Is a card reader really necessary?

[jwolf6589]

Many in this board think that a card reader is just as good as bread and butter in photography and do not take you seriously if you choose to use a USB cable instead. I am gonna argue that they are wrong. Apple does not think a card reader is entirely necessary as their latest iMac just released does not include one. Also the 2020 MacBook Pro I bought last year did not include one, not unlike my previous 2012 MacBook Pro model. So I argue that a card reader is not as necessary as those on this board think. Sure some PC makers at the moment include them, but remember that PC's are usually behind Macs so eventually they will stop shipping with card readers as well.

For most a USB cable will work just fine and will prevent you from the constant ejection of a SD card and opening the battery department or wherever the SD card is on your camera. USB is much faster than wireless and many cameras will charge while connected to your computer downloading photos/videos so why not use a USB cable instead? Thats the real question many on this board will have to answer.

 

[glenthompson]

I’ve pretty much switched to using a usb cable for transfers. It’s a lot easier for my GoPro than digging out the adapter and the card is hard to handle with my fat fingers. On my Sony I rarely have more than 20 to 30 pix to upload at a time.

 

[Jessica Lares]

My Nikon uses batteries that charge on a dock and don't charge over USB, so you're always opening and closing the cover anyway. It's not a good argument really because you're doing a similar thing with 35mm and instant cameras, all these things are built for you to do that over and over constantly.

Everyone was using separate card readers and cables to begin with. It was nice when we finally had the reader built into the computers, good that it standardized everyone to mostly use one type. Apple was right to remove the SD card slot considering less and less people are needing it now, but they came out with the USB-C to SD Card Reader for a reason. But cables can get in the way of transfer speeds over time as they get older.

Use one if it works for you though, comes in the box for that reason.

 

[jwolf6589]

My Nikon uses batteries that charge on a dock and don't charge over USB, so you're always opening and closing the cover anyway. It's not a good argument really because you're doing a similar thing with 35mm and instant cameras, all these things are built for you to do that over and over constantly.

Everyone was using separate card readers and cables to begin with. It was nice when we finally had the reader built into the computers, good that it standardized everyone to mostly use one type. Apple was right to remove the SD card slot considering less and less people are needing it now, but they came out with the USB-C to SD Card Reader for a reason. But cables can get in the way of transfer speeds over time as they get older.

Use one if it works for you though, comes in the box for that reason.

Unfortunately my Powershot did not include a USB cable so I had to buy it at Best Buy. I guess Canon thinks everyone is transferring via WIFI to their phones and no one connects to their computer these days.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Nothing wrong with using the usb cable. In built card readers are generally rubbish and only support one type of card. I use multiple external readers. They are faster than both in built card readers and direct cable attachments (in my experience) and it means I can ingest multiple cards at the same time.
Ingesting cards after a shoot is a necessary evil the quicker it’s done and out of the way the better.

 

[r.harris1]

I use a card reader because:

• Convenience and workflow: I often have multiple cards I’m cycling through from various shooting sessions so for me it’s easier to pop cards in and out of a reader than hook up a clunky camera to my computer. I like the workflow. To each their own, though.
• Speed: While USB C is becoming the standard on many modern cameras, in general a quality card reader built for USB C (3.1, 3.2) will have better performance since they’re built to do one thing well. One of my readers is thunderbolt, it’s much faster than hooking my camera up and reading through a standard USB port, even most camera incarnations of USB C. But even if card readers weren’t faster, for me there’s this crucial next point:
• Necessity: My particular cameras (and software I use) don’t mount cards inside them as image sources or drives when connected via USB to my computer. I either need to use a tethering workflow (rare for me) or use a card reader.

So yes indeed, they’re necessary. For me. Clearly not for you. Awesome.

 

[jwolf6589]

I use a card reader because:

• Convenience and workflow: I often have multiple cards I’m cycling through from various shooting sessions so for me it’s easier to pop cards in and out of a reader than hook up a clunky camera to my computer. I like the workflow. To each their own, though.
• Speed: While USB C is becoming the standard on many modern cameras, in general a quality card reader built for USB C (3.1, 3.2) will have better performance since they’re built to do one thing well. One of my readers is thunderbolt, it’s much faster than hooking my camera up and reading through a standard USB port, even most camera incarnations of USB C. But even if card readers weren’t faster, for me there’s this crucial next point:
• Necessity: My particular cameras (and software I use) don’t mount cards inside them as image sources or drives when connected via USB to my computer. I either need to use a tethering workflow (rare for me) or use a card reader.

So yes indeed, they’re necessary. For me. Clearly not for you. Awesome.

In your situation thats an affirmative.

 

[scotttnz]

The new iMac is designed for people who take all their photos on their iPhone and their photos are transferred wirelessly with iCloud. There’s nothing wrong with that if thats your thing, and there’s nothing wrong with transfer over USB either, but I’d prefer to have the option of an SD card reader, and I hope they put one in the larger iMac when they replace the 27”. I’ll be hanging on to my 2020 iMac for a number of years anyway.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Unfortunately my Powershot did not include a USB cable so I had to buy it at Best Buy. I guess Canon thinks everyone is transferring via WIFI to their phones and no one connects to their computer these days.

If it's a microUSB, they probably also thought everyone had those cables to begin with too, so was worth cutting costs by not putting it in there.

 

[kenoh]

Each to their own I think is the case.

If USB cable works for you great. For others, card readers are good. Also, I am looking at my cameras and while they are digital on the whole, not all of them have USB ports so I have to use a card reader for them. Also, some of them charge through USB but NOT while tethered to the computer so it is more convenient to pop the body on charge while importing the images by SD card reader. Also, If I have been out shooting with multiple cameras I dont want to have to sit there with each of them cluttering my space or even my lap while I try to import all the images from the day onto my ipad or Mac.

As for Apple not fitting SD card slots, I just think that that is a cost saving decision and also we are seeing the likes of CF Express, XQD, CF, SD UHS 2 and even 3 having an increase in popularity so fitting an SD card on the motherboard is not necessarily going to benefit enough of the target demographic to warrant adding it.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[jwolf6589]

Each to their own I think is the case.

If USB cable works for you great. For others, card readers are good. Also, I am looking at my cameras and while they are digital on the whole, not all of them have USB ports so I have to use a card reader for them. Also, some of them charge through USB but NOT while tethered to the computer so it is more convenient to pop the body on charge while importing the images by SD card reader. Also, If I have been out shooting with multiple cameras I dont want to have to sit there with each of them cluttering my space or even my lap while I try to import all the images from the day onto my ipad or Mac.

As for Apple not fitting SD card slots, I just think that that is a cost saving decision and also we are seeing the likes of CF Express, XQD, CF, SD UHS 2 and even 3 having an increase in popularity so fitting an SD card on the motherboard is not necessarily going to benefit enough of the target demographic to warrant adding it.

Just my 2 cents.

Well in your case it would be better to use a reader. My canon however charges when connected to Mac. It charges much slower than using the battery charger but it does charge. My camcorder however does not charge when connected to Mac. I still don’t use a reader with that one neither as I prefer a cable.

 

[jwolf6589]

The new iMac is designed for people who take all their photos on their iPhone and their photos are transferred wirelessly with iCloud. There’s nothing wrong with that if thats your thing, and there’s nothing wrong with transfer over USB either, but I’d prefer to have the option of an SD card reader, and I hope they put one in the larger iMac when they replace the 27”. I’ll be hanging on to my 2020 iMac for a number of years anyway.

iPhones in my view are weak for photography. Notice how Canons have far more features?

 

[kenoh]

iPhones in my view are weak for photography. Notice how Canons have far more features?

Ooft... careful, there be iphone zealots amongst us....

You only need three features : Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO...... the rest are for convenience.

 

[mollyc]

Many in this board think that a card reader is just as good as bread and butter in photography and do not take you seriously if you choose to use a USB cable instead. I am gonna argue that they are wrong. Apple does not think a card reader is entirely necessary as their latest iMac just released does not include one. Also the 2020 MacBook Pro I bought last year did not include one, not unlike my previous 2012 MacBook Pro model. So I argue that a card reader is not as necessary as those on this board think. Sure some PC makers at the moment include them, but remember that PC's are usually behind Macs so eventually they will stop shipping with card readers as well.

For most a USB cable will work just fine and will prevent you from the constant ejection of a SD card and opening the battery department or wherever the SD card is on your camera. USB is much faster than wireless and many cameras will charge while connected to your computer downloading photos/videos so why not use a USB cable instead? Thats the real question many on this board will have to answer.

I'm not sure why you made another thread about this since you've already stated your preference numerous times. Maybe we are wearing you down.

The hatch doors on cameras are designed to be opened. So if we are supposed to open the doors, then by your logic, why not use a card reader because it will be so much faster than the USB cord?

Unfortunately my Powershot did not include a USB cable so I had to buy it at Best Buy. I guess Canon thinks everyone is transferring via WIFI to their phones and no one connects to their computer these days.

This logic is like saying that because a computer doesn't ship with a printer, nobody prints anything anymore. The real answer is people have different computers, different card types, different technology and there is no one size fits all solution for getting photos from a camera to a computer. So you choose the best transfer option for your workflow and just get on with it.

Look, if you are happy with your USB cord, then just go use it. Stop wondering what others are doing since you are happy with your workflow, and just go shoot images.

