Best type of Compact Flash?

[docevi1]

Hello,
I have a canon A70 and am looking to get another 256 Compact Flash (the standard type), which is the best make/speed to go for?

I have a viking 256 at the mo, and wish to get another as back-up and so that I can take more pics when I go on holiday and the like later this year, but I don't know what make/model is the best

thanks for your advice.

[chrisjl]

I'd be inclined to stick to just the one card, and supplement it with something like this (battery powered multi format card reader with a laptop harddisk). If you're going to be away from base for a week or more, how many CF cards is enough? You'd have to be going some to fill an X-drive!

Edited to add:
Hmmm, CF cards have come down a lot since I last looked - you could get 5x 256MB (~400 pictures worth) for the price of a 20GB XS-DriveII.

>> Edited by chrisjl on Saturday 17th April 13:24

[tvrforever]

chrisjl said:

I'd be inclined to stick to just the one card, and supplement it with something like this (battery powered multi format card reader with a laptop harddisk). If you're going to be away from base for a week or more, how many CF cards is enough? You'd have to be going some to fill an X-drive! Edited to add: Hmmm, CF cards have come down a lot since I last looked - you could get 5x 256MB (~400 pictures worth) for the price of a 20GB XS-DriveII. >> Edited by chrisjl on Saturday 17th April 13:24

Agree entirely with above - I've got an XS-Drive and 2x512MB CF cards for use with my Canon EOS 10D and it works a treat. Was perfect for 3.5 weeks in Oz last year, and is great for motor sport.

I got mine from Andrew @ www.ukdigitalcameras.co.uk
- top system, price and great service.

And I get my CF cards & Canon batteries from www.7dayshop.com - so much cheaper than elsewhere.

[docevi1]

ouch, thats a lot of money! I was looking at another 256 card mainly because I'm not the richest bloke in the world and can't afford another HDD system (I already have an iPod and can get a card-reader for £88.99).

I have never yet filled my current 256 card, so with another one as a spare I don't suppose I'll fill them on a day away (when on holiday it's a different matter or away for a couple of days).

I might invest in the media reader for the iPod then, but that means I have to take my iPod with me Maybe the idea of installing a PC into the Marlin isn't so silly afterall!

[nick francis]

I got one of these http://viewer.onlinesupply.net/ its great, I went for the 20 gig version. Replaces need to take laptop, ipod etc

Tottenham Court Road
Cant remember which shop but pretty close to the Theatre at Oxford st end

[zetec]

www.picstop.co.uk

These are who I use. A Sandisk Ultra2 256mb is around £50. These are excellent cards as they are sooo quick.

www.picstop.co.uk/prodinfo.php?product=423

edited to add link DOH!!

>> Edited by zetec on Saturday 17th April 17:44

[docevi1]

thats what I was looking at zetec, ebay have some on their quite cheaply, as do Amazon

Thanks for the ideas, I'm thinking of putting a PC in the car now , it doesn't help when I'm on holiday without the car tho!

[zetec]

There is a very cheap seller on Ebay. The name evades me now but there is a catch. The auctions start at 1p but if you read the selling conditions there is a 14 day wait and circa£10 delivery charge as they are shipped from Singapore.

I can order on a Monday pm ant the card will be delivered Weds am for a sum of £1.90 using picstop.

This one from ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3810027488&category=18868

Edited to add link.

>> Edited by zetec on Saturday 17th April 18:27

[nighthawk]

My vote goes to the Sandisk brand.

I use 2 x 256 ultra cards with my 300d, but i'm thinking of moving onto a 1gig microdrive.

512mb is little over 70 shots on RAW for me.

[murph7355]

I also use Sandisk. Ultra, Ultra II or Extreme are the ones to get (the latter cope with temperature extremes better).

I'd avoid microdrives. Get a 1Gb Extreme from the US instead for not much more money.

Microdrives are slower and more fragile. Not good in a digital camera. Great technology though!

[docevi1]

thanks for the advice

[srider]

For an A70, I'd buy the cheapest cards you can find. The faster cards such as the Ultras and Extremes won't make much difference at all in that camera.

I have 2 1Gb microdrives which are about 2.5 years old. They're extremely cost effective. I've never dropped them from a great height, but they get used in some pretty harsh situations (vibration, mild shocks) with no problems so far. Obviously, they're not as durable as solid state, but I think they're tougher than people think. If kept in your A70, you'll break the camera before the MD...

[viper_larry]

I bought a ByteStor 512MB 40x Hi-Speed CompactFlash for my 300D - highly recommended and very fast. £80 on Amazon

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000A42X4/ref=sr_aps_electronics_1_2/026-7067875-4538812