How can I transfer photos from an SLR camera to an iPad?

My husband and I are keen photographers and I was recently looking to buy an iPad Mini, mainly to use for showing photos to friends and relatives, rather than using our Macbook Pro. We also would like to be able to transfer our photos as we take them, rather than wait until we get home. We both have Canon SLRs, my husband uses a Compact Flash card and I use SD cards, both cards are high-speed, Class 10. Apple sales staff said we would need a camera to iPad connector or a card reader in order to download photos directly from the camera but neither will recognize the high-speed cards. Is there some way around this problem or has Apple only designed the iPad for photos taken on phones etc.

Gail Barwick, by email

It should not be a problem and the iPad and Apple’s Camera Connection kit recognises virtually all types, capacities and classes of SD card. However there may be issues with some of the more exotic formats applied to some cards, in which case the simplest solution is to reformat the card using standard FAT 32, either in the camera on your Macbook. This may impact on maximum data transfer speeds but it will not be an issue for normal still photographs. If your husband is still having problems with Compact Flash cards he can use a SD to CF adaptor, widely available online for under £10.00.