Using a memory card is about as easy as it can get. The days of feeding film through the camera and hoping you got it right are long gone. All you need do today is open the camera's door, slide in the memory card, and power up the camera. Then you are off and running; what could be easier?

The best part, however, is that you can use the card again and again with no more film, film processing, or trips to the photo lab.

Installing a Memory Card into a Camera

The first step in the process is to load the card into your camera (consult your camera's manual for the location of the card slot). Once you have the port located on your camera, make sure you have your memory card oriented in the proper way, then insert it into your camera (figure 1 illustrates the CompactFlash card and figure 2 illustrates the xD card).

NOTE: Always turn the camera off when inserting or removing a memory card. Also, insert memory cards only into slots designed for that type of card.

Attaching a Card Reader to your Computer

Once we have taken a number of photos and the card is loaded with image files, we need to copy these files from the card to the computer. Many cameras have an option to be plugged directly into the computer to download the images. When you do this, you tie up the camera and can’t keep shooting. Also, if you are shooting in the studio and have the camera on a tripod, you either have to remove the camera or place the computer near the camera.

A much better option is to remove the cards from the camera and insert it into a card reader. Then you can load a second card into the camera and keep shooting while the first card downloads.

This lesson looks at two of the many card readers made by Lexar, the USB 2.0 Multi-Card Reader and the Single Slot Multi-Card reader (figure 3).

First up is the USB 2.0 Multi-Card Reader. This product has four ports and accepts all the memory cards made by Lexar. To connect the card reader to the computer, use the included USB cable. Insert the small plug into the cord receptacle on the side of the Multi-Card reader (figure 4).

Then insert the other end of the USB cable into a USB port on your computer (figure 5).

Installing a Memory Card into a Card Reader

The following steps decribe how to insert a memory card into a card reader.

The USB 2.0 Multi-Card reader has a protective door over the card ports. Flip down the door to access the ports (figure 6).

As you face the USB 2.0 Multi-Card reader the CompactFlash port is on the top left of the unit. Align the card with the port (figure 7).

Slide the card in the CF port and firmly seat the card into place. When the card is properly in place, the red light on the reader will come on (figures 8 and 9).

Now let's look at loading an xD memory card into the Single Slot Multi-Card Reader.

First, open up the port access by pulling the cover open until it stops, then lift the door up to expose the card port (figures 10 and 11).

With the card port now open, align the xD card with the card port and slide the card into place (figure 12 and 13).

Now you can reverse the steps from figures 10 and 11 to cover up the xD card, then remove the cover over the USB connector on the reader (figure 14).

Install the Single Slot Multi-Card Reader into a USB port on your computer and your ready to download your photos (figure 15).

If you wish to use the extension USB cable, install the reader into the USB port on the cable and insert the other end of the cable into your computer's USB port (figures 16 and 17).

Downloading Photos from your Memory Cards

Once you have installed the software included with the card reader, you will have four new icons in your “My Computer” window to chose from. These are labeled as to the type of card each of them reads (figure 18).

Now create a new folder to store your photos. Open up the card in the reader by double clicking on the proper icon (CF or xD). Drag and drop the photo folder into the new folder you created. The image files will copy into the new photo folder.

When the files have been properly saved to the computer, the image files can be deleted from the memory card. Then the card is ready to take more photos.

The best way to delete files from the memory card is from within the camera. Insert the memory card into the camera. Turn the camera's power on. Follow the camera's menu to "Card" or "Card Setup". Choose "Format". The camera will ask if you want to reformat. Select "Yes". All the files on the memory card will be erased.