New to Canon and Having Software Problems.

i use a macbook pro and have always used a card reader to transfer images. it's quicker because there are less steps and no programs to open. i had lion on it, but i fubar'd it and when i rebuilt i stuck with snow leopard until canon and lion will play nice together. but even then, i will still use the card reader for transferring images.

I've never had a mac so I can't comment on the compatability. I'll just take it that the knowledgeable users here have answered that question.
I have been using Canon's for over a year, since I got my T2i and have never connected any of my 3 bodies to the computer to download the images until 3 days ago, which was done to help a fellow forum user out with a problem he was having. Now that I've done so I'll be going straight back to my card reader to download my images. It's so much faster and easier to pop a card into a reader than lug the camera all over the place to link it up.

I can't remember exactly what I had to do, but older versions of Canon software does work with Lion. I'm using 2.8.1 EOS Utility and it runs well on my Lion Macbook Air. I think you just need to find a place to download the old version. But in reality you need to be using a cardreader anyways. Lot's easier.

If your Mac does nothave a built-in card reader, for $15 buy an ExpressCard SD adapter for your Mac, and you will not need any additional card reader.

Thank you for all of your suggestions and input. I did not realize that a card reader was a preferred option to the direct link from the camera to the USB port...I am obviously new to this.

The iMac does have a built-in card-reader which worked flawlessly this afternoon; I will buy an external reader for my Macbook and go that route instead of how I assumed it 'should be done' using the software.

Your assistance is a testament to the caliber of users on this forum and I will certainly spend more time here as I learn my newfound hobby of photography.

There was a thread a few weeks back about how to accomplish the transfer of images and I would say it was mixed at best. Many people expressed concerrns about "catching" the cable and pulling a camera onto the floor. Another concern was the camera battery dieing in the middle of a transfer. And with cameras that use CF (the T3i doesn't) there is a risk (although rare) of bending the pins.

The reality of the situation is either method works well but both have limitations. Some people have experienced issues when they have formatted the card in a reader; many of these issues involving computer literacy, in that the format (FAT16, FAT32, etc) does matter. It might even be worse with a MAC. If you transfer in the camera, then do a low level format, IMO opinion you are less likey to create issues.

Bottom line don't feel that a card reader is the preferred method, simply put it is an individual choice that should be based on how you use your camera.

John from PA wrote in post #13630865
...Some people have experienced issues when they have formatted the card in a reader; many of these issues involving computer literacy, in that the format (FAT16, FAT32, etc) does matter. It might even be worse with a MAC. If you transfer in the camera, then do a low level format, IMO opinion you are less likey to create issues...

I agree - format the card in camera instead of doing it by computer. That will eliminate any issues, since the camera will always format it using the proper file system. I transfer my images via the card reader, then immediately put the card back in the camera and format it - that way I'm good to go for the next shoot with a "clean" card.

cduke123,

A note of caution. I don't like the extra work I'm forced to do when I use my card reader. It has a different file naming structure to my USB direct upload and it takes me hours of work to rename every file so that it sits comfortably in my "RAW Filing cabinet".

I am comfortable with the time it takes to upload direct from camera. I iften leave it uploading and find something else to do while its working.

Gang, the problem that the OP is having is that the Canon software is not working with the latest (Lion) upgrade, so he needs to use a card reader!

tonylong, you are correct that the OP needs a reader now, but there isn't any reason not to educate the person that there are alternatives, some of which are preferred instead of this mindset that a reader is the universal way to do everything. In theory, once Canon gets an upgrade to the software, or if the OP finds the older useable version, then he can make an informed choice.

Lowner wrote in post #13632616
cduke123,

A note of caution. I don't like the extra work I'm forced to do when I use my card reader. It has a different file naming structure to my USB direct upload and it takes me hours of work to rename every file so that it sits comfortably in my "RAW Filing cabinet".

I am comfortable with the time it takes to upload direct from camera. I iften leave it uploading and find something else to do while its working.

Why not use EOS Utility with the card reader, to dynamically adjust the file names as you wish? No need to spend "hours" of work renaming files even with a card reader. Just use the EOS Utility

Lowner wrote in post #13632616
cduke123,

A note of caution. I don't like the extra work I'm forced to do when I use my card reader. It has a different file naming structure to my USB direct upload and it takes me hours of work to rename every file so that it sits comfortably in my "RAW Filing cabinet".

I am comfortable with the time it takes to upload direct from camera. I iften leave it uploading and find something else to do while its working.

This is my opinion also. I prefer to set up my file downloads to folders by body then by date. I also use continuous file numbering and 5 digit numbers (IMG_XXXXX). This helps prevent any filename conflicts. If I need to, at IMG_99999, I can also specify 6 digit filenames.

Tim S wrote in post #13635810
This is my opinion also. I prefer to set up my file downloads to folders by body then by date. I also use continuous file numbering and 5 digit numbers (IMG_XXXXX). This helps prevent any filename conflicts. If I need to, at IMG_99999, I can also specify 6 digit filenames.

I don't understand what your issue is. Use EOS Utility to do all of that with the card reader! It works exactly the same whether you have a direct cable connection to the camera, or a card reader. My point is that you DON'T lose any file naming functionality BECAUSE you may have to use a card reader.

Old Baldy,

Thats not my experience as I've said. The card reader introduced it's own agenda and completely ignored my carefully pre-set file numbering.

Lowner wrote in post #13637947
Old Baldy,

Thats not my experience as I've said. The card reader introduced it's own agenda and completely ignored my carefully pre-set file numbering.

You may have to cancel a default "Run program upon insert card" setting and start the EOS Utility program yourself, but once you start the EOS Utility program, it will do EXACTLY the same to your file naming setup during the import from the card as if you connected the camera via direct cable. You just have to run the program (or set it up to run automatically when inserting the card into the reader). Simple as that.