Rebel T3i Downloading Pics Wirelessly

[richiebricker]

I have 0 files of 0 size after many tries downloading the utility and the utility update.  I bought a used T3i and thought i 

would be a proud canon owner but not so much now especially after doing a ton of research reading and watching 

reviews,  most of em say you can even download pics wirelessly to your phone and computer. Ha ha, the jokes on

Me. anyway can anybody help me with this "utility" problem?  

                                                             Thanks, Richie

[kvbarkley]

Are these videos or stills?

[jrhoffman75]

welcome to the forum.

I believe the T3i could only transfer images wirelessly if an Eye-fi SD card was installed.

[Tronhard]

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@richiebricker wrote:

I have 0 files of 0 size after many tries downloading the utility and the utility update.  I bought a used T3i and thought i 

would be a proud canon owner but not so much now especially after doing a ton of research reading and watching 

reviews,  most of em say you can even download pics wirelessly to your phone and computer. Ha ha, the jokes on

Me. anyway can anybody help me with this "utility" problem?  

                                                             Thanks, Richie

---

Hi Richie and welcome to the forum:

I hate to break it to you, but your "ton of research reading and watching reviews" missed the Canon Manual that clearly states on P265  that wireless connectivity is via Eye-Fi, requiring a suitable card to be in the SD slot instead of a conventional SD card and that the use of this card is dependent on the manufacturer, not Canon.

See also references to Eye-Fi from DPREVIEW,  Imaging Resource, B&H review that ALL mention the requirement to use  Eye-Fi cards.  You did not mention why you specifically need or want WiFi.  Is it a control issue or do you simply want to download the images to a device?

So you have several choices:  if you HAVE to use wireless, then get an Eye-Fi card, IF they are available second hand (but be aware of local requirements on their use); alternatively plug the camera into a computer using the USB connection, or (my preference) removed the SD card and plut THAT into a computer or other device.

That is not Canon's fault, and the camera is otherwise an excellent unit for its time - so you can still be a proud camera owner if you approach this constructively.

[Stephen]

EyeFi doesn't exist anymore.

If you need to transfer your media wirelessly, your best bet is to get a camera with WiFi built-in. Our first camera that does that is the Rebel T6i. 

Please note - the Rebel T6, T7, and SL1 do NOT have WiFi. 

[jrhoffman75]

Eye-Fi went out of business a number of years ago. 

Toshiba introduced a WiFi enabled SD card with Eye-Fi emulation. This is important, because the Eye-Fi mode intercepts the auto power off timer in the camera and suspends power off until file transmission completes. These cards seem hard to find and can be ridiculously expensive. Amazon lists it for $169. 

There is a card called ez-Share. It doesn't discuss Eye-Fi capability. That means manual control of auto power off settings to ensure camera doesn't power down during transmission. 

(Edit - Stephen posted while I was typing. Good advice from him. )