ive seen various posts from people saying that the hd bitrate would be in the 40MBs range when capturing hd video on the 5d mkII, and i also see that this month sandisk finally has ou in the market a 16mb extreme IV with 45MBs rate and a 32mb extreme III with a 30MBs rate (since that one is non-udma).
so it seems as though the 5d mkII would need the 45MBs speed card in order to really take advantage of its udma feature on both card and camera, yet in sandisks press release they specifically talk about the 5d mkII working to capture video in realtime on the 32mb card, the slower one. so im guessing that a videos bitrate is different than a cards actual write/read speed then? how does one calculate then when calculating how cards with various speeds can keep up with a cameras own write times?
so i am wondering since i want to have some cards in hand when the 5d mkII arrives, how speed vs size will affect the cameras buffer and capture-write times....i hope someone specifically tests both cards on a production 5d mkII...
tx for any words about this

The 5D MII's video is in mega bits per second, not mega bytes. That's a factor of eight slower. 6MB/s is all you need.

Is this the right medium/forum to ask this kind of question?

What are the "best" CF cards to purchase for the 5D2?
I'd guess what I'm asking is about the HD video.

I was going to pick up a few SanDisk Extreme iii cars, but then I saw the iv's and wasn't sure if I needed the faster, more powerful model.

By the way, Amazon has some 4Gig Extreme iiis for less than $21.00 each. Thought I'd get 4 of those and maybe 2 16Gig cards. I thought I'd be hard-pressed to fill all those in a single shoot.
But if I need the Extreme iv cards, I will have to rethink that due to budgetary constraints (I just got a camera, after all...).

Thanks for the advice!

133x is all you need, and pretty much all but the cheapest CF cards these days are at least that fast... I think...

133x is all you need, and pretty much all but the cheapest CF cards these days are at least that fast... I think...

Chris, that depends how quickly you want to get the video into your NLE afterwards too. I have a small collection of Extreme III and IV cards plus Lexar 300x UDMA's, there is a massive difference in download speed between the UDMA cards and non-UDMA cards when using a UDMA card reader.

On another cautionary note I just had a Lexar 300x UDMA card fail totally in the 5dmkII and am going to send it back for diagnosis.

Dan

Roger that, Dan -- I'm using a 300x UDMA card myself, along with a FireWire reader, for that very reason (speed of ingest). Just saying' that 133x is all you need to squeak by... as far as what "best" is, as always, "best" means different things to different people. My idea of the best CF card is the one I bought, which is also one of the most expensive. Somebody else's "best" might mean the least expensive they can get away with...

I hope I'm not the only one why doesn't understand the tech you're referring to.
I feel like a dope.
UDMA? 133x?
I apologize for my learning curve here...
I typically buy from Amazon or Supermediastore.com. Checking their site, they say that an Extreme iii transfers data at 30Meg/sec (and I thought the 5D2 captured at 32Meg/sec - I'm missing something). Amazon doesn't mention 133x or better or even UDMA, so I don't know how to cross-reference what you're telling me.

Bottom line, though, it sounds like you're telling me that the Extreme iii is just fine. I just don't get the data rate, compered to what the 5D2 writes at.

Anyway, I do thank you for the help. Sounds like I'll be happy with the Extreme iii cards for a while and that I should buy the iv cards when I can afford them to help the downloading process.

Thanks again.

Matthew, the confusion is probably due to the card writing 30 megaBYTES per second and the camera data rate being in BITS per second. It's probably only about a 5 megabytes per second stream but remember that flash often only writes at half the read speed so that is probably why 20Meg/second (or faster) seems to be needed. I'll bet slower might work but fast CF cards are cheap and you get the benefit of faster editing.

Maybe have a look at these Newegg.com - Transcend 8GB Compact Flash (CF) Flash Card Model TS8GCF300 - Flash Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208417)

as well as the Sandisk and Lexar versions.

Dan

Can someone give me a ballpark idea of the download time difference between UDMA and non-UDMA? Also, what do you need to take full advantage of UDMA, i.e. Is there certain specs I should look for in a card reader? Thanks.

Maybe have a look at these Newegg.com - Transcend 8GB Compact Flash (CF) Flash Card Model TS8GCF300 - Flash Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208417)

as well as the Sandisk and Lexar versions.

