mblock

I would like to carry something lighter than my MacBook on trips and wondering about the iPadPro. However I was under the impression that I couldn't connect to an external hard drive for backup and for later transfer of my RAW photos. Anyone have experience with this?

Largobob

I have found the Apple folks quite knowledgeable.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

Just google - iPad Pro backup to external hard drive. There are plenty of devices available.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

There is a plug in you could use that plugs into the charge port, but I have found that a great deal of devices will not work properly do to a low power level, so check with Apple before you purchase. If you do get the iPad Pro, there is an app called Photo Manager Pro 5 that is a great app for storing your edited photos on your iPad. Unlike Photos, you may put your photos in individual folders for easy access.

RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

Good suggestion, Dave. Wireless should work fine after setup. The caution for wireless is that you can’t wirelessly transfer apps, so would want to get an iPadPro with elevated memory if that would be an issue.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I have ad the iPadpro 9' for a long time. It is a wonderful device. I read the NYtimes in the morning on it. And follow news and events.
If does not replace a small laptop. Their are connection devices sold for it. It has no USB etc. I have all the programs but if I wanted to
do an estimate I would do it on Mac Air laptop. I find my mobile iPhone much more responsive for things I want to know or book.
I never use it for photography or video. The apple iCloud system to connect info across your devices is mediocre at best.
That said have owned the iPads from the very first one. Think it is a great invention. It can show TV shows on infinity very well.
It is quite amazing. I would use a small light laptop that you can mount your photo cards right into and download to the desktop.
I do a lot of research of marketing and political stuff art and graphics video and filmaking and use the iPad as a resource.
For some reason my iPad is connected to a mobile service but I use a verizon hotspot to connect to iPad.
Apple is obsessed with wireless but I would love to have a USB or card connection to my iPad. Besides the memory
will not hold the video and still files I require. I hope this is honest and helpful. Good Luck.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

My experience: I have had a number of iPads which I have used for photography over the years. I currently use a 12.9” 2018 iPad Pro. A remarkable device. I have an iMac which i use less and less. I haven’t had a laptop to four years and don’t miss one. The iPad Pro is not a laptop replacement and more than a laptop is a desktop replacement. The iPad Pro is a laptop alternative.
Currently you cannot use external hard disk storage with an iPad Pro. That may change with iOS 13 later this year but don’t hold your breath.
You can use various cloud storage systems. I use adobes Creative Cloud. It works fine. The Apple infrasturure also works fine. I cant speak for Amazon’s cloud storage or Google’s. Apples Files app works well for me too and the rumors are that it will be significantly enhanced during 2019.
The iPad Pro is not just a consumption device. It does allow creativity - i use Mobile Lightroom CC, but others have success with other applications.
I would emphasize that currently you cannot use external hard drives with the 2018 iPad Pro. I do use an iXtreme drive with my iPhone XS Max but it will not work with an iPad Pro.
Using an iPad Pro when traveling is a liberating experience as it’s much lighter than a laptop. It does however require a a different workflow, much as using a laptop was different than using a desktop - or indeed using digital cameras is different than using film, and using a medium format camera is different than using an SLR or mirror less is different from a DSLR.

RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

If you look online, you can find ways to connect the iPadPro wirelessly to an external hard drive.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

You cannot plug a USB HD into your Lightning Port and connect to an external device. Apple, frankly is stupid in this regard, limiting what their portable devices can connect to.

What you need is an external drive like the LaCie DJI Boss or the new Western Digital Passport Pro. Both allow you to seamlessly backup images on SD cards with the external drive slot or with CF and XPS with an external reader plugged into the drive's USB input.

Both have software that allows you to see and work with the contents of the drive on your iOS Phone or iPad. I prefer the LaCie Copilot BOSS app over the WD Passport software. I use the LaCie drive to watch MP4 movies when I am on a flight. I view Nikon and Fuji RAW files and open them in Lightroom Mobile for editing.

I think the LaCie costs $349 retail.

Oh, Cloud storage systems require a Cloud to connect to, which isn't always possible when away from home or in a remote location.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

Quote: If you look online, you can find ways to connect the iPadPro wirelessly to an external hard drive.

Yes, indeed. File Browser is a good example and very useful. However, you can’t (yet) just plug a hard drive into an iPad Pro as you would with a laptop or desktop computer.

That may change, or Apple may decide that the cloud is the only way to go. Who knows? !!!

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I have had the 12.9” iPad Pro for over a year. If you are using it only on trips, I see no reason to use an external HD. I can’t imagine that you would take more photos than I do on a daily bases. I use LR and Affinity. Good luck.

BigOldBear

Check out these recently reviewed options: https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/iphone/best-external-storage-drives-for-iphone-ipad-3579792/. They allow external storage of photos.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

I’d agree with Tek any.

As regards the Macworld reviews, bear in mind that any device that has a lightening connector will not work with an iPad Pro 2018. Also USB-C connectors will not currently allow of device storage, or access to it.

tcthome Loc: NJ

the latest ipad pro has a usb-c port. there is a couple of vids on you tube on connecting it to other devices.

ncralph

While pricey, as mentioned previously, the Lacie DJI Copilot BOSS now does let you connect via the USB-C to the 2018 iPad Pro and it works great. I carry it everywhere I go when shooting.