I'm not so sure now. The advertising blurb suggested it copy copy from SD to HDD automatically but reading the manual it seems like you need a WiFi connected device to initiate the copy via browser or app...

I see Western Digital has launched an even better solution with it's new Passport devices having an SD card slot allowing instant backup to a hard drive without the need for any other device. http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1330

It's also wireless for viewing via smartphone, tablet or laptop if you want. Renders my Verbatim device redundant.

As I said I did quite a bit of research before plumping for this solution. The alternative solutions were either very expensive (like the Epson P-3000) or they required me to bring my laptop.

This solution uses the Verbatim Android app which runs on my both my phone or my tablet and I'd always have one of these with me. There's also and iOS app for Apple iphones, etc.

It supports USB 2 and 3 and certainly my WD Passport drives are USB 3 and the transfer speeds from the SD card to that are very impressive. I've found it a very usable facility in the field.

It needs the app to select the files on the SD card and then initiate the transfer. In that respect I'm just suing the app as a File Explorer. The app connects to the MediaShare by WiFi.

There are a number of other companies that make them and cheaper but as I said the reviews for the Verbatim h/w and the app itself in my view were superior.

The MediaShare and the 1TB drive and the USB 3 cable all fit in this which makes it a very easily portable solution - especially if I'm already carrying my phone.

The WD Passport Drive also comes with Cloud backup which means I could also backup to that as well where connections / wifi allowed but I haven't tried this yet...

Apologies if these are common knowledge and many are already using them but I've just discovered them, bought one and find it's the bees knees!

I've always wanted a way to backup my SD cards when away on holiday but I'm not one for lugging my laptop around with me.

I've always had a number of portable USB hard drives (I currently use Western Digital My Passport Ultras - I've a few in 1TB and 2TB size) but other than bringing my laptop I've never satisfactorily found a way to get the pics off the SD card to the USB drive. I did try transferring files via my Nexus 7 tablet but it was painfully slow,

Then I recently discovered this device; http://www.verbatim.com/prod/accessories/wireless-streaming/mediashare-wireless/

With that I can plug the SD card and the USB drive into the diveice at the same time and then transfer the files from one to the other - very quickly. The app that comes with device runs on my phone (and the tablet) and makes it very simple to move the files around (even view the files if they're jpegs - haven't found a way to view PEF RAW yet).

The Verbatim device is marketed as a media sharing / streaming device but I've found it very useful for backup up. Others make similar devices (and cheaper) but my research found the best reviews for this one.

I found this online; Pentax Winder MX Manual.

In there it says;

------------------------
Note:
If the winder is activated off-camera then it will wind continuously until it is turned off. Fitting it in to a camera will cause it to reset to its proper starting position.
------------------------

I no longer have a camera to fit my ME II Winder to. Can anyone else who has one (and a camera to fit it to) confirm if this note applies to both the Winder MX and the Winder ME II please?

If this is true then I guess my ME II winder is working as it should?

Malcolm

The latest version is v9 and the compatible equipment is listed here (k-3 is supported). Could find anything lists the older versions compatibility though.

I've dug out and old ME II winder I had. It all looks perfect - remembered to take out the batteries all those years ago! When I stuck some new batteries in it seems to work but only continuously - when either C or S are selected and both off and on camera.

I spotted a couple of other threads on here with the same problem and the suggested solutions were - clean the contacts. I've done that with no effect. I opened it up - pretty simple inside - but unfortunately i couldn't find anything untoward. Anything else I could try?

I have a number of different Pentax items for auction on eBay just now. All of them started at £0.99 and have no reserve.

K20D body

K100D body

Super A body

DA 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 AF AL Lens

DA 50-200 mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens

A 50mm f1.7 lens

D-BG2 battery grip

4P Sync Cord B

Sigma 70-210 mm f/4.5

Any interest in this flash on here before I stick it up on eBay?

I'm not really sure what to ask for it - recent ones on eBay have gone for as little as £60 or as much as £120... It comes with the SCA371 adapter for Pentax cameras. I haven't used this recently but I do recall it working with my K100D and older cameras.

The gun is in very good order. Everything in the kit is present and it comes with the external rechargeable battery pack. That's the only part that's showing any sign of wear - it's still looks okay but i think the plastic cover is getting a bit brittle with age - it works perfectly though and charges the gun from start in around 15s.

I don't have the original manual but i do have a copy of one downloaded from the Metz website.

Give me a shout or offer if you're interested please?

Thanks folks I'll remember to do that the next time. I've done that before with memory sticks but for some reason never thought to do this with my camera.