I bit the bullet yesterday and after some deliberation, I placed an order for a 400d kit.

One thing I was hoping for, is confirmation of 'What to look for when buying Memory Cards'

Are there any particular brands to choose over others?

I see there are many that state "EXTREME" or "III" etc etc, but not clear whether this will effect me in my choice.

Camera is primarily for snapping shots of family, particularly my 2 young boys (3yrs & 5yrs)

I can take 100's in a week ( I just like capturing a moment - that can hold fond memories ) but find the compact I use (Ricoh Caplio R5) lacks in low light and can suffers from some noise at times......

So bring on the 400D !!

Would REALLY appreciate suggestions/comments

GARETH, you don't need to worry about your job not being safe yet ;)

Cheers

Phil

I had an email from Mymemory advising me that they had 10% off and FREE P&P

I thought the prices looked reasonable...

Link >>> Compact Flash Cards, SanDisk Extreme V, VI, III & Lexar 300X UDMA - MyMemory (http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Memory-Cards/Compact-Flash-Cards)

I stick to Scandisk Extreme III's at the moment, I do have some II's the main difference is Speed, but with most of the shots I take I dont really notice the difference between the II's and III's excpet if I am doing a lot of burst shots which is quite rare

I go on price too as well, and tend to pay around 15-18 quid for 2Gb cards, although the price may have come down yet again

Beware of Scandisk fakes, and buy from reputable sellers like play or amazon

check out robgalbraith.com for CF speed comparisons

I usually get my CF cards from 7dayshop.com

Think I paid about £18 for a 2GB Extreme III last time I got some. They are listing them for £13.95 at the moment.

Have a look here: Rob Galbraith DPI: CF/SD Performance Database (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007)

In the drop down menu, find your camera, then look at the best cards for it.

You can price them on PriceRunner UK - Compare Prices and Find Best Deals Online (http://www.pricerunner.co.uk) or DealTime.co.uk: Price Comparison, Store & Product Reviews (http://www.dealtime.co.uk).

I got my last Sandisk one off e-bay from an e-bay shop. Genuine in a package.

Alcazar

Just checked mine, and as I thought absolutley not worth paying the extra for Extreme III or IV just to gain 100th/second on writing a RAW file at least not for me anyway :D

The Sandisk Extreme III 4GB is excellent value at £23. Get a couple of those and you're sorted! :)

Cheers Phil, I'll be watching over my shoulder though !!! :)

As mentioned above Sandisk or Lexar are the best cards to use, and under normal everyday shooting the Sandisk Extreme III are more than adequate, if you wish to spend a bit more on the IV versions fair enough. The speed (x rate) indicates the speed at which the card is able to transfer data to itself from the camera, consequently a faster card will mean that data is written quicker and there is less chance of the camera "locking up" when shooting a sequence as it needs time to clear the data from the internal buffer to the card. With the price of cards these days, you may as well buy cards around 133x. Having said that, unless you shoot RAW or at 10fps with pro kit, then the motor speed 400D shouldn't cause massive problems - anyone using a 400D care to comment ?

Personally I have only ever used Lexar, both CF and SD, 133x Pro cards, although I've just started using their new 300x UDMA CF cards. Theres no point in going for the 300x unless you use the dedicated UDMA reader, which just speeds up transfer to computer time (allegedly !).

The main thing is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Unless you shoot RAW files then 2/3 2GB cards is more than enough, and a better option than 1 4GB card - just incase it should corrupt or you loose the one card.

Any info, drop me a PM mate

Cheers

Gareth

Thank you gentlemen !!

That's one of the best responses I've seen for a while !!

it's turned uptoday........ and it came with a Kingston 2gb card.......

Think I'll jump in and buy another card or 2 to be on the safe side.


I've noticed how quick these things focus and the clarity over a compact is fantastic !!

WHY didn't I jump 'compact' ship earlier :brickwall

MANY THANKS GUYS !!

Think I'll have to be getting a better lens soon aswell..........

I can already see the limits of the 18-55 lens.....

Could do with a little moore ZOOOoooom !!

Phil

Kingston are a well known and decent make, so you shouldn't have problems with them. Its always worth having a couple of cards, just in case.

Glad you like the Canon, should have bought a Nikon though ....... that way I can sleep soundly knowing you wont be ringing me asking to borrow a lens or three ;) :D

Any probs or queries, give me a call

Gareth

you MUST have a 6th Sense..........

