FAQs

Here are some common questions about ProGrade Digital.

For questions regarding our software, please read our software FAQs.

Who is ProGrade Digital?

ProGrade digital is the professional’s source for high-performance memory cards and workflow accessories. Whether you shoot with a DSLR, camcorder or a digital cinema camera, we have the memory cards that match your requirements for performance, quality and reliability.

Is ProGrade Digital a new company?

ProGrade Digital founders are former executives from both Lexar and San Disk, where each has held executive or senior management roles in engineering, operations and/or marketing. The founding team brings extensive experience in the design and development of memory cards and is able to leverage years of knowledge, plus industry relationships, to aid in designing and delivering products of uncompromising performance, quality and reliability. The Lexar brand was sold by Micron, Inc. in order to focus on providing storage to enterprise businesses. 

What’s the difference between professional-level and consumer-level cards?

Professional photographers and videographers tend to be meticulous about their cameras and equipment since their livelihoods, client trust and reputations ride on how well their gear performs. ProGrade Digital understands these stringent requirements and offers memory cards and workflow readers with the performance, quality and reliability that professionals demand. Performance: To provide extremely fast card speeds, ProGrade Digital uses memory controllers designed by Silicon Motion, a long-time controller manufacturer for Lexar. These controllers are highly optimized for use in professional cameras. Quality: ProGrade Digital leverages years of experience working closely with professional DSLR and video/cinema camera manufacturers to ensure cards pass rigorous qualification testing. Our compatibility testing labs assess cards in thousands of camera models to ensure compliance with manufacturers’ requirements, and ensure support/compatibility with specific camera models. An industry first, every ProGrade Digital card features serialized tracking: after assembled, the card is laser-etched with a unique serial number for traceability and warranty trackingReliability: ProGrade Digital ensures that each card is individually tested down to the memory chip. This is a far more time-consuming and rigorous process than the sample testing done by other card manufacturers. By the time our cards hit the market they have gone through hours of testing–which provides users with the highest level of assurance that a card will perform flawlessly.

I’ve heard a lot about the speed of the card but it’s confusing. What do I need to know about it?

Card speeds are important to the overall performance of your camera. Here are three things you should consider: Transfer speed: how quickly data (images or video) can be downloaded from the card. Faster transfer speeds require less time to import photos or ingest video to your computer. Write speed: how well a card performs in a camera. Most camera manufacturers do not disclose an exact specification. Instead, they simply specify the speed class rating that the camera requires. Speed class: professional-level cameras typically require the higher speed specifications. For SD and microSD that is typically UHS-II and further defined for video with the video speed class V60 and V90. It’s best to match the speed of the memory card to the requirements of the camera.

Which memory card formats do you offer and in what capacities?

ProGrade Digital offers memory cards in a variety of formats commonly used in professional-level DSLRs, mirrorless camcorders and digital cinema cameras. These include:

Format Speed Capacities Options
CFast 2.0 Up to 550MB/second read speed
Up to 450MB/second write speed
128GB, 256GB, 512GB Single and 2-pack
SDXC UHS-II, U3, Class 10, V90 Up to 300MB/second read speed
Up to 250MB/second write speed
64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Single and 2-pack
SDXC UHS-II, U3, Class 10, V60 Up to 250MB/second read speed
Up to 130MB/second write speed
64GB, 128GB, 256GB Single and 2-pack
CFexpress Type B Card – 1700 Cobalt Up to 1700MB/second read speed
Up to 1400MB/second write speed
165GB, 325GB, 650GB Single and 2-pack
CFexpress Type B Card – 1700 Gold Up to 1700MB/second read speed
Up to 1500MB/second write speed
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB Single and 2-pack
microSDHC/XC UHS-II, U3, Class 10, V60 Up to 250MB/second read speed
Up to 130MB/second write speed
64GB, 128GB, 256GB Single and 2-pack

We also offer memory card readers for post-production activities. All All ProGrade Digital USB workflow readers feature two card slots, and deliver USB 3.1, Gen. 2 transfer speed of up to 1.25GB/s (10Gb/s).

