[Gus]

I'm definitely pro multiple, smaller cards. I had that very same Transcend 8GB SDHC card fail on me, and that wasn't after extended use. Luckily the card didn't completely die, just had a single block damage that caused it to fail reading/writing at that area so I was still able to read all the images (except the one that failed writing, of course). The card would not complete a format after that (and I would definitely not want to use it for anything serious after that incident).

True, you can carry a portable hard disk backup solution with you, but I guess not all of us are comfortable with that solution. Although I do agree that a backup is a must for any kind of work that one can't afford to lose and must be performed before leaving the site. Also, with the increased availability of SSD Flash storage solutions, we can hopefully expect something ultra compact, light and reliable as a backup solution in the near future.

Perhaps the upcoming Pentax K?D will have dual SDXC slots that would afford us automatic redundancy?

[Gus]

Some pro cameras have dual card slots, but then you're generally paying twice the amount for cards..

Well, it's either paying twice for the cards or paying for a backup solution. Both solutions will work and both cost extra.

[pingflood]

Well, it's either paying twice for the cards or paying for a backup solution. Both solutions will work and both cost extra.

Well, with dual cards you back up earlier in the process. Not that I've used it so far, but if I had a gig I got paid for you bet I'd get a matching CF card to keep things safe.

[DanLoc78]

does each card slot record the same data? or do you fill one up then start filling up the other? or can you do either?

[Gus]

Nikon gives you three choices:

1. Write same files to both cards
2. Start recording on the second card after the first one fills up
3. Record RAW files to one, JPEGs to the second

[BrendanPK]

the K20D is likely to take 50% longer to write/process a picture as it has the same processing hardware as the K10D but the images are 14.6 Mp versus 10 Mp

I feel sometimes like I am deeling with my old *ist-D with the K20 in how long it takes to clear a full buffer so I can view the photos and/or menu

I have tried the new lexar "platinum" class 4 and find it good for every-day work, but not up to sports or something that requires alot of constant shooting

[pingflood]

does each card slot record the same data? or do you fill one up then start filling up the other? or can you do either?

One mine I can have it write to either card, and "overflow" to the second card when the first one's full. Or, I can have it write the same file to both cards.

The Mark III (I have a II) I think lets you write RAWs to one and JPEGs to the other which is kind of neat.

[ITW]

Yes it is -- But as Class 6 spec = "at least 6MB/sec", there are faster Class 6 cards. There was a poster on another forum who tested the write speed of a K10 and it was a bit over 16MB/sec. With my K20, a 4 GB Sandisk Class 6 Extreme III 20MB/sec is more than twice as fast as a 4 GB Transcend Class 6 SDHC which has been tested at about 7MB/sec, so my best guess is that the K10 and K20 write at similar speeds. Another poster in still another forum spoke to a tech guy at Pentax and was essentially told that he'd be wasting his money seeking out a 30MB/sec Extreme III because his camera would perform essentially the same as with a 20 MB/sec card.

This may sound trivial, but write speeds will effect number of shots at max continuous speed and the time that it takes before a shot can be displayed on review. This must be important to some people, since so many seem to be so disappointed in the FPS rate of Pentax cameras. . .but few seem to be interested in this performance aspect of their cameras.

Scott

I think another important thing to remember with writespeed/read speed, is how long it takes to get the data on to the computer.
I only use extreem3 cards with 20mb/s read/write and my 4gb I think still with this speed uses a long time to be loaded to my computer.

And it's good to know thet the camra will write to the card as fast as it can.

[madbrain]

Hi,

I'd never get a 16gb card, even getting my 8gb was questionable. The possibility of almost 1500 pictures all being wiped at one due to hardware failure just scares me.

Newegg.com - Transcend 4GB Secure Digital high-Capacity(SDHC) Class 6 Flash card Model TS4GSDHC6 - Flash Memory

and this, same card as OP

Newegg.com - Transcend 8GB Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) Flash Card Model TS8GSDHC6 - Flash Memory

In truth, any card can fail, as has been pointed out already.
You can and should dump the card at every opportunity. IMO, there is risk of damaging the card every time you take it in or out. So the risk may be less with a 16 GB card Especially if you transfer pics through USB from the camera (though that's slower and uses battery, unless you have an AC adapter).

I bought a Kingston 16 GB class 4 card for my last trip to Vietnam. It was only $29.99 at Fry's in early december 08. The trip was a 2 weeks trip. I shot for only 10 days. About 1600 pictures, in JPEG, on my K200D. I only filled up about 6 GB out of the 16 GB card. I did dump the card regularly to my bf's laptop. I had to bring along an SDHC reader since his laptop's built-in reader only did SD unfortunately.

I also have an OCZ 8 GB class 6 . And a few Patriot SD and SDHC from 2 to 4 GB in size. I have never had a problem with any of the cards. Oh, and an 8 GB microSD Transcend in my cell phone. I haven't filled it up with music yet