OK folks, I ordered an Olympus 5050, but I am undecided as to what media to get for it. Some claim that the XD is much faster than the CF, but I am having trouble finding any kind of comparison chart of speed of transfer ratings for the XD. The cost for a 512 XD is similar to the cost of a 1 gig CF, around 80-90 US.

I just asked Geoffrey - he said there's a CF "ultra" (or something like that - off the top of his head) that's got comparable speed.

The downside to the XD is that it's proprietary - you even need an adapter to use it in a RoadStor. However, if you want to do a panorama picture, you must have an XD.

Seb,
I have a 5050 and what I do is use a XD as a reserve in the camera and CF as my main storage. The camera will hold one of each at the same time and you can swap between them at will, even in the PT-15 case. Unless you are going to be shooting RAW the speed is really not an issue and handling the XDs is a pain, just too small. The only real advantage to the XDs is the panorama feature, question is, how often are you going to take them. I keep the original 32 mb XD that came with the camera, in it and swap between several CF ranging from 256 to 512. The 512 will hold over 200 pictures at the res I shoot. Even the 256 is plenty for 2 or 3 dives and after that many dives, you have to change batteries anyway. That brings up another point. Get yourself at least 3 sets of hi cap NiMh batteries. 2300 mHr are the highest I has seem lately, bigger is better. The 1700's that come with the camera are too small, the 5050 eats batteries. A fast charger, 15 or 30 min is also useful. Just make sure it's rated for 50/60 hz and a wide voltage range, makes handling Bonaire power easier.
Do you have a strobe and tray? If not, adding a tray/handle makes handling it a whole lot easier, the PT-15 is not very easy to hang on to.....

Handling the CF is so much easier than xD and the CF Ultra II is supposed to be just as fast. I use a 256 CF and a 128 xD for backup. The 1 gig CF Ultra at $99-120US (online price) is very tempting--much cheaper than even a 512 xD ($144US online). However, my local camera shop says most people are buying two or three 256 or 512 cards instead, because this gives the capacity you need for two or more dives and if a card goes bad, you have backups and you're not out as much money. I'm still thinking of a 1 gig for movies.

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Herman, I have a lot of gear left over from my now defunct 4040 which will transfer fine. But hanging on to the pt-015 is easy, I guess I have hands like hams, I often use it one handed!

It seems the batteries last exactly 2.25 dives....right when the oh yeah photo appears....poof. Happened twice last July so I just charge the damn things every night.

I use a 256Mb Scandisk CF Ultra II which is faster than the 256Mb XD that came with the camera and I use as a back-up.

The remarks on Batteries are sound, I personally download and change batteries after every dive. Also remember that batteries will improve somewhat after several full charge discharge cycles.

If you have not used the PT-015 under water yet be carefull when switching the camera on and off. On mine that action moves the mode dial and the first couple of dives I was getting unexpected results. I dont know if this is a common problem.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I was working towards the conclusion that the XD cards have not kept up speed wise with the newer compact flash. Since they cost more per unit of memory, I wanted to know, as some folks have opined that the XD are faster than the CF, but I still haven't found actual transfer speed data on the XDs.

Try this link. I'm leaving this Saturday for Bon and will be there for ten days. Not trying to make anyone jealous or anything..... http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/c5050/c5050-card.html

Seb and Cosimo

I want to thank you both for all the information about the C5050 Olympus and it's PT-015 Housing. I had a great time in Bonaire in September. My pictures came out so good I couldn't believe I took all 400 + of them (both during the day and at night). I used an XD card that came with the camera and had a CF 512 45X as a back-up (which I used allot). I also had my laptop with me in my room (Capt Don's Habitat) which allowed me to download all the pictures on a daily basis.

Another Note: I am planning another trip to Bonaire arriving January 19th, 2005 from a three day stay in Aruba. I will be with two others (non-divers) and I believe they want to stay in the Belmar area where there is a private home directly on the beach. Anyone know anything about this area, homes for rent, etc.. ???? Need at least a two bedroom, three beds, kitchen, air conditioning, 4 or 5 star type accommodations. Your help is appreciated. I enjoyed the set-up like Don's Habitat where I can jump on a boat and dive without the running around (driving to a boat or getting picked up). OK I'm spoiled.

I think you are talking the neighborhood of Belnem, Scott, I would suggest contacting Josie at Sunrentals, their website is available on infobonaire.com