Backup... On the Move!

captures.in.time

captures.in.time

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Hi all

My fiancee and I who are both TOGs are away on our honeymoon in the summer. We are going a cruise and it is our intention to do a fair bit of photography. In fact in the future i think all holidays will merit a bit of photography.

I have a 5d using CF cards and she has a 450d using an SD card.

Whist if we need more storage we can buy multiple cards... this still does not cover backing up our images. We have a 14" laptop, whilst still quite small as lap tops go is still more than I'd really like to carry. I like to get away from computers and the internet when im on holiday and I always feel carrying a laptop is something i'd just rather not do. It's heavy, delecate, and something else to look after or in my synical view get damaged or stollen.

What are my other back up options... I've looked on the PC world web site and seen nothing like I would need. I guess im asking is there a portable back up drive you can buy with decent storage that accomodates both our cards? I cant believe there isn't as I dont believe for a min all travel, nature photographers etc take laptops everywhere they go!

M
 
markelliot said:
Hi all

My fiancee and I who are both TOGs are away on our honeymoon in the summer. We are going a cruise and it is our intention to do a fair bit of photography. In fact in the future i think all holidays will merit a bit of photography.

I have a 5d using CF cards and she has a 450d using an SD card.

Whist if we need more storage we can buy multiple cards... this still does not cover backing up our images. We have a 14" laptop, whilst still quite small as lap tops go is still more than I'd really like to carry. I like to get away from computers and the internet when im on holiday and I always feel carrying a laptop is something i'd just rather not do. It's heavy, delecate, and something else to look after or in my synical view get damaged or stollen.

What are my other back up options... I've looked on the PC world web site and seen nothing like I would need. I guess im asking is there a portable back up drive you can buy with decent storage that accomodates both our cards? I cant believe there isn't as I dont believe for a min all travel, nature photographers etc take laptops everywhere they go!

M
Click to expand...

There's the Canon m30 (30gb) and m80 (80 gb) which both take the same battery as the 5D. The m30 is fine. It's got a good screen, you can run a slide show on it. About £300?
 
jerry12953 said:
There's the Canon m30 (30gb) and m80 (80 gb) which both take the same battery as the 5D. The m30 is fine. It's got a good screen, you can run a slide show on it. About £300?
Click to expand...

I was hoping for something slightly cheaper than £300! It is purely for on the move back up purposes and would not get that much use... at that price i'd consider a notebook computer!

Any other ideas... Surely there must be cheaper options... or is it just a case that im going to have to accept im destined to carry the lap top... which id really rather not!

M
 
There's lots of other options, just google what you want, the Vosonic VP8360 though discontinued is still available at £150.

It will download from CF and Sd cards and with the latest update it reads the .raws of the 450D, dont know about the 5D files but because of the 5D's age I think it will read them to. Thus you will be able to see the photos on the screen, its 80Gb and the hard drive can be replaced.

Plus if you are bored it will play .avi's, mp3's and even a radio with the head-phones, not forgetting tetris. Comes with a docking station to usb as an external hard drive to your desktop for quicker downloads.

I have one and it will read the .raws of a 20D, 400D and 450D, plus even if it doesn't you can still download the files to it for storage. The 450D files were out of focus until the newer update bios was put on it, though cant see them supporting newer cameras as there is now the newer model.

Phil
 
Something like a netbook? I know its a computer which you said you didnt want, but you can get one with a hard drive for about £200. Unfortunately there aren't many other choices, that, or the thingy Phil said above.
 
Im thinking the best solution might just be to take the risk sometimes... Buy a few cards... because in reality whats the chances off my cards actually getting lost or damaged if I take care of them... It's the same risk as I always had with film... Just split my images over my cards so I dont have all my images on one card... they are allot cheaper!

Also most of the time I guess I can take the laptop... Im thinking why bother buy another tear of technology... that really would only ever be a middle man....

