XF-100: what cards are you using?

[tapermark]

) Got it used from a Navy veteran via Craigs List. Used for 2 hours.

Also got the Canon zoom/focus remote with it. Free! Payed 2300 for the package.

So what cards is everyone using? 64's? 32's?

[cgbier]

64GB Transcend 400x. They are officially not supported, but work fine if you don't do any fancy recording (slo-mo and stuff).

[tapermark]

Thanks for the info. Is there a follow focus system for the Canon XF-100? Anyone know? While I don't mind the ring I prefer the knob type thing like I have for the HVFF.

[cgbier]

I don't know of any specifically, but as it has a focus ring, there should be something out there.

[peterarcson]

64GB Transcend 400x. They are officially not supported, but work fine if you don't do any fancy recording (slo-mo and stuff).

Transcend are very unreliable cards. They are prone to failure in cold or heat, just read feedback on B&H page. I personally had 3 of the Transcend cards fail me, when I was using JVC camera. Honestly I don't know why people are forking off a bunch of cash on a good camera and then try to pinch pennies on the most critical part of the system- which is the media you record on. Going with anything above 16GB and not recording into two slots is a recipe for a disaster. I use Sandisk 16GB cards 400x and they work like a charm. You can get them on sale for under $50 from reputable seller. 32GB and above I used only, but had to record to two slots at once. If you are on a paid gig it doesn't look very professional, when you can't deliver footage due to card failure. The other option are Lexar and Delkin. I have never used Lexar, but used older Delkin card- there are also a very few failures reported with them. My advice is to stay away from Transcend though.

[cgbier]

I've been using Transcend CFs for years without any issue.

[tapermark]

No offense Peter but I'm not trying to scrimp on anything. Not sure where in the hell you got that. I was simply asking what cards folks who own THIS camera have been using. You DON'T own this camera so frankly I could care less for your opinion. I went with 2 Sandisk Extreme Pro 32 GB cards and 2 16's. Should yield me 4 hours of concert footage.

[cgbier]

That was aimed at me and the Transcend, not at you.

Peter owns this cam...

[peterarcson]

No offense Peter but I'm not trying to scrimp on anything. Not sure where in the hell you got that. I was simply asking what cards folks who own THIS camera have been using. You DON'T own this camera so frankly I could care less for your opinion. I went with 2 Sandisk Extreme Pro 32 GB cards and 2 16's. Should yield me 4 hours of concert footage.

Actually I own both XF100 and 300, so I would know a thing or two about THIS camera. Having been in broadcast and film for the past 12 years I would know some things about a lot of cameras.

[Krane]

I'm all for a bargain when the difference is pretty unnoticeable--like sugar and salt. However, when it comes to my precious video content, saving a buck or two in media is not something I'm inclined to do. I've got from now until the end of the year before I make my camera purchase and I've already begun looking into the best (i.e. most reliable media).

Back in the days of my HV 20 and tape media when I was convince that price didn't matter. I learned the hard way that things may look the same outside, but when it comes to what goes on underneath is a whole other matter.

Cheap tape may not recode any different, but they most assuredly will unravel or drop outs at the most inopportune times. I may not purchase the most expensive media money can buy, but I won't make that same mistake twice.

[peterarcson]

I'm all for a bargain when the difference is pretty unnoticeable--like sugar and salt. However, when it comes to my precious video content, saving a buck or two in media is not something I'm inclined to do. I've got from now until the end of the year before I make my camera purchase and I've already begun looking into the best (i.e. most reliable media).

Back in the days of my HV 20 and tape media when I was convince that price didn't matter. I learned the hard way that things may look the same outside, but when it comes to what goes on underneath is a whole other matter.

Cheap tape may not recode any different, but they most assuredly will unravel or drop outs at the most inopportune times. I may not purchase the most expensive media money can buy, but I won't make that same mistake twice.

I second that, particularly on paid gigs media failure might mean not collecting for the job. I use feedback from B&H and it is a great source of info, posted by users, who paid for the product. I know for fact Transcend 400x gave people errors, when filming with XF cameras 60p/50mbs. Also a word of warning- transcend cards (both SDHC and CF) are prone to failure in cold or high heat. Having a card die on a paid gig, might quickly turn $10 savings into $1500 loss.