Best option for post processing on the road (Page 3): I agree with those who suggest going with the MacBook Pro. You need all the power, RAM, and data storage possible. Also, it is...

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

NelsonARowe wrote:

Hi All,
I have recently purchased an a6000 and would appreciate the groups help and opinions on what route I should take for my processing. I have a MacBook Pro (please don’t tell me to go the windows route) but it doesn’t have enough memory left on the hard drive so I could buy and install a larger ssd drive which would run ~ $500-$700 depending on what size I went with. Or I could buy an iPad Pro with enough memory and use that. I can download the raw files via wifi with the included Sony app ( does this cause any loss of data) or use an adapter that would load the files either directly from the camera or from the card. The new IPad would run $1000-$1200 again depending on memory size.
I haven’t decided yet on what software I would use but at this point I’m leaning towards either Lightroom or Photoshop. I have been reading a lot of the discussions on UHH about the various programs out there and their pros and cons and I’m welcome to further input on this but it is not really the original question.

Obviously it’s more expensive to buy the new IPad but I’m used to using one and with the new pencil it can do some pretty good detailed work. I have never used any post processing software that was more complicated than a few free apps I have tried that gives you a few basic overall adjustments like hue, saturation etc. For some reason I think with the IPad ‘s ability to easily zoom into a specific area and do touch ups or other things I think it would be easier to use. I might be entirely wrong about this so that’s why I’m asking. The money is not as important as getting the picture right. It’s like the question I read today asking about lens filters. You spent a lot of money on your lenses and your willing to sacrifice quality on filters by buying the cheap ones on eBay from China 😳. I just want to have the best and easiest to use setup for doing my post processing while I’m away from home. They both are equally portable and I can use a small 1 or 2 tb drive for storage of the images but which of the two options would give me the greater ease of work and outcome of results. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Hi All, br I have recently purchased an a6000 and ... (show quote)

I agree with those who suggest going with the MacBook Pro. You need all the power, RAM, and data storage possible. Also, it is easier to edit on a larger screen - if you don't want a bigger, heavier laptop, you can do basic stuff on the road then use a larger monitor later at home. It is definitely better to do some of it each day when everything is fresh in your mind. But laptops do have limitations on how much of everything can fit inside. It's getting better with technology improvements, but not like a desktop with enough space inside for more components.

It is always good to have a backup when on the road, so it certainly would not hurt to have one or two external HDs for that. After all, with any HD it is not a matter of IF it will fail, it is WHEN! The 2TB WD Passports are ideal for that. As another person said, they are small and compact, making them easy to carry. If you have a desktop at home, this also simplifies transferring the files.

Depending on how many photos you have, and plan to take in future, you should also consider a larger storage system. I started with a 2TB HDD and a 1.28GB SSD on my desktop computer, and have just purchased their replacements - 500GB SSD and 4TB HDD. My backup HDDs are also 4TB, and I have several 2TB My Passports that I can use for little extras and for backups when away from home.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I do not think my iPad Pro 9.5 inches is great for post processing. Some seem to have this under control.
I travel with my MacBook Air. All my files are on a WD 1T portable HD. I have edited short videos and prepared
shots in photoshop from a days work. I shoot raw sometimes but mostly jpg. And make saturation and key
simple adjustments to PR photos for distribution. I have had the iPad Pro for a while and it really doesn't
replace a small laptop. I think Jerry is right that intense lightroom processing is better left to the desktop
computer at home.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

TriX said it right about the current prices for SSD's. Something semi easy to do would be to add a smaller 250GB SSD to do your processing, then when completed, load them on to a 2TB or so external hard drive for storage until a later time at home or ??? You shoulld have no problem finding those drives.

*As a side note; remember that some Mac's don't have full power in all of their USB ports for use with external devices! You may have to switch things around or get a "doubble" USB cable hookup and those are not the easiest to find. I got one when purchased an external CD/DVD drive a few years ago.

Should you go on a hike/camping and not have internet services, I recommend getting a post editor that you have full time on your laptop. That way you have no problems working in your tent or in many of the wilderness cabins.

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

In that I am an extensive traveling photographer - I have always carried a laptop with me for the reason of backing up my memory cards to external har-drives. (And it is my source of entertainment, as I have another H.D. loaded with VIDs of motion pictures for those rainy days in camp.)
I do a little editing from time to time as well when on the road. (Extended period of time = one to three months of traveling. I either camp with my tent, or Crank-Up camper. I do not use airlines and choose to drive everywhere - as I do have the time.)

Every traveling photographer has their own way of doing things. Find a comfortable situation that fits you - That will be the correct and comfortable choice for you.

-0-

rbmartiniv Loc: Nacogdoches, TX

I use a Macbook Pro with Adobe CC and photos on an external drive. You can then access your photos and do post processing on virtually any computer no matter where you are. I use a second external drive as a backup. It's worked out fine so far and a lot cheaper than buying a new computer.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

First you need to decide which program you'll be using to process your images. If you use a certain program on your home computer, then I suggest you put that on your MacBook Pro. Then, if you are just looking to do some processing on the road with a MacBook that has an almost full HD, then buy a 128GB USB3 thumb drive and use that for storing your images temporarily for processing on the road and then just pull it out and transfer the processed images to the home computer when you get home.

