iPod 30GB / 60GB How easy and reliable for transfer and storage ?

The new iPod 30GB / 60GB with a 2.5" screen is now available. How easy and reliable is it for transfer and storage ?
I have read somewhere that it takes about 45 minutes to transfer from a 1GB chip to the iPod. Any iPod user please share your experiences. I want to transfer from my Canon 350 D to iPod. Thanks Darryl

Canon EOS 350D, EF S18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6, EF 55-200mm f / 4.5-5.6 USM, Speedlite 480EX

I have an iPod Photo 40Gb with Belkin card reader. Painfully slow (12-15 minutes to transfer 512Mb, ie USB1 speed)
I have 1000mAh NiMh's in the Belkin, so battery life on the Belkin is at least as 'long' as that of the iPod (maybe some 5 cards?). If you already have an iPod, it's okay, but I'm thinking about the Epson P2000 right now....

Suggest you take a laptop along instead. iPod is mainly good for displaying pictures but not as temporary storage.

Have to disagree, an iPod is waaay smaller, and good for storage. Drawbacks are speed and batterylife (both bordering on nonexistent) If you have the time & a charger, it'll be fine. Otherwise, get the Epson P2000. A laptop is fine when shooting tethered, but a hassle otherwise. YMMV

Thanks Rene, well if I was shooting the whole day and have time at night for transfers I figured i could do with an iPod as it is small and handy to carry around ,a laptop has it 's own advantages but an extra piece of equipment to carry.if it's just only storage my question is how easy is it to use/transfer. Darryl

This was discussed in another thread and instead of repeating myself here, I'll just point you to that thread instead. But the gist of what I posted there is that you really don't want to connect your camera to the iPod. If you use a supported USB card reader the transfer speed will be much more tolerable.

http://www.photography​-on-the.net …hp?t=98315&high​light=ipod

Thanks Leo,I read your link to the other thread. The Canon 350D which I am using as well as most new models all have USB 2.0, I have checked a 512 mb CF card takes approx 8mins to transfer on my G4 ( dual 1Ghz) from my card reader. Maybe someone with a camera ( output USB 2.0) and has transfered camera to iPod can tell us the time taken to transfer to the iPod.The real issue is not the time taken a few minutes extra will not make a major difference, but how easy and reliable is the transfer to iPod then back to computer. Darryl

I'm sure it's quite reliable; I haven't heard any problems from that. Possibly, considering it is a more iPod type question, you'll have more responses from
www.ilounge.com , on their forums.
Basically, in my mind, it comes down to this: An iPod is not the best option to go out and buy for storage, but if you already have an iPod, just buy the adapter; it'll work, but slowly.

Thanks Justin,I will be doing an actual check with one Apple dealer soon. Thanks Darryl

Can you transfer and later retreive RAW files to the i-Pod ?

Yes, but you cannot view RAW files on the screen.

Ok thanks

From what I've researched, the ipod usb camera connector works faster than the belkin adapters do. It's still pretty slow, but tolerable. The only real bummer I think is not being able to view raw files (although you can still import and store them). So an iPod will work, its just not as effecient as say an epson P-2000 and RAW files can't be viewed. Personally I plan on getting a usb connector when I purchase a new iPod.

So I can shoot JPeg files at the largest setting and view them right?

Actually, I think there is a image file-size limit too, I remember reading it somewhere.

I am leaning towards buying a CompactDrive PD70X for my storage, it's massively faster, cheaper and has far better battery life.