Choose a compact flash card with space to store all of your photos.
The Canon 40D digital camera uses a compact flash card to store images. This Canon camera can take any kind of compact flash card, including Type I and II cards, as well as Microdrive cards. Canon does not post a limit to the size of the memory card the camera can handle.
Types of Memory Cards
For the average amateur photographer, choosing a memory card is a matter of storage space and price. Memory cards are sold in increments ranging from 2 to 64 GB. As of the time of publication, a 2 GB card costs about $10 to $15, while a 64 GB card generally costs over $150. The difference between Type I and II compact flash cards is a few millimeters in thickness. Microdrive cards are essentially the same size, but have a tiny disk drive built into them.
Considerations
The more image files stored on a compact flash card, the slower it works with those files, including transferring them to a computer for editing and storage. If you choose a larger card, be aware of its speed, which is usually indicated by a number such as "12x" or "40x." The larger the number, the faster the card can perform. In addition, storing all your pictures on one card may not be the best idea. Many professional photographers prefer to change cards during a shoot, just in case one card goes bad and the images on it get corrupted.
Saving Space
The image file size option tells the 40D how large an image file to create for each picture. The largest JPG option takes up about 3.5 MB per picture, while the medium option -- still large enough to make a decent 8 by 10 enlargement -- needs 2.1 MB. If you are worried about space on your card, you can reduce the image file size by using the image-recording quality option in the camera's menu. A 1 GB memory card can hold 274 large files, 454 medium files or 779 small files. RAW image files are the largest, each eating up about 12.4 MB.
Prolonging the Life of Your Memory Card
Compact flash cards are fragile and should be protected from rough treatment, vibration, liquids, sunlight, heat and humidity. Additionally, you should format your cards often. Formatting is different from simply erasing images because it tells the camera to rebuild the card's file system. This is important to the long-term health of your card and protects against file corruption. Find the formatting command in the camera's setup menu. Be warned, though, that formatting erases everything from your card, including any images you protected.
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