I NEARLY mentioned that in the previous post but deleted it ;)

Thanks for your offer !!

Don't even think about changing you mobile number !! :nono:

Cheers

YEP Sixth sense ....... in the same way as soon as I'm told someone I know is getting married, exactly what the next request will be :D

However, for your own safety, its best I don't introduce you to the wonderful world of white Canon L series lenses. Buying a DSLR is the start of a very slippery and expensive slope :D

G

What should I look for if I wanted the next stage of Lens...........

I find the current lens dosen't ZOOM in sufficintly.........

(I appologies in advance for no speaking the correct technical terms)

I feel that the Lens is like a 3 x optical zoom, where I could do with a 10 x optical zoom......

I'm also after a case.......... I've seen some that look like you can leave the lens on (Probably the standard lens that comes with them....)

Gareth, I think I've found the slpoe you mentioned !! (It looks DAMN ICY !!) :lol1:

Phil

Oh yeah...........

Extreme III on order from 7day shop........... will see how it fairs ! :notworthy

The main difference with DSLRs from digital compacts is that you tend to be more specific in the way you choose the lenses/accessories to go with it , rather than a one stop all in digital compact. 10x zoom ranges (and digital zooms) are available on compacts, and while some makes provide 18-200 and 28-300 range lenses for DSLRs, the majority of lenses are 3 or 4x.

This is mainly down to the construction and quality issues that large zoom ranges have to overcome, and as a general rule, the greater the zoom range the 'poorer' the quality at the two ends of the range. I'm not talking Unigate bottle quality, but the optical limits of the lens are often more obvious, especially when compaired to fixed lenses or pro/L spec lenses.

Generally, a 28-70 and 70-200 will be better quality lenses than a 28-200 zoom. Having said that the convenience of having the one lens is a big advantage, and unless you are being really critical under everyday conditions the quality is very good, still streets ahead of what you would have on a digital compact. Sigma and Tamron make very good super-zooms which would more than fit the bill as a one stop/all in lens.

DSLRs don't use digital zoom functions.

If you are looking to add another lens, then something in the region of a 70-200 or 70-300 would be a perfect addition to the original lens.

See .................... its started already !! :D

G

I use 2GB Sandisk Extreme III cards. Eventhough I usually take 3 cards with me for a day, at the end of a day 1-2 cards are full. I am only shooting RAW and I have never lost a photo with these cards due to a flash card error. They are great and highly recommended!

Thats cool then Swiss !

My compact was 18 - 200mm....

so thats where i'm feeling the pain at the mo....

I'm just finding out that there's more than one thing to this photography lark.....

EDITING - I feel the need to crop the pictures more than before......

Possibly due to the fact that i CAN, as the quality is that much better....... and I could do with another lens.. (already) :norty:


I think I'm gonna need ice skate or more like a taboggan to carry all the new goodies...... lol

Phil

most people buy a 70-300 lens after getting their camera - this two lens setup will cover the vast majority of things for people. Once they've got these they can figure out what they really like taking photos of and refine their needs from there. Sigma 70-300 APO verison good value at around £ 150

A 50mm f1.8 prime lens (not a zoom) is excellent as well, especially for low light level conditions where flash is inappropriate. Typical cost £ 60.

If you really shop around you can pick up the Sigma 70-300 APO DG for around 65 quid from HK on ebay ;)

ALL this information is helping me spend cash faster than it was earned... !!:freak3:

SOO Many lens

Mmhhh


PS - THANKs FOR ALL THE HELPFUL INFO !!

I've been playing with the camera for a few days now and taken a hole load of pics...

Here's a sample of some of my favs..............

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/pitaylor/400d%20test/crop-crop-IMG_0305.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/pitaylor/400d%20test/crop-IMG_0345.jpg

This is not overly flattering, but I like it non-the-less
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/pitaylor/400d%20test/crop-IMG_0107.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/pitaylor/400d%20test/IMG_0539.jpg

as you can see, I've found the black & White setting.... or monochrome as it's called :D

Extreme III came this morning..... :D

Comes with a neat little pouch to hold 2 cards........

.... Little things, Please..... and all that !!

:luxhello:

Did you get it from 7day shop in the end? Was looking at the 2gb Extreme III - went to order with lens from kerso but he wanted £23 for it and its £13 at 7dayshop with £3.50 p&p but I need a 67mm filter and a lens case anyhow.

Simon

Yes, I got it from 7day shop in the end.........

Ordered it last Friday, came today..... :notworthy

Phil