Eye-Fi Cards

CrazeUK

CrazeUK

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CrazeUK
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Hey guys,
Has anyone used Eye-fi Cards?

For people that don't know, this card is an SD card which allows instant uploads of photo and video to your wifi networked devices (i,e, tabs, ipads, pc's).

Apparently they are a max of class 6 card. And can delete the imaged of the built in memory once safely uploaded to the said device.

Are they any good?
I was thinking of getting one for my D7000, which has the dual memory card slot.
 
I've got one for my 1-series. The wifi range is not fantastic, the ipad has to be within 1m and not in the bag to work. Writing speed is actually Ok, but probably not for sports. Transfer speed is slow, about half a minute a photo. I couldn't get this to work with HTC desire yet, but I am sure it was my fault. If connecting via router, the signal has to be perfect.
In practice it could be very helpful doing some specific work but it is a bit of an overkill most of the time for non-urgent work.
 
daugirdas said:
I've got one for my 1-series. The wifi range is not fantastic, the ipad has to be within 1m and not in the bag to work. Writing speed is actually Ok, but probably not for sports. Transfer speed is slow, about half a minute a photo. I couldn't get this to work with HTC desire yet, but I am sure it was my fault. If connecting via router, the signal has to be perfect.
In practice it could be very helpful doing some specific work but it is a bit of an overkill most of the time for non-urgent work.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that.
the distance thing i dont mind as much, just because i would prob have my tab right next to the camera, or on a table.

But the transfer time i dont like the sound of.

Do you know the specifics of the card you used?
 
Yep, I use one with an ipad on my 1ds mkii as a bigger screen!

Second the write time, I shoot raw & small jpg and it just transfers the jpgs probably 3-4 seconds per file.

I do find the connection a bit squiffy sometimes, have to take another photo to 'wake it up' despite being set to never sleep.

Bottom line is though that it never leaves my camera and it's totally invaluable.

Agreed that it might not be the best for sports though!!
 
I would always use this in dual mode.
Not sure how much that would affect the cameras performance when using a class 10 card.
 
daugirdas said:
The wifi range is not fantastic, the ipad has to be within 1m and not in the bag to work.
Click to expand...
Seriously? If shooting to an iPad it has to be within 1m of the camera for it to work? That's pathetic and surely unworkable a lot of the time.

I am planning to get a D7000 in the near future and was hoping to use an eye-fi card with it but if the range is only 1m then I won't bother. You may have just swayed me towards the 24mp D3200 and the optional wifi attachment.
 
The 1ds mkii doesn't have dual mode, well where it can split raw onto one & jpg onto the other so no doubt that has an impact on speed!

Regarding distance, it's a wifi transmitter & antenna rammed into an sd card along with the usual memory!!! That's pretty amazing really!

If I get chance I'll mess around with the range tonight :-)
 
-Rob- said:
Seriously? If shooting to an iPad it has to be within 1m of the camera for it to work? That's pathetic and surely unworkable a lot of the time.

I am planning to get a D7000 in the near future and was hoping to use an eye-fi card with it but if the range is only 1m then I won't bother. You may have just swayed me towards the 24mp D3200 and the optional wifi attachment.
Click to expand...

How upsetting i cant use a wifi attachment to my cam :(
 
The poor range is only when transmitting to iPads etc as the card has to mimic a wireless network rather than just transmitting it as it would when linked up to your main home network/router.

I use one with my d7000 and it really changes how you use the camera, I leave the camera on all the time and you don't even have to unpack it - camera is left downstairs and when you get to the office all the shots are sitting in Lightroom.


Only downside is slightly lower battery life but this only cause I don't turn camera off.
 
tim_uk said:
The poor range is only when transmitting to iPads etc as the card has to mimic a wireless network rather than just transmitting it as it would when linked up to your main home network/router.
Click to expand...

So if you have the eye-fi and ipad/laptop/pc connected to an existing WiFi network the the range is whatever the wifi's range is?
 
1m range is tosh, Just tested and at about 10m it took well less than a second to transmit :-)

The only irritating thing is having to forget the home network to connect directly to the iPad, but as I only ever use it out and about it's a non-issue. It might be down to my setup also!!!
 
adamdavi3s said:
1m range is tosh, Just tested and at about 10m it took well less than a second to transmit :-)
Click to expand...

Was that using an eye-fi to iPad via the eye-fi's own transmitted network?

I suppose the range may vary depending on the amount of metal in the camera body but the 1D you have is very robust so other cameras can only be better.

Cheers for testing.
 
Yep that's in direct mode so card straight to ipad, not via any other network (which I am not sure is possible...)

