Should You Use an External Card Reader? | Ask David Bergman

Today's question is from Mark H. -- “My question is about transferring my pictures to the computer. Is it better to connect the camera to the computer directly? Or should I put the memory card in a separate card reader? I’ve seen conflicting information online and would like to know what method you use and why.”
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Prograde Digital readers
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Prograde Digital SD, CFast, and CFExpress Cards
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Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR Camera Body with CFexpress Card & Reader Bundle Kit www.adorama.com/ica1dxm3k.htm...
MacBook Pro
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✘ PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT USED:
Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Body
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Canon EF 16-35mm f/4.0L IS USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens
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Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Black Aluminum Tripod with MVH502AH Pro Video Head
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CLAR Illumi Max 500 High Power 5600K LED Light
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Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48")
www.adorama.com/glsbez48octa....
Audio-Technica AT803 Omni-Directional Lavalier Condenser Microphone
www.adorama.com/atat803.html?...
Zoom H4n Pro Audio Recorder, Black
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Audio-Technica XLRF-XLRM Balanced cable
www.adorama.com/at83146.html?...
#cardreader #memorycard #adorama
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For more videos like "Should You Use an External Card Reader?", you can watch:
Card Reader Advantages: Two Minute Tips with David Bergman
• Card Reader Advantages...
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@hachewie]

He actually answers the question at 5:13. You’re welcome.

[@PeacePham1991]

Thank you

[@aprylspage5852]

🙌🏽

[@ArturoTabera]

A 10 second answer in a 10 minute video. He wish he had been over 10 minutes. YT ad rulez.

[@aramb]

+1 for taking the card out of the camera and using a reader if you need to. For SD cards, I always write-lock them before plugging into the reader or computer. This avoids any number of problems, and can save the SD card from corruption. Be sure to undo the write lock before putting it back into the camera!

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Good tip!

[@iAdrian1997]

hey man, if you’re still around whats a write lock?

[@sinetwo]

@@iAdrian1997 it's a switch on the card, prevents data from being written to it. Don't forget to turn it back to normal before shooting!!

[@marcvloeberghs881]

Thanks David for this video and the links the gear .

[@McTube2010]

Love that card reader! I use this for my CFExpress, super!

[@RoseKerin]

Thanks very much. for recommending a Card Reader. I got mine many years ago and now realise I need a new one with a faster speed.

[@ellyelzinga01]

I also use an external reader.. My old laptop used to have a built-in one, but my new one doesn't have that, so I bought an external reader and it works perfectly fine!

[@shelleycarroll9939]

Really good information for an amateur photographer! Thank you!

[@richardwintle1020]

Thanks, David. One of my relatives used the "fill a card, put it in an envelope, buy a new card" approach... Good point about keeping the USB cable handy as a backup - you never know when a reader might quit working, I guess.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

🤦‍♂️

[@jizzythefroggy1108]

@@DavidBergmanPhoto David, what picture profile are you using in this video?

[@manojkantak6807]

thanks for sharing a very good information which will definitely be taken care of.

[@ccbphoto]

Thanks David!

[@BruceGentile-ICOM]

Great video!

[@benjaminruizsalinas8791]

¡Thanks 4 the advise man!

[@bme7491]

I have ALWAYS transferred from the card to PC via card reader immediately after shooting. Then I do quadruple redundant backups. You can't be guaranteed that your memory card won't fail at the most inopportune time.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

It’s happened to everyone at least once! Hopefully that’s when we learn our lesson.

[@petegalindez9961]

Agreed! External reader all the way. I just slap on some Velcro to mount it to the back of my laptop for when I’m traveling and saves a lot of space. Like the metal plate option on the ProGrade!

[@antpruitt]

It's always fascinating to hear how everyone handles xferring files from their devices.

[@kirkdarling4120]

I learned shooting film: Never shoot more than one job on a roll. Stuff happens, and if stuff happens, I'd rather give bad news to one client than two. So I always started a new job on a new roll of film. I do the same thing with memory cards for the same reason. When I finish a job, I remove that card and secure it until I have a chance to copy it to the computer (which will be as soon as possible). Even after it's been copied to a computer, I keep that card securely aside until I have delivered that job to the client. When I load the camera with another card for the next job, I format that card in the camera, which is the last opportunity to make sure the card and camera are communicating properly.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Don’t want to jinx myself, but card technology is so much better then it used to be and I don’t stress about it as much as I used to. Having said that, I usually copy my images to computer and backup drive as soon as possible - usually before leaving the scene of a shoot.

[@kirkdarling4120]

@@DavidBergmanPhoto Well, "stuff happens" includes more than card failure.

