Looking at tablets: I'm starting to look at tablets as a "carry along" computer because I see so many using them. It appears that none of them have USB connections. Is that correct?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'm starting to look at tablets as a "carry along" computer because I see so many using them. It appears that none of them have USB connections. Is that correct? And the only way to download from camera to tablet is via a mini SD, right? And they don't run programs like LR, right? XL? And they don't have the memory that my compact and SD cards, right?

So other than checking e-mail and playing games, what can they do?

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

On an iPad, you can download to the computer. Use the charging cord attached to a USB port on the computer. Same thing for a smart phone. That charger cord does more than charge.

cawoods

I bought a cord so I can download directly from my camera to my iPad mini. I then can view and do some quick editing on my ipad.
I love this thing!!!

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

AzPicLady wrote:

I'm starting to look at tablets as a "carry along" computer because I see so many using them. It appears that none of them have USB connections. Is that correct? And the only way to download from camera to tablet is via a mini SD, right? And they don't run programs like LR, right? XL? And they don't have the memory that my compact and SD cards, right?

So other than checking e-mail and playing games, what can they do?

Wrong!
If your camera has Wi-Fi capability, you can upload your photos to the tablet that way.
I have a Samsung tablet, and use the charge cord to connect to the computer. The computer sees both the tablet's storage as well as the micro SD card in it, as two separate drives, and I can transfer anything from the computer, or from another devices also connected to the computer, to the tablet.
My tablet came with Ps Touch, although I've never used it.
You can upload manuals, tutorials, etc. to the tablet and have them handy if/when needed. Both e-books and video.
If your camera has that capability, you can tether your camera to the tablet to take photos.

BTW, when I first bought my tablet, it looked like there was no USB connection to the desktop. I didn't realize then, that the charge cord was plugged into a converter that uses the lightnet to charge the tablet's battery. Just pull it out of there and plug it into a USB outlet of the desktop and you're ready to go.

I've had mine for less than a year and a half, but wouldn't do without it now.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

All my phots are downloaded to an ipad, edited, I only use the computer to transfer the pics to an external hard drive. Made the mistake of buying my first ipad with only 16gb memory, so then bought the iPad Air, 128 memory, I have over 5,000 pics on at the minute. Yes you need a connector to put your pics onto the ipad, they are not very expensive. I use a free app for editing the pics. my ipad has 3G so I have a SIM card and am always connected to the Internet.

I find it very easy to check out all the pics and I also tranfer them to the computer and then onto an external hard drive.

There is photo stream on your ipad which automatically syncs your pics that you have on your ipad to the computer when turned on.

My husband laughs at me he says the ipad seems to be attached to me as it never leaves my side! I find it invaluable when on holiday to view all the photos. Sorry for the ramble, but I am sure you would find one very useful. :D

FredB Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.

IF you have a Canon 6D or other wi-fi capable unit, you can control your camera with a tablet app. I do it all the time when out at night doing astrophotography. I set the cam up on a tripod, then hop back in the truck to stay warm. Eazy Peezy Aunt Louisie...

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

You can download apps for photography -
DSLR Dashboard
Snapseed
Photo Tools
beeCam Lightmeter
Exposure Calcuator
Astronomical Photography apps

Just to name a few -

Different reading apps and manuals and books can be downloaded...

If you want to connect your camera to a tablet, there are a couple of ways to accomplish it -

Trigger Trap - http://triggertrap.com/ for the info and to find out the specific cable you need -

Then go to Amazon for the equipment http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=triggertrap&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=10427768607&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11256761332463351742&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6ib6xbruk8_e

For a cheaper option - Get an OTG adapter cable - Amazon $5.53 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4GGW5Q/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

I also picked up a 15 foot USB cable ($6.22) to connect my cameras to my tablet http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KL8N6A/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

I use DSLRDashboard (free app for android) which controls both my Canon and Nikon cameras.

There are also wireless options avaialble...

