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by david fletcher on Tue Aug 28, 2018 2:11 pm
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Just my thoughts:

Lots of Hype on the latest Nikon Z series one card slot;  (Negative hype).   


My 2 cents.  didn't some Sony's arrive with one card.  Hasn't the D7500 got one slot.

Years back when I migrated from Canon to Nikon I used to use a second slot as the overfill... never really got used, but a back up sounded sensible and cool practice.

as their bodies evolved, cameras came with SD and CF.  (D800). (still only use SD on the D800). 

D500 came with XQD and SD slots.  I only use the XQD Slot

D850 with XQD and SD slots.   I only use the XQD slot

Honest opinion.  I only use one card slot.  Period.  (long since learned that the speed of the second card dictates the write speed so why I would want to use a SD card in the D500/D850 and negate what the initial speed the XQD can do I do not know).  (XQd have different interfaces with the camera so failures are so rare as to be more linked to the cameras and not card).  

Been using one card per any body, for over five years now.  Problems with that.  Zero.  

So the honest question being to those in the field is do you really use two cards, and if so, have you really seen any benefit...  (please exclude any Canon 5D wedding photographers that have had Sd card failures some years back in any replies). 

In the last century, we used a body with a roll of film.  Might have been Velvia 50, Fujichrome 100, Kodachrome 25/64. Ektar 180 etc. one roll film.  36 exposures.

Didn't we just get on with it.  
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by Craig Lipski on Tue Aug 28, 2018 2:32 pm
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I buy insurance - and hope I don’t need it.
I wear seatbelts, and hope I don’t need them.  
I always had an extra roll of film and still always have extra batteries.
I use my second slot as backup, and don’t really worry whether I’ll need it or not.  It doesn’t slow down my style of shooting.
I’d sure as hell want it if I was a wedding photographer, but for me it’s not a deal breaker, just nice to have. I’m a hobbyist; if I derived my income / financial security from singular opportunities the story may be different.
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by ricardo00 on Tue Aug 28, 2018 2:57 pm
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I probably shouldn't admit this, but at least a couple times I have been downloading files from a card and forgotten I took the card out. When I went out with my camera, only had the card that was in the second slot. I guess if I only had a single slot I would be more careful. But isn't it in part why people buy a Grip Multiple battery pack, to have a second battery on the camera in case one is depleted?
PS. Sometimes I use the second slot for video and other times I use it for jpg (ie. when traveling and want to look at or show the pics without dealing with Raw files). So guess I have Dual Slot Syndrome. Not to say that this would be my only criteria for judging whether to buy a mirrorless camera. If the Z series had better focusing abilities than my D500, was truly silent at a high shutter speed, had better low light capabilities than the D500, etc I would jump at getting one.
 

by E.J. Peiker on Tue Aug 28, 2018 3:09 pm
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The D7500 does have one slot and it's not been a well received camera especially in light of the fact that the D7100 and D7200 had two slots.  I think the point is, it's 2018 not 2013, you are coming out with a brand new platform and you come out with only one slot in a $3400 camera when everybody else gives you two slots in every other full frame camera on the market, even ones costing less than half.
 

by Gary Irwin on Tue Aug 28, 2018 4:12 pm
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Agree completely with E.J. Though most of us amateurs/enthusiasts probably don't need dual slots I wouldn't argue that certain pros and even some enthusiasts (i.e. folks going on a once-in-a-lifetime trip) would appreciate having dual slots for backup/videos etc. Anyway, regardless of the merits of the usefulness of a second card slot, IMO Nikon once again failed to understand their customer's -- and market -- expectations and simply delivered what they thought was best...and got it wrong (again). Sometimes Nikon really "gets it right". This isn't one of those times.
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by sdaconsulting on Tue Aug 28, 2018 5:32 pm
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I think the AF performance slagged by several Nikon vloggers is a much bigger concern.
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by Scott Fairbairn on Wed Aug 29, 2018 11:14 am
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sdaconsulting wrote:I think the AF performance slagged by several Nikon vloggers is a much bigger concern.

Dual slot omission does seem like a glaring error to me as well. The AF issues, if real, could be a deal breaker too. The battery life is another problem IMO. I've used mirrorless cameras with ratings similar to these new cameras, and it's not fun watching that battery indicator plummet. A few hundred shots per battery mean you'll need a boatload of spares for a big shoot.
 

by DChan on Wed Aug 29, 2018 11:51 am
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If dual slots is good, why not five, six, or ten, eh?

Sure, the convenience is there. Sooner or later, when the two cards are full, you still have to replace them with blank cards.

