Customer Reviews

SanDisk SDCFX3-2048-901 2 GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card (Retail Package)

5 star:		(113)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With fast shooting high mega pixel cameras, the CF card can be a major performance factor. Why have one of these cameras and use a card that cannot keep up? When prices started dropping on CF cards, I decided it was time to get yet another one.

The Extreme III cards write with a 20 MB/sec sequential read/write speed. These fast write speeds are desirable with large image files. There are cameras with buffers to hold images while writing to the card during continuous shots. At some point if the card cannot write fast enough, your camera will stop shooting until the buffer clears enough room.

This card has a high impact rating. For example; if you were to accidentally drop this card 10-foot up to then hit the floor, this card is rated to sustain the fall without damage.

Also consider this card can withstand temperatures from -13 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit (as indicated on the package). Since I live in Texas, I doubt I'll ever have a problem with the card getting too cold. It is nice to know that I could possibly leave the card in a car under the hot Texas sun and it may still work. I've yet to test this scenario, and its unlikely I ever will.

Sometimes the trade off on price comes from power consumption. Lower priced cards may use more power to do the same job as this card. The low power consumption of this card means a longer battery life.

People generally want to know how many images a card will hold. This is a difficult question to answer and greatly depends on both the card and the camera it is used in. The number of images this card will hold on my 20D also depends on the settings used. Let me provide a few settings and image counts for an idea of what this card holds.

Shooting Raw w/ISO 100 - 221 images
Shooting Raw w/ISO 800 - 206 images
Shooting Large jpeg - 479 images
Shooting Medium jpeg - 825 images
Shooting Small jpeg over 999 images (the 20D cannot provide counts above 999)

I use both a 1GB and a 2GB card shooting primarily raw images. Sometimes the 1GB card is more than adequate, but other times I could easily fill the 1GB card quickly. There have been many days where I have taken 200-300 pictures without the opportunity to transfer my images. The 2GB card not only gives me more storage space, but also permits me to change the card in a slow moment before it completely fills up. It is truly aggravating to lose a shot because your card filled up. For these reasons I tend to prefer the 2GB cards. When considering the card size, one should attempt to balance convenience with capacity. Having one card for all your images may be convenient, but it is also putting all your eggs in one basket.

Worried about reliability? The Extreme III cards have a dedicated technical support line (1-866-270-5532). Plus it's backed with a lifetime limited warranty outside Europe. The warranty excludes any defects, malfunctions, performance failures or damages to the card resulting from use in other than its normal and customary manner, misuse, accident or neglect; or improper alterations or repairs.

If something should go wrong, this CF card comes with the Rescue Pro recovery software. Fortunately I have had no need for the software. For that purpose I cannot give much comment on its usefulness.

Overall, I do not notice the benefits of this cards speed over the Ultra II when used with the 20D. The other benefits between this and the Ultra II are not necessarily a big plus for me. I like having the recovery software, so for the few extra dollars I am happy. With a big price difference, I would definitely stick with the Ultra II.

If the temperature ratings or the Rescue Pro recovery software is an important feature for you, the Extreme III is the card to get. Otherwise, consider purchasing the Sandisk Ultra II CF Card and save some cash.

PROS:
Reliable
Fast read/write
Impact resistant
Low power consumption
Backed by a lifetime limited warranty
Recovery software included

CONS:
None

This is the fastest card yet as of March 28, 2005. Using the data collected at: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/index.asp in the CF Database. I was able to make a more informed decision. I had my heart set on the Hitachi Microdrive 3GB when initially purchasing my Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 350D. However, after reviewing the results of the write speed tests, I immediately switched to the San Disc Extreme III. For my camera write speed using this CF is 4.888MB/sec JPEG and 6.263MB/sec RAW compared to the Hitachi Microdrive 6GB 3.466MB/sec JPEG and 4.584MB/sec RAW. Its highly recommended that you check out Rob Galbraith site to help sift through the confusion of which CF Card performs best with your camera.

I use this card with my Nikon D200. The card writes data incredibly quickly, saving my raw 10.2 MP images with no problem. I've used this card in all sorts of conditions, from below freezing to well over 100 degrees with no problems.

The data recovery software included is equally amazing. I was able to salvage pictures on my card I accidentally erased quite long ago with no loss. This comes with a warning--pictures you "deleted" remain on the camera, so it needs to be wiped securely before exchanging hands.

Finally, this card while fast, is only as fast as the camera. If you don't need this speed, there are slower, cheaper ones available.

I bought this card and already own the Ultra II card for my Canon Rebel XTi. There is no difference as far as camera speed goes between the two cards! It supposedly has a faster write/read speed than the Ultra II, but even when I upload pics from this compact flash card on my card reader to my computer, I did not notice any significant difference between this card's upload speed and the Ultra II's. So if you want to save some money and don't care about using your camera in extreme conditions, than you should just buy the Ultra II, particularly if you have a Rebel XTi.

With the large file size of pro DSLR's shot in RAW, every little bit of speed counts, whether at capture or download. There are faster Compact Flash cards out there, and there are definately slower ones, but for the price, this is a great card.

Great card. WHen I shoot in RAW +JPEG FIne format on my 10.2mpx Nikon, it gives 88 exposures. Accessing the memory is immediate, and it writes 3-shot bursts very fast.
Functions well although I haven't tested it in harsh conditions as yet.

I purchased this memory card for my Canon Digital Rebel XTi camera. Great memory card...FAST...RELIABLE...NO PROBLEMS. This memory card is able to keep up with the continuous shooting specs of the camera. The 2gig card can hold a little over 100 shots taken in the RAW + Large JPEG picture mode on the camera. In just the RAW mode, it can hold around 200 shots.

These cards are fast. I have a Canon 30D and I've never been bogged down waiting for the cards to write. But here's a unique story. I own two of these cards. I have forgotten both of them in my shorts while doing laundry. Both cards have gone through the washer. They even got a dose of Downy. After discovering my mistake I laid them in a window in the sun to dry for a couple days. They work perfectly. I've had them since April '06 and neither has ever failed me. And they smell April fresh!

I use it for the D200 Nikon, which is a great pairing. I get exactly 224 shots at the highest jpeg setting. This card can really keep up, and can withstand extreme heat and cold temperatures. It comes with a CD-ROM for the recovery program, a plastic case, and a free neoprene-rubber card case.

I bought this card to use with the Cannon xti. The other card I have is not as fast and I can really see the difference when taking pictures and when transferring to my computer. It has a very fast read/write speed, it comes with recovery software and a cute little carrying case! I'm glad I decided on this SanDisk.