[@duncanthorn6338]

I always use the camera direct to my computer for my Nikon D3, D700 and D200, all of which use CF cards. These are easy to bend the male pins if taking in and out too often, which is an expensive camera repair. I just leave the card in the camera, and format after backing up to external drive. Never had a problem with my computer recognizing the card or download speed. But thanks for the informative video, different strokes for different folks :)

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

That’s what keeps things interesting, right?

[@afonsosantos8364]

For low volume I connect camera because I actually get to also charge its battery while it is connected. For high volume I use card reader for the speed. For studio tethered sessions the pictures are already in the computer as I shoot them

[@JPStaats]

Another must-have reason to use card readers is for camera firmware updates.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

TK is correct, but I still prefer to use the reader.

[@eastwind3550]

Thank you

[@edwardacallender]

I always connected the camera to the computer when using two of my cameras as they used compact flash (CF) cards. There is two rows of pins inside the camera and I had heard of these getting bent if the Card wasn't inserted properly so the direct method protected the pins. SD cards are durable though and my laptop has an SD reader built in so I make use of that with my new camera.

[@colinweir5807]

I still use my trusty / dusty original Canon 7D which uses CF cards. Mostly use direct connect to camera and sometimes card reader. Either way when inserting Cf cards push in gently, not slam them in and try not to be in hurry as that's how pins usuall become bent.

[@stormshadow9]

Thank you, great video. Just wondering, does one method put your card more at risk of corruption than the other?

[@skyscraperfan]

In the past the AC adapter was included with 1 series cameras. For example with my old 1D Mark II. I was shocked that it was no longer included with 1D X cameras.

[@lenzielenski3276]

I haven't listened to the end yet, but so far he's missed one important point. The connection ports on cameras can be delicate and easy to break. And expensive to fix. OK to use in an emergency if you don't have your reader or are on site and just need to e-mail out one photo, but not on a continuous basis. Like the military, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. In camera connection is a good backup.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Good point. I did mention keeping a usb cable to connect camera as backup in an emergency.

[@lenzielenski3276]

@@DavidBergmanPhoto Yes, you did, shortly after I stopped to pen the above, hence the disclaimer. Nice tip on the card/reader brand.

[@gabbyyaw7781]

Hi David, please is it okay to use cf card adapter to shoot becauseI don't have the budget to buy a cf card for my camera. Read so many articles online and still don't know the right answer

[@marchinderickx8193]

Thanks a lot David After the transfer of the pictures, do you delete de files or format the memory card? If you format the card, do you do this on the computer or on the camera?

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Great question you should send to www.AskDavidBergman.com :) Short answer - don't delete individual images in the camera. Do a camera format when starting fresh (for me - each new shoot after backing up the last one) and then a low-level format once a month in computer (or camera if available) to keep cards clean. I did a video about keeping cards healthy here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4WspWVrqsidjrM

[@jans19772012]

Great video David..may want to advise them to save the photos somewhere else before working on them. Dropbox comes to mind...not happy about it cuz is a cloud service..but at least is something, and don't have to worry about loosing the data on your PC

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Good advice. I’ve talked a lot about backup and will continue to preach.

[@jacobflores411]

Ive never used a UHC2 and just bought a camera that utilizes this. Will the standard card reader still work with UHS2 cards?

[@GOAP68]

2:32 With CFExpress cards costing $1.25* to $2.50** per GB, who can afford to use them just once? They're 100 times more expensive than external hard drives which cost under $0.02*** per GB. CFExpress may be the latest and greatest but it's expensive being on the bleeding edge of technology. *512 GB Sandisk on adorama.com **64 GB Sandisk on adorama.com ***8TB Seagate on adorama.com

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Agreed. :)

[@felixrodriguez4263]

David some the newer cameras allow you to transfer images via wifi and bluetooth as well to drives at are setup for that type of transfer method.

[@LazyBones-0_0]

so slow

[@definedphotography]

WiFi & bluetooth (especially) are going to be much slower than a card reader. Yes you can do it, but hopefully you've got better things to do with your time :)

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

What they said. Fine for a handful of JPEGs to your phone. But hundreds or thousands of raw files would take forever.

[@allichamps3964]

Hi i have another question i need to have external car sd because it s boring to diassemble dual battery booster on my caméra for access to sd card

[@jizzythefroggy1108]

David, what picture profile are you using in this video?

[@InfectedChris]

I've never had any mounting issues. Just shows up as any external drive and I let it copy while I step away to go get a drink or whatever. I still may get a reader simply because not properly un-mounting a drive can lead to other issues. Just make sure you hit eject when you right click on the card from file explorer. Edit: I also use a desktop but I do have a laptop for traveling around. I just like having 2 monitors with my desktop.