M
 
If you get a backpack style camera bag that can take the laptop it'll make life easier.
We took the laptop with us on our last cruise but my good lady decided she wanted a netbook.
We've just bought a Samsung NC10 netbook and it's a very nice piece of kit.
As we are also flying to our next cruise it'll be easier to carry than a large laptop.
 
When are you going on honeymoon?
 
hashcake said:
If you get a backpack style camera bag that can take the laptop it'll make life easier.
We took the laptop with us on our last cruise but my good lady decided she wanted a netbook.
We've just bought a Samsung NC10 netbook and it's a very nice piece of kit.
As we are also flying to our next cruise it'll be easier to carry than a large laptop.
Click to expand...

Will just take a standard laptop bag as my hand luggage and my camera backpack... Im not replaing my nearly new low pro photo pack with another sith space for the lap top... or will just stick it in the main case... god are you allowed to carry two bags now for hand luggage prob not?

M
 
Hey that looks a possibility...

Do you think im being OTT wanting to back up my cards... do they actually corupt much?

M
 
swag72 said:
How about something like this? Same premise as some of the above, don't know how it compares on price Clicky
Click to expand...

Do you have one???

Or does anyone else???

Thinking this is the best option i've seen... just never came accross the company before... take it they are pukka?

M
 
markelliot said:
Hey that looks a possibility...

Do you think im being OTT wanting to back up my cards... do they actually corupt much?

M
Click to expand...

Not OTT Mark, I'm off on holiday in June and was thinking the same thing. We're off on a walking holiday and the last thing I want is to take a laptop along, but want to be able to back up along the way. I might have a look at these as well
 
I just looked at them in detail... eventually found a consumer review site with favourable reviews... so went to order one online... and it said out of stock try later... I'll give them a call tommorrow...

Just they seem to have a deal on at the moment... get a 40Gb and they will sent you a 60GB...

They have the 160GB ones but dont need anything that size!

Will update you all on how I go!

M
 
Cheapest way would be to take the laptop only. But that depends on drive size for storage space. Next - more cards. Copy cards on to laptop and don't re-use them. Next cheapest would be to take laptop and a small usb-powered external drive for around £50 more or less.

The point to be made here is, if you don't want to run the risk of a ruined honeymoon and punishment for the rest of your married life - you must have a backup strategy with two copies of your photos. It's very easy to think "It won't happen to me" but it will. I took my laptop with two external drives on a trip to India and copied my cards on to both drives. Five days in to the ten day trip one of the drives failed.

On another trip I had one of those image bank/storage devices - as a backup to laptop drives and writing dvds. On return after a 30 day road trip around the US I found the entire drive in this device corrupted and unreadable.

And finally a third example. Last summer friends went on a 2 week US road trip and had their camera stolen from their luggage at the airport. All photos lost.

By all means work out the maths of the risk of relying on a single method of storage. Then ask yourself "Do I feel lucky"..........
 
MisterE said:
Cheapest way would be to take the laptop only. But that depends on drive size for storage space. Next - more cards. Copy cards on to laptop and don't re-use them. Next cheapest would be to take laptop and a small usb-powered external drive for around £50 more or less.

The point to be made here is, if you don't want to run the risk of a ruined honeymoon and punishment for the rest of your married life - you must have a backup strategy with two copies of your photos. It's very easy to think "It won't happen to me" but it will. I took my laptop with two external drives on a trip to India and copied my cards on to both drives. Five days in to the ten day trip one of the drives failed.

On another trip I had one of those image bank/storage devices - as a backup to laptop drives and writing dvds. On return after a 30 day road trip around the US I found the entire drive in this device corrupted and unreadable.

And finally a third example. Last summer friends went on a 2 week US road trip and had their camera stolen from their luggage at the airport. All photos lost.

By all means work out the maths of the risk of relying on a single method of storage. Then ask yourself "Do I feel lucky"..........
Click to expand...

Im def going to have a back up strategy... not just for the honeymoon though... also for life in general...

