Question for You - Digital Storage
What do you recommend for archiving files while you’re out in the field (or wherever). What do you even call the device - where you could store say 60 GB (more is better), transfer is quick from the CF card to the portable storage device, you don’t need electric outlet to do it and the storage device fits in a camera bag.
Then you come back home at some point, plug it into a USB or Firewire port and Lightroom picks it up as a device and you import the archives. Any ideas / tips?
Comments
Comment from D. Brent Miller
Time: February 7, 2008, 12:41 am
Dave, Although I don’t own one, the Epson P 5000 http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63061068 is on my wish list. It is a great sorage device as well as viewer. 80 gigs. Great reviews.
Brent
Comment from JeffK
Time: February 7, 2008, 1:14 am
I also have an X-Drive II. I don’t know if they are available now but any similar device works the same way. The X-Drive has no screen to review files which keeps the cost low. (I don’t know if one can review RAW files anyway) I just pop the memory card in, press one button, and the unit automatically transfers all files to a unique folder. The X-drive II runs on a rechargable battery.
These devices all use a standard laptop hard drive and typically have slots for several different media. It is usually pretty easy to install a bigger drive in one of these units so don’t pay a premium for any included drive.
Comment from Craig Nisnewitz
Time: February 7, 2008, 1:22 am
Dave:
I have a Wolverine 40 gig data vault. It has slots for all the different flash cards. You turn it on and just insert the card and press the button. It copies all of the files to a folder. Each time you put in a card it creates a different folder. To get the stuff into the computer it has a USB plug. The computer than reads it as a hard drive. This model does not let you preview the photos. It just tells you that the copy has been successful. I have had it 2 years and it works great. Its better than carying a laptop.
Comment from dave
Time: February 7, 2008, 2:27 am
Brent - yeah, expensive - but exactly what I’m looking for, though who knows whether it can read 40D raw files or how that whole business works with future raw files. I’m going to look into whether it’s upgradable (is that a word) for various raw file formats.
Comment from Charles Maclauchlan
Time: February 7, 2008, 6:43 am
I have used a couple of different devices but for just storage a device like my Wolverine is hard to beat. Quite inexpensive at Fry’s..80 gig for just under $100 as i recall, runs on batteries and is pretty quick and shirt pocket small. There are lots of devices with amazing screen capabilities but…fact is the extra money is better spent on other things. Good luck
Comment from Bill
Time: February 7, 2008, 12:09 pm
Dave,
I’d echo Brent’s suggestion on the Epson. I have the P-2000 (40GB) and it’s been great for me.
Re: 40D RAW files. I can’t find anything that specifies whether it supports it or not. The documentation says “select RAW”, which isn’t helpful.
Re: “upgradability”. Epson hasn’t been very forthcoming in software patches to keep up with RAW formats. Dumping my 20D RAW files to my P-2000 is good as a data backup as well as preview, but nothing else. No histogram support, etc.
Having said that, I’m still pleased with it. It’s always in my camera bag, even though I rarely shoot enough in one day to use it. But it’s available for trips.
Comment from Barrett
Time: February 8, 2008, 2:53 am
I helped a client pick out a Wolverine for a trip she was taking through South America. She’s not back yet, so I don’t know how it went, but I was pretty impressed with the unit overall. I don’t use one, because…it takes a while to get through the big CF card in my Casio…
- Barrett
Comment from Miguel Marcos
Time: February 8, 2008, 9:07 pm
The HyperDrive is another option. You can buy it empty and put in your own drive or with a drive installed. I’ve heard good things about them.
Comment from richo
Time: February 9, 2008, 3:22 pm
What about http://www.hyperdrive.com/ ?
Comment from prashant khapane
Time: February 21, 2008, 12:28 pm
I personally prefer to carry multiple cards for a day trip. Otherwise hyperdrive has got good reviews.
Comment from russell
Time: February 7, 2008, 12:17 am
I backpack with the old version of the X-Drive II. I bought it without the disk and installed an 80Gb drive. See this review: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/xdrive-vp300.html