UDMA in 30D

[Doug Hitchcox]

I apologize if this has been discussed, I searched and could not find any relevant threads.

In preparation for a trip to Arizona next month I am looking to get some new (larger/faster) memory cards. I currently use a Canon 30D with Lexar 133x Cards. I was planning on going up to the 300x cards but the 30D is not 'UDMA compatible.' I've read that the cards will still work but just not at their full speed.

So will the 300x still be better than something like 233x with the 30D?

To really throw this off, I am planning on upgrading my camera body shortly to something that will be UDMA compatible, so that weighs in too.

Any clarification or advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Rocky Sharwell]

Doug,

I am no expert--I have no idea of how the cards will behave in Camera-but I do think you will be happy with UDMA cards if you are using a UDMA reader to download. The UDMA cards seem to download way faster....

Rocky

[Robert Amoruso]

Rob Galbraith's website has CF testing results with different camera/card combos. The 30D was last updated in July 2006 and the fastest card for it was a SanDisk Extreme IV 2 GB

Go to http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/mul...?cid=6007-8478.

I am using SanDisk Extreme IV 16GB UDMA cards in my Canon 50D and 5D Mark II and the write speeds are amazing. I use a Delkin UDMA compatible 54mm Express Card Bus reader (http://www.delkin.com/products/adapters/expresscard54/ - they also have a 34mm form-factor reader) and downloads to the laptop are amazing too.

You might be interested in this article at http://dpnow.com/4445.html. Based on this person's experience, the answer to your question is no. Non-UDMA cards are very inexpensive right now and if you don't think you will be buying a UDMA aware camera soon, is probably not worth the investment.

Rocky is right about the download speed if you use a reader that is UDMA compatible.

[Doug Hitchcox]

Thanks guys!
I just bought a UDMA reader so I would love to utilize that and since I hope to upgrade to a 50D this summer I think I'll go with a UDMA card. (there are some great rebates out right now)

[Paul Granone]

I think you will find that for non-pro cameras only the 50D & 5D mark II write using UDMA to CF cards.
You can use UDMA in a 30D but the camera cannot perform UDMA writes.