Image Import ONLY Tools?

[Nells250]

I folks

For most of my digital-camera experience, I have used Canon's image import system. It is fast, and I like the way it can name/sort files and folders onto my PC.

During my recent Nikon P900/950 nightmare, I used their import program, and while it wasn't as good as Canon's, it did allow some renaming/sorting options. I still wasn't happy with it...

NOW with my new camera I need to use Panasonic's program, PhotoFunStudio. It seems VERY slow, and there are NO real options for renaming files or sorting/naming folders etc.

AND SO I ask you all:

1) Can one manufacturer's import program ever be tricked into working with a different brand camera?

2) Are there ANY tools out there I can use JUST for importing new images from my new camera? I use my graphics program for everything else, like browsing, renaming later, etc.

I JUST need a GOOD but SIMPLE import tool.



- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

 

[Richard James]

I folks

For most of my digital-camera experience, I have used Canon's image import system. It is fast, and I like the way it can name/sort files and folders onto my PC.

2) Are there ANY tools out there I can use JUST for importing new images from my new camera? I use my graphics program for everything else, like browsing, renaming later, etc.

I JUST need a GOOD but SIMPLE import tool.

Really, you don't need any specific manufacture's "import tool".

Just use the OS file manager to copy the files.

Renaming is more of a challenge but there are several file renamers out there.

I use EFSoftware's Multi-File Renamer (efsoftware.com/mr/e.htm). It is very programmable and can do almost anything you can think of if it can be written as instructions.

It saves scripts so you only need to set it up once...

Richard

 

[Nells250]

(my first post is missing an "H" in "HI"... don't want to short-change you all...)

Yeah, I am starting to think just use Explorer, BUT I like how the Canon software knows which images have or have not already been imported.

Seems slightly risky using Explorer and my memory ;-)

- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

 

[Richard James]

Yeah, I am starting to think just use Explorer, BUT I like how the Canon software knows which images have or have not already been imported.

Not a problem...

Copy files from source

Check they are all there

Rename as required (see my prev msg)

View in whatever you use (Lightroom, or any file viewer that can read raw files).

Copy files to a duplicate drive

Delete files from source...

Can't download them again

Seems slightly risky using Explorer and my memory ;-)

There are better tools than that. I use EF Explorer (EFSoftware.com)

It uses 2 panes so that you can see the source and destination simultaneously....

Much easier than playing with MS's Explorer.

Richard

 

[New Wrycuda]

Yeah, I am starting to think just use Explorer, BUT I like how the Canon software knows which images have or have not already been imported.

Seems slightly risky using Explorer and my memory ;-)

I’ve only ever used Windows Explorer for importing images…

1. Import all images to a new folder for review.
2. Transfer selected images to appropriate folders.

There’s a handy renaming icon on recent versions of Explorer.

 

[arrow501]

I folks

For most of my digital-camera experience, I have used Canon's image import system. It is fast, and I like the way it can name/sort files and folders onto my PC.

During my recent Nikon P900/950 nightmare, I used their import program, and while it wasn't as good as Canon's, it did allow some renaming/sorting options. I still wasn't happy with it...

NOW with my new camera I need to use Panasonic's program, PhotoFunStudio. It seems VERY slow, and there are NO real options for renaming files or sorting/naming folders etc.

AND SO I ask you all:

1) Can one manufacturer's import program ever be tricked into working with a different brand camera?

2) Are there ANY tools out there I can use JUST for importing new images from my new camera? I use my graphics program for everything else, like browsing, renaming later, etc.

I JUST need a GOOD but SIMPLE import tool.

- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

I agree, PhotoFunStudio is not great and it is slow. I do not have it installed any longer. Instead I use Faststone Image Viewer. I use for lots of things but there is nothing stopping you just using it's very versatile import tool. It isn't the same as Canon's old software but it is very good. It works with all of my cameras (Panasonic, Canons, Sony, Olympus, Fuji, Praktica) and my phone. I would be lost without it.

Link: https://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

 

[Nells250]

YUP, Photo Studio is slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow... I even ran it in Compatibility just in case, with no change.

I am surprised folks here often use Explorer! I use it all the time for other things, but assumed camera-peeps would use snazzy programs with all the bells and whistles!

I will look up the two programs mentioned above. AND I'm open to more opinions if anyone has any!



- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

 

[New Wrycuda]

YUP, Photo Studio is slow... I even ran it in Compatibility just in case, with no change.

I am surprised folks here often use Explorer! I use it all the time for other things, but assumed camera-peeps would use snazzy programs with all the bells and whistles!

I will look up the two programs mentioned above. AND I'm open to more opinions if anyone has any!

Obviously, there’s some misunderstanding on this topic…

Explorer is strictly for importing, viewing and managing files, including photos. I note that your original topic referred to Import ONLY.

PhotoStudio is an old program that was distributed with Canon scanners years ago. It has its uses for editing scanned images and is useful for other manipulations as well. Even the old versions of PhotoStudio work brilliantly with Win11 on mid-range hardware.

There are numerous other programs for editing images. GIMP and Picasa are examples of free programs, while Photoshop and Lightroom are well-know examples of subscription programs.

 

[Old Allan]

I use Faststone Image Viewer. It will import from virtually any camera or, if using a card reader, it will do that too. There are many options for sorting (date etc.) and placing into automatically generated folders. The software is free and very effective, certainly worth a try.

Cheers,

Allan

 

[Nells250]

Obviously, there’s some misunderstanding on this topic…

NO misunderstanding on my part...

I downloaded the suggested FastStone program and am, as I type, trying it out for the first time.


- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

 

[Nells250]

Hallelujah!!!!!

Just imported today's photos with FastStone Image Viewer for the first time... This MAY be what I was looking for!

While, so far, I don't think the program automatically knows which images were already imported, I CAN easily select a date range. I also have some control over file and folder naming again! AND it is a lot quicker, too!

I'll be using this program for a while, and will also look at the others suggested here. THANKS to whoever mentioned FastStone!

- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

 

[Nells250]

SO I THOUGHT the FastStone program was my answer, but once I actually started using it, it has become almost as doggy as the Lumix one!!

It is SLOW as anything now. I set the program priority to HIGH using Task Manager but it hasn't helped.

Is it possible the USB cable I am using is the issue?

- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

 

[Old Allan]

SO I THOUGHT the FastStone program was my answer, but once I actually started using it, it has become almost as doggy as the Lumix one!!

It is SLOW as anything now. I set the program priority to HIGH using Task Manager but it hasn't helped.

Is it possible the USB cable I am using is the issue?

- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

I have no idea why Faststone would slow down as much as you suggest but, perhaps, the USB cable is at fault. Try another, known good one, to test your theory.

Very large files (RAWs usually) can slow things a little on an underpowered computer and videos also take a while. Are you using any of those?

Good luck,

Allan

 

[Ron Poelman]

Is it possible the USB cable I am using is the issue?

Are we importing RAW or JPEG ?
If you're importing either, Windows is as fast as anything. Don't muddy the water.
Just have an empty folder ready for them and dump the lot in there.
If that is slow, then Readers, Cards, Cables or some software package (AV?) that is actively monitoring; are suspect.
If it behaves, hit the folder with a file renamer, then use Fast Raw Viewer for culling.
FastStone is not a fan of big RAW files, they are not it's primary job.

--
Ron.
Volunteer, what could possibly go wrong ?

 

[ms960]

This is what I use. It's fast, allows many different options for file naming, can specify folders, etc. Very flexible. Not sure if this is what you're asking about but if it is, I can recommend it (been using it for several years). It's Window's only unfortunately, but it's good.

https://www.breezesoftware.com/downloader-pro

 

[arrow501]

SO I THOUGHT the FastStone program was my answer, but once I actually started using it, it has become almost as doggy as the Lumix one!!

It is SLOW as anything now. I set the program priority to HIGH using Task Manager but it hasn't helped.

Is it possible the USB cable I am using is the issue?

- - - Misunderstood Online Since 1999 - - -

How many images are you transferring and how long does it take? Are you transferring JPEG, raw or both? Raw will be slow.

It could be the cable, try a different one. If you are connecting the cable to a PC use a USB socket on the back of the PC. If you are transferring images from the camera to the PC try a card reader. If you are using a card reader try transferring directly from the camera.

 

[palombian]

I always used Canon EOS Utility mainly since it selects only new photo's, and import afterwards in LR.

With my smartphone I found out that LR can do both steps at once from any source.