[@craighousesounddesign5944]

I've always used my camera but I've lost track of the number of times I've forgotten to turn off the camera after transferring and drained the battery. doh.

[@wagonwheelfarm3092]

I have the ProGrade card and reader as well. I don't know how I lived with out them. I am on my 3rd card reader (all different brands) ProGrade will be the kind I will only buy now.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Preach! Fast, high quality cards are the type of things you didn't know you needed until you have them. :)

[@aral2dmax]

David, how do you get nice light quality while doing your videos?

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Ask me at www.AskDavidBergman.com and I’ll do a video about my new studio setup. :) FYI links to my lights are in the description.

[@CanadianArchivist]

Using a connector wire from the camera to a USB on a laptop or desktop does have some issues. It can be slower, you can use your connection and have to restart the upload a second time. If someone is careless ( not necessarily the photographer), the person or pet that comes near you could knock the cord which can damage the connector on the camera. Internal SD card readers can be slow depending how fast the laptop processor and RAM is, and the programs running in the background. So this is just one extra device the computer has to access back and forth to transfer files. Having an external card reader has a lot of benefits. Not just speed. If you change cameras, or someone else has a different card format, you can exchange files and read various different cards from different formats. They’re also faster. Placing a card into a box without transferring images.. not a good thing. As a trained archivist, this is not a good thing. Technology changes over time. Some readers may become obsolete. Cards may become obsolete. So you need to transfer the images to your computer, portable hard drive and a cloud in case something fails. Simply a way to retrieve them or recover them. Some people have CDs or DVDs that they’ve had photo services transfer negatives to and have them a set of prints. Not many new laptops and desktops have a built in drive anymore. If you’re tech savvy you can install a DVD burner in a desktop yourself or get an external one to read those files. That’s IF the motherboard has the proper connections for it. CDs & DVDs are backward technology now. Think ahead of 5 years down the road. Do you have something capable of reading the storage mediums you have in your home?

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

All great points.

[@thegeneral123]

I use an external card reader on the basis that it's too easy to damage USB ports and every connection has a finite lifespan. It's probably not enough to worry about but I've seen enough usb ports damaged and ripped off the mainboard from rough use/accidents. I take the card out, leave the camera in a safe place away from easy drops and knocks.

[@kirkdarling4120]

And replacing a USB port in the camera is exceedingly expensive.

[@Cagey7531]

I can't imagine any photographer not knowing this already, for such beginner advice was there a need for that lump of a pro camera?

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

It’s what I have handy. :)

[@terrygunderson5681]

@@DavidBergmanPhoto you're so modest, pro bodies are probably pretty much all "you have handy"

[@Poopdeck1015]

What’s the best card reader to buy for SD cards? I saw a bell in usb 3.0 on Amazon.

[@1BigBucks1]

ProGrade is a good brand

[@brendallsterling4117]

Is it worth going mirrorless from my canon d5 mark iv.

[@ihknilsen]

I also use external readers. This makes it quick and easy and my camera stays put away in the case.

[@Iamkitkatbar]

I can just usb to usb from camera to pc for transferring files. Do I really need one of these?

[@sandracunningham3995]

Love the smart people on this channel.

[@ArturoTabera]

Another "forgotten aspect" of the whole transfer thing. Win: You should use tools like teracopy to make sure source data equals destination data. Dunno tools for mac.

[@MrDaviddesouza]

Black shirt, black camera, dark background and table. How does one see what you are doing?????

[@mitchellkasdin1899]

Camera on desk = camera on floor. Why risk it? Good vid. 👍

[@polygamous1]

My question is this If i buy a card reader do I have to download additional programmes on my computer B4 I can transfer photos from my camera to my PC? or once the card reader reads the card its all I have to do n then i can just transfer my photos to my P WITHOUT any hassle? someone Please help

[@samanthaodonnell4329]

External reader for the win :-) Never seen the magnetic bit on other readers, I'm assuming it doesn't affect the card or images negativly?

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Not at all...

[@flatheadfletch]

I can’t find a reader specifically for XQD and CF. Not cfe. Please help. Nikon D4s

[@sijilo]

👍 Cool

[@fotowalo]

Always used external card readers..... in my opinion much safer then directly from the camera...

[@pattymattes7124]

I use a card reader too.

[@davemil716]

David, I have always enjoyed your videos... usually quick and on point. But your recommendation of a $80 card reader? Not sure I follow that logic. Is it only because of the newer faster cards? I use basic SD cards and use a $20 Transcend reader. I don't do video or even sports where I need fast cards. So I guess my question is why such an expensive reader?