I really dont want to carry the computer though... so I think one of these portable devices is the answer... will have two copies... one on the card and the other on the device... Then i've done my bit... I hear what your saying about even introducing a third... but that is where the gambler in me would take the chance... The hassle of carrying the computer on forgien trips purely to back up files I wouldn't do...

After all I went for years using film with NO back up....
 
I own the Vosonic 8360 and used it whilst away for a months travelling in the US/Canada, worked well and definitely worth the extra piece of mind. the downside of the device is that its screen resolution is quite poor and colour accuracy way off so it's not particularly useful if you want to check your shots...

I've just ordered a Lenovo S20 Netbook which comes with 160GB hard-drive and apparently will run CS3, albeit not particularly fast..I also intend trying out my monitor calibration software on it to try & get some reasonable accuracy...in total it cost £250, might be worth consideration ?

simon
 
Will the cruise company have any on-board computers for you to use and perhaps plug in a card reader and portable HDD? It's not guaranteed to work, mind you.

I think a cheap netbook and portable HDD would be a better solution because then you'll be able to review your shots as you go.
 
I delete based on composition mainly... and tend to delete allot just straight from the back of the camera anyway!

The last think I want to do on any holiday is waste time sitting in front of a computer... notebook etc... To much to see and do to waste time doing something I can do when I get home...

Dont get enough holiday time for my liking as it is!
 
I'm not suggesting you spend your time editing, but perhaps at the end of the day whilst you're winding down just review a sample of the days shots to make sure you're happy with what you got and that you haven't got a dusty sensor, for example. You might decide there are some you want to take again (if possible).
 
markelliot said:
The last think I want to do on any holiday is waste time sitting in front of a computer... notebook etc... To much to see and do to waste time doing something I can do when I get home...
Click to expand...

Actually, on a cruise you'll be surprised.
If like us you chose a cabin with a balcony, you'll find time to sit outside with a cool drink.
Those were moments I spent reviewing my pics but I leave all the image processing until we get home.
Days at sea are ideal as when the ship is docked, you'll be out exploring :)
 
Im off to Hong Kong and Mauritius for my Honeymoon in September.
I'm looking for a back-up like that for my cards too, and those photobank portable devices are just the ticket i think. Thanks for the info guys.
 
There's always the Epson P-2000. Okay, it's 'only' 30GB but they're small, rugged, reliable, have a great screen and usually around £150 second-hand. SD and CF card slots too.

And you can always upgrade the internal drive for something a little more expansive.
 
I picked up an Innoplus iWith for very little money - about £50. A bit clunky and rugged looking but bullet proof and displays Canon raw files :) Single button copy from the compact flash slot copies the flash to a new directory every time. I've a CF to other formats card reader if we take the compact camera with it's SD cards.

It's meant as a media player but works a treat as a photo backup device.
 
Scap the idea, i think im going to get one of those Mini laptops. Alot more expensive and a bit heavier, but it will be more use to me in the future and also carries a 160gb hard drive too
 
Possibly the ship might ... but dont want to leave it to chance and def want it for my own future use too.

I know these mini lap tops are prob a good idea... and under normal conditions... ie no wedding to pay for I might buy one... but also I feel it would be one of these technology purchases i'd make which is far more than my real requirements... and i'd never actually use it...

My dad once got me a psion PDA... seemed a great idea to have everything in... but at the end of the day im more of a desk diary and seperate address book all in paper sort of guy with that stuff!

M
 
markelliot said:
I know these mini lap tops are prob a good idea... and under normal conditions... ie no wedding to pay for I might buy one... but also I feel it would be one of these technology purchases i'd make which is far more than my real requirements... and i'd never actually use it...
Click to expand...

:lol:
I'll get use out of it, as ill keep my main computer just for photo work and then use my mini laptop for web browsing and stuff, i do most web stuff at work anyway :lol:
 
MJ Stebbings said:
:lol:
I'll get use out of it, as ill keep my main computer just for photo work and then use my mini laptop for web browsing and stuff, i do most web stuff at work anyway :lol:
Click to expand...

