I'm transfering RAW files by putting my cards into a SanDisk Compact Flash PC Card Adapter. It takes me about 70min to dump a 4GB card and 20min to dump a 1GB.

Is there a quicker way of doing this?

My card reader is about 6 years old so I'm thinking it's just old and slow and I need the new quicker and better device.

wow.. 70 Min to dump a 4 gig? how big is your PC processor?

It's a Duo processor T2400 (1.83Hz, 2MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)

PC card readers are rather slow, even the 32-bit ones.

Try this or this and you'll be much better off!

The most likely scenario is slow memory cards. I have the first adapter listed and it works great, but if you stick a really slow memory card in it then it's still going to be slow.

Good point Matt.

Jenna, specifically what cards are you using?

I'm going to suggest that the computer is underpowered, the HD transfer rate is slow, the reader is past it's prime, and your cards may also be slow. Other than that it should be fine.

Thanks for the links Matt. I'll get on picking one of the two up.

The cards I use are:
SanDisk Extreme III (a few)
SanDisk Ultra II (a few here too)
and the SanDisk compact flash card, it's blue and maybe the fist of it's kind to come out before the fatser ones came out...I think they may be the oldest but I only have two of these.

You may also maximize the speed by getting a USB 2.0 card reader. Combine that with a USB 2 port on most newer computers and it changes greatly! We currently use a SanDisk 10 or 12 in one thing that has a USB 2 cord. When we hook it up to our MBP or Leopard desktop we can download Raw from a 4 gig in about 4-7 minutes.

I would say use Extreme III or faster. Anything below that transfers too slowly. There are some great rebates now, especially if you buy three cards.

Awww, a dream from my 70min!

Get extreme III CF cards and a Sandisk Firewire 400/800 CF Reader (~$60) and you will transfer an entire 4gb card in the 4-7 mins that chris is talking about. PC cards are EXTREMELY slow, and unreliable to boot... but then again, so are PCs.

Paired with a mac, that new reader will be even better, because you won't have to deal with WINDOWS! Let me know when you're going to switch to mac and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have :-)

Buy a new card reader... I get bored when it takes 6 min to dump an 8GB card.

YAY!! I thought it was normal to take 70 mins/4GB card...

i so need to upgrade EVERYTHING.