Hope this sheds some light on just a few of things a tablet can do...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

AzPicLady wrote:

I'm starting to look at tablets as a "carry along" computer because I see so many using them. It appears that none of them have USB connections. Is that correct? And the only way to download from camera to tablet is via a mini SD, right? And they don't run programs like LR, right? XL? And they don't have the memory that my compact and SD cards, right?

So other than checking e-mail and playing games, what can they do?

Here is an interesting way to use a tablet with a camera:

http://pixeldiarist.blogspot.com/

I wrote this to address the high cost of a camranger setup, but if you don't need/want to use wireless (very slow with large files) you can just use the camera's usb cable and a USB 3 OTG cable ($5 from Amazon). The OTG cable goes to the USB3 port on the tablet, and the camera's usb cable connects to the camera and the OTG cable.

It's great for macro, or any shot where you want a low or difficult camera angle, without having to get on the floor or ground. You use live view focus, and you can tap to focus, making it extremely precise. The software also does all sorts of shooting like time lapse, focus stacking, HDR, bracketing, and lets you access ALL of the camera settings.

I love my tablet - I use a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2.

Grand Loc: Lebanon, Pa

Morning Star wrote:

Wrong! br If your camera has Wi-Fi capability, you... (show quote)

I have a ipad can I do that?

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

jaymatt wrote:

On an iPad, you can download to the computer. Use the charging cord attached to a USB port on the computer. Same thing for a smart phone. That charger cord does more than charge.

Jaymatt,
I didn't know that and I'd like to learn more. Can you recommend any informational sources on the subject?
Thanks!
Mr. B

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I have an LG Gad 8.3, it also has a 16gb micro SD card installed for extra storage. My camera has an EyeFi SD card so when I take a photograph it is instantly down loaded to my tablet for viewing etc. The photos are stored on the micro SD card in the tablet, and location details are also added (optional).
The LG Gpad fits in my camera bag pocket or in the leg pocket of my trousers. There are several very good photo editors available as some one else has suggested, one is Snapseed which I consider is one of the best.
I have found this set up suits my needs perfectly.
John.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Grand wrote:

I have a ipad can I do that?

It has been a long time since I used (my daughter-in-law's) iPad, but:
Some of the applications depend on the Apps you download and install;
You can definitely upload manuals and tutorials, to read/watch later.
I have not yet tried out tethering; I know that you can tether your camera to an iPad because I've heard others talk about it.
Just keep in mind that having an iPad and a camera doesn't guarantee tethering: Your camera mus also be able to handle that.
So to answer "I have a ipad can I do that?" - Some of it, for sure. Some of it, I don't know. And probably, Some of it, no, you can't.
I'm sorry I can't be more positive, but your best bet is to state quite precisely what you want to do, and then ask the question here.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Morning Star wrote:

Wrong! br If your camera has Wi-Fi capability, you... (show quote)

I've done the wi-fi download thing but was not happy with the quality of the download. I went back to the old manual download. I just don't trust it.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Morning Star wrote:

Wrong! br If your camera has Wi-Fi capability, you... (show quote)

I've done the wi-fi download thing but was not happy with the quality of the download. I went back to the old manual download. I just don't trust it, especially when doing multiple photos.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

SteveR wrote:

I've done the wi-fi download thing but was not happy with the quality of the download. I went back to the old manual download. I just don't trust it.

Eventually we all find the ways we like or dislike doing things.
My camera has wi-fi capability - I've used it exactly once, just to try it out. That's it! Back to my trusted way of popping the memory card into the side of my laptop or the card reader with the desktop and download from there.

What I really do like though, is to have tutorials and handbooks on the tablet. Great to have right beside the computer when I'm working on my photos. Also great to take with me to the doctor's office and read it there, or on holidays sitting in our motel room.

That doesn't mean that you can or cannot do certain things with the camera-tablet combination - just that you have to pick and choose what YOU, the user, likes or dislikes.