Should I use a card reader? (Page 2): :sm24:...

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Tommy II wrote:

If your laptop has a port that accepts your SD card, that is a card reader. You are fortunate enough not to need an external card reader.

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

Deanie1113 wrote:

When traveling, I take my laptop, an external hard drive, and a few SD cards. At the end of a day of shooting, I insert the camera's SD card into the laptop and put the images onto a file in the external hard drive. I keep hearing about a card reader. What is the process for using one and do I really need to? Thank you for your insights!

When I travel I like to keep it light. I use a RavPower WD-03 which is a Swiss Army Knife for portable wireless device use. It is a router, access point, bridge, and big battery for self powered operation and/or phone charging. But the best part is that is has an SD card reader and USB 2.0 - you insert the card, attach a USB storage device, and initiate a file transfer from the card to the storage device using your smartphone. It is the cleanest, lightest most elegant solution - and it is scalable. If I anticipate a short trip, for redundant backup, I bring a pair of 256 gb memory sticks - for longer trips I have a pair of PNY 512 sticks. I have never even come close to filling my 256 gb sticks. You can always back up to a hard drive or SSD if you prefer.

Best $35 I've spent on computer gear ever. I think it is now up to $50 - and it's still a bargain.

I haven't taken my laptop and external drive(s) on a trip in 3 yrs.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If you are afraid that the computer's slot will stop working, bring a card reader. Otherwise, leave it home.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

rwilson1942 wrote:

What you are using is a card reader, it is just built into your laptop.
I don't think there is a need for an external card reader if you are happy with the one in you laptop.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

Longshadow wrote:

Hint: If you click "Quote Reply" we'll know to whom you are replying.

Longshadow wrote:

Hint: If you click "Quote Reply" we'll know to whom you are replying.

just curious... I still have the curiosity of a child.

I don't usually remove the memory from the camera... USB cable download directly to my computer (laptop or whatever)... and, then to the external drive or USB stick.

Dik

Dannj

A card reader is a device that plugs into your lap top using a USB port...same as if the laptop had a card slot.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

Dannj wrote:

A card reader is a device that plugs into your lap top using a USB port...same as if the laptop had a card slot.

Yup... but, I generally don't use the card reader built into my laptop. I usually connect the camera directly.

Dik

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Deanie1113 wrote:

When traveling, I take my laptop, an external hard drive, and a few SD cards. At the end of a day of shooting, I insert the camera's SD card into the laptop and put the images onto a file in the external hard drive. I keep hearing about a card reader. What is the process for using one and do I really need to? Thank you for your insights!

You already ARE using a card reader. It's just built into your laptop. If you also have a desktop computer, it may or may not have a card reader built in, too.

There are accessory card readers, for computers that don't have one built in. They attach via a USB or other type of port.

The recommendation to "use a card reader" includes any type of card reader, built in or plug in.

When people make the recommendation is to use a card reader, it's instead of using the USB cable that came with the camera and plugging that into the computer to download. There are various risks doing that. It's generally better/safer to use a card reader (either type).

agillot

i use the insigna ns-dcr30d3k , work great , inexpensive .

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Deanie1113 wrote:

When traveling, I take my laptop, an external hard drive, and a few SD cards. At the end of a day of shooting, I insert the camera's SD card into the laptop and put the images onto a file in the external hard drive. I keep hearing about a card reader. What is the process for using one and do I really need to? Thank you for your insights!

The slot in your laptop is a reader. The only advantage of buying a reader (too) is to simultaneously insert multiple cards.
Mark

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Deanie1113 wrote:

When traveling, I take my laptop, an external hard drive, and a few SD cards. At the end of a day of shooting, I insert the camera's SD card into the laptop and put the images onto a file in the external hard drive. I keep hearing about a card reader. What is the process for using one and do I really need to? Thank you for your insights!

Only a three reasons I can initially think of to get another card reader.

1 As a backup card reader should the one in your laptop ever give you problems.

2 If you have a two or more large memory cards and your laptop is slow reading. You could set things up to read both cards at the same time while you go to dinner.

3 To have it should you want to show the images on a friend's computer that doesn't have a built in card reader.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Dikdik wrote:

just curious... I still have the curiosity of a child.

I don't usually remove the memory from the camera... USB cable download directly to my computer (laptop or whatever)... and, then to the external drive or USB stick.

Dik

Polar opposite - I always remove the card and never use the cable.

Grammieb1 Loc: New Orleans

I use a card reader because the ones built into laptops don’t take CF cards which I still use. If you are using SD, almost anything takes those. Of course to get an SD card on my iPad I use USB_C to SD, a card reader and easier and faster than wireless. Bab

Anhanga Brasil Loc: Cabo Frio - Brazil

rwilson1942 wrote:

What you are using is a card reader, it is just built into your laptop.
I don't think there is a need for an external card reader if you are happy with the one in you laptop.

User ID

PaulR01 wrote:

My card reader reads almost 3 times faster than the SD card reader on my laptop. When shooting under a deadline for credentialed events. Time is essential.

Thaz sooprising. For me it's the opposite,
even tho the external is running USB 3.

.