I think the range will obviously be effected by a lot of things (for example the in-laws wifi doesn't work when their microwave is on :-D ), but the 1D is a fair lump of metal, that 10m was with a metal framed sofa in the way also....
 
I did contact Eye Fi on there official line:

Here was my question:

Hi, i am wanting to use this Eye fi card on my camera, but judging by forum posts about the cards, i have heard the cards have long transmission times and a short transmission distance, one stating an iPad has to be less than a meter away.

Please can you tell me how far these cards can transmit and estimated transmission time with various file sizes in raw and compressed?

Here was there response:

Hello ****,

Thank you for contacting Eye-Fi Customer Care.

Upload speeds vary depending on the router, the range to the router and the general stability of the wifi environment. Our observations in good conditions show the Eye-Fi card uploading a 5MB file in 3 seconds. The Eye-Fi card can transmit n the range of 12-15Mb/s at the max

In direct mode, in order to get top speed, the card needs to be within 1-3 ft of the device.

Please feel free to contact us again if you have questions or would like further assistance.

Kind regards,
Stephane
Eye-Fi Customer Care
 
Mike- genius :-D

I beg to differ even with their findings, I found mine to exceed that.

Any specific tests people would like me to try with mine?
 
If/when I get a D7000 and eye-fi card I'd be intending to shoot RAW to one card and the smallest basic jpg to the eye-fi with it transmitting to an iPad in direct mode (no existing WiFi network). If I can do that reliably and quickly over a 10m range I'd be very happy. Does that work reliably for you on your camera?
 
-Rob- said:
If/when I get a D7000 and eye-fi card I'd be intending to shoot RAW to one card and the smallest basic jpg to the eye-fi with it transmitting to an iPad in direct mode (no existing WiFi network). If I can do that reliably and quickly over a 10m range I'd be very happy. Does that work reliably for you on your camera?
Click to expand...

Not bought one yet, i think i feel convinced enough so far. I have asked them if they have a money back guarentee if its worse than i thought. :D

There is a Youtube video i noticed last night, it used a D7000, with the primary card as Raw, and Eye-fi as a jpg. He used the Pro x2 card.


Triggaaar said:
You seemed polite enough to them. I can't believe they swore at you.
Click to expand...

Hahaha sorry the stars were originally my name :D
 
Hi there,
Got an eye fi connect If anyone wants to try it before they commit to buying one.
 
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adamdavi3s said:
Mike- genius :-D
Click to expand...
OT I know, but I just couldn't help myself :D
-Rob- said:
If/when I get a D7000 and eye-fi card I'd be intending to shoot RAW to one card and the smallest basic jpg to the eye-fi with it transmitting to an iPad in direct mode (no existing WiFi network).
Click to expand...
Likewise, I'll be trying an Eye-fi card to send small jpegs, while saving raw on a CF card when the D800 arrives.

My search for an Eye-Fi card begins: The Pro X2 allows for RAW to be sent. While that sounds like the sensible card to choose, sending a RAW D800 file will take a week. I'd rather send small jpegs, so I assume there's no advantage of the Pro X2 over the cheaper 4 or 8 Gb cards.

Can the card send the pictures via Wi-Fi without saving - if so, I assume there's no need for 8gb instead of the 4gb. If it always saves, I guess I'll want an 8gb.
 
malo50 said:
Hi there,
Got an eye fi connect If anyone wants to try it before they commit to buying one.
Click to expand...
Ooo, that's a nice offer :) Bear with me...

I think it's a given that I will have one, it's just choosing which one, and I should be able to do that with the odd forum thread. Someone else probably needs your kind offer first.
 
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Triggaaar said:
OT I know, but I just couldn't help myself :D
Likewise, I'll be trying an Eye-fi card to send small jpegs, while saving raw on a CF card when the D800 arrives.

My search for an Eye-Fi card begins: The Pro X2 allows for RAW to be sent. While that sounds like the sensible card to choose, sending a RAW D800 file will take a week. I'd rather send small jpegs, so I assume there's no advantage of the Pro X2 over the cheaper 4 or 8 Gb cards.

Can the card send the pictures via Wi-Fi without saving - if so, I assume there's no need for 8gb instead of the 4gb. If it always saves, I guess I'll want an 8gb.
Click to expand...

Hi yup, it does do direct sending:
http://www.eye.fi/products/compare-cards


malo50 said:
Hi there,
Got an eye fi connect If anyone wants to try it before they commit to buying one.
Click to expand...

Ooh thats an interesting offer ;)
What i will do is check there refund policy, if they are ok, i will use that, if not i may want to :D.

P.s. these cards in the UK are provided by Sandisk.
 
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Cool, thanks. Already read that but missed the significance of direct mode.

