Card reader or DL from camera?
Discussion
Hi folks
Can someone tell me how much 'hammer' a memory card can take by being plugged in and out of a camera? The contacts seem quite small and I wonder if constant insertion and removal would eventually damage the card or the camera contacts?
Is it better to download direct from the camera or to remove the card and use a card reader?
Cheers
T.
Can someone tell me how much 'hammer' a memory card can take by being plugged in and out of a camera? The contacts seem quite small and I wonder if constant insertion and removal would eventually damage the card or the camera contacts?
Is it better to download direct from the camera or to remove the card and use a card reader?
Cheers
T.
I've not had experience of 
"total testing" myself. But given that pros give these things a good hammering all the time, they're surprisingly robust.
I try, no matter how quickly, to place the card into the camera sympathetically (CF) before a firm press.
For downloading I'm not too concerned about speed (although 800 on four cards on Saturday was relaxing!), and, unless this is critical to you (USB, USB2.0 v Firewire issues) I'd go for whichever is easiest. For me, I stick them in the camera and hook that up, rather than use the card reader that's in the front of my PC - just from habit. Make sure you've enough juice in the camera though - not much problem for a few minutes on a Nikon battery in good condition, but you don't really want it dying on you.
"total testing" myself. But given that pros give these things a good hammering all the time, they're surprisingly robust.I try, no matter how quickly, to place the card into the camera sympathetically (CF) before a firm press.
For downloading I'm not too concerned about speed (although 800 on four cards on Saturday was relaxing!), and, unless this is critical to you (USB, USB2.0 v Firewire issues) I'd go for whichever is easiest. For me, I stick them in the camera and hook that up, rather than use the card reader that's in the front of my PC - just from habit. Make sure you've enough juice in the camera though - not much problem for a few minutes on a Nikon battery in good condition, but you don't really want it dying on you.
beano500 said:
I've not had experience of "total testing" myself. But given that pros give these things a good hammering all the time, they're surprisingly robust.
What he said. "total testing" myself. But given that pros give these things a good hammering all the time, they're surprisingly robust.
I usually just plug the camera in and use that, unless I've got a few cards to empty - then I tend to use the card reader in my printer.
VxDuncan said:
...always format the card in the camera.
Very good tip to save all sorts of agony.
(Don't forget that recovery software often works well too. So even if you pop it back in and format, all may not be lost!)
Oh and, while on tips:
Whatever you do, make sure you do your backups AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESSING!Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff