p.4 #1 · how do canon users transfer their images to the computer?
I use a Sandisk USB2 fast card reader. It's rocket fast and I keep it in the camera bag... and it does not need any drivers or anything like that (at least on XP or newer)
-you can't do RAW images through windows with your camera plugged in, only through the canon software which is a pain
p.4 #2 · how do canon users transfer their images to the computer?
I find it a little ridiculous people bicker over speeds of card readers. 99% of the time it doesnt matter one hoot whether it takes your card 7 minutes to download or 5 minutes to download. The one exception is if you are shooting on a deadline for a wire service. Otherwise, why spend 3-4 times as much money getting 15% more speed? A cheap USB 2.0 card reader offers plenty of speed for most users and costs almost nothing.
That said, I dont think I've ever used my camera to download pictures from my DSLR.
p.4 #4 · how do canon users transfer their images to the computer?
I'm not trying to get into a contest either, I just think too many people see the numbers on paper and assume that performance on paper is real world performance.
On my mac laptop, FW800 scales almost to double real world performance of FW400, while USB 2.0 is roughly the same as FW400, if not slower. Performance also depends on the card reader you're using as well as the connection the reader uses. I've had the fastest transfer speeds with Sandisk Extreme FW readers with Extreme IV cards.
As for it being ridiculous to bicker, I agree Use whatever works best for you, I'll use what works best for me.
p.4 #6 · how do canon users transfer their images to the computer?
stits wrote:
Card reader. Canon, for some unknown reason doesn't set the cards to be viewed as mountable drives.
Gochugogi wrote:
Hmm, maybe that's an OS thing. My Canon formated CF cards always mount as drives on Mac Desktops. You can drag 'n drop, use the Canon download/import app or reformat in the card in Disk Utility.
I use a Firewire card reader. I don't have a USB reader but I'm pretty sure they mount on the desktop as well.
I believe that it is the camera that fails to provide the mass storage interface.
p.4 #8 · how do canon users transfer their images to the computer?
Well, using the cord uses camera battery power, which means more battery recharging, which is a pain. As I posted before, I got my USB card reader on eBay for $5. Well worth it.
p.4 #9 · how do canon users transfer their images to the computer?
I've always used the included cord and havn't even thought of anything else I shoot for myself and rarely fill up more than one of my 2G cards with my 5D on raw. The card takes maybe 5 minutes to unload. I waste way more time than that just trying to convince myself to get out of the bed in the morning so I think I can spare it now and again when I download pictures I can see why you would need somthing faster if you were shooting lots of pictures and need to have them them processed and sent somewhere immediately (sports, etc). For me the cord is good enough
p.4 #11 · how do canon users transfer their images to the computer?
Cardreader and Lightroom 2.0.
I genuinely can't imagine using anything else. Canon's folder structure (at least on the 40D and 20D, the only bodies I've used) otherwise leads to significant hassle - for example, when using Bridge by itself to copy from cards.
p.4 #12 · how do canon users transfer their images to the computer?
Mac user, firewire card reader user. My cards are in and out of my cameras all of the time, I am not even a little bit careful about it, except to never force anything. No bent pins 4 different camera bodies.
I shoot for myself and rarely fill up more than one of my 2G cards with my 5D on raw. The card takes maybe 5 minutes to unload. I waste way more time than that just trying to convince myself to get out of the bed in the morning so I think I can spare it now and again when I download pictures