The current Sandisk Ultra CF card is rated at 30MB/s. I have been using older Sandisk Extreme III cards, also rated at 30MB/s. Camera performance at 30Mb/sec is A-OK. Any reason why I shouldn't use Ultra cards in my D700 versus the current Sandisk Extremes rated at 60Mb/s?

Hi Larry,

It depends on how fast and hard that you shoot. If you constantly fill the buffer, the Extreme 60MB/sec. cards will allow you to capture more images per unit time and then download them to your computer faster than the slower cards. If you never fill the buffer, the slower cards will suit your needs, to there is no reason to spend the extra money.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Nikons!

Best Regards,
Marty

as i understand it, the maximum transfer rate within the d700 is 30mb/s. any card rated higher is overkill.
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/camera_multi_page.asp?cid=6007-9550

>as i understand it, the maximum transfer rate within the d700
>is 30mb/s. any card rated higher is overkill.
>http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/camera_multi_page.asp?cid=6007-9550

I find the benefit, for me, of using the faster cards is not the in camera write speed but in the transfer of files from the card reader to my computer. I normally transfer between 100 and 200 raw files and find the difference between a 30mb and 60mb card significant.

Len

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Thanks everyone! I'm going to go ahead and get a Sandisk Ultra and try it out. The transfer time to the computer with my 4MB Extreme III has been just fine at 30Mb/s. Considering the 4MB Ultra is only $19.00, these cards are a a bargain.

I like the higher speed cards for download speed, not so much speed in camera. If you don't have a UDMA or Expresscard reader it won't make any difference, though.

Charlie...
stalking light

Nikonians Team Member