Dan

Less expensive, twice the capacity, almost as fast:

Ridata 16GB 233X UDMA Enabled Compact Flash Card Ridata 16GB 233X UDMA Compact Flash Card Detail Page (http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/SPD/ridata-16gb-233x-udma-enabled-compact-flash-card-ridata-16gb-233x-udma-compact-flash-card--80000293-1189017933.jsp)

Don,
That card got awful review on new egg:
Newegg.com - RiDATA Lightning Series 16GB Compact Flash (CF) Flash Card Model CFR16G-233X-LIG2 - Flash Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820183190)

I just got a 32GB 133x Transcend cf card for my 5D2 and it shoots video just fine.

Taking a RAW photo while shooting a video clip, however, will force the video recording to stop.

Only $85 online.

The 16GB 133x Transcends aren't as fast as the 32GB, judging from Rob Galbraith's CF/SD card speed database: Rob Galbraith DPI: Canon EOS 50D (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/camera_multi_page.asp?cid=6007-9672)

According to a source on the web, the newer SanDisk Extreme III cards are UDMA capable, while the older ones are not. Make sure to get the 30 MBps version rather than the older 20 MBps version

SanDisk Extreme III UDMA & Apacer Steno IV CF Cards Tested (http://sportsphotoguy.com/sandisk-extreme-iii-udma-apacer-steno-iv-cf-cards-tested/)

Of course, don't trust everything you read on the web. Can anybody confirm this?

Personally, I'd be surprised if the latest Extreme III didn't support UDMA, but the specs from SanDisc aren't all that clear...

Make sure your reader is up to snuff, too. I've had good luck with Sandisk's Extreme USB 2.0 Reader. The one I have does both CF and SD cards, but it looks like this model's selling for 10x original price now. They have another one that's only $20 that just does CF. I had a cheap no-name multi-format USB card reader before, and the difference with the same cards was considerable.

I just got a 32GB 133x Transcend cf card for my 5D2 and it shoots video just fine.

Taking a RAW photo while shooting a video clip, however, will force the video recording to stop.



I would be concerned that this card will choke on video as it gets full. If it's choking on a still shot during video it may not be emptying the buffer sufficiently.

edit : Don't buy sandisk on ebay. Actually, don't buy any memory on ebay. There's little margin in CF cards. Buy from known places.

Don,
That card got awful review on new egg:
Newegg.com - RiDATA Lightning Series 16GB Compact Flash (CF) Flash Card Model CFR16G-233X-LIG2 - Flash Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820183190)

This concerns me.
I've had no problems, but its certainly not a fast card.
I'l see if the mydigitaldiscount card is the same series.

Edit: yep, it is. So much for buying another one of these. Back to Extreme III!

Rob Galbraith has perhaps the most exhaustive speed testing of CF cards on the web. He just updated his CF/SD performance database with the 5dMarkII. Looks to be about the fastest camera on the market currently. Check out the link to see speed comparisons of various cards in this camera.

Rob Galbraith DPI: Canon EOS 5D Mark II (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/camera_multi_page.asp?cid=6007-9784)

Hi all. I went shooting over the weekend with 3 x new 16GB 133x Transcend cards, each freshly formatted for the 5d mkII.

Upon returning to ingest footage, I discovered around a dozen files on one of the cards (about 20% of the shots taken on the card) contain errors, and either won't open at all, or open and freeze after a few seconds of playback. These corrupt files are fairly evenly spread between good files.

I tried to recover the files using Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery for mac, to no avail. It seems to me the card is a dud, as the camera performed flawlessly with the other cards.

I'd like to know if the Sandisk Extreme IV cards (for about five times the money) are going to prove more reliable, or in fact, what the most reliable cards might be shooting video on the 5d MkII.

I'm thinking maybe there's a good reason for the premium on SxS cards!

I've been shooting with the 8gb extreme IV's on my hasselblad H3d and Canon 1ds mk III for the past year and a half. Not one problem. I've even put a couple of the 2 gb cards through the washer AND dryer (and all data was still intact after that)...any card that costs 1/5 of what the sandisk cards cost I would be highly suspicious of (unless working "most of the time" works for you.)

Barry

I have used Sandisk exclusively in my Nikons for years and have not experienced a single problem. I was on a video shoot last week and talked to the still photog briefly about CF cards and he has also used only Sandisk with zero defects in his Nikons.

OTOH, I have 2 - Transcend 300x 16 gig CF cards for my video camera and have not had a problem at all, with either of them.

Sorry for your trouble, Josh... I'm using HoodMan RAW cards, guaranteed zero failure.

FWIW, I've been using SanDisk Extreme IV cards without problems.

We had an old 256M CF card that we used in the MicroTrack II, and it died within the first few uses just last week. I had a couple of other cheap cards die in my P&S.

