Will a cheap CF reader damage my CF cards?

[Chris Luker]

I've read all about the dropped frames and green banding that can happen using a cheaper CF card reader. My question is, can a cheaper CF card reader damage my CF cards? Assuming I let the reader cool off between downloading cards...
I am waiting for the Red Station to ship, but would like to shoot some test/learning footage until it does.

 

[Jeff Mustaman]

What is your definition of cheap? I don't use a expensive one... never had problems with it.

 

[Chris Luker]

Cheap as in I already have it. Probably in the sub $20 range.

 

[Lee Saxon]

Really? Why?

I understand why lack of bandwidth from the card or the CF module would cause dropped frames during RECORDING, but copying the files to a computer it can go as slowly as it needs to and I don't understand why that would cause a problem.

I ESPECIALLY don't understand the green banding. I'm a newspaper photography editor; I've downloaded tens of thousands of photos from CF cards and never had a damaged photo (during the download process! of course I've had files corrupted by the camera).

 

[ericyoung]

Well, I doubt it will damage it, but it may not read RED's own 16GB CF cards, and it may possibly corrupt files on those cards too. The 16GB's are quite non-standard in that most cameras apart from RED don't even recognise them.

 

[Brad Webb]

The cheap-o ones often are more difficult to line up the card properly, and the pins get bent. A bent pin could damage your card.

 

[Dan Kanes]

I really like this card reader:

Calumet Firewire 800/400 Reader

It's dope, it's fast and it's cheap for what it is.

 

[Mitch Martinez]

if your data for some reason does not transfer properly but you thought it did - then reformat your card; you might be stuck for whatever data didn't get properly transfered.

if you have a data wrangler on set verifying the transfered data, this would be less of a issue - but still potential.

 

[Rob Ruffo]

I use a Nexto. Much easier. Just one drive at the end of the day.

 

[David Kruta]

I really like this card reader:

Calumet Firewire 800/400 Reader

It's dope, it's fast and it's cheap for what it is.

I second this. Been using it for over a year now and it rocks.

 

[Paul Hazlett]

I second this. Been using it for over a year now and it rocks.

I too have the calumet reader and recently experienced a problem with it.

I was downloading a few cards, 3 I think in quick succession, during the second
card close to the end R3D manager gave me an error on the card and then the next as well. I was able to playback clips in camera so they were fine and I switched to drives. I later used a different reader of the same brand and got clean copies of all files. I am thinking it might have been a heat issue with the reader.

 

[Harry Clark]

May be unrelated, but there have been a few reports of trouble copying 16-gig CF cards.
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40879
I do a drag and drop first, then make a secure copy with r3d Manager.
I use the Lexar FW800 reader. I have four of them; two in my kit and one with each camera. Sometimes I think they are getting squirrely, but then it will start behaving.
Definitely a weak link in data management. Perhaps the Red Station is the answer?
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Vico Martin]

until redstation Lexar rules.

 

[J. Bernard Vallon]

anyone have any experience with this?

http://forum3.addonics.com/products/flash_memory_reader/AEPDDESU.asp