Digital camera accessories

[Peppergal]

I need to purchase a reader for my smart media cards.  I just purchased a cheap digicam from eBay to take flash pictures of my kids and other indoor "snap shots" because I broke the flash on my good camera, which I don't have the funds to replace at this point in time.

Both cameras will use the smart media card and I want to have a reader to download the images to the PC.  Any brand that is good, or any brand to avoid?  

Also, as long as I reformat the media card before using it, can I use them interchangeably with the cameras?  Or should I keep them seperate from one another?

[Mike54]

Whos cards are you using? Personally I've had bad luck with 3rd party readers so I use the reader made by the same company as the card (where possible).

[Peppergal]

I have three different cards...one that came with the camera (Olympus) and is only 8mb, one that is made by Kingston, I think?  And the other one...doesn't have a name but it was made in Korea.    All three cards work nicely for me...

[Mike54]

A quick check at Kingston shows they have a 6 in 1 reader for about $25 if ordered from them (there is always the possibility of ending up with different media in your next cam.) I don't imagine you use the 8meg card much?

[Peppergal]

No, I mostly use the 8mb as a back up in case the 64 (the unknown brand) and the Kingston (128mb) gets used up...which only would happen when on vacation or something.

I wonder if I could get the Kingston thing thru amazon?  I have a $25 gift cert coming from there and twoud be nice to use it for that  

Hubby is not happy about my "new" camera purchase and he will be even less happy about this....but I need it cause the "new" camera coming doesn't have any cable with it.    

[Mike54]

but I need it

Well there you go!

[ShutterbugGail]

Don't get more SmartMedia than you need. If your current cards serve you well, don't buy more. It seems SmartMedia may eventually go the route of the beta max. I see less and less manufacturers using SmartMedia, something you should consider if you buy a new digicam down the road.