Memory card readers
Jul 17, 2016 14:11:22 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
charles dyxin wrote:
Is there any on line sight I can get info on memory card readers? Have old and new cards and I am looking for a reader, so not sure which reader is the best for me. I am trying to stay under $50 dollars. When I read reviews at sights some of the reviews are 5 star and an equal number are that the reader is the worst product in the world. Help.
Look up memory card readers on Amazon.com, B&H Video, Adorama websites.
All of them have buyer reviews and answered questions, that can likely prove most useful. I know on Amazon you can sort search results by the highest user rated.
In addition to the type of memory card you need to accommodate, you also may need to consider what connectivity your particular computer offers. Newer computers might have faster USB 3 capabilities. Older ones may be limited to USB 2... or use Firewire or eSata for faster connections. My laptop uses an ExpressCard for CompactFlash, that's considerably faster than USB 2. It also has a built-in for SD and some other types of memory. My desktop has a built-in reader that accommodates most types of memory (I've used it with SD and CF)... no idea what brand, but it's faster than USB 2, so must use the Sata connectivity of the motherboard. In the past I've used various external card readers with different types of connectivity... I know one was Sandisk brand, can't recall the others. Not that it matters much, since a lot of the "name brands" are probably just relabeled, actually made by someone else.
Wikipedia and other sites have a lot of detailed descriptions of the various types of memory and computer connectivity.
Tom's Hardware and CNet are a couple sites that have extensive tests and reviews of anything and everything computer-related.
Once you narrow it down to the type of connectivity you can use and read some reviews/Q&A to identify one or a few readers that sound good, do a Google search for the specific item(s) and you'll very likely find more sites that have in-depth reviews.
Any card reader you get might be limited in performance by your memory cards. Cards are sold with different download (read) speeds... Typically slower ones are cheaper. There also are different memory card technologies, depending upon how old your cards. For example, UDMA or Ultra Dynamic Memory Access cards might call for an UDMA capable reader, for best performance. Among CompactFlash cards, UDMA "7" is the most recent type... backward compatible, but will only write and read at peak performance when used with UDMA 7 compatible devices (both camera and card reader, in this case).
Jul 17, 2016 19:02:37 #
Peterff wrote:
I think JAVA is unlikely, but this may be of inter... (show quote)
Interesting, I would think that when you load Firmware, like i do with my D800, you have to have a loader that will connect to the camera and also initiate the boot loader process for the firmware. Not usually a thin you would run into in a memory card access. I have been through the firmware install process. It is not a simple, click on the link in an EMAIL and get a virus.
Jul 18, 2016 00:58:10 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
Charles, I would consider the Lexar Professional USB 3.0. That is what I use. Great reader. Good luck whatever you decide.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141181-REG/lexar_lrw400crbna_professional_usb_3_0_dual.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141181-REG/lexar_lrw400crbna_professional_usb_3_0_dual.html
Another vote for Lexar. Very good USB 3.0 reader that reads both SD and CF cards. Also very portable so easy to carry with you for use on a lap top.
Jul 18, 2016 01:01:33 #
Chicopee wrote:
My computer will only read 2.0.....so the 3.0 probably won't work. Many that you purchase today are the 3.0.
Yes it will work but you only get 2.0 speed.
Jul 18, 2016 11:19:58 #
thats a great looking card reader .... heres mine ...matches my Nikon Edition MacBook Pro ..has been working strong for years ... sorry .., couldn't resist showing it off ..
Jul 18, 2016 12:27:44 #
I have been using a Lexar USB 3.0 for several years now without any problems. The cost was about $30.00.
Aug 4, 2016 21:57:30 #
fdoyle3
Loc: Glenolden Pa.
I have been having trouble with the pins getting bent and becomiing worthless what is a good reader that won't bend the pins cf cards I have two disabled readers already?
Aug 4, 2016 23:08:20 #
fdoyle3 wrote:
I have been having trouble with the pins getting bent and becomiing worthless what is a good reader that won't bend the pins cf cards I have two disabled readers already?
I have had great luck with Lexar products over many years. These are the ONLY cards and/or readers that I use. Best of luck
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