Memory card(s) for D850?

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BirdDogDad

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Now that Nikon has put the D850 on sale, I think I will finally pull the trigger on one. The memory card slot options on the D850 are new to me. I have always had my cameras (D610, D750) set with the card in the second slot as a backup to the primary card. For all you D850 users, my question is: what memory card(s) do you recommend for this setup (CFE, XQD, something else)? Also, I have several Sandisk Extreme Pro SDXC Type 1 cards in hand, used in my D750. Are these functional in the D850? Many thanks in advance for your collective expert advice.
 
If all you have is SD cards, use that for now. The cards for your D750 will work just fine. I run an XQD card (Sony G series or equivalent), along with an SD card set as overflow. If you are not comfortable running only one card and decide you want to run two cards for backup or overflow, start with your SD cards and then keep an eye out for a good deal on an XQD card or CFE card. (Remember that to use CFE you must have the most recent firmware update, and the speed of the CFE will not be able to exceed that of the XQD cards. CFE cards will future proof you, but cost more)
 
If all you have is SD cards, use that for now. The cards for your D750 will work just fine. I run an XQD card (Sony G series or equivalent), along with an SD card set as overflow. If you are not comfortable running only one card and decide you want to run two cards for backup or overflow, start with your SD cards and then keep an eye out for a good deal on an XQD card or CFE card. (Remember that to use CFE you must have the most recent firmware update, and the speed of the CFE will not be able to exceed that of the XQD cards. CFE cards will future proof you, but cost more)
Many thanks, Fred. Much appreciated. Buying the camera is expensive enough, without adding hundreds of $ in accessories.
 
I updated the firmware on my D850 right away when I got it last december and have been using CFE cards as my primary card since. They are not faster than XQD (which I have too), at least not in any detectable way in practice (I am sure with a rigorous protocol you'd measure differences) but I picked CFE because of the higher capacity and the fact that it is the format all manufacturers are moving to (and not XQD). I have a 512GB card which allows me to capture close to 6000 pictures (RAW 14bit lossless) with a 128GB SD card serving as overflow. I have yet to run out of space for any outing.
I wouldn't use just an SD card because it will slow down file transfers so you won't get 9FPS (with the grip) and will have a reduced buffer - not an issue for landscape photography but undesirable for wildlife.

The only caution with CFE cards is with Apple computers - they recognize those cards as external drives, not as memory cards - so when importing files into LR, they default to "importing in place" instead of creating a copy where you have your permanent storage. It's easy to override, just need to remember to do it otherwise you'll wonder where the master file went once you eject the card. The bigger risk is that if you are used to deleting the files off the card after import, you run the risk of deleting the only existing copy if you are not careful.
 
Thank you, FB. Very helpful. I run an iMac Pro, so your advice on Apple is appropriate. I always copy memory card files directly to one of my hard drives before doing anything with them. Only when all are copied and backed up do I delete files from the camera's memory card. One can never have too many backups.
 
On a tight budget, you can get away with using an SD card from another camera. But the UHS-II SD cards operate in the D850 at twice the speed of UHS-I cards, so there will be an impact on write speed, maximum burst length, time to clear the buffer, and download times. The D850 and later cameras can fully support SD UHS-II cards which have a second row of contacts and a faster bus. For best download speeds with UHS-II, you'll also need a UHS-II card reader.

The big cost difference between XQD and CFExpress is simply because CFExpress is not available in smaller sizes. There are only 2-3 manufacturers of XQD cards, Sony, Nikon, and maybe one other. There are more than a dozen manufacturers of CFExpress. Within CFExpress cards, there can be a lot of variation in speed and that is related to trying to have a lower price point. Several companies have two levels of card. The premium cards are as fast or maybe slightly faster, while the economy cards from the same companies are slower than XQD. There is also a difference in speed based on card size, so you should look for 128 GB CFExpress cards. Look at Sony Tough, Delkin Power, or ProGrade Digital Cobalt 128 GB cards or larger. These are fast cards that are cheaper per GB than XQD cards.

Hunt's Photo has a Delkin promo for the Delkin Power 128GB CFExpress card with a free reader for $169.
 
I've had my D850 3 years soon. When I first got it I only used SD cards that I had from my D810 while I got to grips with XQD. I built up to: XQD -1x32GB, 2x 64GB (Sony G) along with 7 Lexar SD cards. 5 x 32GB 300 MB/s , 1 x 64GB 300 MB/s, 2 x 64GB 250 MB/s. When CFe firmware was installed I bought 1 x Manfrotto128GB an 2 x Integral 128GB cards as they were cheaper than the price at the time of both 32GB and 64GB XQDcards!!

While I'm not using he full capability in terms of speed with the CFe cards and I don't really need 128GB capacity, they are the best VFM over here at the moment and TBH I don't see that changing. In fact I think that the CFe cards will get cheaper just as the other card formats have and XQD will become scarce with only the few cameras with XQD slots but no prospect of a CFe firmware update using them.
 
