Back Up Compact Flash Cards and Digital Media Storage

One thing that is absolutely essential in photography, is back up Compact Flash Cards and Digital Media Storage whether it be film, Compact Flash, SD Cards, Memory Sticks or a portable hard drive.

If you are a keen amateur or beginner, there is nothing that will hinder your progress or frustrate you more than running out of digital media space. Obviously you have the capability of deleting images to make room, but that is something I never do until I have checked them out on the computer first, just in case.

It is possible that a card may become corrupt, you may lose one or simply fill it quickly through your immense enthusiasm. Back up, back up and back up! Always have a back up!

If you are shooting say, a wedding or portraits for money, you do not want any of the above to happen to you, it is sacrilege. I once lost over 50 images at a wedding due to card failure and my heart stopped! Luckily with a bit of skill and good software I was able to recover all of them.

I carry around 6 Compact Flash Cards and 2 Secure Digital Cards ranging from 512MB to 4GB and speeds of 8X to 80X depending on the job so I have all angles covered.

Think about what you need them for and buy within your budget getting as best you can for your money.

Of all the Compact Flash Cards and Digital Media, I would recommend either the Sandisk range for their incredible speed, capacity and reliability or the Lexar range for pretty much the same reason. Lexar have a "professional" range that is second to none.

Even with some early firmware problems with the Lexar 2GB 80X compact flash card (when used with the Canon 1D MKII), I returned the card and the customer service was exceptional. Within a week of sending it to the UK I had received a brand new card with firmware upgrades and also some bonus data recovery software installed, and it works extremely well.

Update: 3 years later the card is still going strong!

For some of the best prices around and a fast and reliable service, we recommend B and H Stores

Follow the link to their Compact Flash Media page and have a browse around their store, they have some great prices and their ordering service is quick, simple and reliable.