 

[OldMacs4Me]

Look, if you are happy with your USB cord, then just go use it. Stop wondering what others are doing since you are happy with your workflow, and just go shoot images.

Amen, everyone has to find what works best for them. As cheap as I am, I will never begrudge $10-20 spent on cables or readers.

I use a card reader, simply because it works with both of our cameras, whereas the Kodak (not so) EZ Share requires special software to transfer directly.

FWIW when I travel the computer stays home. My card is big enough to handle whatever I throw its way, and I carry a spare.

 

[kenoh]

Unfortunately my Powershot did not include a USB cable so I had to buy it at Best Buy. I guess Canon thinks everyone is transferring via WIFI to their phones and no one connects to their computer these days.

Out of interest, You have an iPhone 12 in your signature, what powershot have you got that you think takes better images than an iphone12?

 

[jwolf6589]

Out of interest, You have an iPhone 12 in your signature, what powershot have you got that you think takes better images than an iphone12?

I don’t remember the model number. But it can shoot at 20.3MP. However I have it set at 10MP since this will suit my needs.

 

[jwolf6589]

I'm not sure why you made another thread about this since you've already stated your preference numerous times. Maybe we are wearing you down.

The hatch doors on cameras are designed to be opened. So if we are supposed to open the doors, then by your logic, why not use a card reader because it will be so much faster than the USB cord?




This logic is like saying that because a computer doesn't ship with a printer, nobody prints anything anymore. The real answer is people have different computers, different card types, different technology and there is no one size fits all solution for getting photos from a camera to a computer. So you choose the best transfer option for your workflow and just get on with it.

Look, if you are happy with your USB cord, then just go use it. Stop wondering what others are doing since you are happy with your workflow, and just go shoot images.

I DO SHOOT IMAGES!!!!! Look nothing wrong with talking about photography is there?????

 

[mollyc]

I DO SHOOT IMAGES!!!!! Look nothing wrong with talking about photography is there?????

No there isn't anything wrong about talking about photography. I do it all day long.

I personally don't equate a debate of the merits between usb cords and card readers to be about photography though. I'd rather talk about image making, composition, settings, locations, real gear (by "real" I mean bodies and lenses and tripods and stuff that helps make photos), white balance, post processing.

These recent conversations have very little to do with actual photography.

 

[jz0309]

No there isn't anything wrong about talking about photography. I do it all day long.

I personally don't equate a debate of the merits between usb cords and card readers to be about photography though. I'd rather talk about image making, composition, settings, locations, real gear (by "real" I mean bodies and lenses and tripods and stuff that helps make photos), white balance, post processing.

These recent conversations have very little to do with actual photography.

100% agree

 

[kenoh]

I don’t remember the model number. But it can shoot at 20.3MP. However I have it set at 10MP since this will suit my needs.

You really should shoot it at native resolution. The model number is on the bottom. Is it an ELPH or an IS100 or the likes? or a G7, G5, G2,G1? If it is a G something then shooting at 10mp is borderline criminal!

 

[jwolf6589]

You really should shoot it at native resolution. The model number is on the bottom. Is it an ELPH or an IS100 or the likes? or a G7, G5, G2,G1? If it is a G something then shooting at 10mp is borderline criminal!

I am at work and camera is at home.

 

[jwolf6589]

No there isn't anything wrong about talking about photography. I do it all day long.

I personally don't equate a debate of the merits between usb cords and card readers to be about photography though. I'd rather talk about image making, composition, settings, locations, real gear (by "real" I mean bodies and lenses and tripods and stuff that helps make photos), white balance, post processing.

These recent conversations have very little to do with actual photography.

Well that’s your opinion. It’s a free country and I choose to talk about all aspects of photography which includes the transfer of images. You choose to avoid talks about transferring images but that’s you not me.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Oh, I try to resist, but I can't stands no more.

Thread question: "Is a card reader really necessary?"

No, but you know this already based on your own workflow. "Necessary" means you can't do without one. Clearly one isn't necessary if you are transferring images without one.

I think you will continue to get this kind of negative commentary directed back at you because your "discussions" are often framed where you already know the answer, while often leaving the implication that everyone else is wrong before they even respond. You laid out this thread basically calling a bunch of people wrong and putting the honus on them to convince you otherwise. It's hard to now see you deflecting the criticism you are getting when you seemed to be inviting it, especially in this particular thread.

If you haven't figured out yet, the folks here are beyond helpful, provided you ask with the intention of listening and learning, or at least respecting other people's opinions. People have been trying. This is probably my last attempt at "being helpful."

 

[Clix Pix]

I am at work and camera is at home.

Most people know at least the model name and number of their camera......

In response to Kenoh's question, a quick look through earlier posts by the OP shows that the item under discussion is an inexpensive P&S, a Canon Powershot SX740HS with 40X Zoom and 20.3 Megapixels.