Looks like the Sandisk models are out, as they're class 4. The X2 models (Connect, Mobile and Pro) are all ok, the Pro offers surprisingly little extra for it's double price tag.
 
Can the card send the pictures via Wi-Fi without saving
Click to expand...

Yep, you can set up the 'rolling' memory, i.e. when it gets to 90% (you can set the limit up) then it starts overwriting again.

You can also mess around with the sleep modes etc.. the software isn't the most intuitive but its not horrendous.

I've heard that the shuttersnitch app is also a lot better but I have yet to investigate this!
 
Hi there sorry to resurrect this thread but got the standard 8gb eye fi card and works great on the ipad at around 10m indoors when i tested it using my 5d3.

i have looked at the shuttersnitch app and that is £11? that is too costly so the eye fi free app will do just fine.
 
jonneymendoza said:
Hi there sorry to resurrect this thread but got the standard 8gb eye fi card and works great on the ipad at around 10m indoors when i tested it using my 5d3.

i have looked at the shuttersnitch app and that is £11? that is too costly so the eye fi free app will do just fine.
Click to expand...

Thats not a prob. I like a positive review it makezs me want to buy things |:D
 
CrazeUK said:
Thats not a prob. I like a positive review it makezs me want to buy things |:D
Click to expand...

No problem hehe. What I notice is that this works flawlessly on my android phone and works automatically without me needing to run the app or change WIFI settings!

On the ipad its not straight forward
 
I fail to see the advantage of them? I mean, it's so easy to just stick your card into the card reader on you laptop - not sure if the iPad has a card reader? [probably not, knowing apple]
 
Cagey75 said:
I fail to see the advantage of them? I mean, it's so easy to just stick your card into the card reader on you laptop - not sure if the iPad has a card reader? [probably not, knowing apple]
Click to expand...

Show me a android phone or a ipad that has a card slot for sd cards. Next time can u read the thread and the tech before bashing it.
 
Woah, you're a little touchy. Have a coffee :)

It's a simple question, what's the advantage. No need to be so uppity. I am genuinely interested to know how it's any better than carrying a few extra cards? And I'd say some third party pads have card slots. or should do. I don't own a pad, which is a good reason to ask these questions, we're not all so tech savvy.
 
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Cagey75 said:
I fail to see the advantage of them? I mean, it's so easy to just stick your card into the card reader on you laptop - not sure if the iPad has a card reader? [probably not, knowing apple]
Click to expand...

Of course you don't have to buy one. I have a card reader for my iPad and yes you can transfer raw files and edit them, I keep it as a back up for when the eye fi doesn't work, it hasn't failed yet. I use a 4gb x2 in my D7000 together with Shuttersnitch on an iPad. Sometimes with a 3 Mifi device and sometimes just direct mode, always selective transfer, not every single snap. For me it means I can show the photos as I am taking them or have a quick review before I get home. Sometimes I will forward one or two straight away and seldom I will upload one to somewhere.

Together with a a half decent editing program on the iPad (currently Snapseed) I can go a while without opening the laptop as I am currently on vacation. I prefer to review edit one or two shots at the time, and leave the raw files for cataloging once a week so I can enjoy my holiday.

If all you want to do is get them to a computer, a card reader will be quickest. Putting the photos on an iPad means people can have a look at photos I am taking, while I am taking them and sometimes that means I can get better shots because they can see what I am asking them to do. Ie stand more to the side, turn etc etc. it also means I am not handing my camera around the room for people to see the screen. I have also found that it puts some nervous subjects at ease to see some results granted they are not edited.

Lastly, I like to see my own photos on a bigger screen as an encouragement to me to study my own photos and look for flaws and areas for improvement while I am still in taking photos mode and not when I have left the location or venue.

A review by thom on a recent mintel study of camera users in the UK:
http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/june-2012/the-sad-state-of-the-uk.html

"35% of camera users just leave them on their device."!

That isn't going to be true of TP forum members but generally wifi in cameras and easier workflow has got to be a good thing.
 
Cagey75 said:
Woah, you're a little touchy. Have a coffee :)

It's a simple question, what's the advantage. No need to be so uppity. I am genuinely interested to know how it's any better than carrying a few extra cards? And I'd say some third party pads have card slots. or should do. I don't own a pad, which is a good reason to ask these questions, we're not all so tech savvy.
Click to expand...

the advantage to me when in the studio is that the images are there immediately on a gorgeous screen waiting to preview to the model. I dont have to muck around , swapping cards over then waiting for files to upload while people stand around doing nothing watching a progress bar getting bored.

Or they should be if the card actually worked reliably. But thats the reason why this would be a good thing.
 
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