Wireless/wi-fi SD cards - what's the best?

Tracy68 · 01-08-2016, 10:15 AM

I'd love to use a wi-fi SD card. All brands seem to have mixed reviews on Amazon (for what it's worth). I'd be interested in hearing what others use and rely on. Thanks!

**geomez** · 01-08-2016, 11:46 AM

I've owned two and had two die. One was the Pentax FLU card, the other was the Transcend wifi card.

chromo · 01-08-2016, 01:45 PM - **1 Like**

I use Toshiba FlashAir ... Awesome card

zvon · 01-08-2016, 02:09 PM

I use PQI Air Card adapter. I got it practically for free and use it for parties with friends where people want to upload pictures right away. App for phone is not so good (confusing to use) but you can always connect to it via browser.

**dtrego** · 01-08-2016, 04:44 PM

I have two Eye-Fi cards - an older 8gb X2 Pro and a not-quite-as-old 4gb Mobi, plus a Toshiba Flashair 16gb. Maybe I've been lucky, but all 3 have been rock solid. I like the behavior of the Eye-Fi cards better, once I got through the setup - they will push new jpg's from the camera to my phone anytime I start the app. The Flashair sends thumbnails and I then need to select them before they get transferred. I prefer to have them all pushed over to the phone while shooting so I can review them on the bigger screen. Disclaimer: I'm just a dad with a kid in high school band, and this makes it easier to show the pics to my wife. She can flip through pictures on the phone easier than she can navigate through the camera.

I was perfectly happy with my X2 Pro, but found the Mobi for $10 and got it for a backup. Then I found the Flashair on sale for $20 and couldn't resist.

Tracy68 · 01-09-2016, 11:47 AM

Do any of the wireless cards work to send pics directly to computer, rather than phone?
I picked up 2 eye-fi cards (not pro)today 16G each on clearance for $20 each. Thought that was pretty good...

Jcjacks · 01-10-2016, 01:41 AM

I've always used the eye-fi cards both the pro and mobi version. My preference is the mobi version. I shoot raw+jpg on my K5 with the jpg images set to low resolution of a couple of megabytes. I set up the card to only transfer the jpg images to my phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 4) where I can view them in the Mobi app.

I'm using the card for two purposes only. The first is when I am taking product shots at work and I want to review the composition on a slightly larger screen in real time. The second is when I am using my K5 and want to send a photo on social media or email to others. In this case I use Snapseed (a free app) to do any post processing on the jpg before it is uploaded.

That is the only two use cases I have for the wireless part of the card and find it works great.

Once I'm back at my computer I download the dng raw files the old fashioned way by plugging it directly into my computer so I can archive and post process using lightroom for any pictures I want to print.

This usage model works great for me, your mileage may vary. I do find I'm perfectly happy with the mobi version of the card (simplest to use and cheapest) and I also use only an 8 gigabyte card and take the photos off regularly. I then format the card in camera before I use it again. I've a couple of spare standard SD cards for when I need to shoot more images and I haven't time to get the photos off.

My two cents.

Tracy68 · 01-10-2016, 06:05 AM

Thanks jcjacks! I'm thinking of downloading the app to my Kindle Fire so I can see the pics bigger than on my iPhone and then put on FB if I want. I'll have to figure out how to only transfer the jpegs...

**dtrego** · 01-10-2016, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Tracy68

Do any of the wireless cards work to send pics directly to computer, rather than phone?
I picked up 2 eye-fi cards (not pro)today 16G each on clearance for $20 each. Thought that was pretty good...

Sounds like you got a good deal! I think I had my Eye-Fi transfer pics to the PC once or twice, but found it to be pretty slow when compared to using a card reader. I usually shoot RAW + JPEG, and the RAW files took *forever* (and that's with the relatively small RAW files from a K10d). Like Jcjacks, I have only the JPEG files sent to my phone. It's very convenient, since if I get a good pic of one of my kid's friends from the high school band, I can send it to the parents almost immediately.

Tracy68 · 01-10-2016, 08:09 AM

I did find the Mac download for my desktop, but I have an older OS that I can no longer upgrade. I've sent a request to Eye-fi asking about older versions (I have OS 10.6). I just did a quick transfer to my phone and then to Flickr - so it really is pretty convenient - especially being able to crop it in the app. I think I'll stick with eye-fi for now.

01-08-2016, 10:15 AM	#1
Tracy68 Closed Account Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Finger Lakes Region - NY Photos: Albums Posts: 32	Wireless/wi-fi SD cards - what's the best? I'd love to use a wi-fi SD card. All brands seem to have mixed reviews on Amazon (for what it's worth). I'd be interested in hearing what others use and rely on. Thanks!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
So who makes the "best" SD cards?	Qwntm	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	20	12-18-2015 09:28 AM
My Passport Wireless Wi-Fi Mobile Storage	paulromero	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	3	09-07-2014 08:34 PM
Anyone use the new Transcend wi-fi cards on k-01?	chiane	Pentax K-01	2	12-05-2012 05:26 PM
SD WI-FI Cards	rodneyr	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	4	07-17-2010 06:06 AM
SD Cards What's Your Total	daacon	Photographic Technique	38	02-24-2008 10:43 AM

01-08-2016, 11:46 AM	#2
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	I've owned two and had two die. One was the Pentax FLU card, the other was the Transcend wifi card.

