photog11 Loc: San Francisco

I use a Nikon D5000 camera, and shoot in RAW format only. This means that each shot is a little over 10 MB, depending on the lens used. The camera records its data onto SD cards. I have three 2GB cards, a two 4GB cards, two 8GB cards, and two 16GB cards. So I can store about 130 images on a 2GB card, 260 on a 4GB card, etc.

When on vacation, I shoot between 50 – 100 images per day, sometimes more (I go nuts at zoos, marinas, and islands). On a typical two-week vacation, I might well use up all my available space on the cards. I could, of course, simply buy more cards, assuming I’m someplace where SD cards are available.

The problem, however, is that I’d like to download my shots at the end of each day so that I have them backed up in case a card goes bad or gets lost. I don’t need to edit the photos until I get home.

So here’s the question. What is the most economical way to download and back up my photos while away from my home computer? The back-up should be lossless, i.e. I want to save my RAW files, and it shouldn’t take up a lot of time. There ought to be some way of verifying that the photos have actually been transferred as well. It means I must carry a card reader with me, or that the back-up device should include a card reader. Do all back-up devices require a computer? Do I need a laptop, or would a notebook suffice?

I’m thinking of buying a notebook, a 1TB Western Digital external hard disk, and a card reader. Would this work? Would a laptop and cloud storage be cheaper or better (of course this assumes the availability of WiFi)? Any other ideas?

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

B&H has a device on their site called a sync box that allows you to store pictures on it without needing a PC. I haven't looked too deeply into this so I am not completely sure of how good these work and if they are worth it. I know in one of my Scott Kelby books he suggested one, but I think the ones he talked about are now discontinued.

bymatogi Loc: Lake Elsinore

IF your looking at a laptop with an 1tb external HD; then for the cost (& weight & space) I would look into a netbook with the external HD to keep cost down. Also most net books out there have a SD slot for easy upload.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thank you for the reply. I'll look into the 'sync box'.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thank you for the advice. I will check this out too.

Falcon Loc: Abilene, Texas

Scott Kelby mentions the Epson P-7000 in one of his books. This device will download your SD or CF card, without the need for a computer, store it on its 500 GB hard drive, and allow you to preview the photos on a 4" screen. Even though it had a hefty price, it looked ideal. The real fly in the ointment is that B&H claims it is discontinued and the Epson website says it is "out of stock" with no indication that it will ever again be available.
B&H does have a similar item called the Sanho HyperDrive. Still very expensive and does not appear to be as well thought out as the Epson. Also, it requires constant attention to keep it from going into "Sleep Mode" in the middle of a download.
The SyncBox is interesting as it allow you to download to an external hard drive. However, that is one more thing to carry around. I also suspect that 3 AAA batteries will not last very long if you are downloading a lot of photos during a long day.
All in all, I haven't found a really good solution that is actually available. For now I shoot RAW and carry 4 16 GB CF cards in a hard shell carrier.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thank you for your reply. I did check both the Epson (which is not available) and the other item as well.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Thanks to all who took the time to read and reply to my request for help. I finally went to the BH Photo chat line and asked the question there. Yossi O, who helped me, suggested I take a look at either of two items from Digital Foci. These are "portable wallets"... external disks with a card reader. This is probably my solution.

Fran Loc: Northeast, United States

I am interested in this type of device for the same reasons you listed. Did you Yossi give you a price?

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I have the Epson P7000 and it is pretty much a waste of time. To small and to slow. I just take my Macbook pro and a 1tb hard drive. I like to look at the pictures and it gives me 2 backups. I can also email them to one of my boys to look at and save for me if some happens to my gear. Which makes 3 backups. Went out to Oregon this spring and came home with around 3500 pictures, that was for a week.
Erv

J. R. WEEMS Loc: Winchester, Virginia

Timely thread. I am in the middle of planning a3 month trip to the Western United States with MUCH time spent in Northern Yellowstone. I have been pondering this same question. Since I already have a Mac Pro Book, the simple answer seems to be Just pick up an external HD. At least That seems to be the way I will go. :) THANKS!!

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I forgot to add. I have a internet devise from Verizon to plug into the computer. I pay $40 a month and have been able to get online from anywhere I have been. We camp a lot too, and this comes in really handy. Can keep in touch with the kids and find out how lost I am when driving.
Erv

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

One is about $120. It has no viewing ability. The other is about $200, and does have color screen viewing.

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

when traveling I take a laptop and a tiny Western Digital external USB drive. download pictures to both devices daily

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

When traveling, if I expect to take lots of pictures, I include a 15 in laptop, two portable external hard drives (500gb or 1tb in size) and download my pictures frequently onto these, erase the cards and take more. I keep an eye on the 'puter, but some of the time (depending on length of trip), I can leave them on the puter, and feel confident I have two other back-ups.