Saving pictues or back-up while traveling: I have always used a computer to download my pictures when out on a shoot for a day to two, but this time I will be going away for 6 weeks in...

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

I have always used a computer to download my pictures when out on a shoot for a day to two, but this time I will be going away for 6 weeks in the spring and worry about saving my pictures to take home for processing. I shoot with a 50D and have 3 SanDisk cards (two 4s' and one 16). I shoot large RAW/small JPEG so I can scan quickly to eliminate poor shots. I will not have my laptop with the appropriate software, too much to carry. Does anyone use external portable pocket Hard Drives to save their pictures? I have one connected to my desk computer for continual backup, but not sure about the portable ones for travel. Retail sales people will sell you anything, but I need advice from Photographers who use a product like this or know what is the best support. I will probably shoot 600-900 pictures as some may be HDR/Panoramic productions of 9 shots...adds up quickly. Thanks

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

If there is a computer available to you in your hotel or guest house a portable card reader and hard drive would make travel companions.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

I've decided to take a tablet to check in at home through my email as its only a 7 inch and less cumbersom. I don't understand the technology of the card reader so I will have to look that up. Thanks for this idea.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Test everything before you go and do not forget the chargers and a power adapter if you leave the country.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Have two months before I go and have a check off list longer than if I was going to the moon. Some are musts on the list; batteries, chargers, memory cards, tripod, pocket size manual and others are "should I" like how many lens do I really need and maybe one off camera flash and trigger.

EstherP

georgeretired wrote:

I've decided to take a tablet to check in at home through my email as its only a 7 inch and less cumbersom. I don't understand the technology of the card reader so I will have to look that up. Thanks for this idea.

A card reader is simply a small box with a wire. You put your card into the reader, push the end of the wire into an available USB port, and the computer will see this set-up as a drive.
To transfer the images to a portable hard drive, you'd need a second available USB port (to transfer directly from reader to drive), or you could copy the images to the computer's hard drive first, then to the portable. Don't forget the delete the images from the computer if it isn't yours.

I know, not very technical language, but I think you'll understand what I mean ;-)

Another option, one that I use quite often:
Does your camera hold one or two memory cards at the same time?
Mine holds two, and when one of the cards approaches full, I copy the images in-camera to the other card, then replace both cards. One of the full ones goes into my handbag or camera bag, the other one goes into my husband's pocket or luggage (I just make sure that I know where he puts it).

EstherP

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Esther....my canon only has the one slot for cards. I'll go down to my retailer that I buy my gear from and talk to one of the people I know there from another Photo club. If a reader and pocket HD will work in my brain, I'll practice and use it. If not, well guess I can always load a card, replace it with an empty one and carefully package the full card "in my wifes purse"...but then I may never be able to find it. SMILE.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

georgeretired wrote:

Esther....my canon only has the one slot for cards. I'll go down to my retailer that I buy my gear from and talk to one of the people I know there from another Photo club. If a reader and pocket HD will work in my brain, I'll practice and use it. If not, well guess I can always load a card, replace it with an empty one and carefully package the full card "in my wifes purse"...but then I may never be able to find it. SMILE.

Do your camera card fit in your tablet? If so you have a card reader. The other question then is how many photos can your tablet store?

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

georgeretired wrote:

Have two months before I go and have a check off list longer than if I was going to the moon. Some are musts on the list; batteries, chargers, memory cards, tripod, pocket size manual and others are "should I" like how many lens do I really need and maybe one off camera flash and trigger.

Just get a bunch more cards. Without a computer transferring from card to hard drive is difficult at best and very slow.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

When I am on an extended trip from home, I use a combo of CF cards from the cameras and a portable hard drive/reader to download onto while in the field.

I keep the CF cards seperate from the hard drive, then make another file from the cards to another portable hard drive via laptop as soon as possible. If the files are important, I may make DVD copies with the laptop also.

I think only you can decide if the 3 cards you have now are enough for shooting and storing for 6 weeks. The cheapest way is to keep CF cards as your storage, but very risky.

The combo reader/hard drives I use are from Wolverine and they have been through much in the last 8 years. They are the size of a usb portable drive, useful in the field and become external hard drives on the computer.

Have fun on your trip.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Tablet is a Playbook, 32G. It's doesn't have a slot for cards and although I keep a 200+ picture photo-directory of "poses", I would assume it wouldn't be big enough for the large RAW pictures. I'll certainly look at buying some extra cards here in Canada or maybe wait until I get into Tampa.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

georgeretired wrote:

Tablet is a Playbook, 32G. It's doesn't have a slot for cards and although I keep a 200+ picture photo-directory of "poses", I would assume it wouldn't be big enough for the large RAW pictures. I'll certainly look at buying some extra cards here in Canada or maybe wait until I get into Tampa.

"It's doesn't have a slot for cards..."
- If it has a USB plug you will need a card reader. http://www.techterms.com/definition/cardreader
- However, you also need to consider the memory. If we assume the 32GB is free, how many RAW photos will that hold?
- If you still want to go this route I would suggest you look into cloud storage from Goolge, Box, DropBox, etc.
I still suggest a card reader and portable hard drive to be used at the home or hotel as your best option without your laptop.
I am curious though - without your laptop how will you process your RAW photos?

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

St3v3M wrote:

quote=georgeretired Tablet is a Playbook, 32G. I... (show quote)

I will just save the cards and when I get back home, put them back into the camera - one by one and load them into the desk top. I have thought of Cloud storrage, but a little hesitant. Going to visit my camera retailer today and see what they have to offer......probably just end up with additional cards. Have to do some calculations today on average size of pictures vs size of card to see what can be safefully put on one card, with room to spare. Good thing I have 2 months to play.
Thanks eveyone who has been offering ideas. George.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Wahawk wrote:

georgeretired wrote:

Have two months before I go and have a check off list longer than if I was going to the moon. Some are musts on the list; batteries, chargers, memory cards, tripod, pocket size manual and others are "should I" like how many lens do I really need and maybe one off camera flash and trigger.

Just get a bunch more cards. Without a computer transferring from card to hard drive is difficult at best and very slow.

Wahawk, he is going for 6 weeks! I average about 300 shots per day when I go places. That's a bucketfull of cards!
George, you will have to have access to a computer. Then you need the cable that comes with the camera. For less than a $100 you can get a 1Tb portable hard drive. You can download to the computer then the hard drive. I've heard those drives called "toads" by those much more geek than I. Haven't tried this but bet you can copy & paste direct from camera to the toad via the computer.
Would be much faster. Also every underdeveloped country has lots of Internet type cafe's.
As mentioned, don't forget the proper power adapters.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

SharpShooter wrote:

quote=Wahawk quote=georgeretired Have two months... (show quote)

Agreed, my count is low but if I was to "snap 300" per day times 36 days, I'd be glued to this chair for weeks doing the process. I was hoping to review what I take and try and keep to what I am looking for. I have picked up another card and may have to take my laptop if just to down load into my HP Portable Hard Drive - it's 1tb as well. I've got time to play with all the possible decision before the plane leaves in March.
Thanks again everyone for your comments.