[woodsyi]

SanDisk Extreme III writes at 30MB/sec and Kingston Elite Pro writes at 20MB/sec.

Is SanDisk worth $45 more?  This is for 1080HD video recording with Canon 7D which I just received for Christmas.  I am strictly an amateur who shoots family stuff and some landscape/architecture.  We do have an Italy vacation planned for this summer. 

[nathanm]

You will not regret getting the fastest card you can get.  Hey, that rhymes.  Get a fast card reader too.  I have a San Disk Extreme IV card and SanDisk firewire reader and it's dreamily fast.  If you can get one that goes to 11, just go for it.  Speed is never a bad thing.

[BikeWNC]

I use my SanDisk Extreme III cards with a 5D2 and 7D without issue.  I'm not sure how a slower card would work with the cameras but I will say that download times to your computer will really drag.  The faster the card the better.  It maximizes the buffer on the camera and helps when it comes time to download those large files.

[woodsyi]

Alright,

You guys convince me to go at least III.   I am not paying double for IV though. 

BTW, SanDisk is running one of those periodic rebates paying you up to $200 back for 3 cards.

[jqp]

For my 12 megapixel Nikon D90 I needed a very fast card to be able to do continuous frames shooting (I think it is 3.9 fps). I got the 4GB Extreme III. I notice a difference with a slower card - i.e. I can't shoot as many continuous frames. I see now that you have a CF card - mine is SD - the concept should be the same.

Another advantage with the Sandisk Extreme III for me is that Sandisk and Nikon worked together to develop and test this technology with the Nikon D90. Or so they say.

By the way I have been to Italy twice. It is the most amazing place for photography and video. Rome is a good place to be based, unless you are staying in a villa in Tuscany or something like that. I took day trips to Pompeii/Naples and to the Este estate from Rome since I only had a few days the second time. Florence was amazing too. Never made it to Venice or Milan. Of course you are a world traveler, have you been before?

[woodsyi]

I have only been to Rome and that was only for a couple days.  So I am looking forward to seeing the rest.  I have been to Europe many times but this will be the first time I go as a family.  So I will be looking at different attractions.    Wife has decreed that Florence and Venice are must.  So we will plan around those cities.  I am hoping to catch Milan and La Scala as well. 

I secretly just want to plop down at a house in Tuscany and go for the food and wine with local trips but I think this one will be a serious touristy trip. 

[SET Man]

Hey!

   Well, it wouldn't hurt to have faster card. It will come in handy if you shoot RAW, continuous fps and more importantly when you down load all those GBs to computer.

   But seriously it is all depend what you are shooting. If you have time and don't mind wait a bit than slower card will do just fine.

   The price of memo-card are dropping all the time. So, personally I wouldn't stock them up if you not going to use it for a while.

Take care,
Buddy

[jqp]

Well I just realized, in rereading this, that you have a top o' the line Prosumer camera.

You will need to take lots of photos to get in shape with this camera, and post some that you like on Eye-Fidelity 

Not sure about the video capabilities of the 7D but I believe its like having a movie film camera where everything is manual, so its not easy like a camcorder.

[goldlizsts]

.............The price of memo-card are dropping all the time. So, personally I wouldn't stock them up if you not going to use it for a while.

Take care,
Buddy

Wait a sec.  If I won't need them for a while, I bet 6 mos., a year down the road they'd be cheaper.  So why stock up now?  I'll pay higher prices if I'm desperate to use them NOW.     

[Thebiker]

Isn't that like the question, "Don't you have enough audio (insert any of our addictions) gear?"     The answer is always more is better!

Walt

[jqp]

In this case I think it's more of a requirement to use the features of the camera - 8 frames per second, of that amount of data, probably requires the highest speed card. Also possibly the video features.