moderate overkill for your
16MP jpegs.


`

chase4 Loc: Punta Corona, California

I shoot Nikon and always use their tested and recommended cards in my cameras. Here's a website that might help you or not:

http://www.cameramemoryspeed.com

I've used SanDisk since 2005 and never had a problem. chase

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I had one SanDisk SD Card fail since 2003, and they promptly replaced it (they did ask for the bad one to be returned, which seems fair).

I think based on what you photograph, all you need is the minimum that you camera manual specifies.

Why not just keep buying what you have been buying as that has worked for you?

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

From the E-M1 user manual: ... The following types of SD memory card (commercially available) can be used with this camera: SD, SDHC, SDXC, and Eye-Fi. For the latest information, please visit the Olympus website. ..."

SD[SC] = Secure Digital [Standard Capacity]; SDHC = high capacity; SDXC = extended capacity; Eye-Fi is an SDHC card that has wireless capability to transfer files directly to wireless devices like computers.

Cards come at different speeds. The faster the card the faster the camera can read and write the image to the card - TO A POINT. The camera has a maximum transfer speed, which the user manual does not specify, but does recommend Class 6 (6MB/sec) or higher to record video. I'd look at your original SD card and see what the speed is and continue to use that speed if its been working for you, or maybe try a faster one if you'd like to see if you can get faster transfer speeds. There are several reputable manufacturers of SD cards like PNY, Lexar, Kingston, ... . I use the faster Extreme Pro Sandisk 95MB/s 64GB cards in my D7200. If 16GB works for you, stay with 16GB, just stay with a big brand like Sandisk and decide which speed you want. The faster, the more expensive.

User ID

`

Buy from recognizable retailers like
B&H, Adorama, Staples, etc. Avoid
crazy discounts on Amazon where
the actual source is unfamiliar, cuz
SD card labels and trade dress are
too easy to counterfeit and it goes
on all the time.

If per chance you already have a
few "name brand" cards that were
sold as new, but were NOT in their
proper blister packs, with warranty
card, and inventory chip enbedded
in the packaging, just throw them
out rather than risk further use as
those are verrrry likely bogus.


`

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lots of links -

https://www.consumerreports.org/digital-cameras/which-sd-memory-card-do-you-need-for-your-digital-camera/
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/
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/

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

The answer in large part depends on the camera body you are using. I always use Sandisk too because they are the most reliable and because Nikon and Sandisk worked together almost since Nikon started making digital cameras to insure that the cameras and flash memory cards would be totally compadable. As far as the different models (grades), they are based on read/write speed. In order for top performance, you should use a card that is fast enough that it will not slow the data transfer from your camera's buffer to the flash memory. If the flash is too slow, the time that the camera takes between shots to allow you to take the next exposure will increase during fast shooting. That is because if the memory is too slow, the camera's buffer will fill and wate to transfer information until there is room to accept the next picture. This specification should not be confused with the capacity specification of the card.

Most cameras will require flash cards with a minimum write transfer speed of at least 90Mbs. If you shoot video, you might need considerably faster cards. I use Sandisk Extreme Pro SDHC (90Mbs) and Sandisk Extreme CF (120Mbs) cards in my D800. They are fast enough for both stills and video. Some video cameras require much faster transfer rates to keep the sound and picture in sync. You should check your camera's manual to see what the minimum specification for your model is.

The read transfer speed is less important. That is the speed at which the card can supply data to your computer during camera to computer transfers. Of course, the faster that speed, the faster you can dump your pictures to the computer. However, I would not pay extra for that minor benefit.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Check the User's Manual. It will list the exact specifications of SD cards required by, and compatible with, your specific model of camera. (If you can't find your manual, download a PDF from the manufacturer's site.)

SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards come in many different sizes, speeds, and classes. Some of the larger and more exotic ones probably won't even work in your camera. Many older cameras cannot use newer cards, because the newer card standards didn't exist when those cameras were made.

sv3noKin51E

This comes up a lot. We currently use San dDisk Extreme/Extreme Pro, or Samsung Evo Select (10 year warranty), or and PNY Elite/Pro X only if and when they're on sale. Pny currently has an measly 1 year warranty, don't know why they switched from their lifetime; ours are still going strong after 4 years. We buy our cards from Amazon, when they're on sale as it's tough to beat the sale price and free 2-day shipping for Prime/Business members. If you go this route, take careful to buy only the exact, real, top of the line cards, 'sold and fulfilled by Amazon' and none sold by others; it's 99.99% probability you'll never get a fake card from Amazon if they sell/fulfill the order; we haven't. Adorama and B&H prices are sometimes almost as good. The 32 GB U1 SDXC cards are $5 less than the 64 GB U3, so it's a better deal, twice the capacity and U3 for only $5 more, not that many care, U1 is a tad slower. Sale prices as of Aug 10th are $12-32 GB, $17-64 GB, and $34-128 GB for Samsung Evo Select. If you like San Disk, their card has a lifetime warranty and is only a few dollars more. We tried Lexar, but it was a bad experience; after losing two cards in one month, and another Lexar in a different body a month later, that was enough of that. Others like Lexar, so it's to each their own.The 64 to 128 GB U3, UHS 1 Class 10 cards speed is as listed, approximately 90-100 read/write, YMMV). Each SDXC card has with it's own branded SD card adapter to turn it into a full sized SD. In the D700, it has one CF slot, so we use a DigiGear Slim, Type I CF-SD adapter with the SDXC micro USB in the SD adapter. The body saw a spacious 64 GBs sitting in that CF slot, formatted it and it was off to the races. We've had zero problems with that configuration.

True; Nikon tests and recommends a few, select cards. Just because they did so, doesn't mean users are prohibited from using good judgement in testing/using top name brands that meet minimum specifications for their camera body. Download Crystal Disk free, and invest in a good card reader/writer. Test every card in the adapter with Crytal Disk as soon as you open the package, before you slip it into the camera and if it doesn't meet specs, return it. It's also true that Nikon can't test all of the good brand name cards, (they could if they wanted to). Various consumer protection laws prohibit companies from limiting the brand you choose to buy and use, whether it's San Disk cards in your Nikon, or Mobil 1 motor oil in your car; just don't mix those up. What if GM said you could only use Esso high-test gasoline in your Cadillac; whoa Nellie. As with many deals of this nature, companies never release the contents of any NDA which exists between the card manufacturer and camera company, regarding what terms the cards are provided for testing, promotional value, or compensation was involved, haven't seen anything in writing, where Nikon says. "Your camera warranty is null and void and you'll go blind if you don't use a memory card made by X, Y, or Z companies." Small joke there. Computer companies are better about testing different memory brands/types for their motherboards, but apparently the camera manufacturers don't bother; they aren't in the memory business.

We inserted the 128 GB Samsung card and it's adapter into the D7200; it formatted to capacity instantly and to date, it and it's mates have been working in rotation, no errors in thousands of shots with all of the brands listed. The D700 used to be limited to 32 GB, thanks to a firmware update it now uses 64 GB. Some think micro USB SDXC in SD adapters is strange or won't work; these units work equally as well as their larger, more expensive brothers. Wouldn't say it it weren't true; we've never had to return one since we adopted this methodology. Good luck. sv

RichardE Loc: California

I use Sandisk from Amazon; only one go bad and replaced immediately when I sent a photo of the bent contact (I was able to get py photos off). I had an ADATA 16GB and still have as a remote backup. It went bad and also was replaced immediately. I also have 1 PNY and and 'Hoodman Steel" 16 GB U3, 10 (speed); I do not remember where I got that one. So, only all this over a span of 8 years.