5D Mark III buffer with Sandisk Extreme III 16g 30MB/s CF card

[Bosman]

Using the older Sandisk Extreme III 16 gig CF card at speed rating at 30 MB/s.
This is all high speed shutter shooting mode.
126 Fine Medium jpeg Tested once all around 3mg files no slowdown in buffer
115 Large Jpeg Tested once all around 5.8mg files no slowdown in buffer
7 Raw + Large fine 2 times tested same Result
15 Raw 3 times tested same Result
10 med raw 3 times tested same Result
14 small raw /12 small raw 2 times tested

Real life samples, no i dont want to measure every file size and combo.
It is interesting how the buffer changed when going to med raw, must be more processing involved...
I'd say this 30mb/s speed card is plenty for most situations. I might buy something like a 32 gig thats faster in the future just so I am covered for extreme situations.
For shooting video I def would get like a 600x or 90 MB/s or faster card.

 

[risc32]

thanks for those numbers. I actually have a few of those cards, and they are currently my best. Are these cards not fast enough for video? I'm sort of in the market for memory cards right now as the RAW files from the 5dmk3 are about 4x the size of the RAW files from the 5d. So the way i see it i'm going to need 4x the space i currently use, plus i have to consider video demands.

 

[THX723]

Thanks for the real world test results.

So with a 30MB/s card, you were able to achieve the following frame grabs before buffer overrun,

7 Raw + Large fine
15 Raw
10 med raw
14 small raw /12 small raw

Did I understood you correctly?

 

[Bosman]

Thanks for the real world test results.

So with a 30MB/s card, you were able to achieve the following frame grabs before buffer overrun,

7 Raw + Large fine
15 Raw
10 med raw
14 small raw /12 small raw

Did I understood you correctly?

Yes, those are the qty of images i got in high speed continuous mode with those various file size settings.

 

[Bosman]

thanks for those numbers. I actually have a few of those cards, and they are currently my best. Are these cards not fast enough for video? I'm sort of in the market for memory cards right now as the RAW files from the 5dmk3 are about 4x the size of the RAW files from the 5d. So the way i see it i'm going to need 4x the space i currently use, plus i have to consider video demands.

Yea givin that theres only 15 raw in continuous, video i hear is much more demanding on a card. If you look on the Lexar page they have a 600x and a 1000x speed rated card and they certify them for taking HD video. I dont have either of those but will at some point get one or two 32 gig cards, maybe even a 64gig at some point.

 

[GavinFarringtonPhoto]

Here are some interesting tests for anyone who plans to use the dual card slots as a backup. The configuration you choose (record to multiple or record separately) has an impact on the buffer size and flush times.
http://protogtech.com/cameras/canon-5d-mark-iii-record-separately-vs-record-to-multiple-performance-comparison/

 

[Magnumphotography]

I just did some testing too and found I get 18 Raw images with the mark III. This being with a 60mbs 16MB/S UDMA Sandisk Extreme CF card.
I shot 15 Raw images, with the Sandisk Extreme III 16g 30MB/S CF card.
The real difference was the time it took the light to go out. AkA the buffer being totally empty. Roughly 4-5 seconds for the 60 MB/S card VS 16-17 seconds for the 30MB/S card! So if you shoot lots of high FPS burst, something to think about!