Customer Reviews

Apple Camera Connector for iPod (White)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

There are two product numbers for Apple's iPod Camera Connector, M9861G/A and M9861G/B. I have the later version, which merely updates the packaging to indicate compatibility with newer iPod models. The hardware themselves are identical.

If you already have an iPod, the iPod Camera Connector can be an inexpensive solution for backing up photos or freeing up memory cards on-the-go. Although high capacity memory cards are inexpensive these days, the importance of backup is perhaps even more important. Memory cards will eventually fail, especially under harsh shooting condition. And thanks to megapixel craze, even the largest memory card may not seem so large after several days of shooting. The Camera Connector costs as little as entry-level high-speed memory cards, making it a good value.

The Camera Connector is compatible with only the regular iPods with color display. It is not compatible with iPod nano and iPhone.

I use the Camera Connector with 30 GB 5th generation iPod, Canon Digital Rebel XTi (EOS 400D) with a couple of SanDisk Ultra II (2 GB and 4 GB) and spare battery, and Canon PowerShot SD800 IS with SanDisk Ultra II 2 GB. In addition, I bring the battery chargers for both cameras, USB-to-mini-USB cable (from one of the cameras), and iPod USB Power Adapter (extra purchase) during travel. iPod can import from multiple cameras and multiple memory cards.

The Camera Connector is small with an attractive white finish that perfectly complements the white iPod. It has tastefully simple design with just two connectors, male iPod Dock Connector on one end and female USB connector on the opposite end. A major oversight is the lack of pass-through Dock Connector for feeding iPod power during import.

My typical vacation work flow:

1. If necessary, charge both cameras. Otherwise, charge SD800 while I continue the next step.
2. Connect XTi, Camera Connector, and iPod.
3. Turn the camera on.
4. Begin the import.
5. When the import completes, disconnect and charge both iPod and camera.
6. While iPod is being charged, verify the import.
7. Repeat 2 through 6 for SD800.
8. Finish charging iPod and cameras.
9. Format the memory cards via camera.

As you can see, this work flow is an exercise in juggling battery life. Import frequently to keep import session short.

With XTi, I shoot in the RAW file format (no JPEG). Each of the 10-megapixel RAW file averages 9.8 MB (2 GB memory card stores few photos shy of 200). Although iPod will not preview RAW, which makes it difficult to verify successful import, it will import them just the same. After the import is finished, it will mark each roll with number of images and capacity used. Because iPod is not capable of generating preview image from RAW, importing RAW is significantly faster and draws less battery. Transferring 100 images (about 1 GB) takes about 24 minutes, or 670 KB/sec. After the import, iPod has more than half the battery life remaining for additional importing chores. While 670 KB/sec is not fantastic, I find it to be acceptable. I was able to import as much as 1.5 GB worth of RAW images with about a third battery life still remaining. FYI, my iPod has been used for about 1.5 years, with few hundred charge cycles.

With SD800, I shoot in 7-megapixel super fine JPEG. Each file averages 3 MB (2 GB memory card stores a bit over 650 photos). With JPEG, iPod generates preview image during import, which slows down the process and puts additional drain on the battery. Importing 1 GB worth of image takes almost an hour, or roughly 370 KB/sec. I was able to import 1.2 GB worth of JPEGs on full charge with a sliver of battery level meter remaining. Under this scenario, around 1.5 GB worth of 7-megapixel JPEG images can be imported before the battery runs out. I wish there was an option to skip preview generation altogether or postpone while iPod is charged.

In addition to JPEG and RAW, the Camera Connector can import videos. It will not play them, however. The Camera Connector supports few memory card readers (some Belkin readers are supposedly compatible). I have tried a couple of non-Belkin media card readers, but neither worked.

Once the import is complete, you can choose to delete the memory card or view imported photos. I recommend formatting the card via camera instead after verifying successful import. If you do not delete or format the card, iPod will import the same set of images on subsequent import. So be sure to clear the memory card AFTER verifying. Photos are organized by rolls, each roll corresponding to photos and/or videos from each import. After the import, you can check number of photos and capacity used, look at JPEG images, or delete the entire roll (potentially dangerous feature that should be less prominent).

My iPod (firmware 1.2.1) crashed and restarted few times after importing a large set of images, but it was able to continue without ill effects. Occassionally, particularly after browsing imported photos, iPod will get an amnesia and will report 0 number of photos for each rolls. (I am guessing iPod's internal memory buffer ran out.) Relax, all your photos are fine. Simply reset your iPod and all will be well. These glitches notwithstanding, this solution has worked very well and reliably for me. To date, I have imported several thousand photos and never lost a photo.

