ricosha Loc: Phoenix, Arizona

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

As others have said, it doesn't matter which method you use. What does matter is how you handle the card or plug. Do not force it ever. I have been removing the card and plugging it into a reader since 2002 and have never had a problem, and I am partially tetraplegic.

11bravo

I always use the remove card/card reader method:

1. Can use TeraCopy to copy the photos so the copies will be verified via checksums. Can also see the progress and any errors that occurred. Teracopy is freeware for both Windows and Mac. (Maybe things have changed - it's been a LONG time since I used a cable, but for some reason, Teracopy would not be an option when dragging/dropping from camera to computer. YMMV)

2. Depending on the camera's port, usually it's a micro usb, so don't have to worry about damaging any contacts if I try to insert a cable the wrong way.

I usually have a couple of cards to load (myself and travel partner) so it's just easier to take the cards out at the same time I'm removing the cameras' batteries to charge them (same doors).

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

It has snapbridge which has its own set of problems. I might explore that at a later time. thanks for replying.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

It is USUALLY best to remove the memory card from the camera and use a card reader to download it. Card reader can be built into some computers... other times it might be an accessory.

If your camera uses SD memory cards or some of the newer types such as CFExpress, etc., it is BEST to remove the card from the camera and download via a card reader. This type of card uses contacts that are durable and not prone to wear. Older CompactFlash cards and some more obscure, ancient types used tiny "pins " (40 of them, in the case of CompactFlash). That type of memory card and the sockets in the camera could be damaged if a card wasn't inserted properly. It was pretty hard to do, but possible. To be fair, I used CompactFlash a lot... I'd guess more than one hundred different cards over the years... and never damaged one, in spite of doing a dozen or more fast card changes some days. I have never "worn out" a memory card or camera's card socket or done damage to the door covering the memory card (knock on wood!) I MIGHT use the cable tether to download image from a camera, if I were concerned the CompactFlash cards and socket were at risk. I also might use it if I only needed to download a few images from a single card, but that's rarely the case for me.

But with all other modern types of memory and in most cases, there are several reasons it's almost always much better to remove the memory from the camera and use a card reader.

1. It's safer for your images. When you use the cable tether method, where the camera itself is essentially acting as a card reader, the camera must remain powered up and be undisturbed. If the power runs down or you bump the camera during the data transfer, there's serious risk of corrupting your images. Card readers require no power (are powered by the compute itself) and can simply work in the background while you do other things on your computer.

2. The USB socket on the camera that's usually used for tethered downloads is more fragile and prone to damage than most types of memory card sockets. In addition, the USB socket in most cases is part of the main integrated circuit board of the camera, which would be expensive to replace if the USB socket were damaged. There would be a high price for the part itself, plus a lot of labor necessary to tear down the camera and replace it. In contrast, the memory card socket(s) are usually a separate module connected to the main board, less expensive and more easily replaced... should that ever be necessary.

3. If you shoot in volume and use multiple memory cards, it would make no sense to put the card back into the camera to download it. That just means yet another card swap, on top of the swaps you've already done. Why not just use a card reader? Multiply by however many cards you might use in a shoot. (Personally I sometimes fill 6, 8, 10 or more cards... but I make a point of not using huge cards to avoid "putting all my eggs in one basket". I use cards sized to accommodate between 250 and 500 images in my cameras.)

4. It can often be faster to download via a card reader. It depends upon the connectivity of your camera versus the type and connectivity of the card reader and your computer. If your camera has USB3, it may be pretty darned fast downloading. But if it's USB2 in the camera... and if your card reader/computer connects via USB3, internal connectivity, or several other high data transfer methods... the card reader method can be considerably faster than using the tethered download method.

5. Today another option is wireless downloading. This isn't practical with most WiFi... but more advanced Wireless File Transmitters with greater range and wireless network speeds and capacity can be viable.

Whatever method you use, always COPY images from your card to your computer. Never MOVE them! Moving removes the image from the card at the same time it's writing it to your computer. By instead copying it, you will still have the original image on the memory card in case something happens and the transfer gets messed up. I'd recommend keeping the image on the memory card until you have confirmed a successful transfer and backed it up safely. Only then, format the memory card in camera to prep it for new use. (This also encourages frequent in-camera formatting, which is a good thing.... However, when I'm working with multiple cards... which is often the case... I don't take the time or go to the trouble of reinserting each card and formatting it after the download. I just leave the old images on the card until the next time I swap that it into the camera, which I've got set up so that formatting only takes a few seconds.)

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

That, certainly, is not going to work for me.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

If I use the cable connection I use Nikon's Image Capture software to get the images in my computer. If I plug the SD card into my laptop, I can transfer them easily with my existing MAC software through the Finder.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

[quote=amfoto1
Whatever method you use, always COPY images from your card to your computer. Never MOVE them! Moving removes the image from the card at the same time it's writing it to your computer. By instead copying it, you will still have the original image on the memory card in case something happens and the transfer gets messed up. I'd recommend keeping the image on the memory card until you have confirmed a successful transfer and backed it up safely. Only then, format the memory card in camera to prep it for new use. [/quote]

Thanks for your reply. I have done this since day one and was thankful I did once, saving an image I screwed up after transferring to the computer. If I had move those images I would have lost it.

11bravo

And it's why I continuously mention Teracopy (freeware, windows and Mac). It does a checksum on each file copied/moved (turn verify on) and shows you exactly what it's done. Having been once burnt 15 years ago, I've used it ever since.

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

My own experience is that there is no problem here. I've had a D3100 for about six years now and always use the card to transfer pics to my computer. I've probably done it a thousand times. Not only that, but I've been using the same card (a PNY 8 gig) the whole time and the only damage to it is I've worn away part of the logo with all that handling.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

A big thank you to all who answered. I have uploaded a few pics recently by cable. I think I will use that method for small to medium batches. I just, for some strange reason, have trouble opening that door to the cards (D500 has two) so the cable method will work. The USB port is ver.3 so speed isn't a factor. Again, thanks for all the help.