Compact flash v USB transfer :- which connector has the longer life?

mipevo6

mipevo6

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Martin
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Folks,

I have a Canon 7D. It obviously uses compact flash.

I have 2 options to transfer my pictures

  • USB cable
  • USB Compact Flash Adaptor

Is it better long term to plug the USB cable into the camera? Or to remove the card and plug it into the Adaptor?

Not sure what the design cycle is for the 2 different connectors..

Anybody ?
 
I always remove the card and use a Sandisk reader - very quick and reliable. If ever it breaks - it'll cost me £15 for a new one.

Alternatively if you (although difficult) manage to damage the connection directly in the camera I suspect it'll cost more than £15 to repair?
 
Card reader every time via usb or firewire.;)
 
I always use the USB cable to connect the camera, Ok it is marginally slower than a reader if using faster CF cards, but bend a pin and the camera is useless, if the USB connection in the camera fails I still have a working camera until such time as a pin fails in it, so in theory should give it a longer lifespan.

I've used a cable on my 350D since 2006-late 2009 without problems and it's still working
 
I've been using CF cards for 15 years and I've never bent a pin. I have, however, snagged the USB cable that connected my camera to the PC and nearly sent the camera crashing to the floor.
 
I use a Lexar card reader, its fast and if I have a studio shoot means I can download whilst client is changing or whatever and just put a new card in the camera and carry on shooting. I only connect direct to camera when I have no other choice. I always feel that if I keep opening that rubber cover it could let loose and less waterproof :)
 
Have seen too many bent pins in cameras from people who cant seem to insert a small object into a perfectly-shaped hole (ooh err!!) but I've never seen a damaged USB port on a camera. I use USB from the camera, as it seems faster than my USB card reader (Belkin).
 
Thanks for the replies folks...

No real consensus I see...

Hmmmm
 
as long as you buy a card reader with guides (i had a jessops-not so well designed) you will not get a bend pin. unless of course you are very careless. i use a sandisk FW800 reader that has a deep slot for the CF card which means that unless you have got the angle right you wont be able to go very far.

it is highly improbable that you will wear out either of your options with everyday use.
 
Are you not taking it a bit too serious?
Is this why you buy things? To prove that you won't like the product?

This one does the job for me. It's faster that 3 other readers that I had before and it's cheap.
I can't see any reason for not recommending it.
Before buying it I did a research and at that time it was fast and faster than few other branded readers. Of course - it won't beat super hyper Lexar reader, but it will do the job.
On my PC, with my CF cards (SanDisk Extreme III 2nd edition) I get speeds from 23MB/s (towards the end of file transfer) to 40MB/s at the beginning (peak values).
I think it's decent?
I have spent the last 15 minutes looking for the test/comparison that made me buy it (mainly because you have asked for it in other thread) but I can't find the blooming thing - it was few months ago, maybe the test is not on-line any more.
Anyway!

Amazon peeps like it, maybe you will like it too :)
 
Last edited:
Sebastian said:
Are you not taking it a bit too serious?
Is this why you buy things? To prove that you won't like the product?
Click to expand...

No. I buy things because people tell me that they're good and I like to buy good things.

It's just that my experience with card readers is that people will buy a steaming pos and recommend it all over the place for some reason known only to themselves. If this reader is as good as you say then I'll be very happy. Otherwise I'll just send it back.
 
I hope that you will be happy with it, Frank.
Matt was looking for "fast reliable and affordable" and I think that this one ticks all 3 boxes.
 
I use a USB card reader, but I don't really have much choice as the USB connection on my 350D doesn't work.
I've used CF cards for about 8 years and have never, ever had a problem with damaged to a card or camera with them. I have however had 2 camera's in that time that have stopped connecting to the PC.
I think its just one of those things which has no right or wrong answer as both methods work as well as each other.
 
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