CFast 2.0 memory cards slowly, but surely become the next go-to choice for more and more camera manufacturers when it comes to proprietary recording media implemented in their flagship cameras. This type of storage solution is not only more reliable than the previous generation of CompactFlash cards but is also capable of handling significantly higher data rates due to the overhauled internals and updated SATA 3.0 (600 MByte/s) electrical interface that allows users to record even uncompressed Raw files on their favorite cinema camera.
The only problem, however, is still their price. Even though it’s steadily going down, a 256GB Lexar Pro CFast 2.0 card, for instance, currently sells for whopping $650+ which is still way beyond the budget of many creative professionals out there. Fortunately, US-based filmmaker Tom Antos have come up with a relatively affordable alternative that seems to be reliable enough to handle the Raw recording on the URSA Mini 4.6K camera, plus it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Currently, there are a growing number of medium to high-end professional devices making use of the faster data rates offered by CFast media including the Arri Amira, Arri Alexa Mini, Canon C700, C300 Mark II, Canon EOS 1D X II, and Canon XC10, Blackmagic Ursa, Ursa Mini 4.6K, Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K and others. Recently, Tom Antos had the chance to test the Biwin CFast cards by Lee Miller while looking for more budget-friendly CFast 2.0 memory cards.
Biwin CFast 2.0 Card Specifications
- 128GB/256GB CFast 2.0 SATA III Compact Flash
- Interface: SATA III, 6Gb/s
- Flash Type: MLC NAND
- Read Speed: 430MB/s
- Write Speed: 288MB/s
- Warranty: 5 years new replacement
- Dimensions: 42.80mm x 36.40mm x 3.30mm
- MTBF (Mean time before failure): 2 million hours
A 256GB unit will set you back less than $300 which is way beyond the price of the rivals offered by established manufacturers on the market. Tom Antos states that after some extensive testing these CFast cards seem to be quite reliable as he managed to record different flavors of ProRes and Compressed Raw on the URSA Mini 4.6K camera without any dropped frames or other technical issues whatsoever. Nevertheless, the filmmaker recommends using two Biwin cards for recording Uncompressed Raw on the URSA Mini 4.6K and URSA Mini Pro cameras.
The Biwin CF 2.0 Cards come in 128GB and 256GB versions that are currently retailing for $208 and $292 respectively while being backed by 5-Year Limited Warranty. For more purchase options and technical specifications regarding the Biwin CFast 2.0 cards, head over to Biwin’s official website. If the price of these cards is still out of your budget, you can try out some other alternative solutions such as the Atoch CFast to SSD Adapter or even a cheaper DIY solution that we have previously covered on the blog here and here.
[source: Tom Antos]
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