CARD READERS
Apr 14, 2017 11:54:41 #
OK...I'm fairly new to this stuff but for tranferring photos to my computer, why do I need a card reader? Right now I simply stick the card in the appropriate slot on the computer and download.
Apr 14, 2017 12:00:07 #
Apr 14, 2017 12:03:36 #
What you have on your computer is a card reader just built in. I use an external card reader on my desktop system as I did not build one in because I couldn't find a decent one to put in it when I built the system.
Apr 14, 2017 12:04:24 #
Maybe you don't need one. If the computer is reading the cards fast enough for you, then why would you need one? Reasons for using a card reader include not having a slot for your card on your computer, not having slots for all card formats you use, or wanting faster i/o than the computer's card slot can provide. My tower PC has no card slots, so I bought a reader that has six different slots for various card formats. I use two of them - CF and SD.
Apr 14, 2017 12:10:37 #
Apr 14, 2017 12:42:25 #
GeorgeinKC wrote:
OK...I'm fairly new to this stuff but for tranferring photos to my computer, why do I need a card reader? Right now I simply stick the card in the appropriate slot on the computer and download.
That's how the camera's mfg configured your camera to work. However, a reader is much easier and safer because some cameras like to delete files from your card as they're transferred... just a thought.
Apr 14, 2017 13:02:29 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
GeorgeinKC wrote:
OK...I'm fairly new to this stuff but for tranferring photos to my computer, why do I need a card reader? Right now I simply stick the card in the appropriate slot on the computer and download.
First, not every computer has a card reader. Many, but not all, desktops have one but most laptops usually do not. Second, many built in card readers transfer at relatively slow USB 2 speeds which stand alone card readers use the much faster USB 3 ports. Third depending on your camera, you may need to read cards other than SD. Higher end cameras often have two cards slots and while some use two SD cards, others like my Canon 7D Mark II have an SD slot and a much faster CF (compact flash) slot. I'm not aware of too many computers with built in card readers that support CF cards. I use a Lexar card reader with USB 3 bus support for both my cards. Alternatively, since my camera has built in USB 3 support, I can download directly from my camera to a USB 3 port on my desktop or laptop. The difference in transfer speed between USB 2 and USB 3 is HUGE.
Apr 14, 2017 14:29:55 #
Apr 14, 2017 15:19:04 #
DWU2 wrote:
Maybe you don't need one. If the computer is reading the cards fast enough for you, then why would you need one? Reasons for using a card reader include not having a slot for your card on your computer, not having slots for all card formats you use, or wanting faster i/o than the computer's card slot can provide. My tower PC has no card slots, so I bought a reader that has six different slots for various card formats. I use two of them - CF and SD.
One more thought - some printers also have card slots, possibly eliminating the need for a reader.
Apr 15, 2017 06:51:28 #
Also you don'e need a card reader, you can plug the camera into the computer with cord that comes with camera, turn on photo program and download direct.
Apr 15, 2017 06:58:10 #
DWU2 wrote:
Maybe you don't need one. If the computer is reading the cards fast enough for you, then why would you need one? Reasons for using a card reader include not having a slot for your card on your computer, not having slots for all card formats you use, or wanting faster i/o than the computer's card slot can provide. My tower PC has no card slots, so I bought a reader that has six different slots for various card formats. I use two of them - CF and SD.
I simply use the cable. Why one more thing to break? Since I have both cards on my camera I bought a reader some time back and found it a pain in *ss. By the time you take the card(s) out plug them into the reader my photos are actively downloading if not done.
Apr 15, 2017 07:23:58 #
GeorgeinKC wrote:
OK...I'm fairly new to this stuff but for tranferring photos to my computer, why do I need a card reader? Right now I simply stick the card in the appropriate slot on the computer and download.
In this case you do not need a card reader. I do the same thing with my SD cards.
However, occasionally I still use a CF card, or a micro SD card, and my computer does not have a slot for those, so the 'external' card reader comes to the rescue.
Apr 15, 2017 08:08:17 #
John_F wrote:
Apple has discontinued SD card slots on their laptop lines.
Since when did this happen? I bought a MacBook Pro 2 months ago & it had a card reader. It doesn't have a dvd drive though. Upon looking on the Apple site the only MacBook that does not have a card reader is the MacBook 12". The MacBook Air & Pro models all have the sdxc card readers.
Apr 15, 2017 08:22:05 #
GeorgeinKC wrote:
OK...I'm fairly new to this stuff but for tranferring photos to my computer, why do I need a card reader? Right now I simply stick the card in the appropriate slot on the computer and download.
If you have a slot on your computer to transfer images to the computer from a card, that IS a card reader. The people who are buying card readers don't have one built-in. However, I have a card reader (purchased separately) that not only reads SD cards but also reads SDHC, Compact Flash, MS, XD M2 and TF sized cards. Others have different capabilities. Older computers that had built-in card reader may have readers that weren't advanced enough for current or future cameras. The ability to purchase them (extra) gives the consumer the ability to upgrade without buying a whole new computer. Also, some of the newer card readers take advantage of the additional speed of USB3 and some of the other high speed transfer inputs.
Apr 15, 2017 08:43:03 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
GeorgeinKC wrote:
OK...I'm fairly new to this stuff but for tranferring photos to my computer, why do I need a card reader? Right now I simply stick the card in the appropriate slot on the computer and download.
Not every computer has a card reader Nimno!
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