Unfortunately, I have to report errors with my SanDisk Extreme iii and iv cards.
I shot a run-n-gun event and after putting them onto a Vegas 7 and/or Vegas Pro 8 timeline, there were clips with errors so significant, they'd lock Vegas (both version).
The errors showed up as red frames of some kind.
My eventual work-around was to use Gearshift and convert the MOV files to CineformHD files.
That turned the offending frames to black, but the file now played back.

This has been my only experience with editing footage from the 5DMii, so my experience level is weak at present.
My hopeful workflow will be to use HDLink to convert the files to Cineform and edit in either Vegas or PremierPro (CS3, presently).
Working with 720-30p files was amazingly smooth in Vegas 8. I got 29.97 playback consistently, even with some LIGHT CC work (either a Levels or Curves effect). Once the files were Cineform 720-30p, I was stylin' and couldn't be stopped. That was one of the most fun experiences I've had editing HD or HDV footage. I never knew 720p was soooo smooth. I always tried to edit HDV, which always gave me around 18FPS playback and less with CC.
For what I presently do, my new workflow is 720-30p.

I have been using the Ritek Ridata Lightning 8GB card for a week now and haven't noticed any issues yet. I typically try and check all of the footage often though (good practice no matter what format you shoot). These cards are cheap too on DVD-R,DVD R Media,DVDR Blank Media,DVD R,DVD+R,Dual Layer,Double Layer,Printable DVD,DVD Case,Duplicator,USB Flash Memory,Ink Cartridges (http://www.supermediastore.com) (I buy tons of stuff from here). I guess I will post later on down the line if I start having errors.

Unfortunately, I have to report errors with my SanDisk Extreme iii and iv cards.

Ouch, last night I ordered a pair of 16gig Sandisks after reading the first couple of responses. I guess the potential for failure is just something to be mindful of, and when possible, to check for.

I originally bought the Transcends, not based on price, but on good feedback from others using them in video applications.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

the only problems I've had is when I pull the card out to soon after shooting.... I think the camera still writes to the cards for a few seconds after shooting?

I too have had problems with Transend cards to the point I will not use them for anything. I originally tried them to save a few dollars but they ended up costing me far more than they saved. I have had zero problems with SanDisk Extreme III 8gb cards.

I think the camera still writes to the cards for a few seconds after shooting?Yes. There's an indication when data is still being written to the card. It's described in the manual.

The only problem I have ever had with Transcend cards has been with fakes I inadvertently purchased via fleebay.

While I was shooting some shots of me as the talent at 1am with no camera op - I came back to find that the recording stopped in the middle of the take. Talk about frustration. I thought I had nailed it and was calling it a wrap. So, yeah, my 32GB Transcend 133x just got the "unreliable stamp" put on it for shooting critical HD footage with the 5D Mark II.

I had some issues with a Lexar card on my old Nikon. About a half dozen of my JPGs would be corrupted with every shoot. I have been using Sandisks ever since with no issues. You get what you pay for. Sandisks are the Hondas of CF while it sounds like you bought an early 90's Hyundai.

;)

I see some cheap Compact Flash available out there, like Kingston 133 at 8 G for $20. I search our threads here, and haven't seen much comment on problems with particular media. Have I missed somewhere ?

Chris, I have some sub $20 16GB "blue noname" cards from the bay, that are suposedly 133X speed and for film making those are fine. I tested all three and one of those has actually about 250x write time so I assume those are the leftower chips from QA...
... you can not take pictures (well, sometimes you can and sometimes not) with those lame cards when recording video but for one task at a time they are fine as long as you can write to it faster than 5mbps.

As I understand the faster speeds are desired for shooting video and constantly interrupting it with picture taking - I assume you don't want to do that anyhow.

OT: It's good to see all 35mm "adaptor" (that's actually a typo) oldtimers here on the 5D MKII forum :)...

T

The guys over at Convergent Designs are recomending the Transend 32GB X133 for their tapeless recorders..... good price ($84).. I'm using two of them without issue...

Transcend 32GB 133X - 300X UDMA Enabled Compact Flash Card Transcend 32GB 133X - 300X UDMA Enabled Compact Flash Card Detail Page (http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=8000060A-1200423664)

Here's the thread...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/convergent-design-flash-xdr/133630-32gb-133x-transcend-cards-drop-below-us-100-a.html

OT: It's good to see all 35mm "adaptor" (that's actually a typo) oldtimers here on the 5D MKII forum :)...

T

Yeap, we keep looking for that perfect combination... we're getting closer !!!

I'm using a mix:

Lexar 8GB 300X UDMA (bought some for $200, later $100)
Lexar 8GB 133X (recent free after rebate deal)
Transcend 32 GB 133X ($80).

