Need Faster Transfer from CF to PC

[dsze]

I'm looking for a faster way to transfer files to my PC.... like right now, I'm really just killing time...WAITING for the files to transfer. I shot some senior portraits this morning and would like to start working on them, but each 512 card is taking about 13 minutes to transfer. Anybody have recommendations for something faster and still affordable?

thanks,
daniel

[Primevci]

What are you useing now? jsut the camera? i got a card reader that is usb 2.0 and it seems to fly, also how fast are your memorey cards that could make allot of diffrence.. i have a lexar 80x 1gig and a lexar 45x 256 "i think"

[dsze]

...sorry, I forgot to tell you what I'm using currently :oops:

Its a Kodak USB 1.0 reader and I'm using Sandisk Ultra II cards.

To use a USB 2.0 reader, my computer has to have USB 2.0 ports, correct? What about a 1394 reader?

-daniel

[PacAce]

I'm looking for a faster way to transfer files to my PC.... like right now, I'm really just killing time...WAITING for the files to transfer. I shot some senior portraits this morning and would like to start working on them, but each 512 card is taking about 13 minutes to transfer. Anybody have recommendations for something faster and still affordable?

thanks,
daniel

Get a USB 2.0 or a Firewire card reader. That's the only way you can keep from turning into Rip Van Winkle while you're waiting for the images to download. :mrgreen:

[Primevci]

yea if your pc is fairly new it woudl probly have 2.0 "check your manual" 1394 im ntot sure abotu i have that also but never really used it as usb 2.0 stuff is cheaper iw oudl think and jsut a little bit slower "but faster on paper" also noty sure about your memorey i kinda stay away from sandisk

[dsze]

Any recommendations on a specific FW reader? I don't believe my PC supports USB 2.0, but I do have FW ports.

-daniel

[Adam Hicks]

If you just HAVE to transfer from the camera, you might consider a 20D.

Sorry! Had to do it... anyways I just bought the SanDisk USB2.0 reader for $19 or so and it screams. This is assuming you have a USB 2.0 capable machine. If not USB 2.0 PCI cards are cheap too.

Adam

[jalafer]

I have heard that the pcmcia adapter are faster than the usb2 reader.
Is that right ?

[izzypizzy]

Why bother with USB2.0? 1394/firewire is much quicker.. I have the Delkin firewire reader, it's great, super fast.

[defordphoto]

Why bother with USB2.0? 1394/firewire is much quicker.. I have the Delkin firewire reader, it's great, super fast.

Actually USB 2.0 and Firewire are nose-and-nose with Firewire being less reliant on your PC, so IMO, comes out the clear winner. Here is a short comparison:

USB 2.0
1.5 Mbit/s 12Mbit/s 480Mbit/s supported.
USB controller is required to control the bus and data transfer.
Cable up to 5 m.
Up to 127 devices supported.
Power supply to external devices is 500 mA/5V (max).
Full compatibility with USB 1.1 devices.

FireWire (IEEE1394)
100 Mbit/s 200Mbit/s 400Mbit/s supported.
Works without control, devices communicate peer-to-peer.
Cable up to 4.5 m.
Up to 63 devices supported.
Power supply to external devices is 1.25A/12V (max.).
The only computer bus used in digital video cameras.

For more, just Google: firewire vs usb 2.0 and you'll get droves of info.

[dsze]

Where did you buy your Delkin?

-daniel

[Hellashot]

Firewire is a hair slower than USB 2.0, but firewire came out just before USB 2.0 and got left in the dust because of it.

[MarkH]

I bought a USB 2 PCI card for less than $20, it might be worth looking into adding one to your system.

My USB2 Card reader will transfer all files from a 512MB card in under 3 minutes, I am happy with that performance.

With USB2 vs Firewire there is no diff, the card speed is the limit either way.

[Adam Hicks]

For the PCMCIA question earlier, the PCMCIA standard CF adaptors are SLOWWWWW. MUCH slower than the USB 2.0 units. Only if you get the 'cardbus' adaptor will you see decent speed. They're a bit more expensive than the PCMCIA adaptors but worth every penny in saved frustration!

Adam

[LarryB]

I bought a firewire reader (Sandisk I think...can't remember) and had to take it back because it would not read my Transcend CF cards.

I then bought a Sandisk USB2 reader (less money as well) and haven't had a bit of trouble with it reading ANY brand of card.

