Card reader usage

[Onyx]

16 months on these forums, I just wanted an excuse to create a thread with poll options.

Do you leave your media card reader plugged in all the time, or only when you're transferring data?


Edit: Oh feck, forgot to include a "Don't have card reader" option.

Nnnnsic's edit: Fixed.

[wendellt]

Yo Chi, respect to the man!

I don't have a card reader i just plug the usb cable from the computer to d2x.
I have an epson rx330 printer i hardly use, it's a multifunction printer functiooning as a scanner, printer, copier and card reader all in one. The device is always connected to my computer and i use the card reader on occassion.

[Nnnnsic]

Wendell, you should always use a card reader.

You don't want to stress that usb port any more than you need to by transferring files at a slower rate than on a card reader, nor do you want to kill the usb port when you might need it responding snappily with something like Capture.

[Paul]

My 5 in 1 card reader is plugged into my spare 3 1/2" drive.
Although it only reads at USB 1.1 speeds due to a driver error.
I really need to update my 2 year old PC

[wendellt]

Wendell, you should always use a card reader.

You don't want to stress that usb port any more than you need to by transferring files at a slower rate than on a card reader, nor do you want to kill the usb port when you might need it responding snappily with something like Capture.

Bud well put
I never considered that. I also use an apple ibook2 when i am out and about that utilizes the usb 1.0 standard, which is slow. I transfer direct from the d2x, is that silly? most of my d2x files are 10 - 30MB a mixture of raw and tiff.
I guess the safest thing to do is get a card reader for the ibook or write to apple R&D and ask them to develop an ibook with a built in cf card port, which transfers internally at USB2.0 spec.

[Zeeke]

unfortunately, my cardreader is permanently fitted to my desk.. bloody thing kept falling off.. so i epoxied it down.. it aint going nowhere ... and now i have a laptop.. with memory card ports.. but not one for CF... so ive gotta have my desktop PC turned on so i can edit photos on the laptop via the wireless networking..

Wendell, its probably never happened.. but i avoid plugging cameras into USB ports... the usb port has a power supply going into it.. not much.. but enough... and if your house was to be hit by lightning or there was a big power spike that managed to get through... it could get all the way to your camera via the usb connection and possibly do some damage to your camera... card readers are the safest bet.. and your files upload 3x's as quick

Tim

[Glen]

Interesting poll Chi, do you have a bet on the results down at Star City Casino?

[gstark]

Zeeke,

For around 20 lousy bucks, you should be able to pick up a bright shiny new one that'll be not much bigger than a stack of 10 or 15 business cards. Your yaptop will probably be USB2 too, and so will the new reader ... keep 'em together, like a bee and his honey, and you'll bee set!

[Zeeke]

Lol.. yerh i know Gary, been a lazy bastard tho... theres also a CF cardreader that plugs into PCMIA port? costs the same... ill pick one up sooner or later.. hopefully sooner...

Tim

[kenny12]

i always leave my card reader plugged in and use it all the time

[ABG]

Okay. Time to show my newbie-ness when it comes to digital photography...

Why would I want to buy a card reader when I can just plug my camera into my laptop? I read earlier that it's quicker, but I just go make a cuppa while my photos are downloading. By the time I'm finished, so is the download. I can't see a real benefit here.

I also noted the potential of power spikes. If I was really that worried about voltage spikes, I'd just unplug the power cable from my laptop while downloading.

Do card readers need a power source, or could I take it bushwalking with me and download sans mains power? If they could do this, then I would see a benefit.

Now that I've bought a DSLR, the list of equipment requirements just seems to be growing and growing. With a very limited budget, I want to make sure I'm spending my dough on the right bits.

Thanks

[gstark]

Okay. Time to show my newbie-ness when it comes to digital photography...

No worries; that's what we're here for.

Why would I want to buy a card reader when I can just plug my camera into my laptop? I read earlier that it's quicker, but I just go make a cuppa while my photos are downloading. By the time I'm finished, so is the download. I can't see a real benefit here.

Then yu're not making enough images, and/or the CF card that you're using is too small, and/or you're shooting in jpg, rather than raw.

In all seriousness, yes, it's faster to use a card reader, and by a couple of orders of magnitude.

But your usb connector on the camera isn't as solid as it should be, it's in a bad location (any location on the camera is bad) and it also chews up your camera's battery.

Just get with the program here.

The correct (recommended, actually) procedure is to use your card reader for all datra transfers, and to then reformat your card in the camera.

Do card readers need a power source, or could I take it bushwalking with me and download sans mains power? If they could do this, then I would see a benefit.

SOme do, but most modern ones will derive their power from the pc.