Sincere thanks to all for your valued input. I now know much more about memory cards than I did 24 hours ago, which I cannot say about many other topics. D850 is on its way, along with one CFE 128GB card to try out. The card was less expensive than a comparable XQD card, not a major investment, so worth a try. First I'll learn the camera, then when my wallet recovers, investigate premium CFE technology. Thanks once again!
 
I have Sony XQD 120gb 440 read 400 write
and Sandisk Extreme Pro 300MB/s SDXCII 128 GB in the second slot

Not sure how necessary this actually is as I have never noticed a bottle neck or buffer issue.
 
The card was less expensive than a comparable XQD card, not a major investment, so worth a try. First I'll learn the camera, then when my wallet recovers, investigate premium CFE technology. Thanks once again!

Yep - that's what I found. Even 64GB XQD cost more than my CFe 128s. Don't forget that if you use slot 2 as a backup it will slow the writing speed of the camera to the speed of the SD card. This will mean that it will take longer to clear the buffer, and maybe slow your frame rate.
 
Now that Nikon has put the D850 on sale, I think I will finally pull the trigger on one. The memory card slot options on the D850 are new to me. I have always had my cameras (D610, D750) set with the card in the second slot as a backup to the primary card. For all you D850 users, my question is: what memory card(s) do you recommend for this setup (CFE, XQD, something else)? Also, I have several Sandisk Extreme Pro SDXC Type 1 cards in hand, used in my D750. Are these functional in the D850? Many thanks in advance for your collective expert advice.
I use Sony XQD cards in my primary slot on both of my D850s, and SanDisk SD cards in the secondary slot, for overflow. I love the XQD cards - they're super fast, and I've never had a single problem. Congratulations on your decision to buy the D850 - you will never regret it! The D850 is a fabulous camera - the very best I've ever used. Hell, at $2500, buy two of them! 🥴

P.S. B&H occasionally has sales on XQD (and other) cards - I was able to pick up my Sony 120GB cards for $130 each.
 
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I too received my D850 a few weeks back and have been using only SD cards. Even with Burst-mode I had no issues. Of course my Burst Mode will only last 2 to 3 seconds..
I was always more of a use many cards that 1 huge card. This limits the risk of losing too many photos should a card fail (never happened so far, knock on wood).

I will wait for CFe cards to become cheaper before I get mine. Considering I back up my Photos on my PC on weekly basis, the 2nd Slot is not so critical for me.
 
I too received my D850 a few weeks back and have been using only SD cards. Even with Burst-mode I had no issues. Of course my Burst Mode will only last 2 to 3 seconds..
I was always more of a use many cards that 1 huge card. This limits the risk of losing too many photos should a card fail (never happened so far, knock on wood).

I will wait for CFe cards to become cheaper before I get mine. Considering I back up my Photos on my PC on weekly basis, the 2nd Slot is not so critical for me.
I use a 64gig XQD card in the primary slot and a SD card in the secondary slot. I record RAW in the primary and JPEG in the secondary slot.
 
I was always more of a use many cards that 1 huge card. This limits the risk of losing too many photos should a card fail (never happened so far, knock on wood).

Me too. I don't fill the cards to capacity either. The huge capacity cards are more for video shooting than stills and we stills shooters have to fir in with the industry rather than them producing what we want.

For my use 64Gb is more than enough and prior to getting my D850 64GB was the biggest cards I had and I had more 32GB than 64s. but now with CFe cards cheaper than both 32 and 64GB XQD and a 64GB CFe only about 25GBP cheaper than a 128 CFe, 128 is the best value at the moment.

FWIW over the years I've had 2 card failures. a 16GB Kingston CF card which must have been when I had my D700 and more recently a Lexar 32GB SD card in my Fuji XT-2. I never trusted the CF card afterwards and kept it only for emergency use. The SD card formatted OK and after some trials it went back into use and I don't even know now which one it was.
 
I use Sony XQD cards in my primary slot on both of my D850s, and SanDisk SD cards in the secondary slot, for overflow. I love the XQD cards - they're super fast, and I've never had a single problem. Congratulations on your decision to buy the D850 - you will never regret it! The D850 is a fabulous camera - the very best I've ever used. Hell, at $2500, buy two of them!
Thanks, Abinoone, that is good to hear. Can I count on you to tell my wife about buying a second one? Actually, she's the one that told me "quit talking about it and just buy the silly thing." I'll sell my good D610 and my just-about-new D750 and make the bottom line look even better.
Yep - that's what I found. Even 64GB XQD cost more than my CFe 128s. Don't forget that if you use slot 2 as a backup it will slow the writing speed of the camera to the speed of the SD card. This will mean that it will take longer to clear the buffer, and maybe slow your frame rate.
Thanks, Graham, I'm now aware of the possible writing speed issues. I plan on experimenting with the CFe card only and also using it in conjunction with an SD card. I am usually not a rapid-fire shooter anyway, but this summer I hope to get some good action shots of my dogs doing water retrieves, so speed could be an issue. I do like to use the second slot as a backup, as I am anal about backups. I've had hard disks, SSDs, even RAID systems go kaput. As they say, it's not a matter of if an electronic device will fail, but when.
 
