[jdg]

How do you transfer your files from your camera do you use the usb cable supplied or remove the memory card from the camera and use a card reader?

[Nudelbutt]

I use either. Using the card reader is quickest i think but one of my cards doesnt read right so i use my usb cable for that situation

[MoiVous]

If I'm on my main PC I use the USB cable - seems fast enough (and I shoot RAW), but if I've got my laptop awy from home I use its inbuilt card reader as the cable is permanently fixed to my PC). The laptop option is really to backup the images BTW.

Both work about the same, but SD cards, although well protected electrically these days, are still sensitive devices, so removing the card all the time may lead to a problem eventually. I have heard of mishandled SD cards that have scramble their data.....

[kurt]

I prefer to use the USB cable. It's easy to plug-in and fast enough.

[squarerigger]

I usually use a card reader.

[Mike Moffet]

I use a card reader. When I am home I transfer from the card to my desktop and when I am traveling I carry a card reader with my notebook and transfer daily to separate folders to the notebook. When I get home I transfer from the notebook to my desktop using my wireless connection.

Mike

[Wheatfield]

How do you transfer your files from your camera do you use the usb cable supplied or remove the memory card from the camera and use a card reader?

I use a card reader and import via Lightroom.

[tybeck]

I can never find my USB cable when I need it, so I use a card reader.

[Canada_Rockies]

I use the card reader. The USB cable uses battery power in the camera.

One of the posters mentioned that he/she was worried about the card going bad because it is taken on and off the camera too often. Any troubles that resulted from this was because the camera was powered up when the card was removed. Removing and reseating devices with electrical contacts is a standard procedure to keep the contacts clean.

[Kerrowdown]

I always take the card out and use a reader; I seem to remember reading some horrendous tale of woe that if the camera runs out of battery during transfer.....................................................

It also gives me the chance to rotate the usage of my memory cards and re format them (in the camera) before they go into battle again.

[Marc Sabatella]

One of the posters mentioned that he/she was worried about the card going bad because it is taken on and off the camera too often. Any troubles that resulted from this was because the camera was powered up when the card was removed. Removing and reseating devices with electrical contacts is a standard procedure to keep the contacts clean.

Good point. Also, it seems that if you're looking for things to worry about, I'd worry as much about constantly inserting an removing a USB cable. But that's not why I use a card reader - I do simply because it is easier, faster, and doesn't drain the batteries. Can't really see any advantage to using USB.

[Ron Boggs]

I'm weird and pull the card and plug it into a portable (battery and/or 110v) Burnaway unit to make a disc--CD for just a few shots, DVD for fuller card. Then use that disc to load images into one or more computers. That gives me a backup copy before bringing the computer(s) into the equation.

[rfortson]

Always a card reader. It's faster and more direct. Plus, I'm not stressing a (probably) small USB connector on my camera.

I've never used the USB cable since the card reader is just so easy/fast.

[sevenarrow]

I suppose my answer would be card reader but I've never owned an external card reader. All PCs sold nowadays come with built-in card readers. I just insert the SD card into the appropriate slot on the PC as if it was a floppy diskette.

[noblepa]

If you're not afraid of opening up your PC, you can add a built-in card reader for about $15. Just make sure that you get one capable of reading SDHC cards, or you will be limited to 2GB memory cards.

Paul Noble