Picture transfer which is better

mercmanuk

mercmanuk

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Hello all just picking brains on file transfer, which is better for compact flash cards, this is for a canon 400D,

1 A Compact Flash Reader connected to the PC.

2 Via the usb connection to camera lead.

Regards All
Mark the querious

PS this weather is rather weathered :thumbsdown:
 
Mark, I don't have CF, I use SD, but the principle is the same I expect. I try always to use a reader connected to the PC. The main benefit being that it doesn't use up the camera battery during the transfer.
 
I have always used a reader so I can't comment on the camera connection.
 
^^^^^^^good point never thought of that, so from this there would be no loss of picture quality then, that's four for the reader,

Many thanks trying to persuade wife to take me shopping :bang:but she's having none of it, she's says i have spent enough.


Regards Mark the staying put.:'( LOL
 
I used to use the camera lead to PC but this one has a card reader built in.
Far faster download times but I don't think there is much ( If any) image degradation, using the cable.
USB Card readers are cheap enough on fleabay (there's a few here)
 
Mark, check on ebay, they have loads of CF card readers for under £5 including delivery, or this or here or this. I would not expect any loss in IQ in the data transfer, to the computer it's all just bits of data anyway, unless you have a faulty USB port or cable, in which case, you equally run the same risk of loss of image data when connecting the camera.
 
Many thanks for the above posts mind made up reader it is, now how to trick the wife :help::bat,

Regards Mark the scheming
 
I just d.load it from camera - it sorts the photos into albums by date and so although it slower than card reader. it saves me time when trying to find them again.
 
Image degradation...whut...:shrug:

Anyway, I've never used a card reader, can't see the point, wear and tear is a weak link in the chain imo
I'd get indigestion if I was worried that my images were uploading in 8mins instead of 4, and the world could very possibly end with that notion.
You have spent enough:rules:



buy something else instead


:)
 
33L said:
I just d.load it from camera - it sorts the photos into albums by date and so although it slower than card reader. it saves me time when trying to find them again.
Click to expand...

My "built in" PC card reader does the same,
whether or a not a "plug in" does though I have no idea I guess it should:shrug:
 
it might be filed that way by the camera - i never thought of that! if thats the case - i will be investing in a fast reader.
 
joxby said:
Image degradation...whut...:shrug:

Anyway, I've never used a card reader, can't see the point, wear and tear is a weak link in the chain imo
I'd get indigestion if I was worried that my images were uploading in 8mins instead of 4, and the world could very possibly end with that notion.
You have spent enough:rules:



buy something else instead


:)
Click to expand...
I was thinking that – I just plug the camera to a the PC and transfer them that way – why spend money on a card reader I don’t really need. Its money better off spent elsewhere IMO :)
 
joxby said:
Image degradation...whut...:shrug:
Click to expand...
Degrade , deteriorate :thumbs:

joxby said:
Anyway, I've never used a card reader, can't see the point, wear and tear is a weak link in the chain imo
Click to expand...
But you plug in a USB / firewire lead :shrug: no different from plugging in a card reader surely ?
joxby said:
I'd get indigestion if I was worried that my images were uploading in 8mins instead of 4,
Click to expand...
:lol: good point
 
I always use a card reader.

1) doesn't use the camera battery

2) camera isn't in a vunerable position during downloads.

3) faster (probably)

4) less liklihood of damage to the camera connectors

There will be no image degredation and all download software sorts out where the pictures should go.

I do however keep a usb lead in my camera bag, just in case I need to use someone elses PC.
 
mercmanuk said:
Many thanks trying to persuade wife to take me shopping :bang:but she's having none of it, she's says i have spent enough.
Click to expand...

Oh...sound like you and I are married to the same lady! :|

andrewc said:
I always use a card reader.

1) doesn't use the camera battery

2) camera isn't in a vunerable position during downloads.

3) faster (probably)

4) less liklihood of damage to the camera connectors

There will be no image degredation and all download software sorts out where the pictures should go.

I do however keep a usb lead in my camera bag, just in case I need to use someone elses PC.
Click to expand...

My points are pretty much the same as these!

Also, if you're uploading via a card reader, you can still go and use your camera if you need to.
 
I alway connect my camera (Nikon D80) direct to my PC and download my images using transfer software (Nikon Picture Project) that automatically renames the files into the structure I want them which saves me loads of time later on! Then, while I am sorting, filing and backing up my images I pop the camera battery on charge to top it up.

It's a simple workflow that I follow every time, and it makes sure my camera battery is usually charged up and ready to go.
 
