Guest BigSplash Posted August 8, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) So far I have only downloaded images using a USB cable connected directly to the M8....does anyone have a view on this compared to removing the memory card and using a card reader? Specifically: 1 Is the replacement of the rubber USB cover cheap and easy to do if needed or is it back to Solms? 2 Is there a risk of eventually damaging the USB connector in the camera? I find the task of removing the bottom plate as cumbersome and also poses a risk of damage to the lug if in a hurry, or proper care is not taken......Comments? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 8, 2009 Posted August 8, 2009 Hi Guest BigSplash, Take a look here M8:Download: USB port or Memory card reader?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ljclark Posted August 8, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 8, 2009 I know there are pros and cons on this issue, but I could never see the point of hooking up any of my digital cameras to a computer just to download the files. My laptop has a built-in SD card reader and my desktop computer has an ExpressCard slot that I use for both CF and SD card readers, and I feed cards directly into my Hyperdrive Colorspace when I'm away from a computer or away from home. You're opening up the bottom to change batteries anyway, and I tend to pull out the battery at the end of the day to top it off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted August 8, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 8, 2009 I think that it's much better to use a card reader than to use the USB connector. There are several reasons for this. One is that it's faster. Also, it doesn't drain the camera's battery. Other reasons include less risk of damage to the camera from any electrical anomalies, less risk of damage to the camera by not having it tied to the computer, and it removes the risk of damaging the USB port or cover. The bottom cover is pretty tough, and you are used to removing it every time you wanted to change a film in a previous M camera, it shouldn't prove too onerous. (And while it's removed, you can also take out the battery to charge it.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted August 8, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 8, 2009 Reader. How do you charge the battery without removing the base? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted August 8, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 8, 2009 I use both methods all the time - if I shoot a handful of shots I agree it's silly to take off the bottom plate and the slower transfer isn't a problem. If I've been out all day and have hundreds to transfer then it's bottom plate off, battery on charge and SD card into the reader for direct transfer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Pope Posted August 8, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 8, 2009 Nicole is 100% right IMHO. To me, the USB port on the M8 is a bit like an appendix. It's there, but it's of no real use and we can do perfectly well without it. It's not even used for updating firmware, which has to be done via an SD card. I have never connected my M8 to a computer via USB. In fact I've never even taken the USB cover off. I always use a card reader. Taking the bottom off the camera is a non-issue as I've been doing it for years with film Ms anyway so there's no difference. Just out of interest, what do you do if you have shots on more than one card? Are you using the M8 as a card reader? Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 8, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) sigh.....I sometimes wonder why we bother to post at all..... whatever rings your bell, Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted August 8, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 8, 2009 sigh.....I sometimes wonder why we bother to post at all..... whatever rings your bell, Frank I have taken note of the above inputs ....BUT.... 1 If I remove the bottom cover does that not allow dust and humidity into the camera temporarily? Personally I consider my M8 as something I need to keep all hatches closed as far as possible.....I am asking : Is it not the case that opening the base plate is against that principle and logic? 2 The idea to charge the battery while downloading a memory module looks good at a first look I completeley agree until one recognises that the memory download takes 30 seconds mostly.....BUT: > a battery charge takes say 6 hours........or more > actually ideally I believe that the battery should be allowed to be fully discharged and then recharged to full (overnight?) > Is it not best to use a battery until FULLY discharged and then use a second fully charged battery in the camera? Is this not the way to do things? Thanks for any help on this one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 8, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 8, 2009 search function....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted August 8, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 8, 2009 Nicole is 100% right IMHO. To me, the USB port on the M8 is a bit like an appendix. It's there, but it's of no real use and we can do perfectly well without it. It's not even used for updating firmware, which has to be done via an SD card. I have never connected my M8 to a computer via USB. In fact I've never even taken the USB cover off. I always use a card reader. Taking the bottom off the camera is a non-issue as I've been doing it for years with film Ms anyway so there's no difference. Just out of interest, what do you do if you have shots on more than one card? Are you using the M8 as a card reader? Cheers Mark I certainly am not using the M8 as a card reader. I also have several SD cards but I typically use only one very high speed 4 Gig card and download typically between 50 and 400 shots...so the speed of transfer issue is no problem for me. I recognise that it drains the battery to do this, but I guess the counter argument is that this is good news for the battery due to hysterisis....batteries like to be FULLY discharged and then FULLY recharged. They hate to be partially discharged and then recharged is my understanding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Pope Posted August 8, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 8, 2009 I certainly am not using the M8 as a card reader. I recognise that it drains the battery to do this, but I guess the counter argument is that this is good news for the battery due to hysterisis....batteries like to be FULLY discharged and then FULLY recharged. They hate to be partially discharged and then recharged is my understanding. True for NiCd batteries, but not for either NiMH or Lithium-ion batteries (which is the type used on the M8). From How to prolong lithium-based batteries "A lithium-ion battery provides 300-500 discharge/charge cycles. The battery prefers a partial rather than a full discharge. Frequent full discharges should be avoided when possible. Instead, charge the battery more often or use a larger battery. There is no concern of memory when applying unscheduled charges." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted August 8, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 8, 2009 Frank, I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you are worried about the wrong things. The parts of the M8 that are exposed to the elements when opening the baseplate are not particularly sensitive to a bit of fresh air. (Unless of course you happen to be doing this outside in the middle of a monsoon without a brolly, or in a dust storm.) Also, if you are using a 'very high speed card' then downloading via the M8's USB is not using the full potential of the card, as the M8 USB connection is not a fast one. Finally, I seem to recall that the type of battery used in the M8 does not suffer adversely if charged whilst not fully empty. In fact, I think it is better for this type of battery if it is not fully drained. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted August 8, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 8, 2009 Frank, I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you are worried about the wrong things. The parts of the M8 that are exposed to the elements when opening the baseplate are not particularly sensitive to a bit of fresh air. (Unless of course you happen to be doing this outside in the middle of a monsoon without a brolly, or in a dust storm.) Also, if you are using a 'very high speed card' then downloading via the M8's USB is not using the full potential of the card, as the M8 USB connection is not a fast one. Finally, I seem to recall that the type of battery used in the M8 does not suffer adversely if charged whilst not fully empty. In fact, I think it is better for this type of battery if it is not fully drained. Correct on all points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted August 8, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 8, 2009 The only time I connected any digital camera to a computer using a USB cable on any regular basis was with my first P&S Canon and I paid the price a couple of times. With the M8 the only times I did this was the first day I got it, I didn't have a SD card reader that day. And the times I had somehow forgotten my portable SD card reader. Maybe 3 or 4 time in the 2.5+ years I have it. That is with the chrome M8. With the black M8 I don't think I've ever opened the USB port door on the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted August 8, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 8, 2009 Memory card reader Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted August 8, 2009 Share #16 Posted August 8, 2009 Just for the sake of completeness I will give the Eye-Fi (Pro) card a mention as an alternative. Since I first tried it out I have abandoned it as not very practical due to speed, power and signal issues but your mileage may vary. It does work. You will never have to remove your card, but instead you will change your battery more often. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 8, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 8, 2009 sound of one-note piano / woo-hoo, hoo-hoo / yes! .....the Platters Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted August 8, 2009 Share #18 Posted August 8, 2009 You would be in a minority if you use that method. You could ask customer service about replacing the rubber cover. I would be surprised if it arises often at all. Yes, it is possible to damage any USB port, especially in frequent use. The small versions in devices are certainly not bulletproof. The bottom plate system is of course very familiar and very durable. Many thousands of users have operated it successfully for more than 50 years. Your system does not allow for using more than one card between downloads. I use 4GB cards and find that I change cards every second battery cycle. That is, ~400 shots, cover off, change card, next cycle change card and battery. The battery type used in the M8 does not need to be fully discharged and it does not suffer from 'memory effect' My recommendation is to use a card reader always. Format your cards in camera not in your computer. If you really dislike or worry about taking the bottom cover off, you can get an aftermarket replacement bottom cover with a door for the card. These are not supported by Leica of course. So far I have only downloaded images using a USB cable connected directly to the M8....does anyone have a view on this compared to removing the memory card and using a card reader?Specifically: 1 Is the replacement of the rubber USB cover cheap and easy to do if needed or is it back to Solms? 2 Is there a risk of eventually damaging the USB connector in the camera? I find the task of removing the bottom plate as cumbersome and also poses a risk of damage to the lug if in a hurry, or proper care is not taken......Comments? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erg Posted August 8, 2009 Share #19 Posted August 8, 2009 Neither of them if this works: Eye-Fi memory cards: wireless photo and video uploads from your camera to your computer and to the web. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted August 8, 2009 Share #20 Posted August 8, 2009 I1 If I remove the bottom cover does that not allow dust and humidity into the camera temporarily? Personally I consider my M8 as something I need to keep all hatches closed as far as possible.... Do you have an M8 for each lens you own? If not which do you think lets more "dust and humidity" into the camera, removing the baseplate or changing a lens? There are times when I wonder if we're dealing with a troll or a moron. At the moment I'm undecided. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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