>>I wonder if using the camera's USB interface (I guess it has one) to 
>>record to a belt-worn USB hard drive
>>would be feasible?

> With some cameras, when plugged into USB they appear as another 
> drive. I don't know enough about USB
> to kow how similar this looks to a USB memory key, i.e. whether one 
> of those USB-USB copier devices
> might work to make a copy of the card without removing it from the 
> camera. A possible issue though
> is many cameras go into a 'pc connect' mode which suspends normal 
> operation while connected.

The 7D has several modes.
I usually use its USB interface to download photos and in this mode it 
appears, as you say, as a disc drive. But it also suspends camera 
action. Its not apparent that this is necessary and it would be 
extremely useful if it could act as a camera while having it's memory 
appear as a disc volume. But it cant. This would certainly present 
some challenges both in file sharing, memory access and file name 
control but would be worthwhile.

It also has a mode where it does direct download to a PC while in 
camera mode. This uses the USB but (as I haven't yet tried it) I 
imagine that the memory store is effectively the PC memory. This 
effectively implements what I said would be ideal in the paragraph 
above BUT requires full capability on the part of the target PC to 
handle transfers in a manner that does not impact camera operation. I 
will certainly be able to use this in some contexts. If the protocol 
was published it would allow the construction of a non-PC target box. 
I'm not aware that it is published and Minolta have, as of 31 March 
2006, ceased making cameras :-( so it's less likely to become 
officially available in future. Hopefully some hackers have/will 
decode it.

My camera has focusing issues and I will be returning it for 
correction. (Warranty and support still good). After that I will look 
at the firmware change needed for direct download. (I have the 
software which is and was a free download for 7D owners.)

The dual CF solution was and is attractive as it is transparent to the 
camera, needs no great processing power and is applicable to a wide 
range of top cameras. CF is still pretty much king for serious cameras 
despite the large number of newer contenders.



        Russell McMahon


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