Card Reader or Cable Connector for down loading images - which is better: G'day UHH Mates, Just wondering what is your opinion on down loading photos taken. Is it better to use a card...

Aaron Braganza Loc: Sydney, Australia

G'day UHH Mates,
Just wondering what is your opinion on down loading photos taken. Is it better to use a card reader or the normal cable connector that comes with every camera.

I use a Nikon D7000 and am wondering whether removing the card frequently from the camera body can cause harm to the camera body in any way.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I use a Lexar reader but can't really give you any valid reasons only that I've always used one.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

I use readers for both SD and CF cards and always have - primarily because of the rat's nest of unidentified cords that I'd have to go through to find the right one.

The pin arrangement on a CF card does present some danger of damaging your camera and spending $$ to get the pins realigned. I'm careful not to do that.

The connector arrangement on an SD card likely benefits from the wiping action of taking it in and out of your camera and reader.

I suspect that a reader results in a faster transfer, but have never taken the time to test whether that suspicion is accurate.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

I never remove the card(s); do all my downloads from cable. It also allows my to delete the card images using pp software, again without removing the card. Unaware of any issues w/frequent card removal; others might chime in though. Have used same cards for 2 years without issues.

EricLPT Loc: Jonesborough TN

I use a card reader exclusively to download photos to my computer. The only time I use the cables for my cameras is when I'm on vacation and I want to see the photos on the big screen TV in the room and run a slideshow from my camera. It helps me edit out the bad ones too, seeing them on the big screen.

Eric

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

with a card reader unless you go thru camera first n delete photos all you have taken will be transfered , as to cable you can delete as you go ( both will take time to delete no matter how you look at it ) I have 2 card readers 1 at home, and 1 i keep in camera bag in case i am using my laptop away or dl photos to someone elses computer, its all 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

dooragdragon wrote:

with a card reader unless you go thru camera first n delete photos all you have taken will be transfered , as to cable you can delete as you go ( both will take time to delete no matter how you look at it ) I have 2 card readers 1 at home, and 1 i keep in camera bag in case i am using my laptop away or dl photos to someone elses computer, its all 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other

I use a card reader almost exclusively because I was told that if your batteries fail during download it can corrupt the card. It also makes it unnecessary for me to recharge my batteries as often.

Larry

ioptfm Loc: Isle of Palms, SC

Probably six of one or half dozen of the other.....Which ever is easiest for you

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

the d3100 uses a lithum batt pack EN-EL 14 which last a long time taking photos and dling to puter and i have extras lol

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

dooragdragon wrote:

with a card reader unless you go thru camera first n delete photos all you have taken will be transfered , as to cable you can delete as you go ( both will take time to delete no matter how you look at it ) I have 2 card readers 1 at home, and 1 i keep in camera bag in case i am using my laptop away or dl photos to someone elses computer, its all 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other

????? You can quite easily delete using a card reader. Your card looks just like any other folder on your computer, and you can selectively delete or selectively transfer.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

lol i guess i got a el cheapo card reader then lol

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Aaron Braganza wrote:

G'day UHH Mates,
Just wondering what is your opinion on down loading photos taken. Is it better to use a card reader or the normal cable connector that comes with every camera.

I use a Nikon D7000 and am wondering whether removing the card frequently from the camera body can cause harm to the camera body in any way.

I always use a card reader. I realize it might seem more dangerous to insert and remove the card from your camera, but I think the risk of connecting and disconnecting a micro USB cable is even higher.

ragdoll8267 Loc: Central New York State

mdorn wrote:

quote=Aaron Braganza G'day UHH Mates, br Just won... (show quote)

I too have always used a card reader but your reply got me to thinking...Is it possible for a camera to get a virus?

lorenww Loc: St. Petersburg

From my experience, cards can take quite a beating before buying the farm.
I use the card reader for two reasons,
1) faster (I don't have to find the cable) and I feel more in control.
2) Last time I used the cable, forgot to turn off camera due to checking out the photos. Next day had a dead battery so I left the camera home and missed many once in a lifetime shots in a place that I sometimes barely get a click off.

In short it's called a card because it is meant to be transferred between devices and that's what they are made for. They are tough and are meant for cardreaders.

@ragdoll, You can't give your camera a virus, you can however give it a bad/formatted card that it will not read.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Aaron Braganza wrote:

G'day UHH Mates,
Just wondering what is your opinion on down loading photos taken. Is it better to use a card reader or the normal cable connector that comes with every camera.

I use a Nikon D7000 and am wondering whether removing the card frequently from the camera body can cause harm to the camera body in any way.

I usually let my Eye-Fi cards do the uploading, but if not, then I stick the SD card into the computer. I like as little wear and tear on moving parts as possible.