My internal iMac disc storage is full. Photos take up most of the storage. My primary camera is a Sony A7ii and I shoot in raw format. I am thinking of storing all my photos on an external storage device. Is that a good solution and what solution or equipment would you recommend? I am concerned about the speed of transferring as well as retrieving data.
Smudgey
Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona
Store your photos on two devices so that when one go's down(and it will eventually) you will still have your photos on the other. WD makes a good backup drive. In the case of external hard drives bigger is better. Two, Three or Four TB will give you plenty of room. Good luck.
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
This topic has been revisited so many times recently, that rather than posting another long and redundant reply, let me suggest the search function or perhaps Jerry (who has a collection of all the links in the known universe 🤫) can supply a list. If that isn’t forthcoming, I’ll simply add that purchasing your own external fan cooled enclosure with HGST or WD red drives is the best solution, as with prepackaged externals, you typically have no idea of the drive(s) inside, and they are often the cheapest available. Avoid those $50-$90 externals like the plague - you simply can’t build, markup and sell a quality enclosure, drive, power supply and interface for that. You get what you pay for (and whatever you think your data is worth).
pmorin
Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs
I had same issue with my Mac. Got a G Tech 4 TB external drive. Plan to get another as a second copy.
I just purchased a 4TB western digital my cloud raid system. It was recertified saved about $50. Took ten minute to get it up and running one out of box. It is connected via Ethernet to my router. Initial transfer of files took soon time, but that also included organizing several of my directories. Then I cleaned out my hard drive of files I have not opened in last three years. Planning to resync once a month, via WiFi. Since it is on the network I could also add my wife computer to the mix.
Would you be able to use two sperate laptops with this device??
rfahrens wrote:
My internal iMac disc storage is full. Photos take up most of the storage. My primary camera is a Sony A7ii and I shoot in raw format. I am thinking of storing all my photos on an external storage device. Is that a good solution and what solution or equipment would you recommend? I am concerned about the speed of transferring as well as retrieving data.
When I want/need an external drive, I get an HGST internal drive of 3 or 4TB capacity. Then I buy an enclosure for it and use that as my external. If you buy a generic My Book, or whatever, you usually don't know what's inside the box. Occasionally, WD has a special on their drives. I got a MY Book with an 8TB Red drive inside for under $200 a while ago. HGST and WD Black and Red are very good drives.
You won't want to hear this, but you really need two external drives. Suppose that drive with all your photos goes bad? All of a sudden, you have nothing. With two identical drives, you're reasonably sure of keeping all your files.
The HGST Ultrastar is an enterprise drive, designed for 24/7 use. I've bought several of these "refurbished" drives, and they've been running for years. 3TG for $55! Ridiculous!
https://smile.amazon.com/HGST-Ultrastar-HUS724030ALE641-Enterprise-Refurbished/dp/B01LYVD7ME/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1522320775&sr=8-12&keywords=hgst+internal+drives
My cloud ex ultra can support multi devices, both off and Mac, plus phones. USB devices tend to be single user items. Network connect devices tend to be multi users.
I would recommend G-Technolgy drives.
http://www.g-technology.com/--Bob
rfahrens wrote:
My internal iMac disc storage is full. Photos take up most of the storage. My primary camera is a Sony A7ii and I shoot in raw format. I am thinking of storing all my photos on an external storage device. Is that a good solution and what solution or equipment would you recommend? I am concerned about the speed of transferring as well as retrieving data.
I've got 2-4TB & 1-2TB WD My Book drives...
You've got a lot of suggestions here. First you need to establish your budget. If there is enough, then go with a Raid. I have Drobo, but others are out there that are good as well. The connectivity is is the most important. I would look at one that has the most flexibility for speed. Latest USB 3.xx and ThunderBolt 3.xx and possibly, but I doubt 'C' connectivity. Your iMac may not have the latest, but your next one will.
If you don't have this budget, then go for a 1 or 2 TB SSD-- no cheap, but fast! I do not suggest standalone HDD anymore. They will go bad. If you can put together a workflow to back up simultaneously to two HDD then this will be your most cost effective workaround. Yes, one will go bad, and hopefully at different times than the other.
I just got a WD 3TB drive that uses USB3 or wireless. Has an internal battery good for about 8 hrs. So I can do backups from any computer anywhere in my house without moving it, but also disconnect it and take it with me on a trip.
I have my images stored on 2 drives in computer and 1 drive off site.
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