Using an iPod for photos

[Stephen]

Does anyone use an iPod for downloading photos too? If so do you do it using a direct connection to the camera or via an adaptor and card reader. How do you transfer the files back to the PC. Will these players display Raw files?

As you can no doubt tell I'm a bit green when it comes to such matters, but am trying to decide if its worth buying an adaptor to enable me to transfer photos

[John Houghton]

I used a 60GB Ipod on a trip to Canada last year and had no problems. I downloaded the images by connecting the camera to the Ipod. The transfer speed is quite slow. Transferring the files to the PC is straightforward. Assuming you use Itunes for synchronizing the Ipod with the PC music library simply by plugging in the Ipod, you will also be able to copy in the image files as you would from a floppy disc or card reader using Windows Explorer. Each run to transfer files from camera to Ipod creates a new folder "nnnAPPLE" within a folder called DCIM. JPEG files can be displayed in the Ipod but not RAW files - at any rate, not on mine.

John

[Stephen]

Thanks John, thats just the sort of info I wanted. I'm questioning whether there is much point in buying the adaptor for around £35. Esp as I have a laptop which can be used for big jobs or when I'm away from home. As the iPod is essentially for music, I will probably just use it for keeping an album of favourite images, rather than downloading cards to.

[John Houghton]

Originally Posted by Stephen

I'm questioning whether there is much point in buying the adaptor for around £35.

Well, a laptop is certainly preferable, but the adapter is available for £20 from Amazon (post free) and £19 from John Lewis.

John

[peter]

Ok guess you asked because you have an Ipod and take it around with you all the time. Having said that I use a epson p2000 ,have used it a lot when away from home mostly gp weekends away and at Goodwood this year. It will display jpeg and raw files. The only down side is that you cannot zoom in on the raw files.

[Stephen]

Thanks for that Peter. The thing is I use soley raw files. I have 5x1GB cards, so thats well in excess of 500 shots for me. Consequently there are very few occasions in a year when I need any more. However I did think of the potential for extra storage using the iPod. In reality I would probably never need it, unless there was a situation when I couldn't download to the laptop. As John implied extended holidays abroad may be one such situation. There is a lot to be said for backing up when abroad.

[peter]

I took 4 1gb cards with me to Goodwood. I only used two of them .I had one in the camera and one downloading as I went. I also shoot most of what I take in raw. I guess I do not always get the best from it raw that is but I do find it helps.

[DTD]

I've occasionally used my iPod to transport photos. I use the £19 camera adaptor. It does the job, although it's not as good as a dedicated photo-vault-thingy.

It would be nice to be able to see RAW files – perhaps this may happen one day.

I also regulary use it as a portable hard drive to transfer layouts from work to home and have occasionally used it as a voice recorder.

Oh yes I sometimes listen to music on it as well

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by DTD

It would be nice to be able to see RAW files – perhaps this may happen one day.

I agree that would be nice, might even swing me using it in this way For the moment though its just music and a folder of favourites to run as a slideshow.