Digital Photo Storage / PC Download

[Gatorboy]

Because the Ultimate Burn Barrel thread had gotten off-topic -- and onto the subject of digital photos, I've decided to start a new thread.


<font color="blue"> bczoom said: I don't have anything connected/loaded on it yet but there's still that slot for a floppy disk to go in. </font>

I didn't realize they still put those in PCs any longer. 3.5" drives are going to fade away, just as the 5.25" drives did.

I bought a multi-disk card reader (Smartmedia, Memory Stick, etc.) after balking to the idea for years. I finally took MikePA's advice. It accepts 4 different type of cards and attaches to my PC via a USB port. I think I paid about $25 for it -- I recommend it.

The photo viewer software I use is Ulead's Photo Explorer -- and it contains a 1-button toolbar item that automatically copies the files from the disk and onto my PC and then deletes all the photos on the original disk.

For doing digital editing, I use Paint Shop Pro. I have been using this program for about 7 years now.

 

[bczoom]

I had to order the 3.5" floppy as an option to my new PC. Come on now Dave, some habits are too hard to break. Heck, I still spend several hours a day on a mainframe with strictly character based systems (no Windows or GUI looking stuff). "There are 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don't!" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

It's taking me a bit longer to get everything together with the new PC. I also think the manufacturers of just about everything made it a requirement that the owners manual must be > 100 pages.
My office setup just got a major hardware overhaul so the cameras have been put aside (installed last).
I've got my 3 PC's connected to a single external monitor, keyboard, mouse and network connected multi-function printer. (not having 3 of each external device is a huge space saver).
My new printer (HP Officejet 7410) has 4 memory stick card readers + 1 USB right off the front. I'm pretty sure I can use those for downloading my pics to the PC. Just haven't gotten around to doing it yet.

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> Heck, I still spend several hours a day on a mainframe with strictly character based systems </font>

Playing Zork? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> I bought a multi-disk card reader (Smartmedia, Memory Stick, etc.) after balking to the idea for years. </font>

My wife took our card reader with her on a trip back home and I could not believe how slow my camera was when moving images on to the computer. So slow in fact that I went out and bought a second card reader, this one reads four types of media.

I recently saw one at either Sam's Club or Costco that reads ten different media types, and cost something like $17 if I remember right.

In my case using the card reader is so much faster I can't bear to use the camera/usb cable. I estimate the card reader is at least ten times faster. Feels like the difference between dial up and a cable internet connection.

For me there is no turning back. I wonder though if the newer digital cameras are faster at transferring images?

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> For me there is no turning back. I wonder though if the newer digital cameras are faster at transferring images? </font>

I noticed a difference in speed of transfer as well -- not 10x, but it is quite noticeable.

 

[johnday]

Gatorboy; I've got an EPSON CX6400 printer/scanner/copier with the slots for a number of different cards. Works very well even with my minimal knowledge level. I can download to my computer in just a matter of seconds. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> I wonder though if the newer digital cameras are faster at transferring images </font>

Henro, I have a brand new Canon S500 and an older S230. I find the transfer speeds to be equally slow and painful. At the office I use an 6-in-1 card reader from SanDisk, it cost about $30? at one of the office supply box stores and is much faster than either of my cameras. But you have me wondering if different brands of cameras transfer at different rates. At work our entire sales staff uses Kodak Easy Share cameras and docks, the merchandising teams use Olympus. I've pulled cards from their cameras but never tried to compare camera to computer transfers on any of the cameras other than my little Canons.

 

[DieselnHooters]

What the heck u all talking about? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Can I connect any of this to my SCV or is it PTO driven?

 

[johnday]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( Can I connect any of this to my SCV or is it PTO driven? )</font>

You probably could weld something up, just be careful of your heat, this stuff is pretty flimsy. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[PineRidge]

The most recent computer that I purchased from Gateway a 710X has a built in multi-disk card reader (Microdrive, Smartmedia, Memory Stick, etc.). When I'm finished taking digital pictures with the Nikon CoolPix 8700 I then plug the 1GB Microdrive into the slot and the "scanner & camera wizard" automatically starts. I believe this software to be part of the XP package. Anyway it will automatically copy all the pictures to the folder of my choice and also asks me if I want the Microdrive erased after the copying process is completed. It's slick and it works quick!

I have always used Jasc Paint Shop Pro to edit my pictures, now version 8.

BTW: This computer also came with a 3.5" drive a CD burner and a DVD. I have never used the 3.5" drive as everything seems to be on CDs anymore.