I hate the 14" Lap top we have for web browsing... screen too small for me... I just reckon i'd find a mini one even more anoying... but dont get me wrong... if I was a buisness man doing allot of travel and work on the go i'd have one as im all for cutting costs...

Can anyone answer this though... can you take a camera bag and a lap top bag on as hand luggage... had any issues???

M
 
Hi

Just spoke to the guys at CBA... very helpful indeed...

They dont have the 40GB device in just now... they wont for a few weeks... they seem to not be able to produce to keep up with the demand... which for me is encouraging that the device is pukka!

Im not in a rush so will simply wait a few weeks then try and get one.

M
 
markelliot said:
Can anyone answer this though... can you take a camera bag and a lap top bag on as hand luggage... had any issues???
Click to expand...

Why not buy a camera bag that holds a laptop? :lol:

EDIT: And for me, web browsing consists of TP, Facebook, checking email and occasional online shopping. :lol:
 
MJ Stebbings said:
Why not buy a camera bag that holds a laptop? :lol:

EDIT: And for me, web browsing consists of TP, Facebook, checking email and occasional online shopping. :lol:
Click to expand...

Cause I've just spent a fortune a year ago on a perfectly good high spec Low Pro bag that covers all my needs... and carrying a computer arround has not and wont be one of my photography needs really... It's got a bit for a sandwich, rain mac, and small flask of tea... thats more my style!

I think my main problem is I was brought up a film photographer, and although I have moved to digital for obvious reasons... Im really not a digital type person! But you have to move with the times... and scanning slides was getting just a chore!

M
 
Can anyone answer this though... can you take a camera bag and a lap top bag on as hand luggage... had any issues???

M
Click to expand...

Short answer is yes and no. It depends on the carrier. BA and likes are fine, but budget airlines like easyjest only allow one bag. Don,t know about charter airlines though.

Best thing to do is check the airlines baggage conditions on their website.
 
Brocks said:
Short answer is yes and no. It depends on the carrier. BA and likes are fine, but budget airlines like easyjest only allow one bag. Don,t know about charter airlines though.

Best thing to do is check the airlines baggage conditions on their website.
Click to expand...

I think I heard on the radio that Ryanair charge an absolute fortune for a second bag in hand luggage. Even a carrier bag with fags and booze in it. You have been warned.......:bonk:
 
markelliot said:
Cause I've just spent a fortune a year ago on a perfectly good high spec Low Pro bag that covers all my needs... and carrying a computer arround has not and wont be one of my photography needs really... It's got a bit for a sandwich, rain mac, and small flask of tea... thats more my style!


M
Click to expand...

My main bag is a LowePro Computrekker AW+, which is the biggest that will fit in the airport sizing frames. It holds all my gear - everything that I would not want to lose if my main bag went astray - inc a 17in laptop, and fully loaded is nearly 23kg, although I don't often fill it this much. I transport it on a set of sturdy fold up wheels. Obviously I don't carry this round on a daily basis. In my main bag I put a smaller bag for everyday carrying around. I fill it with underwear, socks, odds and ends, so that valuable space is used and it's not wasted. By doing this, comparatively little of my main bag capacity is used up.
 
I have the older photobank one, I put a 80gb disk in it and it seems to work well. Was cheap too.
 
MisterE said:
My main bag is a LowePro Computrekker AW+, which is the biggest that will fit in the airport sizing frames. It holds all my gear - everything that I would not want to lose if my main bag went astray - inc a 17in laptop, and fully loaded is nearly 23kg, although I don't often fill it this much.
Click to expand...

Ditto

MisterE said:
In my main bag I put a smaller bag for everyday carrying around. I fill it with underwear, socks, odds and ends, so that valuable space is used and it's not wasted. By doing this, comparatively little of my main bag capacity is used up.
Click to expand...

Now that's a good idea!
 
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