Memory Cards in Pentax Cameras

Having come up through the ranks of Fujifilm digital cameras while waiting for a Pentax digital camera to go with my Pentax SLRs, I was delighted when the *istD was released and have been using one for the last 18 months. I have noticed the DS etc. have been produced since then but have not looked into these cameras as I had the *istD. Recently I thought it would be useful to have a backup to the *istD in case of problems so I looked into these new cameras further, only to find the Memory Cards have changed! As I have built up hundreds of pounds worth of Memory as I progressed through Fujifilm cameras to the *istD it looks as if I shall have to remain with the Fujifilm as a backup camera, and hope I don't need to replace the *istD as I may then need to look at other non Pentax cameras.
I know that faster cards have been released which might judtify buying new cards and changing format at the same time, but I have found no difference shooting in RAW format on my camera using a standard 512 Mb memory card from using a 40X Lexar card. (Although I must say that the *ist D is much faster than the Fujifilm camera was with the standard card - is the limiting factor the camera or the card?) Could this agree with the Which? magazine tests on Memory cards that found little difference when using different speed cards? ... - but that's a completely different point!

Apparently, someone has greased the palms of some camera makers to push the new SD format card. I'm hoping that when the D2 comes out, it will take Compact Flash. That's what most of us have, and most professionals use them.

I do know that Lexar's Write Acceleration technology works with the *st D, it speeds things up considerably!! I have no idea if they make SD cards, and hopefully won't have to.

Olympus once had a DSLR that took two kinds of memory cards. Pentax could solve the delimma by outfitting the next digitals the same way, with both CF and SD cards. That would make the transition less painful, if that's where the industry is gong!

Hi,
Why not try to get a spare D body whilst they are still available at about the same price as the DS? As to the cards, I have found the major difference is the speed that you can transfer the files to the PC but this doesn't worry me so I tend not to use the ultra fast cards.

Kim