I've heard of some people having trouble with their Transcend 133X, but mine has been good to me so far. Lexar and SanDisk are well regarded for reliability.

I see some cheap Compact Flash available out there, like Kingston 133 at 8 G for $20. I search our threads here, and haven't seen much comment on problems with particular media. Have I missed somewhere ?

If you have a Fry's nearby you can get the 32GB 133x Kingston for $29. It works with video on the 5D2. The buffer meter will occasionally show it being 1/4 full during video taking but never reaches full.
http://shop4.frys.com/product/5669251;jsessionid=rVptEe6DWLxYMvNzIaSOGw**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I have been using the Ritek Lightning cards and haven't had any issues YET... I'm using the 8gig cards. I believe they are 233x UDMA for $25 or so at supermediastore.com

The guys over at Convergent Designs are recomending the Transend 32GB X133 for their tapeless recorders..... good price ($84).. I'm using two of them without issue...

Transcend 32GB 133X - 300X UDMA Enabled Compact Flash Card Transcend 32GB 133X - 300X UDMA Enabled Compact Flash Card Detail Page (http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=8000060A-1200423664)

Here's the thread...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/convergent-design-flash-xdr/133630-32gb-133x-transcend-cards-drop-below-us-100-a.html


Interesting, I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago and while I haven't examined every frame of the footage I have shot with it, it seems to work fine. I ran several clips right up to the 4GB limit with no issues.

If you have a Fry's nearby you can get the 32GB 133x Kingston for $29. It works with video on the 5D2. The buffer meter will occasionally show it being 1/4 full during video taking but never reaches full.
FRYS.com*|*KINGSTON (http://shop4.frys.com/product/5669251;jsessionid=rVptEe6DWLxYMvNzIaSOGw**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG)

the link you pasted goes to a 16GB card for that price. Was it a typo or is there really a 32GB card for $30 somewhere? Still, it's not a bad price for 16GB.

What's your recommended compact flash speed for 5D? For faster .mov file transfer, does card reader brand matters?

For HD video recording, you'll want a CF card rated for UDMA (Ultra Direct Memory Access). I use HoodMan RAW cards; they're UDMA 300x and guaranteed zero-failure. For card readers, a FireWire 800 CF reader will transfer card contents about twice as fast as a USB2 reader (2 gigabytes per minute compared to 1 gigabyte per minute).

I bought 2 very inexpensive 8gb 133 Kingston CF Cards for $ 29.00 apiece at Frys here locally. It captures without drop. I occasionally see the write indicator show up with one bar of 3 or4 highlighted. Have not experience any drops.

I bought 2 very inexpensive 8gb 133 Kingston CF Cards for $ 29.00 apiece at Frys here locally. It captures without drop. I occasionally see the write indicator show up with one bar of 3 or4 highlighted. Have not experience any drops.

Same here, but if you try to interrupt the video by grabbing a still photo (which is supposed to cause a 1 second gap, then continue video recording) it might not work.

I had to switch to the Kingston 266x card in order to get that to work (16GB cards).

I think it's fair to say that UDMA is definitely not a requirement, at least not if you consider that a lot of people are using non-UDMA cards without problems. That said, if you have a really important project, or have the budget, then why not use UDMA.

Among other smaller and slower-than-UDMA cards I own, which have all worked fine, I've also been using a 133x Kingston 32gig card I got from NewEgg for $60 (that's right, $60 for 32gb) without problems. On a rare occasion I see one light on the buffer, but it's always gone away before going to two lights, and I've never seen a dropped frame. Yes, it is a bit slower, and I can tell sometimes when rapid-firing 21mp stills, but the thing works fine and the price is oh so right...

In reviewing the specs on the cards, versus Canon's stated requirements, these cards double the maximum write speed, as I understand it. In fact most 133x cards seem to do so. As far as stills during recording. I have done that without error too.

I do wonder if the 16 would write as well, and will probably try one at about $35.00

I have an 8gb Sandisk Extreme 3 that freezes my 5d. The write indicator bars fill up and the camera freezes. I have to pop out the battery and I lose the current take. It is a little frustrating and happens at random times. Any suggestions for correcting this? I have two slower cards that don't have this issue.

Thanks Guys! Problem solved courtesy of transend card reader. I was able to transfer my 4gb(HDvideo) files for only 3mins.

I have an 8gb Sandisk Extreme 3 that freezes my 5d when shooting video. The write indicator bars fills up and the camera freezes. I have to pop out the battery and I lose the current take. It is a little frustrating and happens at random times. Any suggestions for correcting this? I have two slower cards that don't have this issue.