File Transfer and Memory questions

Hey everyone,

So if a camera like a 1DMkIIn states that it is USB 1.0 then does that mean that I can use a USB 2.0 card reader as well? It shouldn't matter as long as I am using a standard CF card correct?

Further, I have read that the MK2N has compatibility issues with Vista and only works with XP and before. So I shouldn't have any issues with image transfers if I use a card reader correct?

Thanks.

go forth and transfer with confidence...

Card readers are "Plug And Play" devices and need no special software/drivers. But I would definitely advise you to get the best/fastest card reader you can (and high quality cards). Do a 500 image shoot on one card and you will have a huge difference in download times between USB 1 and USB 2 and even more with say Firewire 800.

I would think you'd be hard pressed to find a USB 1.0 card reader for sale anymore.

ChasP505 wrote in post #10778781
I would think you'd be hard pressed to find a USB 1.0 card reader for sale anymore.

Hey, I could mail you one for cheap!

Cool, thanks everyone. I just went ahead and bought one of those 17 in 1 readers that are USB 2.0 so that I will not have to worry about transferring off the camera itself ever.

ajaffe wrote in post #10774444
So if a camera like a 1DMkIIn states that it is USB 1.0 then does that mean that I can use a USB 2.0 card reader as well?

Not sure I see the relevance of the question, since the card reader won't ever be connected to the camera anyhow

USB2 card reader will be fine (and way faster then transfer from camera to computer)

René Damkot wrote in post #10780781
Not sure I see the relevance of the question, since the card reader won't ever be connected to the camera anyhow

USB2 card reader will be fine (and way faster then transfer from camera to computer)

I think I was mixing two concerns into one regarding memory card compatibility. I don't know though, sometimes I brain fart and post on the internets.

ajaffe wrote in post #10780861
I think I was mixing two concerns into one regarding memory card compatibility. I don't know though, sometimes I brain fart and post on the internets.

Yeah, it happens!

Memory cards have their own internal speed and so "don't care" about things like USB. A fast card will be "happier" with a fast card reader, though, so USB 2 at the minimum. Newer cameras are now USB2 devices, but of course even better is the newer Firewire 800! The older Firewire 400 is about on a par with USB 2 if the USB 2 port/bus is working at full speed...

ajaffe wrote in post #10780861
sometimes I brain fart and post on the internets.

Love this quote

ajaffe wrote in post #10774444
Further, I have read that the MK2N has compatibility issues with Vista and only works with XP and before.

That's not entirely true. There is one issue, the MkII uses Firewire for connecting to EOS utility (used for tethering and to change the user settings in the camera), it cannot make a connection over USB. The problem with that is, Canon do not make 64bit Firewire drivers (they don't make 64bit anything because they like living in the 90s).
That's only an issue if you use a 64bit operating system (XP included).

This doesn't affect USB in any way and the MkII will happily transfer images over USB on Windows 7 64bit and everything below just not very quickly so a card reader is the best and easiest method.

If you do need to use EOS utility over Firewire and have no access to a 32bit operating system then you should be able use Microsoft's Virtual PC (free excluding 32bit OS disk) to install a 32bit OS and run it under Vista. Windows 7 Ultimate has XP mode which will emulate a 32bit XP machine natively to do the same thing.