With Card Readers - Is a Read/Write better

[Mike]

Hi there all,

Just going to try and find a card reader - and wondered whether to look for a read/write one or just read only.

I can't see any use (at the moment) for the "write" function but thats not to say I shouldn't consider it.

Any opinions from the group.

Thanks

[MHD]

I've only ever seen read/write readers... never just one

[Greg B]

Possible uses for the write function:-

1. You can delete files from the card using the computer (although the best practice is to reformat the card in the camera each time once you have transferred the image files to the computer)

2. You can use you card reader/writer as a removable storage device - stick files on the card, transfer those files to another computer

They are all read/write anyway.

[Mike]

Thanks guys, yes just realised that they do all write

And I suppose you can transfer photos back to the card and view on the camera.

[gstark]

Mike,

And I suppose you can transfer photos back to the card and view on the camera.

Actually, not as far as I can tell. The cameras only seem to like to read images that they've written.

But one other use that's not yet been mentioned is to upgrade your camera's firmware. The procedure is that you copy the files - downloaded from Nikon - onto your CF card, and then place the CF card in your camera and booy up the camera. The camera recognises that there's new firmware files, and prompts you to confirm installation of them.

[Killakoala]

And of course you can copy your photos onto the card and take them in to a photo shop/supermarket/chemist/variety store/electronics store/fish & chip shop, and get them printed out.

[jdear]

(although the best practice is to reformat the card in the camera each time once you have transferred the image files to the computer

im curious, why reformat your card after every use? I know that sandisk recovery software finds all sorts of images you've deleted from your card, are you not quite getting all your ###mb worth if you dont reformat?

Cheers
JD

[Greg B]

Thom Hogan in his ebook says that formatting the disk can overcome potential problems with bad sectors which can occur over time.

[jdear]

ah yes that would appear to make sense. Thanks for the good tip!

[gstark]

ah yes that would appear to make sense. Thanks for the good tip!

And your assertion that you might lose some space is correct. Bear in mind that CF cards use fat32, and deleting a file only flags the file as deleted.