But consider that you're out bushwalking, you transfer files from the camera to the pc, and thus drain your camera's battery. The next day, when you want to start taking some images, the camera's dead, and you're SOL.

Again, always use your card reader.

Now that I've bought a DSLR, the list of equipment requirements just seems to be growing and growing. With a very limited budget, I want to make sure I'm spending my dough on the right bits.

Then, as far as glass and tripods go, do not waste your money on the low end gear. You'll not be satisfied, and you'll still end up buying what you first decided against buying, and you won't recover much on your initial purchases. Save your money and just buy once, and buy right!

[ABG]

Thanks Gary.

Then yu're not making enough images, and/or the CF card that you're using is too small, and/or you're shooting in jpg, rather than raw.

Yep, right on just about all counts. I don't get much spare time, so I'm definitely not making enough images. Plus my CF card is way too small - 512MB. That's what I bought when I got the camera - you live and learn. Bigger card is definitely on my list of wanted items... But you're wrong on the jpg front - I always shoot in raw.

The correct (recommended, actually) procedure is to use your card reader for all datra transfers, and to then reformat your card in the camera.

Why format the card? I just download my photos to my laptop. The camera then shows me I've got 88 more shots to take before I have to do it all again.

But consider that you're out bushwalking, you transfer files from the camera to the pc

lol - take the laptop with me when bushwalking? Only if you're offering to be my sherpa. I like to take a maximum pack weight of 15Kg for a 3 day hike. If it's heavier than that, then I know I've packed too lazily, or my wife's coming with me

Seriously though, are there any card readers out there that will run on battery power and work for a few days out in the field without needing the batteries to be re-charged? I've no idea how much these things weigh, but the lighter the better from a bushwalking perspective.

Save your money and just buy once, and buy right!

Now there's some true words of wisdom - and I've learnt the hard way. It doesn't have to be the most expensive, but it absolutely has to be right for the job. Unfortunately that rarely turns out to be cheap.

[Onyx]

ABG/Andrew, I was hoping this thread would raise awareness of the benefits of separate card readers.
You thought buying the camera and lens would be the end of it, but unfortunately you're in for a shock as the optional/necessary accessories do add up. In addition to a card reader, I would recommend a neoprene aftermarket strap (Optech USA w/custom D70users logo ones are still available from Birddog IIRC). These seemingly small items will significantly enhance your shooting experience and enjoyment. Trust me, it's money well spent.

And Wendell - I can't believe someone who has the moniker's flagship DSLR camera complimented by a collection of pro lenses don't have a card reader!

Nnnnsic - how is it that admins can edit polls but the original thread starter can't?

Glen - LOL. Yeah I might put $5 on the most popular outcome.

Zeeke/Tim - I am annoyed that the latest notebooks come with all sorts of built in ports for various media, but NEVER one for compact flash!

[gstark]

Andrew,

But you're wrong on the jpg front - I always shoot in raw.

Ok ,,, good news then.

Why format the card? I just download my photos to my laptop. The camera then shows me I've got 88 more shots to take before I have to do it all again.

Your card's storage will become fragmented if you don't. Remeber that the filesystem in use is FAT32, just like many PCs, and as you shoot and delete images, "holes" are formed within your card's contiguous memory.

This is not a good thing, and it slows the camera/card down.

It takes but 3 seconds to format a 1GB card, so why fight it?

lol - take the laptop with me when bushwalking? Only if you're offering to be my sherpa.

I was only responding to your comment about bushwalking. While we might laugh about it, it's actually quaite a viable proposition these days.

Get to your campsite and dump your day's shooting onto the laptop, clearing your CF cards for the next day's work.

Seriously though, are there any card readers out there that will run on battery power and work for a few days out in the field without needing the batteries to be re-charged? I've no idea how much these things weigh, but the lighter the better from a bushwalking perspective.

Now you're discussing PSDs. I personally think most of them are a load of crap, overpriced and only semi functional. The best is the Epson, but for the cost and absence of functionality of these PsOS, I think you're better off with a laptop.

Save your money and just buy once, and buy right!

Now there's some true words of wisdom - and I've learnt the hard way. It doesn't have to be the most expensive, but it absolutely has to be right for the job. Unfortunately that rarely turns out to be cheap.

Actually, it's usually not expensive, and it's all too frequently less expensive an option than the cheaper ones.

[birddog114]

Zeeke,
The CF PCMCIA card conveter plugged into the notebook slot ain't cheap if you want one with the good transfer rate, it's around $80.00 - $100.00.

The external USB card reader 14in1 (USB 2.0) is around $25.00, and it's the way to go, and it can be used in both laptop and PC.