Card reader or USB lead?

[simpo two]

What's best, to take the card out each time and put it in a card reader, or leave it in the camera and connect the USB lead directly?

I do the second, partly as it's easier and partly as there are an awful lot of fragile pins in the CF slot!

I just wondered if there's any good reason supporting either method...?

>>> Edited by simpo two on Thursday 2nd September 16:57

[.Markski]

I would use the second method too, unless your camera got covered in saltwater and the socket packed up.


Luckily for me the camera developed another fault and Fuji fixed all the faults!

[pdV6]

I'd be tempted to use the USB lead, 'cos if the USB socket wears out you still have the option of using the card reader, but if you knacker the CF slot its bye bye camera.

[anonymous-user]

I've been using the USB lead so far, but am planning on getting a card reader for the simple matter of speed.

Camera = USB 1.1, Card Reader = USB 2.

As CF cards are pretty well held in line when inserted and removed, what are the chances of damaging the socket?

Plus, you'll have to remove cards when one's full...

[simpo two]

LexSport said:

Plus, you'll have to remove cards when one's full...

Yep, when mine's full I tip all the little coloured pixels into a box and top it up with blank ones, a bit like glitter. 'Another economy-size pack of blank pixels please Mr Jessop...'

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

The only time I've ever used the USB on the camera is when I was playing with the SDK and messing around with computer controlled time lapse. If I'd got the Canon RM80 (or what ever the remote release/timer thing is) I'd probably never use it.

[davidd]

I bought a card reader as it increased the battery llife of the Ixus 500 by a large degree.

D

[chim_knee]

I bought myself a 7 in 1 card reader for the very reason LexSport highlighted:

Camera USB1.1, Card Reader USB2

Cost £8.22 from ebuyer here and was a doddle to fit and is really fast. My 512Mb card was full and transferred in a matter of seconds.

Don't really need 7in1 but it's CF Type I/II and Micordrive compatible, as is the camera.

Cheers,
Phil.

ETA:- If you've any questions about it - please feel free to mail me offline.

>> Edited by chim_knee on Friday 3rd September 12:31

[simpo two]

Thanks, interesting views. The first time I connected the D70 to the PC I forgot to remove it, and it was left like that for maybe 30 mins. It certainly took a lump out of the battery, though the D70 batteries have a big capacity so not critical for me. The speed issue is a good point too: I've not used more than half my 1Gb card yet but even that took 14 minutes.