.....fwiw

[Sugrat]

There's a link to usb 2.0 pcmcia card for $20, i use it on my old laptop and it's pretty fast.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=723748&CatId=511

[jkis]

I don't know if your have a Desktop or Laptop computer, but if your work in a laptop I highly recommend a PCMCIA Adapter for CF for your Sandisk Ultra II, is faster than USB 2.0, and cost just $ 9.95 in B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=303357&is=REG

Some other PCMCIA adapter can't read the 1Gb+ CF.

I have Sandisk Adapter and work very fast with my Sandisk Ultra II 2GB

Sandisk has 2 PCMCIA adapters, but is the same product, just different labels (Sandisk & Sandisk Ultra).

[Jesper]

Firewire is a hair slower than USB 2.0, but firewire came out just before USB 2.0 and got left in the dust because of it.

The max. speed of firewire is 400 Mbit/s, and of USB 2.0 it is 480 Mbit/s. This is the theory, but in practice USB 2.0 is slower because the processor in the computer has to do more of the work. There's also a new version of Firewire that goes up to 800 Mbit/s, but there are not many devices that use this.

But this is all irrelevant for CF card readers - the speed is limited by the read speed of the memory card, not the interface. Even the fastest CF card is much slower than the speed of either the Firewire or USB 2.0 interface.

[izzypizzy]

hmm, my bad.. I had a usb2.0 reader, and it was slow for me, but the firewire one i got is super fast.. maybe my pc doesnt have usb2.0.. sorry=)

[photography By Evangelos]

I am using the card reader on my HP PC which is built in on the front of the pc is this faster than Fire wire?


Angelo

[Boosting1Bar]

Here's what you're looking for. Don't bother adding a USB 2.0 card to your computer unless you're planning on buying other USB2.0 hardware. I have 2.0 on my desktop and have a 7-in-1 reader there and a PCMCIA adapter in my laptop. Before I needed the ability to read only compact flash cards and had this firewire adapter and it was great. As mentioned here, in practice it usually worked a bit faster than the USB2.0 one due to reliance on the processor. I just gave it away last week or I'd offer it to you.

Sandisk firewire reader (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000077CEB/qid=1099833636/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl23/103-0986572-8097463?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846)

[Jesper]

I am using the card reader on my HP PC which is built in on the front of the pc is this faster than Fire wire?
Angelo

Check the manuals of your computer to see if it is an USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 interface. If you don't have the manuals, you can check it by timing how long it takes to copy a full CF card.

USB 1.1 is limited to about 1.5 MB/s. So copying a full 1 GB card takes more than 11 minutes.

If you can copy a full CF card in much less time than 11 minutes, it's most likely an USB 2.0 interface (assuming you're using a fast CF card).

Don't bother getting a Firewire reader if you already have USB 2.0. The speed is limited by the speed of the CF card, not the interface. Even the fastest CF cards are much slower than Firewire and USB 2.0.

[samdring]

Jesper

Agree entirely with both your posts on this issue but...

I have a couple of USB 2 readers and on the same card with same contents, one of them is quite a bit faster than the others.

If the card speed is the limiting factor....?

[Tomsk]

Jesper

Agree entirely with both your posts on this issue but...

I have a couple of USB 2 readers and on the same card with same contents, one of them is quite a bit faster than the others.

If the card speed is the limiting factor....?

I was just going to say that some USB2 card readers are better than others. Unfortunately with so many available there's really no way to be sure of the speed unless you pay extra and get a well known brand and then you have to dig up reviews.

[Adam Hicks]

If you're a little bit more of a nerd, under Windows you can check Device Manager under your USB ports. If it says 'Standard' or 'Universal' you have USB 1.1. Generally 2.0 ports will say 'Enhanced' somewhere in there.

Adam

[Sugrat]

If you're a little bit more of a nerd, under Windows you can check Device Manager under your USB ports. If it says 'Standard' or 'Universal' you have USB 1.1. Generally 2.0 ports will say 'Enhanced' somewhere in there.

Adam

Or plug in a 2.0 usb device, it will tell you that you are running at a slower speed :P

[dsze]

UPDATE: I bought & installed a USB 2.0 pci card for my desktop and plugged my card reader into it... I can now transfer a full 512 card of Raw files in about 2-3 minutes...compared to 13 minutes before!

I also went out of town on business Thurs & Friday and ended up buying a laptop, which has 3 USB 2.0 ports already, but now I have another question:

Is there any pcmcia adapter for CF cards that is even comparable to USB 2


-d

[Adam Hicks]

Be careful, the standard PCMCIA cards are VERY SLOW! You need to make sure it's listed as a cardbus adapter, or just bring your USB 2 reader with you.