Anyone out there using their Ipad for downloading raw files from camera, in particular Nikon D5000? Am about to replace my card reading storage device, and I want an Ipad, who doesn't, but suspect process is unwieldy. Card is SD 8 GB extreme. What is anyone's experience/solution?

Wait for the iPad 2. It is probably going to have a camera and better hardware.

That might also change the way it handles photo import and export. Right now I wouldn't recommend it for what you are asking, because as you suspect it is to unwieldy for professional or serious amateur use.

That's my oppinion of the iPad as a field storage device. For other stuff like displaying your portfolio, it is excellent. But with the probable release of the next model in a couple months, I still recommend you wait and see what new features they bring to market.