Hi went for a card reader in the end, very fast download in RAW and offers the option of deleting the pictures as well, i have 1 2gig card, 1 512, and 1 64mb, while ones downloading i just put another in format it and shoot, agree with balancing camera on side of desk :nono: + battery issues i only have one, it's a 12 in 1 card reader :thumbs: not that i have different cards but this on LIGHTS UP:clap::clap:

Regards Mark the happy
 
I've got a 400D and I always use the cable from the camera to the PC and use the functions on the camera to download what I choose. I'm a great believer in not keep removing the CF card. The cable method downloads a RAW image in about three seconds. I don't need it any quicker!!

Paul
 
andrewc said:
I always use a card reader.

1) doesn't use the camera battery

2) camera isn't in a vunerable position during downloads.

3) faster (probably)

4) less liklihood of damage to the camera connectors

There will be no image degredation and all download software sorts out where the pictures should go.

I do however keep a usb lead in my camera bag, just in case I need to use someone elses PC.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with all of the above.

I'd also point out that some cameras need their own software to transfer images to the computer, maybe not DSLR's but certainly some compacts. My Fuji F31fd needs to have the Fuji software in to transfer images. I use a card reader to transfer the images, and being a USB2 card reader, it is 10x faster than via the camera. Most cameras are USB1. :(

Be aware that some card readers may have trouble with xD and Sony Memory Sticks, as they seem to have changed the way they work over time and some card readers may have problems. I've never had problems with CF or SD with any card readers. :D
 
If you want a CF card reader, but don't want to have another gadget cluttering your desk up, you could always buy a Dell 2407 or 2408 monitor - they have a card reader built into the monitor. Might be a tad more expensive, but you'll love editing your pics on their 24" widescreen goodness!

Or would that be a bit too much overkill?;)
 
I use a card reader, but I only use it to copy and paste RAW files from the card to the PC - I let the camera handle reformatting of the card . . ..
 
mercmanuk said:
Many thanks trying to persuade wife to take me shopping :bang:but she's having none of it, she's says i have spent enough.


Regards Mark the staying put.:'( LOL
Click to expand...


Hiya

You don't need anything fancy when it comes to card readers is my belief.

I'm sure the more expensive ones have a faster transfer speed, but in real life, what's the difference between 30seconds and 40 seconds to down load a few files. Even if you are transfering hundreds of files, the difference is still only a few minutes. Important if you are a pap and looking to meet deadlines, but it's time to make a quick cup of tea for the rest of us.

You can get a perfectly good one for about £5 these days. So it shouldn't break the bank I don't think.
 
The main concern I would have with downloading direct from the 400D via cable is the rubber door on the camera. This has to be opened every time to access the conection. Now I am sure this rubber door will last a long time but I tried it a few times when I had my 400D and always felt it was only a matter of time before the sealing properties of the door were compromised.
I also found I was quicker removing the card and placing it in an external reader source the fitting the cable to the camera and I also format the card every time I replace the card into the camera ready for next use, so far I have never had any card problems ( touches wood!). :D
 
admirable said:
I also format the card every time I replace the card into the camera ready for next use, so far I have never had any card problems ( touches wood!). :D
Click to expand...


You format the card every time you transfrer the images? I just delete them. Should I be formatting the card too?
 
Hi yes i think we should be formatting the card each time it's had a download, i reformat mine read it on here somewhere, but then again iam a newbie,

Regards Mark the learned a bit i think >>>>>>DOH!!!!
 
I always connect the camera to the computer to get the pics off, then format the card using the camera. I'm a bit paranoid about constantly removing the CF card more often than necessary in case I bend the little pins in the camera

Dave
 
davelee212 said:
I always connect the camera to the computer to get the pics off, then format the card using the camera. I'm a bit paranoid about constantly removing the CF card more often than necessary in case I bend the little pins in the camera

Dave
Click to expand...

We 'Daves' share the same pin concern (though I add 'muck' into my thinking too) - I always download from the camera too :thumbs:

I guess it is slower, but does nothing to the battery on mine as far as I can tell - it's a totally fab battery anyway and never runs out if used on only 1 day's shoot, so it's not an issue

DD
 
I tend to use a card reader.

I find that plugging the cable into the camera over a period of time will make the rubber cover on the camera break or disintegrate.
 
There's just so much to worry about isn't there. If we plug the camera in we need to woory abou the door and of course the socket on the camera itself. And you arfe right about he pins in the card reader. It's happend to me. £150.00 to get a 350D repaired.

Since then, I've become a bit obsessed with checking the holes in the card itself for damage. You see my camera was damaged by a brand new memory card that had a poor quality moulding.

Oh, bring back film. The world was so much less worrying in the old days. :-)
 
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