Which external SSD is best for Sigma fp cinema rigs?

Question

What SSD are you guys actually trusting for 12-bit CinemaDNG on the Sigma fp these days? I've been using the old Samsung T5s for years without a hitch but they're getting impossible to find new and I'm starting a documentary shoot in Arizona next month where it's gonna be pushing 100 degrees daily. I tried a T7 non-shield version and it just dropped frames after five minutes of 4K recording which was a total disaster. Budget is around $300 for a couple 2TB drives. Is the T7 Shield actually reliable for the full data rate or should I look at something like the SanDisk Professionals or even a DIY NVMe enclosure setup? Really need something that wont thermal throttle when things get hot...

RasterRogue · Accepted Answer

I absolutely love my Sigma fp rig and totally feel your pain about the T5s! They were legends, but honestly, the Samsung T7 Shield 2TB Portable SSD is the best successor for 12-bit CinemaDNG. I have been using these for months and they are amazing! The standard T7 you tried is notorious for overheating because it lacks the sustained write capabilities required for raw video, but the Shield version uses a different controller and much better thermal management. It is a total night and day difference. For your documentary in Arizona, the Shield is fantastic because that rugged outer layer actually helps with heat dissipation. I have pushed mine in pretty intense heat and it never throttled once! Since your budget is $300 for two drives, you should definitely keep an eye on sales. You can often find the Samsung T7 Shield 2TB Portable SSD for around $155 if you shop around, which is a total steal for that kind of performance. Its the most cost-effective way to get reliable 12-bit recording without worrying about your gear melting in the desert. Another amazing option if you want to try something different is the SanDisk Professional 2TB G-Drive SSD. It has a very solid build and handles high bitrates well, though it might push you slightly over that $300 limit for a pair. I still prefer the Samsung for the fp specifically tho... the way it mounts to the cage is just so easy. Stick with the Shield and youll be golden for that desert heat!

David Wright · Answer

Just found this thread and like someone mentioned, the T7 Shield is the usual recommendation, but i have had some pretty bad luck with it in high heat. That rubber sleeve looks cool but it basically acts like an insulator... which is the last thing you want when it is 100 degrees out. Had a shoot in Nevada where the T7 Shield got so hot the write speeds just tanked and i lost a whole take. Honestly was super disappointing. I switched to a more industrial setup because those consumer drives just dont have the thermal mass for 12-bit CinemaDNG. Here is what i trust now:

SanDisk Professional PRO-BLADE Transport with 2TB Mag

DIY path: Samsung 980 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD inside a Kondor Blue Pro Blade SSD Handle The DIY route is better because those internal drives are designed to handle much higher sustained loads before they start thermal throttling compared to a standard portable drive.

Nora Ava Soto · Answer

Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.