So... whatever happened to XQD cards?

Only the D4 has XQD cards still and there are no other manufacturers making it. Is it safe to say it's a dud?

Even the Sony Alpha 99 doesn't have a XQD slot.

XQD is definitely going to be around for awhile. Sony just jumped on the bandwagon with three new flavors of the card as well: http://bit.ly/MEjSDq

They are just more practical with space filling up so rapidly on cards. Photographers are now shooting 1080p full high-definition (HD) video, and 3D video content, and these cards are able to process files and information much faster.

@Nikoneer
It turned out he was a Canon shooter too.

@Eric
Now, that's just the kind of comment I'd welcome from the sidelines :)

I was on a baseball field on Sunday shooting the D4, standing near third out towards 3rd base. XQD card in the camera.I started shooting a steal from first to second that turned into a pickle. I just kept the shutter going...amazing! It prompted someone from the sidelines to yell "How big of a buffer to you have in that thing?".

I really do not know if it is the D4 or the XQD card, but the camera will just keep firing and has never bogged down even at 10 FPS and the images are available for viewing immediately. I use only the XQD and pull it from the camera, download from a reader into my MacBook. I reformat the card each time in the camera.

So, 3 cheers for the XQD......I actually used the CF card only once....when I forgot to put the XQD back into the camera.

Old folks do these things, you know....

I heard back from Hoodman VP of Sales, Bob Schmidt, that they "are planning on making a XQD card." He seemed fairly certain that it was not just a possibility. I would much rather be using two of these rather than the mix in my D4. Nothing against CF, it's just that it's easier to use one format and the XQD cards are already faster than the fastest CF (which is great given that we only have the slowest XQDs now and they are already getting better).

IMHO, if the XQD is based on PCI-E/SATA than it shouldn't be a problem to create an adapter from XQD to SD. For long time I was a CF shooter, but once I got the D800 I lean towards SD. one main reason - price per GB. I paid $25 for 16gb sandisk extreme pro (45Mb/s) and I would have to pay at least 3 times more for equivalent CF card, and with D800 You need a lot of storage.

Modular systems are not practical from a manufacturing or design standpoint. First, for a modular system to work you'd have to make a spot to accommodate the largest supported format. Secondly, how many card types should a given camera support? Thirdly, modular systems create extra power drain, (every connector you add does this) which could effect battery life. Fourthly, SD, CF and XQD all use different interconnects (what goes between the reader and the source), which would make that somewhat difficult. I believe SD and CF are based on IDE connections and XQD is a PCI-E or SATA type connection, which is why the theoretical top speed is much faster than the former two.

I know many outspoken people seem to think that we need more modular parts in cameras, but I think that would only hinder design. We need to move towards one standard format for all camera systems. I think XQD brings the best of SD and CF under one roof, size, speed and build quality. Right now they are more expensive, but if all cameras used XQD (and lower performing cards came out) then it would become cheap fast.

adamz said:
+1 for XQD on D800 instead of CF - hopefully as an upgrade to current bodies (doubtful)

Is there technically any reason why the card reader in a camera couldn't be made as a "module" that the owner could remove and replace with one of their choice? For example, if you worked in a location where only SD cards were plentiful, you could pop out the XQD/CF reader, and plug in a dual SD one, or if you were sold on XQD, you could have a dual XQD reader. Obviously there would be performance issues (I'm sure a D4 would not work as well with a couple of slow SD cards) but you don't always need to shoot video, or at 11fps, so if you were prepared to accept those limitations based on your card choice (you do now depending on the speed of the card you buy), what would stop this from happening?

@kanuck - I have a 16mb and 32mb Sony XQD cards. The XQD card seems more rugged, is a great size and is very fast. XQD makes my CF cards seem clunky. I'll probably buy a Lexar card right away (although the Sonys work well). I wish the D4 had dual XQD slots and I'd pay to have the D800 upgraded. I've become a fan. Whether or not a given device had XQD vs CF would definitely influence my buying. I applaud Nikon for having taken the risk. I hope XQD is here to stay. It might be a fad, but I have the impression that those who have used XQD have grown fond of them. ...

Why wouldn't XQD stick around? Are you suggesting that everything, even camera memory cards will go into "the cloud" ? I hope not, if anything "the cloud" is a fad.

XQD is the replacement for CF, by the group that developed CF in the first place. SD = consumer product, XQD = Prosumer. If anything QXD could/should replace SD, the size is right, and the cards are better.

Eric will you be using the Lexar cards as soon as they hit the shelves? It must be rough on using the Sony ones to date. I don't see these types of cards sticking around to be honest, reminds me of other fads such as blueray DVDs (still around), Beta VCRs, mini disk players etc. I could be wrong though..

@eric - not as I remember, and I'm with Nikon for the last 11/12 years

Maybe in two years we'll see a D800s?

@adamz - Has Nikon ever offered such a hardware upgrade to an existing camera? I can't recall such an event, but it might be a nice marketing ploy to imply / garner market interest in the XQD format.

+1 for XQD on D800 instead of CF - hopefully as an upgrade to current bodies (doubtful)

Now I only wish I had a USB 3.0 interface for my computer......

@Eric
It seems we will have even more options for our D4 with the soon to be released even faster Sony 64gb S-version. Additionally, now with Lexar recently joining the ranks and the other forecasted
plans for yet bigger & faster XQD cards we should be in good shape with our preferred format. It is nice to hear from fellow enthusiasts.

@Nikoneer - I'm glad its not just me. I find everything about the XQD card to be superior...I'd hate to see it go away. ... I also really like the spring loaded mechanism in the D4...so much nicer than pushing a button.

@SquamishPhoto
By the way, I forgot to mention....great idea to add the XQD format to the D800.
Adding XQD to an already outstanding camera like the D800 would be ideal IMHO!

Thanks for the feedback, Nikoneer. Its nice to hear thats the case. :]

I much prefer the XQD format, so I look forward to when there are dual XQD slots available. Currently, It's the only format I will use in my D4.
I give credit to Nikon for being willing to be the first adopter. There was some risk on their part in doing so, but that's what it takes to be a leader & not just a follower. I believe it is a superior format and that over time this will prove itself to be true.

PB PM said:
I haven't used them, but I think XQD cards should have replaced CF in all pro cameras released this year. Dual slots in both, no need to have SD cards in a pro body (D800). Painful yes, but working with two card types in one camera is just a pain IMO. Of course, until Lexar's cards hit the market Sony is the only game in town, which is enough to make anyone hold off on buying them.

+1

I hate SD cards with a passion, so I would have gladly taken a D800 with XQD if they'd bothered offering it.

I haven't used them, but I think XQD cards should have replaced CF in all pro cameras released this year. Dual slots in both, no need to have SD cards in a pro body (D800). Painful yes, but working with two card types in one camera is just a pain IMO. Of course, until Lexar's cards hit the market Sony is the only game in town, which is enough to make anyone hold off on buying them.