File transfer: USB cable or SD card reader?

I normally copy my image files from camera (K-x) to computer by connecting them with an appropriate USB cable and dragging from the camera's DCIM folder to a suitable one in Drive C:. I now have three cameras, each with a different sized micro-USB connector, and in some cases the camera socket is under an awkward little cover that seems too flimsy to last long before breaking at the hinge. There are now very cheap SD card readers that plug into a computer's USB socket and I am wondering whether to use that route instead of the cables.

A couple of years ago there seemed to be a consensus of opinion here that it was a bad idea regularly to remove the SD card from camera, put it into a reader, and then replace it in the camera (see, for instance: "Pentax K-3 USB Connection ?" in 2013, Digital SRLs Forum.)

Now several members seem more inclined to put the SD card into a reader - especially as some recent Pentax models are sold without the necessary cable (see: "Best way to get photos from camera to PC?" in this forum, last November.)

What do most of you do these days?

Martin

Card reader every time, always has been, and it doesn't cause any problems with cards. It is so much easier, especially when multiple cards have been filled, for example on a week's holiday where we would use a card a day.

This is one of the fastest readers you can buy. (£9.29 post free) Up to 90MB/s on USB 3.0 (slower on USB2) plus the card goes in facing upwards I have another reader which is nearly as fast, but it's a pain having to remember to turn the card upside down every time I use it so I now just use the Transcend.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231269224256?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=S...

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Card reader every time.
Plus, you can reformat the card in the camera every time (saves any potential problems there).

Geoff

The only potential drawback to regular card removal is any physical pressure on the casing, or twisting causing it to open or split .... but careful handling (just like we always used to do with film loading and removal) will prevent any issues. I've been using the same 3 cards for the last 4 years and haven't lost a single image in that time ( yet!).

Remember to be sure no data transfer is occurring before moving the card ... Our cameras all have little orange lights I think to show when it ps happening, and on a PC there is the 'remove device' icon on the notification area of the taskbar ...click on the green tick and wait to be told that all is well and you can remove the card.

In my day job my employers won't buy a card reader and the usb slot on the camera is nearly at the end of its life, its splitting and cracking, not long before it falls apart.

I would always use a card reader and this is the best of the lot.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Technology-MobileLite-Multi-Reader/dp/B00KX4TOR...

It reads the new UHS-2 cards unto 280 m/bs which is fast and is made from aluminium too so it could be the last reader you buy.

Is there not an SD card reader built into the computer? That is what I have always used for several years now, in several different Windows computers.

Cheers.
Philip

Wont be as fast as the reader I linked too though

I don't mind a short wait!

Cheers.
Philip

I too use the one in the computer but I hate taking the card out of the camera because either your forefinger or thumb is right up against the back of the little door on a K5 and you risk damaging something every time because the card is held in there quite tightly.

Unless that in built card reader is linked to a USB 3.0 port internally...

Many thanks for the link - but I've ordered one for £5.99 (post free) from here :-

http://www.expansys.com/transcend-card-reader-usb-30-sdhc-sdxc-microsdhc-microsd...

Peter

I did notice after posting that other suppliers are cheaper. For some reason the White ones have always been dearer than the Black ones. I prefer White.... easier to see and read.

The one Cabstar posted is interesting, but looks quite wide and would probably block any adjacent USB socket(s).

Edit: Expansys have the Black for £3.47

http://www.expansys.com/integral-card-reader-usb-3-0-sdhc-sdxc-microsdhc-microsd...

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A plug-in USB card reader is the simplest solution (I use one with my Android tablet), but I installed an Akasa reader on my main PC a few years ago and it's worked flawlessly ever since. Most of the Akasa readers have several slots fot different formats of card and include a USB socket. They cost about £14, which seems reasonable. Don't think I've ever hooked a camera up to a computer. Clearly this solution isn't available to laptop users, and this seems to be most people these days.

Just ordered a Kingston MobileLite G4 USB 3.0 Card Reader from ebay to see how it compares to the Transcend RDF5 although I don't think I have any cards faster than 95 MB/s Read.

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