Card reader recommendation (Page 2): The cable can be replaced easily, a damage card slot isn't. However, I doubt that the card slot would be damaged.

BebuLamar

Longshadow wrote:

You simply transfer the chance of damage to the cable.

The cable can be replaced easily, a damage card slot isn't. However, I doubt that the card slot would be damaged.

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Thank you all.

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

BebuLamar wrote:

The cable can be replaced easily, a damage card slot isn't. However, I doubt that the card slot would be damaged.

Ditto but yes, the card slot (in the camera) can be damaged...my Mate bought a new D500 earlier this year and the SD card slot in it has fouled up. The card just won't go in anymore...he bought an XQD card and can't use the SD slot anymore...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

SX2002 wrote:

Never had any problems for 20 years now...I've had a couple of card readers stuff up with bent pins, etc, when I had a camera with a CF card but never a cable.

I've never had any problems using the card reader, only for ten years though.

Just make sure the card is parallel , insert softly.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Longshadow wrote:

You simply transfer the chance of damage to the cable.

And the camera USB connector

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

TriX wrote:

And the camera USB connector

The connector is nowhere near as fragile as the card contacts in the camera and on the card proper...never ever have I heard of anyone sustaining damage to the camera cable socket...I haven't on any of my cameras over 20 years...as I said, I have had card reader damage on a couple of occasions (the other main reason I stopped using them)....I also had damage to my Konica-Minolta 5D when the internal pins were bent...it just seems so quick and easy to plug the camera in and bingo, everything is downloaded in a wink...
I never said there was anything wrong with using a card reader, I just said what me preferred method was.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

SX2002 wrote:

The connector is nowhere near as fragile as the ca... (show quote)

I have seen several USB mini and micro connectors fail. As a matter of fact, I just tossed a set of expensive Bluetooth headphones and a card reader because the mini/micro USB connector failed, in both cases with less than 100 insertions. It is certainly possible to bend CF pins - I have seen that happen also, BUT replacing the CF connector is a $200-250 repair since the CF connector can be replaced separately, but the USB connector is mounted on the main board, so if you break it or it becomes intermittent, then you get to change the main board if you want to use the USB connector - pick your poison.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

And the camera USB connector

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

vanderhala wrote:

My trusted Targus card reader (it reads SD, XD and CF) seems to have given up: the red light goes on as if it works but it is not recognized by the computer (MacBookPro laptop 17inch (Mac OS El Capitan, 10.11.6 (yes its old). My wife's newer mac desktop with built-in card reader has not problem with the card.
I am considering a newer camera as well (thinking about D7200). (Two card slots, and different cards).
Any recommendations for a card reader that is up to the tasks?

Pick your poison.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=photo+card+reader+for+SD%2C+XD+and+CF&ref=nb_sb_noss

ddetloff Loc: Fair Haven, MI

CO wrote:

I have this Lexar reader. It folds down into the outer shell to keep dust out of the slots.

I have used this card reader for a few years and I'm very pleased with it. The slots stay clean as you mentioned. Another great feature is how deep in the slot the pins for the CF card are. This ensures proper alignment of the card before contacting the pins. Card readers I had in the past didn't have a deep recess for the pins and it was vey easy to bend them.

Don

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I agree with Lexar reader

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

SX2002 wrote:

I never use a card reader, I can see no point..I just use the USB cable supplied with the camera for that purpose.
Also lessens the chance of any card/camera damage by continually puting the card/cards in and out all the time.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I found the reader should have a long track for the FD card to be sure you are lined up and don't bend the pins. Done that on 2 short cards. You not how long the camera track.

agillot

been using the INSIGNIA ns-dcr30d3k , nothing bad to say about it .work fine .not pricey .

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

vanderhala wrote:

My trusted Targus card reader (it reads SD, XD and CF) seems to have given up: the red light goes on as if it works but it is not recognized by the computer (MacBookPro laptop 17inch (Mac OS El Capitan, 10.11.6 (yes its old). My wife's newer mac desktop with built-in card reader has not problem with the card.
I am considering a newer camera as well (thinking about D7200). (Two card slots, and different cards).
Any recommendations for a card reader that is up to the tasks?

I have several of them, and occasionally, one will stop working. Right now, I have some Transcend and Kingston. They are the little ones, barely larger than an SD card. When one doesn't work, it will often come back to life later. Strange. When it's definitely dead, I buy another - not very expensive.

https://smile.amazon.com/Kingston-microSDHC-microSDXC-MobileLite-FCR-MLG4/dp/B00KX4TORI/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=kingston+card+reader&qid=1565278339&s=gateway&sr=8-5
https://smile.amazon.com/Transcend-Flash-Memory-Reader-TS-RDP5K/dp/B001NS828K/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=transcend+2.0+card+reader&qid=1565278414&s=gateway&sr=8-3
https://smile.amazon.com/Transcend-TS-RDF5K-microSDHC-Reader-Black/dp/B009D79VH4/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=transcend+3.0+card+reader&qid=1565278434&s=gateway&sr=8-4