TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

As we speak (or rather write), I’ve just downloaded Amazon S3’s CLI so I can move data between buckets as well as between storage tiers. My intent is to create a read only JPEG archive of family photos for my children that’s easy to access and doesn’t have all the multiple factor authentication and encryption of my main storage.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Cloud backup is secondary. You should have local backup as primary. No bandwidth issues that way.

If you have a few files to restore from the cloud, it can be done easily. If you have a really large block of files to restore you can get a loaned disk from many cloud services and return it when you're done. That gets around the bandwidth limitation. Take that into account when choosing your cloud provider.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

👍👍 good advice. My internet provider (Spectrum) used to provide 200Mb up and down (symmetrical) access, but for some reason, their fastest upload speed now for any price (including Gbit down) is 35Mb. Glad I already seeded the cloud with most of my data and only send incrementals now. Google is slowly digging in Gbit symmetrical fiber down our street, but not here yet. You can certainly upload a TB archive at 10-20 Mbit, but it will take awhile as a background task 😩.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

I use Dropbox, which satisfies your first and last requirements, especially the last one, as it is very easy to use. It is also great (and very easy) for sharing photos with friends and family. For individuals, they have 1 and 3 TB plans; I started with 1 TB and upgraded to 3 TB when I needed to. The 3 TB plan is $199/year. I wouldn't be surprised if that plan is increased, as it already was increased from 2 TB to 3 TB at no additional cost. They have business plans that are unlimited, but you need to pay for 3 users. I looked into Carbonite and others and Dropbox, was a little more expensive, but seemed like the best choice. I have Amazon Prime, but their video storage is limited, and I have quite a few video clips of things like our grandchildren, more than they allow. Whenever I move files from my camera memory cards, they go into a sub-folder in my main Dropbox folder on my desktop computer that is linked to my Dropbox account and they are automatically uploaded to Dropbox. When I am editing, the JPEGs go into a sub-folder in my Dropbox folder so they are automatically uploaded to Dropbox. I am very satisfied with Dropbox. I also have an external drive connected to my computer that automatically backs up every night, as well as some external drives that I back up to and store off-site.

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

Thanks for reminding me RE Amazon Prime Photo backup!
Chuck

CaliforniaDreamer

I use Microsoft one drive because it is so easy and reasonably inexpensive. I can access anything in the backup using file manager. I set up rules so that anything I put into specified folders automatically get moved to one drive.

Rob Simpson

Can you tell me what backup system you use?

JD750 Loc: SoCal

What? I thought they stored raw, jpeg, video... But I use JPEG for sharing. So I have not tried to upload raw. I will check. And report back.....

... I’m back. Well you are correct. I did not know that they did not accept raw. I saw that advert from them “backup all your Images” and thought it was for all the images. Some perhaps some different marketing going on now.

They do have a vault service, for any file type, but it costs additional $. I do not recommend it.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

FWIW: flicker advertised the same thing for their pro plan, backup all your images - they get placed into private folders ....only problem, no raw......

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I guess flickr and smugmug consider that raw files are not images
(a heated topic that arises from time to time, most recent one I've come across is at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-667280-7.html#11606404 et seq., part of a raw/jpg discussion).

Rick0747

I keep it relatively simple. I use an external drive and Dropbox. By using Dropbox, one has the ability to access files when not on your computer. You just need internet access.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

OR - they may just be concerned about the added storage space that raw files take up and that they may need to then deal with maintaining conversion algorithm’s for each xmp edit by every raw editor in use to enable display of the finished image vs a much smaller JPG file which is easily displayable with edits baked in?

captainbinary

The offer from IDrive of 5TB for $3.48 for a whole year is hard to beat.
https://www.tomsguide.com/uk/best-picks/best-cloud-storage-2020

bittermelon

IDrive Personal Plans are $69.50 (5TB) and $99.50 (10TB) per year. I don't see where you get $3.48 number.

captainbinary

Right here:
https://www.idrive.com/idrive/signup/el/techradar3tb?subtag=tomsguide-gb-1066222755812863400

Perhaps it's only available in the UK.