sd memory cards

[Frog]

I hope I'm posting this in the right thread.
I just bought a nikon d80 which is my first digital slr though I've owned a point and shoot and a 35mm or two.
The d80 will only take sd cards. I've read some stuff about them but the articles are usually more technical and I get a headache before I can find the answers to my questions.

Does card size make a difference in write speed, e.g.; does a 1gb card write faster than a 512 mb card?

How concerned should I be about whether it is a high speed card, say 150x, or one that doesn't specify high speed. Most of my shooting is nature, people, etc. and not sports though you never know.

I know lexar and sandisk are supposed to be good cards....are there others?

I will be grateful for any info received.

frog

[deckcadet]

Card size will generally not have a big effect on write speed.

If I were you i'd get a high speed card anyways- if anything it allows you to transfer off it faster. IMO you should avoid any brand not on nikon's compatibility charts- stick with Lexar and SanDisk. The SanDisk Ultra II line is a fast series but not too expensive either, and I think the Lexar platinum series is its rough equivalent.

[Frog]

I bought a sandisk ultra II for 23 bucks and $7 shipping on ebay from reliable usa outfit.
I'd bid on some that didn't seem to have much action and got tired of waiting so did a buy it now. Then one I'd bid the grand total of 12.74 on and lost to higher bidder, sent me a second chance offer for one at my bid. Oh well......next time I'll let myself get outbid and wait for the second chance....lol

frog

[mwfanelli]

I hope I'm posting this in the right thread.
I just bought a nikon d80 which is my first digital slr though I've owned a point and shoot and a 35mm or two.
The d80 will only take sd cards. I've read some stuff about them but the articles are usually more technical and I get a headache before I can find the answers to my questions.

Does card size make a difference in write speed, e.g.; does a 1gb card write faster than a 512 mb card?

How concerned should I be about whether it is a high speed card, say 150x, or one that doesn't specify high speed. Most of my shooting is nature, people, etc. and not sports though you never know.

I know lexar and sandisk are supposed to be good cards....are there others?

I will be grateful for any info received.

frog

Look at the speed testing for your camera at

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/mul...e.asp?cid=6007

Don't spend money on cards that are faster than your camera can handle.

I would avoid Lexar. I have had several Lexar products, CF cards and USB drives. ALL of them died very quickly.

SanDisk has been reliable under many adverse conditions. I also do very well with Viking.

[Canuck935]

I bought a sandisk ultra II for 23 bucks and $7 shipping on ebay from reliable usa outfit.
I'd bid on some that didn't seem to have much action and got tired of waiting so did a buy it now. Then one I'd bid the grand total of 12.74 on and lost to higher bidder, sent me a second chance offer for one at my bid. Oh well......next time I'll let myself get outbid and wait for the second chance....lol

frog

That's a scam. The problem with cards on ebay right now is that the popular ones like Sandisk Ultra II's are going for cheap. Too cheap. A lot of scams, and also a lot of counterfit cards. They do an excellent job making them look like the real thing.

[Frog]

Canuck, you are right. I read a review on ebay on how to tell if you are getting a couterfit card and looked at mine and its not a real sandisk.
I'll be posting complaints and going through the process of turning the outfit in even though they've been a seller for a long time and have good feedback, I'm thinking no one pays enough attention to know if they got the real thing.
I'll be wiser for my experience anyway.

[danag42]

If your camera is able to use Lexar's Write Acceleration technology, the Lexar 133x cards seem to have that feature. I use it with their CF cards, and it really makes my *st D zip right along!

I think the SD cards also use it, but it's not entirely clear from their Web site.