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Reliability and speed. You get what you pay for, but if those work for you, then awesome. I bet once you try a fast card and reader, you’ll find its hard to go back.

[@davemil716]

@@DavidBergmanPhoto It's like I wouldn't buy a $5k camera to do simple portraits. I don't need that kind of speed, no sports - no action... I don't drive a Cadillac either... Fast cards in my camera would be a waste of money... I am happy with what I paid for!

[@cifuentesphotos]

I'm sorry, but I missing something here. How you transfer the photos to the card reader?

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

You take the card out of your camera and insert it into the slot on the reader.

[@jmersits]

External card reader is my choice.

[@wrecktech]

Of course he can get his gear, he works for Adorama! 🤣

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

I don’t work at the store and I buy gear from them all the time. :)

[@nurobeatz]

Nobody huh? No one wants to mention that salon quality, blow-dried hair lol?! Honestly, thanks for the info! My internal reader is definitely not up to speed and I needed a pro recommendation.

[@fixitrod4969]

The AC adapter recommendation is because if the battery dies while copying it can corrupt the card.

[@Ishijah1]

If you do have modern camera and your camera is connected to your pc it should be powering your camera.

[@sebastiangonzalez1318]

David canon 70-200mm f2.8 with is or without is ... from chile

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Send to www.AskDavidBergman.com please.

[@avnerbenzvi8757]

up to photos quantity in memoru card

[@zavoina]

I have never gone camera to computer, it's slow and risky.

[@tessm3420]

Well i have never had an issue with a card reader with my Canons or my Sony A6000 now apparently people are having issues with using a card reader with the Sony A7iii it will lose all your images so they say its best to transer by camera to computer by cable. 🤷‍♀️

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Hmm, haven't heard that bug sounds like a nasty bug!

[@Poopdeck1015]

Are magnets really a good idea?

[@craigleavitt9348]

I wish did you had added a few alternatives of good card readers not just the most expensive 1one.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

People often ask what I use so that’s what I recommend. Plenty of other options at Adorama.

[@sdega315]

I am just a hobbyist. I use the SD reader built in to my laptop. Embarrassing story... Last month I planned an early morning trip to a local sunflower field to try to shoot indigo buntings. Drove 30 minutes, walked a quarter to the fields, turned on my camera, and... "No SD Card Inserted" NOOOOOOOOO!!!! I left it in my laptop! :-(

[@marchinderickx8193]

A good practice is to have an SD card in your wallet

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

Oops. Yea I make it a habit to never put my camera back in my bag without a card in it. You only need to make that mistake once. :)

[@mikerobertson4041]

Speed is my reason for using a card reader!

[@johnd3732]

The guy asks a simple question and five minutes later you still did not start to answer it. I had the same question and don't have a cable to connect it to the computer.

[@ared18t]

I don't have one built into my pc so. . . YES haha.

[@charlieross-BRM]

I hung in there waiting for some suggestions including mid grade readers, eg. around $30-$50. Lexar has a whole bunch and they are listed on Adorama. That would have been practical to do. Also I would be cautious with a reader that has a magnet of any kind built in. If a card is not left in, fine. Otherwise I wouldn't. I hid a thumb drive for a week in the housing of an unpowered desktop speaker and maybe 1/4th of the data was recoverable when I came home. Camera cards can't be that much different in construction. YMMV.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

I have never had an issue with the magnets. Also yes, there are lots of readers out there but like cards, I feel it's worth the extra money to get one that is fast and reliable. YMMV.

[@mitchellhughes5180]

This guy has salon quality hair

[@charan7208]

Which age are you guys in ? I mean seriously? Uncle you need to go to school. USB cable is the best and easy way to transfer. Speed? what are you talking about? Heard of USB Type C? More over, You can spend hours n hours in shooting those pictures and cannot wait like 5 mins to copy? LOL. Go grab some coffee meanwhile. Grow up people. You don't wanna keep removing that SD card and damage your card slot. And pay extra for good card readers. Time to go "Sony" which have all the features you're missing on your So called "Tank (nikon, canon)". Its just 1 USB type C cable and you're good to go. Charge/transfer/tether all you need is 1 cable.

[@DavidBergmanPhoto]

If that works for you, great. In some of my work, every minute can make a huge difference. When I shot sports, we had to dump cards and do a quick edit in between quarters with the clock literally ticking.

[@chetansp912]

Errr... what makes you think that Pro Nikon and Canon doesn't have USB C ports kiddo?