Just as the title says. What is your preferred method of importing photos from your camera into your computer? When I had only my D5100, I would pull the card out and put into my computer. Now, with the D7100, I've been connecting via cable. Is there a right way? Wrong way? Preferred way? How do you transfer photos?
How do YOU import photos?
- Thread starter SteveL54
- Start date
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I put the SD card in the computer's media reader and use Bridge to review the files. I rate each photo with either 4 Stars (this is a "maybe"), 5 Stars (this is a "keeper") or I mark it for deletion. Then I filter for shots marked for deletion and... surprise... delete them. Those marked with 4 or 5 Stars get re-reviewed/marked for deletion. Then I filter and delete again. The survivors get imported to my hard drive. This method helps me make the best use of the available hard drive space since 99% of the "trash" is purged right from the SD card and never touches my hard drive to begin with.
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Michael J.
Senior Member
Thank you so much. I just did it and it is a lot better than I use IrfanView
WOW! That makes my day much easier. Thanks Paul
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
1. I shoot raw only.
2. I connect the cable to my camera, and use ViewNx2 to upload (transfer) images from my camera toViewNx2. For me, it is fast. After upload, I format the SD Card in the camera.
3. I do not edit in Nx2. After transfer, and doing what I want with Nx2, I close it, open up Bridge, and then work on the .nef files in ACR, and then PP in PS or other editor of my choice.
Why I like to use ViewNx2:
a. With Nx2 open, I have the Nx2 Browser on the left, and Adjustments and Metadata on the right. Any questions about Metadata or quickly confirmed.
b. I can quickly see the Focus Point(s) if I want to in the Image Viewer (Main Window in the center).
c. I can send the image that is open in Nx2 directly to PS CC if I desire, or other programs I select.
d. I have a "Filmstrip" open at the bottom, showing all the images from the upload. I can delete and rate images in the Filmstrip. I can delete multiple images all at once if desired. I like to use the Filmstrip to choose which image I want to look at, or with arrows below, I can move forward or backwards, to look at images in the Filmstrip.
e. I have no idea of everything I could do with ViewNx2, there is a *Lot* more.
I am not suggesting that you do what I do here, this is just an explanation of what I do. There are lots of methods...I guess it is what you are used to. I am not a Pro, never will be, and just a hobbyist, at best. I am comfortable with what I do. I usually do not have over 200 images at a time to upload, unlike some that have hundreds and hundreds or more.
2. I connect the cable to my camera, and use ViewNx2 to upload (transfer) images from my camera toViewNx2. For me, it is fast. After upload, I format the SD Card in the camera.
3. I do not edit in Nx2. After transfer, and doing what I want with Nx2, I close it, open up Bridge, and then work on the .nef files in ACR, and then PP in PS or other editor of my choice.
Why I like to use ViewNx2:
a. With Nx2 open, I have the Nx2 Browser on the left, and Adjustments and Metadata on the right. Any questions about Metadata or quickly confirmed.
b. I can quickly see the Focus Point(s) if I want to in the Image Viewer (Main Window in the center).
c. I can send the image that is open in Nx2 directly to PS CC if I desire, or other programs I select.
d. I have a "Filmstrip" open at the bottom, showing all the images from the upload. I can delete and rate images in the Filmstrip. I can delete multiple images all at once if desired. I like to use the Filmstrip to choose which image I want to look at, or with arrows below, I can move forward or backwards, to look at images in the Filmstrip.
e. I have no idea of everything I could do with ViewNx2, there is a *Lot* more.
I am not suggesting that you do what I do here, this is just an explanation of what I do. There are lots of methods...I guess it is what you are used to. I am not a Pro, never will be, and just a hobbyist, at best. I am comfortable with what I do. I usually do not have over 200 images at a time to upload, unlike some that have hundreds and hundreds or more.
I always put the card in the Mac. That way I keep the contacts clean. Regularly I switch card one and two so the second gets the same treatment.
After upload I directly put it back in the cam. That's something you learn after ending somewhere shooting and noticing the card's still in the computer.
After upload I directly put it back in the cam. That's something you learn after ending somewhere shooting and noticing the card's still in the computer.
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I pull the SD card and put it in the computer (my reader is built in), launch LR and import. I've set LR to *copy* files (not move) so if anything goes wrong they'll still be on the card. Once that's done I pull the card, put it back in the camera and have the camera do a format. I've noticed that manipulating the card with the computer (format, delete, move, etc) can yield odd results once it goes back into the camera so I let my d90 handle the wipe.
For me copying the files from the card to LR was slower than copying them with Nikon transfer to a folder and then simply moving/adding those with LR. But that was on my PC and since I no longer use LR on the Mac, I don't know if that slow-down was PC related or LR itself.
Now I download/copy them to my NEF folder and use RT to work directly out of those. Before my next shoot I always format the card and that's that.
Now I download/copy them to my NEF folder and use RT to work directly out of those. Before my next shoot I always format the card and that's that.
You know it's very interesting to see all these different ways of importing. It's also made me realize that I've never actually tested which of these options (tethering, straight to LR, card reader, straight copy, etc) is actually the fastest on my machine with my camera. Hmmm.... I think I have a new project to try out
You know it's very interesting to see all these different ways of importing. It's also made me realize that I've never actually tested which of these options (tethering, straight to LR, card reader, straight copy, etc) is actually the fastest on my machine with my camera. Hmmm.... I think I have a new project to try out
When I do landscape speed matters less but when I've been birding for some hours and have 3-400 files to download it makes a huge difference.