Pro Moviemaker January/February 2024 - Web

GEAR

MINI TESTS

We test Sigma’s fast 70-200mm E-mount zoom lens, a wireless monitor from Hollyland, Zhiyun softbox and Samsung memory solution

WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH

EXPRESS DELIVERY The Sandisk card comes with a code to download free data recovery software

SANDISK PRO-CINEMA CFEXPRESS TYPE B 320GB £398/$400 sandisk.com

a grand, and they weren’t nearly as fast either. To match the high-resolution cameras that are now shockingly affordable, like the Raw-shooting Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K we used the Sandisk card in, the burst write speed comes in at up to 1500MB/s, with read speeds up to 1700MB/s. On the Blackmagic camera, this gave no problems with any of the codecs, including high frame rates. It also downloaded rapidly through a Thunderbolt 4 reader to our Mac Studio. So not only is the Sandisk a great choice for capturing high- resolution images in-camera, but also completing high-speed transfers to your editing machine. To help make this as seamless as possible, Sandisk also offers its Pro-Reader and Pro-Dock 4 docking station, which allows simultaneous downloading of CFexpress Type B cards. We used this in a card reader from another manufacturer and it still worked rather well.

SPECIFICATIONS Memory card: CFexpress Type B Capacity: 320GB Max read speed: 1700MB/s Max write speed: 1500MB/s Max sustained write speed: 1400MB/s Operating temperature: -10 to 70°C/14 to 158°F ranging from media cards to card readers, hubs and SSD storage. The latest card is the Sandisk Pro-Cinema CFexpress Type B. We tested the £398/$400 320GB version, but there is also a 640GB card for £697/$700. That’s not cheap, but just a few years ago prices for cards in these sizes would have been well over It wasn’t long ago that 4K was the gold standard for most filmmakers. In reality, 4K output is still the go-to size for everything from YouTube to TV and film production. But times move on, and now cameras are coming with 5K, 6K and 8K capability. The Blackmagic Ursa 12K can even record, not surprisingly, in 12K. Recording in a high resolution allows for cropping in post. However, recording in higher than 4K – especially in Raw or ProRes, high bit rates and at higher frame rates – takes up a lot of space on hard drives and also in the camera. That’s why Sandisk has been busy making a whole range of professional solutions,

“To keep your data safe, the card has a durable design and is not flimsy” To keep your data safe, the card has a durable design and is not flimsy. It is built to withstand a 1m drop and up to 50N/11.2lb of force. Luckily, we didn’t test this – but it’s good to know it’s there in case of accidents. With CFexpress Type B becoming standard in many cameras – apart from Sony which uses the smaller but slower Type A version – the Sandisk is a proven option with a lifetime guarantee. It also comes with a code to access free data recovery software that we have used in the past. When your well-earned reputation as professional is on the line, it makes perfect sense to go with a big brand like Sandisk rather than risking it on cheaper, no-name brands. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Great performance and large capacity Pros: Fast, rugged and not too expensive either Cons: Only comes in two sizes

MAGIC NUMBER The 320GB was needed for shooting 6K Raw files

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