SDXC dilemma/what supports it? (Page 2): If it's a relatively new iMac, there's an SD card reader on the right side just below the CD/DVD reader. Have you tried inserting the card...

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

If it's a relatively new iMac, there's an SD card reader on the right side just below the CD/DVD reader. Have you tried inserting the card directly into the iMac? (Just be sure NOT to put it in the wrong slot!)

dancing2flower Loc: MD>Crystal River, FL

jeryh wrote:

If you have the latest SDHC card, you will find that you need a new card reader; I had this same problem- I bought a new reader, and plugged it into my Mac- it worked !

Agreed in general. I am looking for one. Are you happy with yours? How fancy do they need to be these days?

dancing2flower Loc: MD>Crystal River, FL

RMM wrote:

If it's a relatively new iMac, there's an SD card reader on the right side just below the CD/DVD reader. Have you tried inserting the card directly into the iMac? (Just be sure NOT to put it in the wrong slot!)

No it is the older version. Is the new iMAC any faster than a card reader in reading?

dancing2flower Loc: MD>Crystal River, FL

amehta wrote:

An external hard drive (or 2, so you have a backup) is much cheaper than a separate laptop. You could also use USB memory sticks for backup, with a 64GB stick costing about $30-35 today.

What do you mean by "I keep my cards." and "Which source has the best longevity?" ?

Thank you for that information!
I save the memory cards; I have since the first I used. (I am a librarian. Can't help it!) But also because there has been so much talk about CDs DVDs going bad, computers crashing etc. So I am asking what is the longest lasting medium for saving?

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

dancing2flower wrote:

No it is the older version. Is the new iMAC any faster than a card reader in reading?

I don't use a card reader, so I can't answer that. However, since it's built-in, I'm guessing the answer to that is "Yes." I usually use a USB cable hookup to the camera. It's slow, but I'm not in that much of a hurry. When I occasionally use the built-in card reader on my iMac or laptop, it loads very fast.

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

You said "...(I miss the exact moments I press the shutter)"... I may be misunderstanding your question, but that sounds like shutter lag, not a card write or buffer problem. I shot sports for over a decade, and when I switched to digital the shutter lag was a distinct and definite problem, but I do not ever remember a card write or buffer speed problem.

If I did misunderstand, my apologies.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

amehta wrote:

If you find that the T3i is getting in the way, the 70D would be a good next step, skipping the T5i. This has excellent AF tracking to keep up with moving subjects. But if you haven't used the best possible technique with the T3i, the results won't be much better with the 70D, especially for action shots. But if you can get the full potential of the equipment, the dancers will love your photos. :-)

You didn't mention your budget if you decide to go this route, you may want to consider a refurbished 70D. Canon does the refurbishment & they do an EXCELLENT job (basically a total rebuild from the ground up with all the QC checks). Amazon has about 8 in stock at varying prices starting at $1029:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00DMS0GTC/ref=dp_olp_refurbished?ie=UTF8&condition=refurbished

Go with a seller that has a good rating (5 stars) like the first one listed.

dancing2flower Loc: MD>Crystal River, FL

RMM wrote:

I don't use a card reader, so I can't answer that. However, since it's built-in, I'm guessing the answer to that is "Yes." I usually use a USB cable hookup to the camera. It's slow, but I'm not in that much of a hurry. When I occasionally use the built-in card reader on my iMac or laptop, it loads very fast.

Sorry for delay--didn't see these last night.

I am glad to hear that the built-in is faster. Which model iMac? DO you use the iPhoto edit? My experience of camera loading via USB was slower than when I started using the reader, but the more on the card DID slow the transfer. Loading from the SDXC was super quick but it could have been the same thing--only a couple dozen on it to start.

dancing2flower Loc: MD>Crystal River, FL

dickwilber wrote:

You said "...(I miss the exact moments I press the shutter)"... I may be misunderstanding your question, but that sounds like shutter lag, not a card write or buffer problem. I shot sports for over a decade, and when I switched to digital the shutter lag was a distinct and definite problem, but I do not ever remember a card write or buffer speed problem.

