Andrew Hancock is a photographer who hardly takes a break from shooting. As one sports season ends, he’s already preparing for the next. When covering a sports event, Hancock usually manages numerous remote cameras focused on the athletes, estimating he operates between six to twelve cameras during basketball or baseball games and up to twenty for horse racing.
After the event, he has to handle a vast amount of data. To manage this, Hancock relies on the SanDisk® Professional G-DRIVE® PROJECT desktop solution, which features a built-in PRO-BLADE™ SSD Mag slot, as well as SanDisk® PRO-CINEMA CFexpress™ Type B cards, to meet the demands of his on-site work.
“I can only work as quickly as my slowest component, and speed is crucial, especially when I’m working for teams,” Hancock states. “The cards can be a weak link for sports photographers since we work with high frame rates to capture as much action as possible. The SanDisk PRO-CINEMA CFexpress Type B cards allow me to maximize my camera’s capabilities.”
The SanDisk PRO-CINEMA CFexpress Type B card is vital to Hancock’s workflow. Specifically designed for professional photographers and videographers, it offers a reliable, high-performance storage solution compatible with numerous camera types. The card boasts read speeds of up to 1700MB/s1 and burst write speeds up to 1500MB/s1. This high speed enables Hancock to shoot high-quality photos and videos without concerns about lag from his cards.
Hancock appreciates that SanDisk’s professional range has enabled him to create a connected ecosystem that functions seamlessly. The fast, dependable PRO-CINEMA CFexpress cards are inserted into cameras, the media is offloaded using the SanDisk Professional PRO-DOCK 4 or PRO-BLADE SSD Mag slots, and is eventually archived on a G-RAID® MIRROR.
“Being able to transfer data as quickly as possible means I don’t have to stress about overheating or buffer issues,” Hancock explains. “In critical moments where I want to capture as much as I can, these cards let me stay focused on the action without worrying about missing frames.”
For Hancock, having top-quality cards and drives is just as crucial as his cameras and lenses on the job.
“I know that when I cover major events, the gear won’t fail or underperform. Ultimately, if something goes wrong, it reflects on me,” he points out. “It’s like being the team quarterback; if the receiver drops the ball, the blame falls on you. As a photographer, those decisions rest with you, and it’s a business decision, to be honest.”
Professional sports photographers often spend a lot of time traveling—some years, Hancock logs up to 200 travel days. Therefore, having an easy-to-pack and set-up storage solution has been essential for him. Besides its compact size, the SanDisk PRO-CINEMA CFexpress Type B card is also sturdy, capable of resisting 1-meter drops and pressure of up to 50 newtons2, allowing Hancock to feel secure that his data is safe while on the go.
“I aim for the path of least resistance. A streamlined workflow eliminates stress from my work,” he mentions.
Hancock’s efficient workflow for storing and archiving allows him to elevate his performance and creativity while working. Additionally, it gives him back valuable time. “It simplifies my job and enhances my efficiency, giving me more time with my kids when I’m home,” he shares. “I’m passionate about what I do, but I cherish every moment I can reclaim.”
1Read speeds up to 1700MB/s; write speeds up to 1500MB/s. Minimum sustained write speed of 1400MB/s. Performance may vary based on the host device, usage conditions, and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.
2Based on internal testing.