Where can I buy ProGrade Digital products? Are they available now?

Customers may purchase on www.progradedigital.com or Samy’s Camera. International customers may shop on the B&H Photo and Video website or the Adorama website and most Amazon marketplaces around the world. Check your local reseller for the availability of ProGrade Digital Products.

 

Why are your products only available online?

For two reasons. First, as a source for professional imaging artists, we want to build direct and longterm relationships. Second, by cutting out the middle man, we can offer superior products at competitive prices.

What is your warranty?

Warranty information can be found here.

There are many memory card suppliers. Why should I choose ProGrade Digital?

ProGrade Digital is exclusively focused on providing the highest performance memory cards and workflow accessories for professionals who shoot with DSLRs, mirrorless camcorders and digital cinema cameras. Everything we do—from engineering, product development, manufacturing, compatibility testing and technical support—is set up with professional photographers, videographers and cinematographers in mind. We want to be the professionals’ source for high-performance storage cards and workflow accessories.

Does ProGrade Digital work directly with camera manufacturers?

Yes. ProGrade Digital works closely with leading camera manufacturers including ARRI, Blackmagic, Canon, DJI, Fuji, GoPro, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and others.

Can I be assured that ProGrade Digital memory cards are compatible with my cameras?

Our compatibility testing lab tests devices from all the major manufacturers. We leverage years of experience working closely with professional DSLR and video camera manufacturers to ensure our cards pass rigorous qualification testing. This includes compliance with camera manufacturers’ requirements, and is supported by and compatible with specific camera models.

Why are we improving our packing to be even more sustainable?
When ProGrade Digital launched, we knew that we wanted to have packaging that was better for the environment. However, as new packaging technology became available and the issue of plastic waste in our environment has only gotten worse, we decided it was time to re-evaluate how we can reduce our plastic footprint even further. With extensive research and innovative design, our new packaging has achieved a 98% reduction in plastic waste compared to our old packaging.
Why is ProGrade Digital replacing the plastic jewel case that holds the memory card?

The jewel cases that are commonly used to ship memory cards are not recyclable. Most people simply throw them in the trash, where they end up in landfills or potentially in the oceans, and they sit there forever. For our customers who use the jewel cases to store their memory cards in their camera bags, we have a memory card case in our accessories that is available for purchase. This case is designed to hold multiple memory cards.

What are the benefits of our jewel case packaging replacement?

After conducting extensive research, we discovered that a mixture of fibers from sugar cane and wood pulp is now being used to substitute for plastic packaging for many consumer products. Our new fiber tray mixture is made from renewable materials making them 100% biodegradable.

What other packaging improvements are we making?

In addition, we will also be replacing our plastic bag that contains our product for shipping with a more environmentally friendly polyolefin shrink wrap.

Who is 5Gyres?

The 5 Gyres Institute is a leader in the global movement with more than ten years of expertise in scientific research and engagement on plastic pollution issues. Since 2009, the team has completed 19 expeditions, bringing more than 300 citizen scientists, corporate executives, brands, and celebrities to the gyres, lakes, and rivers to conduct firsthand research on plastic pollution. Through this research, 5 Gyres continuously engages diverse stakeholders in understanding the science to drive impact and conduct community outreach and citizen science to implement data-driven solutions. With over 1,800 Ambassadors in 66 countries, 5 Gyres supports and is supported by community members with information, tools, and connections to help drive local change to fight this global crisis. Support science to solutions.

What is a gyre?

A gyre is a ringlike system of ocean currents rotating clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Why is ProGrade Digital donating to 5Gyres?

ProGrade Digital has taken the next step in creating environmentally friendly packaging by removing the plastic waste in our already low-impact packages.  We are partnering with the 5Gyres Institute because they are one of the leaders in the movement against plastic pollution.  We love working with all the wonderful creators out there who are capturing the natural beauty of nature all around the globe.  We are doing our part to ensure that the beautiful scenery is there for generations to come.

We are not just talking about how we can impact the environment; we are taking action and doing something about it!

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