I'd agree that the AF and the battery life are more serious issues. Judging by those sample shots at dpreview (and other sites), it might have more than just face/eye recognition issue.
 

by david fletcher on Wed Aug 29, 2018 12:08 pm
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sdaconsulting wrote:I think the AF performance slagged by several Nikon vloggers is a much bigger concern.
Agree with that too, although there are differences between the vloggers comments and the Nikon Ambassadors:  (am fully mindful that the Nikon Ambassadors might not be truly objective, just as some of the vloggers have the potential for bias, but at least they had the cameras for some time and not just a few hours/days).  

Still taking much with a pinch of salt although, I too, am not a fan of a short shots per battery life.  
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by SantaFeJoe on Wed Aug 29, 2018 12:16 pm
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I think much too much is made over battery life. The ratings used are not simply based on just shots taken, but take into account flash being used, zooming in or out fully for each shot, etc. I don’t see the big deal about changing batteries. I came from changing 36 shot rolls several times a day and having to pay to get them developed. The cost was huge compared to batteries and batteries take but a second to change out. Many batteries can be charged on the go if you shoot out of a vehicle and some can be charged from a battery pack like the ones used to charge a cell phone.

https://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/learn/article/how_to_rate_battery_runtime

And something related:

https://www.pointsinfocus.com/learning/cameras-lenses/rfc-standard-camera-power-consumption-testing/

EVF is another consideration.
And the CIPA standards here:

http://www.cipa.jp/std/documents/e/DC-002_e.pdf

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by david fletcher on Sun Sep 02, 2018 1:44 pm
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E.J. Peiker wrote:The D7500 does have one slot and it's not been a well received camera especially in light of the fact that the D7100 and D7200 had two slots.  I think the point is, it's 2018 not 2013, you are coming out with a brand new platform and you come out with only one slot in a $3400 camera when everybody else gives you two slots in every other full frame camera on the market, even ones costing less than half.

For what it's worth and no critique, but the rumoured Canon has one SD slot.   Canon Eos R   Perhaps the manufacturers have different expectations.  Not into rumour mongering but sharing info.

The point on focusing has more relevance but I'd also wager that as the camera becomes actually available, that view will change compared to those brief hands on comments with limited exposure.  (far too much potential to user error with those coming from other systems and not given much time on the pre-delivery models)... Still taking much with pinch of salt. 
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by adamsti on Sun Sep 02, 2018 5:22 pm
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Never used dual slots. One CF card only is all I have ever used.
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by Ed Cordes on Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:28 pm
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I like two slots. I like the insurance of a carry over if one becomes filled (although it has never happened) but most of all I like the fact that I can be uploading from one card to an external drive and still shoot with the other card without having to insert another. As was mentioned above - insurance and security.
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by Mako_Elite on Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:09 pm
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I can see the benefits of dual card slots, but do we really need it even if you shoot for a living? I owned many cameras with Dual card slots and rarely used the second slot.
How we existed during film SLR era? There was "ZERO" insurance and even worse you had no idea how your images are until you got them back from the photo lab. Professionals and amateurs were doing paid assignments, jobs, portrait shoots, weddings just fine.
It is all about the odds. You have higher chance to get your baggage lost, camera damage, robbed and who knows what then memory card failing.
I have "ZERO" card failed as of today since early digital era of cameras, shooting with SD, micro SD and CF cards anything from point and shoot to DSLR.
Not one card failed yet and I shoot a lot, almost daily.

I don't agree that if camera has only one card slot that it is no good for professionals. I am amateur who shoots birds, mostly owls, but even if I was a Pro I would not have a problem to shoot with one card only.
I don't blame  Nikon with new "Z" mount has only one XQD. I am not trying to defend Nikon or any other brand, I don't have a dog in the fight. I buy all my gear.

Folks just need to relax and shoot cameras with one card slot, just make sure you buy the best card you can. I shoot with SanDisk, never let me down :-)

happy shooting

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by Tim Zurowski on Mon Sep 03, 2018 5:26 pm
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For me it is very simple, with these two questions:

1) Is having two card slots in a camera better than just having one. My answer is YES!

2) If you were purchasing a new camera model, and the exact same model for the exact same price was offered with one slot or two slots, which would you choose? For me that would be a "no brainer" I would take the two slot body every time.