I don't have the D850 but have a D500 and a Z6ii and I have tried to do some testing to compare the shooting speed with CFE, XQD, and SD. I do find that CFE did provide a performance boost on my D500 but it is hard to test accurately because the D500 has such a large buffer and the buffer would clear almost instantly with both CFE and XQD. The D500 actually appears to write to the CFE and XQD cards faster than than the Z6ii will for longer shooting bursts. The SD cards are significantly slower in both cameras. I have several Sony XQD cards and a SanDisk CFE, they are all 128gb cards. I don't really see the any point in buying XQD cards now, CFE is faster and less expensive.

I don't know that any of Nikon's cameras can write to CFE and XQD cards at their max speeds and I don't know if the published speeds of CFE and XQD cards are actual sustainable write speeds or burst speeds. The write speeds of CFE and XQD cards are usually clearly labeled on the cards, but you have to do a little searching to find the write speeds of SD cards. It seems like SD cards that can write in the 200Mbs range are as expensive and CFE and XQD cards.
 
@Ralph Bruno I shoot RAW + FINE * as well.. all on one card. I shoot video as well, but nothing more than a couple of minutes (mainly to capture certain behaviors which one cannot illustrate through stills / e.g. A robin singing, a Deer's mating call.

@dabhand16 All my cards up to the point of purchasing the D850 were 32GB (was best Size/Price mix). Since I bought the D850 I added 2 more cards: 128 GB + 256 GB for 50$ combined, to accommodate for RAW shooting and have enough capacity for a Safari trip (pending Corona Situation). All my cards are manufactured by Sandisk.
 
I shoot RAW on a D850 with Sony XQD 32GB x 2 and Sony Tough SD 32 GB for overflow. This gives me three days shooting as I rarely do bursts. As XQD prices have dropped I will buy a 64GB card and another SD 32GB for overflow. No desire to purchase CF express and yet another card reader.

I remmeber getting really excited when 220 film became available and I could get 24 frames on my Mamiya C330 - regret selling this beauty and my Pentax 6x7!
 
I don't know that any of Nikon's cameras can write to CFE and XQD cards at their max speeds and I don't know if the published speeds of CFE and XQD cards are actual sustainable write speeds or burst speeds. The write speeds of CFE and XQD cards are usually clearly labeled on the cards, but you have to do a little searching to find the write speeds of SD cards. It seems like SD cards that can write in the 200Mbs range are as expensive and CFE and XQD cards.

I went to www.cameramemoryspeed.net and looked at a number of cards of different types - SD, CF, CFast, XQD, etc. No card ever approaches the benchmark speed on the cards. Normally the in camera write speed is a fraction of the benchmark write speed. The benchmark speeds marked on the card are with very fast equipment and a fast processor with a specific type of test. The tests normally involve a straight copy of data rather than any processing or verification that data was written correctly.

The cameras write speed is limited by the bus in the card, the bus in the camera, the processor, and any operations that are required to transfer data and verify that it was correctly written. The top end speed for SD cards is about 65-70% of the write speed with similar speeds for compact flash - and that's only with later, mature versions of the card and bus upgrades. The early UHS-II cards from Sandisk reverted to early UHS-I speeds of 37 MB/s in cameras that were built for UHS-I cards while Lexar UHS-II cards at the same time had a write speed of over 70 MB/s in the same hardware configuration. The top end I've seen reported for SD cards was 72 MB/s for UHS-I and 145 MB/s for UHS-II in the D500. XQD and CFExpress cards in the D500 and D5 have measured speeds of 220 MB/s and 280 MB/s respectively. I've seen anecdotal reports of tests for CFExpress cards with speeds around 200 MB/s for economy CFExpress cards and 230 MB/s for premium cards. I'm seeing faster write speeds with the Canon R5 than in the Nikon Z, but the cameras are positioned differently.

Every step introduces another variable so it's very hard to get a good test or find data reflecting real use before buying. There are tests for card readers as well, and certain card reader and card combinations perform better than others with a surprising amount of variation. One manufacturer's card performs at the highest speed only with their specific reader - and is 40% slower with any other reader.
 
I use Sony 128 GB XQD and Sandisk Ultra 128 GB SD on mine and have had zero problems in 3 years and over 25,000 actuations. I got a 3rd party XQD reader initially and it never would work with the Sony card. Once I got a Sony reader and used the software that came with it has been smooth sailing. With the camera set on RAW I get 1200 images on each of the cards which should be plenty. I recommend downloading the images to a hard drive (I have 3 back up external drives just for the dedicated photography internal HDD one) after each shooting and then reformatting the card. Letting the images pile up on the card is rolling the dice because cards WILL fail and usually at the very worst times.
 
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