01-08-2016, 01:45 PM - 1 Like	#3
chromo Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Coast NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 581	I use Toshiba FlashAir ... Awesome card

01-08-2016, 02:09 PM	#4
zvon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 143	I use PQI Air Card adapter. I got it practically for free and use it for parties with friends where people want to upload pictures right away. App for phone is not so good (confusing to use) but you can always connect to it via browser.

01-08-2016, 04:44 PM	#5
dtrego Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grove City, OH, USA Posts: 105	I have two Eye-Fi cards - an older 8gb X2 Pro and a not-quite-as-old 4gb Mobi, plus a Toshiba Flashair 16gb. Maybe I've been lucky, but all 3 have been rock solid. I like the behavior of the Eye-Fi cards better, once I got through the setup - they will push new jpg's from the camera to my phone anytime I start the app. The Flashair sends thumbnails and I then need to select them before they get transferred. I prefer to have them all pushed over to the phone while shooting so I can review them on the bigger screen. Disclaimer: I'm just a dad with a kid in high school band, and this makes it easier to show the pics to my wife. She can flip through pictures on the phone easier than she can navigate through the camera. I was perfectly happy with my X2 Pro, but found the Mobi for $10 and got it for a backup. Then I found the Flashair on sale for $20 and couldn't resist.

01-09-2016, 11:47 AM	#6
Tracy68 Closed Account Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Finger Lakes Region - NY Photos: Albums Posts: 32 Original Poster	Do any of the wireless cards work to send pics directly to computer, rather than phone? I picked up 2 eye-fi cards (not pro)today 16G each on clearance for $20 each. Thought that was pretty good...

01-10-2016, 01:41 AM	#7
Jcjacks New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 2	I've always used the eye-fi cards both the pro and mobi version. My preference is the mobi version. I shoot raw+jpg on my K5 with the jpg images set to low resolution of a couple of megabytes. I set up the card to only transfer the jpg images to my phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 4) where I can view them in the Mobi app. I'm using the card for two purposes only. The first is when I am taking product shots at work and I want to review the composition on a slightly larger screen in real time. The second is when I am using my K5 and want to send a photo on social media or email to others. In this case I use Snapseed (a free app) to do any post processing on the jpg before it is uploaded. That is the only two use cases I have for the wireless part of the card and find it works great. Once I'm back at my computer I download the dng raw files the old fashioned way by plugging it directly into my computer so I can archive and post process using lightroom for any pictures I want to print. This usage model works great for me, your mileage may vary. I do find I'm perfectly happy with the mobi version of the card (simplest to use and cheapest) and I also use only an 8 gigabyte card and take the photos off regularly. I then format the card in camera before I use it again. I've a couple of spare standard SD cards for when I need to shoot more images and I haven't time to get the photos off. My two cents.

01-10-2016, 06:05 AM	#8
Tracy68 Closed Account Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Finger Lakes Region - NY Photos: Albums Posts: 32 Original Poster	Thanks jcjacks! I'm thinking of downloading the app to my Kindle Fire so I can see the pics bigger than on my iPhone and then put on FB if I want. I'll have to figure out how to only transfer the jpegs...

01-10-2016, 06:57 AM	#9
dtrego Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grove City, OH, USA Posts: 105	Originally posted by Tracy68 Do any of the wireless cards work to send pics directly to computer, rather than phone? I picked up 2 eye-fi cards (not pro)today 16G each on clearance for $20 each. Thought that was pretty good... Sounds like you got a good deal! I think I had my Eye-Fi transfer pics to the PC once or twice, but found it to be pretty slow when compared to using a card reader. I usually shoot RAW + JPEG, and the RAW files took forever (and that's with the relatively small RAW files from a K10d). Like Jcjacks, I have only the JPEG files sent to my phone. It's very convenient, since if I get a good pic of one of my kid's friends from the high school band, I can send it to the parents almost immediately.

01-10-2016, 08:09 AM	#10
Tracy68 Closed Account Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Finger Lakes Region - NY Photos: Albums Posts: 32 Original Poster	I did find the Mac download for my desktop, but I have an older OS that I can no longer upgrade. I've sent a request to Eye-fi asking about older versions (I have OS 10.6). I just did a quick transfer to my phone and then to Flickr - so it really is pretty convenient - especially being able to crop it in the app. I think I'll stick with eye-fi for now.