SanDisk 8GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card

Comments about Sandisk 8GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card:

I've been using SanDisk Extreme III Compact Flash Cards since they came out and have never had a glitch of any kind nor lost a single photo due to a problem with a SanDisk Extreme card.

Last month I dropped an 8 gig Extreme III card into my shirt pocket after downloading the photos from a winter outdoor portrait session. I forgot about the card and sent it through both the washing machine and the dryer. When I pulled it out of the dryer after the full cycle, I thought it would be toast. It not only still performs perfectly, when I checked to see what happened to the images that were on the card, I found that they were accessible and in perfect condition.

I've used these cards outdoors in mid summer when photographing Cowboy Action shoots with the equipment getting hot from the sun and the fast shooting without a problem or any signs of slowing down.

In my experience, Extreme III cards stand up well to adverse conditions, are reliable, and maintain high levels of performance.

Comments about Sandisk 8GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card:

When you need quality, just pay the price. With the rebate this 8 gig card will cost me [$]. With my Canon XTI & fresh battery I shot 17 pictures in 10 seconds, total size of all of the pictures 45.2MB. I would consider that impressive. With the card formatted and the camera set on "P" the # of shots available was 2086 on highest .jpeg quality. With the picture quality set on RAW & largest .jpeg, 454 shots available. On the lowest .jpeg setting the camera displayed 9999 pictures available, I do not think the camera can display more than 4 digets. Along with a copy of Rescue Pro 3.2 software and the ability to download a RAW processing program, Capture One, free of charge, I would say all in all a solid package. Time will tell how the card works in the field, but first impression is good. Pay the price for a quality product and forget about the fakes [@].

Comments about Sandisk 8GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card:

I have used Sandisk cards for years. I own the 4gb and 8gb Extreme III versions and have NEVER had a glitch, error, or hang up with them using them in my Canon 10D, 30D and 40D's. I try to incorporate safe practices in handling like turning off the camera before pulling them out and formatting the card in the camera I am using it on every use. That may avoid a lot of the potential problems. It is not the cards fault if it is mishandled between the camera and the computer download. That being said I have been in a hurry and done just the opposite of what I said and they have worked fine. I debated on whether to get the Extreme IV version but the data I have read is that the Canon 30 and 40D s I use would not see a huge benefit if any. Personally I have not got into buffer lock because of the card. The camera write speed and computer upload is noticeably faster than the basic original version. Save your money on the 4gb extreme IV and spend it on the 8gb Extreme III. Sandisk cards are the only card I use and the only ones I recommend.

Expertise: Semi-Pro

Problems Encountered: Make sure you check the Sandisk website for compatibility with the higher GB cards and your camera. A lot of them do not take more than 8GB at this time.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Lexar 512, Sandisk 1gb, Sandisk 4gb

Items I Recommend: GGI Compact Flash Memory Card Reader - USB 2.0

Comments about Sandisk 8GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card:

I think that the best thing that can be said about a memorycard is that it works. Its not cool. Its not fancy. Itjust works. That is all I can say about this card. I've owned it for awhile now and have had no problems with it. It works as itshould.

Expertise: Advanced amateur

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Lexar 2gb, 4gb

Comments about Sandisk 8GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card:

This card was the first card I ever purchased from Sandisk and it'll certainly be the last. I shot a Wedding reception with it in my Canon 5D. Everything seemed fine with the ability to review all images. Later that morning, it showed a card error when trying to review the images, PANIC. But after turning power off and on - I could review the images. All the files showed up on my computer when I attempted a download - but only about 100 out of 916 actually transferred - the rest gave an error of invalid file format. I tried three different data recovery software programs (including Sandisk) and sent the card to two data recovery firms. Verdict, card failure. Result; loss of my money and damage to my reputation. I had only used Lexar Professional cards before, shooting approximately 80,000 images over the past two years in my Canon 20D and 5D without the loss of an image. I am extremely unhappy with the SanDisk Extreme III card and with the expense incured trying to recover images following the card failure. I understand that most Sandisk cards perform very well, but I'll never risk it again.

Expertise: Professional

Problems Encountered: Extreme card failure.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Lexar Professional 2G cards in three different vintages, 80x to 133x.

Items I Recommend: Business Liability Insurance.