Lexar Media 1 GB Compact Flash HSS (40X) CF1GB-40-278

Rating:
Summary: My experience with the 256MB version of this card...
Review: Before you purchase this card, make sure that your camera supports the Write Acceleration Technology. I purchased Lexar's 40x 256MB card (with Write Acceleration) about a year ago for my Minolta DiMage 7Hi camera, and realized my camera did not support the new technology. The CF card still worked, but there was no increase in speed over other cards.

I checked Lexar's website, and it said that my camera does not support the Write Acceleration technology. The link is here: http://www.lexar.com/digfilm/wa_cf.html


Current camera partners supporting WA technology: Kodak Professional, Nikon, Sanyo, Sigma, Pentax, Olympus

- Current (as of this review) cameras supporting WA technology:
- All Kodak Professional cameras and pro camera backs, such as the DCS Pro Back 645, DCS Pro Back Plus, DCS 720x, DCS 760, DCS 760m and DCS 14n
- Nikon D1x, D1h, D-100 (Requires camera firmware upgrade by Nikon. See Nikon's web page for more details) and D2h
- Sanyo DSC-MZ3
- Sigma SD-9
- Sigma SD10
- Pentax *ist D
- Olympus E1

Lexar USB Card Reader (included):
- Works only with Lexar CF Cards. Attempted to use with SanDisk and Kingston CF Cards but did not work. Should not be a problem if you only use Lexar products. However, if you do, consider buying a separate card reader.


For a full breakdown of how many pictures you can take with different card capacities, go to http://www.lexar.com/digfilm/capacity_chart.html


Rating:
Summary: Reliable, fast, compatible with wide range of devices
Review: I bought the Lexar 1GB 40x CF card to use in my Nikon D70 digital SLR camera. Originally I had a 256MB CF card but that one would not support high-speed write so I couldn't take full advantage of Nikon's 3fps continuous mode. The Lexar 40x CF card simply works, and now I can shoot burst pics at the D70's 3fps speed without any problems.

I have always liked Lexar's flash memory products, as I've never had a single problem with the dozen of them I've owned (CF, SD, MS). Lexar's cards are also compatible with a wider range of products than Sandisk or Viking. The only other flash brand I totally trust is Panasonic, but they only make SD these days.

If you have a digital SLR the 40x speed should be enough. I don't know of any current d-SLR that really takes advantage of anything higher than 6mbps.