400D download speeds

Chris_Johnstone · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 05:12 PM

Anyone experiencing painfully slow downloading from your CF card? I plug my cable the body and each RAW takes ages. I know they're big files etc but when putting the same memory card in my 30D the speed is far far faster. The firmware in the 400D is up to date. Maybe a fault in the body itself?

Chris

Fourwings · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 05:53 PM

It always seems to take far longer to transfer images from camera to computer via a lead from the camera, why I dont know.

Try using an external USB 2 card reader, they are much faster.

Steve.

matt_xyz · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 05:59 PM

the speeds are about the same when downloading from my 400D and 30D. Maybe there's a fault somewhere?

Matt

RichBrew · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 07:01 PM

I agree with Fourwings, here. A USB 2 card reader will allow you to upload your images at a far faster rate. I've also read, on numerous occasions, that you should never upload directly from the camera, as it may cause damage to the electrics, although I've not been able to ascertain how that may happen. Maybe someone here can enlighten me?

RichBrew

glsammy · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 07:22 PM

I've always used a card reader, I've never connected my camera to the computer. Not for any other reason than it's quicker and for me easier.

big bill · #6 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 07:41 PM

Like Graham I use a card reader to uypload images from camera to pc not only is it faster it also saves having to load up the camera program onto the pc taking up space on the pc then if you change camera you have to delete camera details of pc then install new camera details ,card reader is so much simpler take card from camera and place in card reader and away you go

Scarlet Pimpernel · #7 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 09:11 PM

Yeah I have to agree, cardreader is the way to go. I am lucky enough to have a set for each different card built into my tower!

Cheers Jacob

Chris_Johnstone · #8 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 08:53 AM

I'm aware card readers are popular and probably the best thing to use, I just never seem to bother buying one. I always think, I'll just use the money for another CF card or something. Silly really, they're really cheap.

Chris

glsammy · #9 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_Johnstone

I'm aware card readers are popular and probably the best thing to use, I just never seem to bother buying one. I always think, I'll just use the money for another CF card or something. Silly really, they're really cheap.

Chris

I've just bought a 52-1 multi reader for a fiver. I've never been able to work out what the 52 different types are supposed to be, but it works! Can't get too much cheaper!

m1.carson · #10 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 07:50 AM

Hi People,

A quick diversify, loading music to my phone goes like this for half a Gig's worth,

Bluetooth 4hrs 15mins, direct cable to phone 1hr 15mins, card reader 15mins, I think that say's it all.

Max.

nightshade · #11 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 08:24 AM

Check your computer to see if it has USB type 1 or 2 ports, use the type 2 port and buy a multi card reader. These are relatively cheap £5-£15 about the size of a thick credit card and can handle more than one type of card, some even have a built in USB hub, look online often there are bundles e.g free card reader if you buy a card or two or something similar
Downloading from the camera is a heavy drain on the battery and unnoticed could lead to curses on the cameras next outing and although the manufacturer supplies a cable they do not usually recommend it. The card type and read-write speed can also effect download speeds

eeyore · #12 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

Downloading from the camera is a heavy drain on the battery and unnoticed could lead to curses on the cameras next outing and although the manufacturer supplies a cable they do not usually recommend it. The card type and read-write speed can also effect download speeds

its also suposed to shorten the life of the camera on account of its circuitry being powered up for longer - i have no idea if this is true but canon say so in the teeny print.

i agree a card reader is the way to go - though i must admit i tend to download to my back up device (phototainer) in the feild then just conect this up as an external drive. not as fast as a card reader when you count the download time from card to 'tainer , but it saves carrying lots of cards (by way of illustration when covering a motocross event last year i took something like 4000 shots and there wasnt time to delete in camera so i just banged them all on the 'tainer and sorted em out later)

wildlifesnapper · #13 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

i took something like 4000 shots and there wasnt time to delete in camera so i just banged them all on the 'tainer and sorted em out later)

Rather you than me - matchsticks in eyes job

neil

Tormentil · #14 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

its also suposed to shorten the life of the camera on account of its circuitry being powered up for longer - i have no idea if this is true but canon say so in the teeny print.

Thats seems strange. A photo shoot - camera on for 3 to 6 hrs. Downloading 500 shots from camera - 15-20 minutes. !!!!

p.s. I use a card.

eeyore · #15 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormentil

Thats seems strange. A photo shoot - camera on for 3 to 6 hrs. Downloading 500 shots from camera - 15-20 minutes. !!!!

p.s. I use a card.

diferent bits of circuitry i guess - or possibly to do with being conected to something drawing mains power and the potential for surges and spikes

i dunno - i'm just repeating what the nice men at canon say, my cameras tend to die from use or accidental damage long before this would become an issue even if I were using the camera to download.

Chris_Johnstone · #16 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 02:52 PM

Went out today and bought me a card reader. It was fast indeed but I think the biggest reason is that with 3 CF cards, putting them all in a camera body to get the images would just be a pain on the butt.

Chris

Brocker · #17 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

Check your computer to see if it has USB type 1 or 2 ports, use the type 2 port and buy a multi card reader. These are relatively cheap £5-£15 about the size of a thick credit card and can handle more than one type of card, some even have a built in USB hub, look online often there are bundles e.g free card reader if you buy a card or two or something similar
Downloading from the camera is a heavy drain on the battery and unnoticed could lead to curses on the cameras next outing and although the manufacturer supplies a cable they do not usually recommend it. The card type and read-write speed can also effect download speeds

Ensure you use the USB2 socket on your PC tower as this will be forty times faster than the USB1. I have to say though that it doesn't usually state whether you have 1, 2 or both. All new PCs only have USB2 but others have a combination. Also, like the others have mentioned, go for a card reader. Saves time and is easier.

glsammy · #18 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brocker

Ensure you use the USB2 socket on your PC tower as this will be forty times faster than the USB1. I have to say though that it doesn't usually state whether you have 1, 2 or both. All new PCs only have USB2 but others have a combination. Also, like the others have mentioned, go for a card reader. Saves time and is easier.

One way to tell if it's got USB2 and of course your using XP, go to Control panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager.Click on the Universal Serial Bus Controller. If you see the word "Enhanced" in any of the listed devices, you've got USB2.

Brocker · #19 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glsammy

One way to tell if it's got USB2 and of course your using XP, go to Control panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager.Click on the Universal Serial Bus Controller. If you see the word "Enhanced" in any of the listed devices, you've got USB2.

Thanks Graham. I wasn't aware of that.. . . . A lesson learned every day

Chris_Johnstone · #20 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 06:25 PM

Yea, I have a mac with USB 2 and firewire 800 etc. We're flying now. I'm just getting ready to flit on sunday. Incidentally the 400D isn't coming with me, it's my girlfriend's camera so I don't have any speed woes anyway.

Chris

nightshade · #21 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 01:28 PM

I have just had an e-mail from a company offering a 2gb card AND a 23 in 1
card reader for around £15 bargin?

glsammy · #22 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

I have just had an e-mail from a company offering a 2gb card AND a 23 in 1
card reader for around £15 bargin?

Just check the speed of the card. I've got a 2GB I never use, simply because it's too slow, it's supposed to be a high speed one but it's about 4 times slower than the Sandisk Extremes I now use.
Mind you, if you shoot exclusively jpeg, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.