At home, I use an iMac running Apple Aperture. Aperture imports photos as if they are coming from the memory card. Other applications, such as Apple's iPhoto and Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom, work the same way. Apple's iTunes is not used for importing photos -- only for syncing photos back to iPod.

Ultimately, the iPod Camera Connector works. It's slow but it is very affordable if you already have an iPod. One can carry a notebook computer to accomplish the same, but I prefer to travel light. Dedicated media vault (media card reader with a hard disk) is a superior solution, but I already have an iPod and my needs are not advanced enough to justify that expense. For me, the Camera Connector is a workable and affordable solution.

Pros:
- Very affordable.
- Relatively easy to use.
- Small, stylish, and very good build quality.
- In addition to JPEG, imports RAW and videos.

Cons:
- Slow.
- Battery killer.
- iPod cannot be charged at the same time.
- Supports only few memory card readers.
- Will not preview RAW images nor play videos.
- Occassional crashes and "amnesia."

There were several options available when I was looking for a way to transfer my digital photos from my canon digital camera to my iPod while traveling so that I would have plenty of storage space without lugging around a computer. I have the 60 GB video iPod and thought that it would be an ideal storage solution while traveling. The iPod camera connector works as advertised but with a few notable limitations.
1. The photos are imported slowly - at least 15 seconds per photo
2. The battery life of the iPod is greatly affected. A transfer of 250 photos will drain about 40 percent of the battery when it was fully charged. This means that after each day, I was forced to charge both my camera and my iPod.
3. The photo orientation is lost - when importing directly to my computer the landscape vs portrait settings of the photos are retained so that the photos are displayed correctly. However, while importing via the iPod Camera Connector that information is not retained and photos must be manually rotated if shot with the camera rotated 90 degrees.

Overall, the product was helpful and satisfied my requirements. I would recommend this product to others if you have similar requirements.

I used this with a 3G 20GB iPod. It was fine for shooting jpeg. Nice previews. Kind of miraculous for the price. The problem is that I now shoot RAW. The files will still transfer to the ipod. There is no preview but you can see a placeholder icon for each image. The problem is that when I transfer the files to my Mac all of the EXIF info is lost! The file numbers are still there, but no date, time or exposure information.

Also, the connector will not work with the iPhone.

A $30 Device that allows you to backup photos from a digital camera sounds great. Right? Well yes, In theory, but not in practice. The website states which models the device is compatible with, the retail box, however does not. It says "Compatible with iPod with color display and iPod with video" That is the only requirements it gives. My iPod classic has both. A color display, and it plays video. However, Apple is much too stupid to include the functionality in the current software. I am amazed that apple still manufactures a device that only works with one iPod model from 3 years ago. Way to piss people off Apple. DO NOT BUY THIS IF YOU HAVE A CURRENT MODEL IPOD

Won't work with the latest newest Ipod classic. This is a convenient gadget and transferred hundreds of pictures on vacation for me with my original ipod. Then the ipod was stolen and the latest greatest ipod won't work with the camera connector now all I get is hardware not supported.
A good gadget rendered useless. I'm desperate for it to work again!

The Apple iPod Camera Connector works just as it is supposed to. It was my experience that transferring from cameras producing large(r) images takes some time, so be sure both camera and iPod batteries are charged.

This product has been of great use while traveling , particularly overseas. It is easy to use, and its small size allows it to be packed in with my other camera equipment ,

I used this on my trip to Hawaii. The product itself worked great but the ipod tends run out juice fast so you are limited on the number of pictures you can import at one time. I would definitely stick to 2GB or less of pictures to import at one time. So as long as you stick to 2 GB cards, your golden. It's very convenient otherwise. Not having to take a laptop or separate bulk media storage device on an airplane made life much easier. Make sure you have the charger kit for the iPod though.

Works great. Now my iPod is my picture storage right off my camera. Amazing. Don't carry any more memory cards when we are traveling.

The camera connector works just fine. I have a Canon SD750 and I can connect the camera directly to my iPod to unload the camera. But since I keep all my pictures in Windows, once I get them onto the iPod, they do not run easily through the picture import wizard with Windows. Side-note, I tried using the camera connector with a mini SD card reader instead of connecting directly to the camera, it did not work. It works just the way is says, but it does not fit my preferences.