For me, it is irrelevant presenting comparisons of what we did/had in the past with film cameras. What is relevant is are we moving forwards or backwards. IMO, going from two to one card slot is definitely going backwards. Everyone has different needs, but for me I like and use the two card slots, and would never purchase a camera with only one card slot; unless it was a camera I desperately needed and must have.
 

by Neilyb on Fri Sep 07, 2018 3:03 am
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I have had cards corrupt and at the time had one slot. Do I wish I had two slots then, darn right. Redundancy is, for pros, absolutely necessary. Imagine shooting a wedding and at the end of the day a card goes bad, could be the ring moment, could be the family shoot.... expect legal action. Same goes for wildlife pros. Imagine flying to Svarlbad amd losing a days worth of polar bear shots... I always use both slots now, unless I need the maximum speed of the fast slot. When travelling it means not having to backup every single day. I use a large SD card and swap out my smaller CFs when needed. Just extra peace of mind. My old Sony a7r2 has one slot and I am backing up daily. But Sony learnt something and put two slots in their high end models...

That fact the both Nikon and Canon have only added one slot to the new system is a clear sign that they are not intended for pro use.
 

by ricardo00 on Fri Sep 07, 2018 12:39 pm
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Neilyb wrote:Same goes for wildlife pros. Imagine flying to Svarlbad amd losing a days worth of polar bear shots...
  How about us non-pro wildlife photographers?  Often we have our once in a lifetime trip to the Arctic, Antarctica, Africa, Pantanal, etc costing many thousands of dollars.  Who would want to lose their photos from these trips just because the camera we carried only had a single slot?  I often shoot raw to the main slot and jpg to the secondary slot.  I now try to upload my jpg to my Smugmug website as a backup if I hit a place where there is sufficient wifi since I have heard of people having their camera's and hard drives stolen at a lodge (ie. when they were at dinner, etc).  I have even uploaded a couple of precious photos from the arctic and antarctica (in reduced form) while still in those exotic places!

 
 

by SantaFeJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 2:03 pm
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Thom Hogan had a good article on the subject here:

https://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/th ... issue.html

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by david fletcher on Sat Sep 08, 2018 2:25 pm
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ricardo00 wrote:
Neilyb wrote:Same goes for wildlife pros. Imagine flying to Svarlbad amd losing a days worth of polar bear shots...
  How about us non-pro wildlife photographers?  Often we have our once in a lifetime trip to the Arctic, Antarctica, Africa, Pantanal, etc costing many thousands of dollars.  Who would want to lose their photos from these trips just because the camera we carried only had a single slot?  I often shoot raw to the main slot and jpg to the secondary slot.  I now try to upload my jpg to my Smugmug website as a backup if I hit a place where there is sufficient wifi since I have heard of people having their camera's and hard drives stolen at a lodge (ie. when they were at dinner, etc).  I have even uploaded a couple of precious photos from the arctic and antarctica (in reduced form) while still in those exotic places!

 

appreciate all the input.  It's quite interesting the differing values people put.  That's good to share.  What is important to one, is not for another so no rights or wrongs.  

not buying the "now it's 2018 we must have two slots.  was acceptable in 2013, etc".  buy a portable hard drive.  It'll be cheaper than a second card anyhow.

Not buying either, the way we used to tolerate/work has no relevance now as the school of hard knocks was priceless.   Shouldn't dismiss the way we worked on one roll of film etc just because it's different now, as the skills acquired still have relevance.  Sort of like saying, "old timer"  you're talking nonsense and dismissing years of accumulated experience and knowledge.  Try saying that to Art Wolfe.  Tom Mangelsen. I'll wager you wouldn't but that won't stop internet trolls hiding behind odd ID's.  

Not going to knock the Canon and Nikon marketing, which actually might be easy to do, but of no benefit here, but they both clearly don't see the one card as an issue for the MODELS they are launching.  Maybe when the pro models come that may change.  

right now, I still don't use the second slot in any of my bodies... if I am of that need, a simple card back up to a portable hard drive will crack that issue.  They are quite cheap and light weight now so how they have been overlooked is baffling.

As per the Sony range, didn't the two card slot come only in the last 9 months... didn't seem to stop anyone buying into the earlier models.

seems too much fuss over issues that are not related to image taking.   
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by Des on Sat Sep 08, 2018 6:17 pm
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Never liked the word 'pro' but I do work as a full-time wildlife photographer. I am a single card shooter, always have been. On bodies with dual card slot they're set to overflow.

Many years ago I had a SD card failed. I couldn't retrieve the images myself but a forensic company did (all but 4 images were recovered). A few months ago a friend's hard drive had a catastrophic failure. Sent it to another memory recovery specialist, everything was recovered.

If a camera has features that I think will enable me to make images that I couldn't before, or better, then I would get it. But it won't be because I worry that it only has one slot and that one day I may or may not have a card failure. I carry a spare body with me when I work and I backup at the end of each day. It works for me.
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