NelsonARowe wrote:

Hi All,
I have recently purchased an a6000 and would appreciate the groups help and opinions on what route I should take for my processing. I have a MacBook Pro (please don’t tell me to go the windows route) but it doesn’t have enough memory left on the hard drive so I could buy and install a larger ssd drive which would run ~ $500-$700 depending on what size I went with. Or I could buy an iPad Pro with enough memory and use that. I can download the raw files via wifi with the included Sony app ( does this cause any loss of data) or use an adapter that would load the files either directly from the camera or from the card. The new IPad would run $1000-$1200 again depending on memory size.
I haven’t decided yet on what software I would use but at this point I’m leaning towards either Lightroom or Photoshop. I have been reading a lot of the discussions on UHH about the various programs out there and their pros and cons and I’m welcome to further input on this but it is not really the original question.

Obviously it’s more expensive to buy the new IPad but I’m used to using one and with the new pencil it can do some pretty good detailed work. I have never used any post processing software that was more complicated than a few free apps I have tried that gives you a few basic overall adjustments like hue, saturation etc. For some reason I think with the IPad ‘s ability to easily zoom into a specific area and do touch ups or other things I think it would be easier to use. I might be entirely wrong about this so that’s why I’m asking. The money is not as important as getting the picture right. It’s like the question I read today asking about lens filters. You spent a lot of money on your lenses and your willing to sacrifice quality on filters by buying the cheap ones on eBay from China 😳. I just want to have the best and easiest to use setup for doing my post processing while I’m away from home. They both are equally portable and I can use a small 1 or 2 tb drive for storage of the images but which of the two options would give me the greater ease of work and outcome of results. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Hi All, br I have recently purchased an a6000 and ... (show quote)

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

picsman wrote:

I also use an iPad Pro on the road and an external hard disc to store my images. My software is capture one or DxO depending on circumstances. As I do a lot of batch processing of action pics for uploading to a sports website I need to be as fast as possible and capture one allows me to do that quickly. At home I transfer the images from the external hard disc to my iMac.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. My 9 year old MacBook Pro 13' with OS X Yosemite works fine on trips. I can save to disk or to an external hard drive or USB jump drive. I prefer the larger screen of my MacBook vs my iPad. Happy shooting

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

jeep_daddy wrote:

First you need to decide which program you'll be using to process your images. If you use a certain program on your home computer, then I suggest you put that on your MacBook Pro. Then, if you are just looking to do some processing on the road with a MacBook that has an almost full HD, then buy a 128GB USB3 thumb drive and use that for storing your images temporarily for processing on the road and then just pull it out and transfer the processed images to the home computer when you get home.

Problem with thumb drives is they can easily get lost. The external drives such as the WD Passport are larger, can carry a lot more information, but still can fit in a shirt pocket! Easier to see if they are sitting in a dark corner, too. [And they come in different colors!]

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

SusanFromVermont wrote:

<snip> [And they come in different colors!]

Heaven forbid not being able to color coordinate! Or so my wife tells me.

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

SusanFromVermont wrote:

Problem with thumb drives is they can easily get lost. The external drives such as the WD Passport are larger, can carry a lot more information, but still can fit in a shirt pocket! Easier to see if they are sitting in a dark corner, too. [And they come in different colors!]

All of my many thumb drives are on a single keyring attached to a colorful lanyard, along with a bright red “Remove before flight” tag, so I am not afraid of losing them.

dfrost01 Loc: Princeton, NJ

If you go the route to download your files to an iPad Pro, make sure to buy the card reader as the sony app wireless transfer does not work with IOS 1.11 and they don't estimate a date when it will be fixed.

JosephSF Loc: Sonoma County CA

I did exactly the same thing. iPad Pro 256 GB 10.5 in screen. I use the Adobe CC mobile suite with Apple Pencil. Works great and does not take up much room. Heading to Roma tomorrow.

BJW wrote:

REPLY: br br I just got an iPad Pro with key Boar... (show quote)

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

dsmeltz wrote:

Heaven forbid not being able to color coordinate! Or so my wife tells me.

Your wife is right! For many things. The colors on external HDs make them easier to see, and you can even designate each color to a different kind of information. Now THAT is color coordination...

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

JohnFrim wrote:

All of my many thumb drives are on a single keyring attached to a colorful lanyard, along with a bright red “Remove before flight” tag, so I am not afraid of losing them.

Good idea! Mine don't have a way to attach them to a lanyard, which is why I am afraid of losing them...

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

Use your MacBook Pro plus a small portable HD. Download Capture One Express for Sony. It's free. You can upgrade to pro later if you think you need the extra processing power. https://www.phaseone.com/Sony/