If I did misunderstand, my apologies.

You could be right about the shutter? I started checking into that re t3i's, googling and reading the manual (but that wasn't as helpful as some tutorials I have found.) I will be experimenting with different settings, as it said various settings have different max speeds. Hard to "practice" as I have no practice venues with the strange lighting (darkened and/or florescent, "regular" and the occasional strobe/disco ball)(OMG!!) Thank you for support!

dancing2flower Loc: MD>Crystal River, FL

Photogdog wrote:

You didn't mention your budget if you decide to go... (show quote)

Sorry for delay in my reply--didn't see and busy

Budget is such for hobby (dedicated and serious) on retirement income. I would be able to consider the refurbished model--am gaining confidence little by little with it. The t3i is only mine since 12/12/12 and have not given it enough study/use yet to justify but will be doing a comparison of specs etc. VERY relieved to know Canon does the refurbishing. Big relief.
Thanks so much.
If I can conquer this problem I may be more apt to get a better zoom--the 200 or 300 for wildlife on the water and for the dance exhibitions.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

dancing2flower wrote:

Sorry for delay--didn't see these last night.

I am glad to hear that the built-in is faster. Which model iMac? DO you use the iPhoto edit? My experience of camera loading via USB was slower than when I started using the reader, but the more on the card DID slow the transfer. Loading from the SDXC was super quick but it could have been the same thing--only a couple dozen on it to start.

My iMac is a refurbished 21.5" mid-2011 model with 4 GB of RAM. I rarely use iPhoto, though I do use it to show some of my less experienced clients what they can do. I've been using Photoshop for well over 20 years, and while there's always more to learn, I'm more than comfortable with it. For me, iPhoto is very limiting. For organizing photos and getting started with basic editing (cropping, red-eye, tools that affect the entire image), iPhoto is fine. And it's great for putting together slideshow movies, complete with sound and control over transitions. I've been known to import a set of images just to take advantage of that feature, e.g., a video of my sister's exhibit at a museum.

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

dancing2flower wrote:

You could be right about the shutter? I started checking into that re t3i's, googling and reading the manual (but that wasn't as helpful as some tutorials I have found.) I will be experimenting with different settings, as it said various settings have different max speeds. Hard to "practice" as I have no practice venues with the strange lighting (darkened and/or florescent, "regular" and the occasional strobe/disco ball)(OMG!!) Thank you for support!

Your dancers are in motion so it could be shutter lag (I have no experience with your particular camera - today's DSLR's are much better than when I made the jump to digital), but it could be focus. If the dancers are moving faster than the auto focus can react, then it can prevent the shutter from releasing. Check your manual and settings, it's probably very easy to get around this.

blackest Loc: Ireland

dancing2flower wrote:

Thank you for that information!
I save the memory cards; I have since the first I used. (I am a librarian. Can't help it!) But also because there has been so much talk about CDs DVDs going bad, computers crashing etc. So I am asking what is the longest lasting medium for saving?

The other backup! seriously nothing lasts forever however you can usually lose one backup and replace it before the other one dies. Hard drives are expected to last for around 3 years but it could be 3 weeks or 3 months. CD / Dvd is pretty much pigment based in the old days it was burnt holes in gold leaf and even they failed. Sd cards are mostly stable unless they get yanked while writing but they fail. USB sticks fail too. So the only solution is an effective backup plan. At least 2 copies preferably in separate locations. The more you value something the more copies you should have.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

dancing2flower wrote:

Sorry for delay in my reply--didn't see and busy b... (show quote)

Sorry, I forgot to add this earler:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos7d/20

dancing2flower Loc: MD>Crystal River, FL

RMM wrote:

My iMac is a refurbished 21.5" mid-2011 model... (show quote)

Yes I am outgrowing iPhoto edit. And for the dance photos more specific edit is needed. Thanks for your input1 I appreciate it. It does do great slideshows! and the books feature is great too.