Digital Cameras: Memory Card Deals on the Web? Elsewhere?
 

I can't remember on what thread it was but someone had a good suggestion for where to look on the web for deals on memory cards. Does anyone have a suggestion for me? I need to stock up on a few or perhaps just buy one with more memory than the ones I typically buy.

I usually start with a search on PriceGrabber ("SD Memory" or whatever), where the results are sorted by price including shipping, and there are vendor ratings. I always check recent vendor reviews for problems reported.

I've found good deals on Amazon. If you just check it every week or so and then jump when you see a good deal.

The other option is to get a portable storage device (PSD). There are several different types you can get:

1. dedicated to camera file storage with viewing screen - these are the most expensive, but you can see the images on the PSD after you load them (some will even show RAW files now). They can save files quickly - some as fast as 1gb card in less than a minute. One version is the Sanho Hyperdrive Colorspace

2. dedicated to camera file storage without viewing screen - these are less expensive than #1, but you can't view the files once saved to the device. They can save files quickly also. One version is the Wolverine.

3. non-dedicated device like an iPod or Epson P3000 - these are much slower to save the files, but can also store videos, music, etc. (of course that all eats away from your photo memory space). I don't believe any of these will view RAW files although you can still save them to the device.

Some versions, like the iPod, have dedicated batteries, while some use AA and/or rechargeable.

I currently have a Sanho Hyperdrive with a 120gb harddrive in it. I upgraded the harddrive a while back, but keep the old 60gb drive as backup in case I need even more storage.

Thanks! Will look around today.

Make sure you don't buy a bigger memory card than will work in your camera. One of my cameras will only take up to 2 GB and gave me an error message when I tried a 4 GB.

Thanks for the tip eve... I have a Canon Rebel Digital SLR. I'll be sure to check first.

Here's a site you can use for comparing prices on memory cards:

http://dealnews.com/memory/

Your Digital Rebel takes the CompactFlash (CF) card.

Looks like B&H has a good deal.. maybe I should just go there instead in person. They're significantly cheaper than the one I bought on a whim at Best Buy about a month ago.

CF card prices haven't come down much in the last few months. Before, the prices basically come down constantly week after week.

And no really good deals right now. Best deal usually come in form of big rebates. For example, I bought a 16GB Sandisk Extreme III CF card before Christmas for about $200 with a $90 rebate. Yes, it took like 4 months before the rebate came, but the net price is really really great for a quality highspeed card.

Oh, I found that Lexar is running a rebate program for its 133x CF cards from 5/1 to 6/30.

$20 for 2GB and 4GB ones, $35 for 8GB cards.

I haven't checked prices everywhere, but at B&H, the 2GB card is $38.95, 4GB card is $58.95, and 8GB $99.95.

Up to 3 rebates per type per household. (Form downloadable from B&H and elsewhere).

The final cost is very good if you're looking for a high quality card.

Amazon has the SanDisk Ultra II 2gb card for $19 and the regular SanDisk 2gb for $11. No rebates needed.

I don't know which Digital Rebel Katie has, the original, XT, XTi or XSi. But a faster card <b>may</b> make a difference in write and read speed with some of the newer cameras. On my 40D, I can review pictures faster with the 133x (like the Sandisk Extreme III) cards than a 80x card I have.

I assume if one takes a lot of continuous action pictures, the write speed will also make a difference, once the camera's buffer fills up. Won't matter if you're usually using one-shot mode.

It's the Xti

I can see the difference in write speeds on my XT with the regular vs. the Ultra II, so the XTi will certainly show the difference.

But, for $11 for 2gb (with no rebate to deal with), it gives you an inexpensive spare card or two when you need it.