Compact Flash Memory Reader

[shepsan]

Hello to all.

I am awaiting delivery of the Canon S70 that I ordered earlier this week. After reading a number of comments about the need for a high capacity memory card for this 7.1 megapixel camera, I also ordered a 1GB card.

The S70 accepts both type 1 and 2 CF memory. That being the case, I want to purchase a reader that will give me the fastest response. The reader will be connected to a USB2 port in my computer.

I would appreciate suggestions regarding what brand and model reader that will best meet my needs..

Thank you.

[Photo-John]

Card readers are the way to go. I wouldn't be without one. Any name brand USB 2 reader should be great. I've been using USB 1 readers for a couple of years and USB 2 is wayyyyyy faster. I sometimes I have to dump 2 gigs of images during a lunch break at an event. If I can do that with a USB 1 reader, then USB 2 will be smoking fast.

I have a laptop with a built-in reader and that's what I usually use. But I also have three Microtech Zio USB 1 CompactFlash readers. They've worked pretty well for me, although one has started giving me problems. I'm pretty sure that any Microtech, Lexar, Delkin, or other major brand reader will serve you well. And I think they all handle CompactFlash Type I and II. We do have a card reader reveiw section, although there aren't a lot of reviews. Check it anyway to see what's available. And if anyone reading this is using a card reader, please post a review! Here's a link to the card reader review section:

http://www.pcphotoreview.com/Card,Re...S_3086crx.aspx

Hope that helps.

[shepsan]

Thank you Photo-John for your comments and link.

After reading the various threads and thinking about it, I decided to go firewire instead of USB2.

I ordered today a Belkins F5U501-APL IEEE 1394 Firewire PCI card for my computer and a Delkin Firewire CompactFlash (CF) I/II & MicroDrive (MD) reader. These components should arrive about the same time as my new Canon PowerShot S70.

Thanks again for your response.

[Photo-John]

FireWire should work well. But USB 2 is faster than FireWire. So why did you decide to go with the FireWire instead of USB 2? Is it because you wanted that particular reader or is there some technical issue I'm not aware of?

I'll check the reviews and add that reader if it's not listed. Please post a review when you've had it long enough to form an opinion.

Thanks and good luck with your new toys!

[shepsan]

Hello Photo-John. The data I have read on USB and FireWire differs from your statement, “FireWire should work well. But USB 2 is faster than FireWire."

This is what I have read:

USB 1.1 devices allow for a maximum transfer rate of 12Mbits per second.

USB2 devices allow for a maximum transfer rate of 480Mbits per second.

FireWire devices allow for a maximum transfer rate of 800Mbits per second.

My sources are

http://www.usb.org/info/usb_nomenclature

http://developer.apple.com/firewire/

The Delkin FireWire CF reader connected to the The Belkins FireWire PCI card port should produce almost double the transfer rate then a USB2 reader connected to one of my computer's USB2 ports.

Please advise if you think I have come to an incorrect conclusion.

Regards

[Erik Stiegler]

There are two Firewire standards, Firewire 400 and 800. That Belkin card looks like it's a Firewire 400 adapter, which has a maximum speed of 400mbps. In practice, I doubt you'll find that it's any slower than USB 2.

[shepsan]

Further investigation on my part has shown that I did go far enough in my analysis. While it is true that “some” FireWire devices do operate at speeds up to 800Mbts per second, not all FireWire devices provide such high speeds. Neither the Belkin nor the Delkin devices I listed in an earlier post operate at speeds higher then 400Mbts per second.

Photo-John, I apologize for confusing the subject.

Regards

[shepsan]

Thank you Mr. Stiegler for your response. It appears that both of our comments contain similar information and were posted at the same clock time.

Regards.

[Sebastian]

PJ,

Due to architecture and CPU utilization differences, Firewire 400 almost always outperforms USB2 in real-world use. My Firewire/USB2 external HD transfers files about 20% faster over firewire than it does over USB2, AND the machine is more responsive as it's working.