Extra memory card/s versus other options?

[witchy]

I have a Canon 300D and I bought a 1 gig memory card at the same time, thinking it would be plenty :rolleyes:

Well it's not, I have run out of space a few times. So what I would like to know, is what does everyone else do?.

Do you carry extra memory cards or are there better options?. I have been told about an iPod Photo to put pics onto and they have storage of 30plus gig. Anyone used one of these and are they any good?

Also a laptop has been suggested but to me a pain to lug about.

Thanks :)

[tim]

If you use a portable storage device you need another card to use while that one's downloading. Personally I have 2*2GB cards and 2*1GB cards, and at some point i'll get a dedicated photo storage device.

[rammy]

I have, and use, 4 x 2 gig ScanDisk Ultra II cards (also have 2 x 0.5 gig cards) and a laptop.

I think an external storage device is useful if you are away on holiday, out of your country or away from a machine for a number of weeks. Even if you don't have a laptop or an external storage device, your ISP (if you have one) should have reserved you enough space for you to "dump" your files.

I can connect to my server at home, through the internet, anywhere in the world. That way I can dump files straight onto my server :D

[hauff]

I have a 1GB card for primary use and a 500mb card for a back up. I dump the 1GB to a "Flashtrax" 40GB external storage device (fits in the palm of your hand) and use the 500MB while downloading. The Flashtrax cost $290 shipped is simple to use and works very well. It also has a viewing screen to display your photos. This works very nicely for the above mentioned holiday scenario and you can't get 40GB of CF storage for any where's near this price. $290 would buy you maybe 3 more GB in the CF department.

[witchy]

Thanks guys,

OK dumping files is out of the question. I am in Australia and we are planning a 3 week holiday, there will be no internet cafe or internet access anywhere near where we will be.


The external storage devices sound good. Can anyone tell me anymore about them. Does it take a long time to transfer files to them?....How is this done, do you plug your card in like you would into your computer?

Sorry about the stupid questions but I am trying to work out my best options for storing my photos until I will be able to get home and put them on my computer :)

[billsh]

I am considering an external storage device also. I would interested in what brands or models people have had good luck with.

Thanks
Bill

[ScottE]

When I travel I take a Flashtrax with an 80 gb drive to save my pictures each day. After downloading I reformat the CF cards in the camera. I shoot RAW and carry a 2gb and two 1gb flash cards. Often I fill the 2gb. Sometimes I fill the 2gb and one of the 1gb cards. Only once I filled all three cards and had to download to the Flashtrax during the day so I could shoot some more. Before my next trip I will get another 2gb card.

As far as I know, the Flashtrax 80gb is the largest capacity small device available. That is the reason I chose it. The Epson P2000 has a better play back display, but it only holds 40gb of storage and I would be worried about having enough space for a three week trip.

Scott

[hauff]

The 40 GB Flashtrax that I have will hold abot 3800 photos in raw format. It takes me about 11 minutes to download my 1GB card to the unit. Like the previous post, I delete and format the card in the camera after I have downloaded and verified that that the transfer was O.K. The card slides into the CF slot on the Flashtrax unit, you push the copy button and it's done like dinner. Here's a link to the one I purchased with all the related info.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5768733237&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMERFB%3AIID&rd=1

Hope this helps.

Regards: Bryan

[dannym]

Sounds like external storage would be the best for you. I have a 20 gig unit that seldom sees any use. I never travel very far from home so, in my case I would have been better off getting a couple more 1 gig CF cards. Enjoy your holiday my friend.

[tommykjensen]

I have 2 x 2 GB cards and 2 x 1 GB cards. But I recently bought an Epson P-2000 for my holiday in april month. And I got good use of it during the 3 weeks and I also expect that I will get to use it extensively this weekend where the carnival in Copenhagen is held. Last year I had to go home 3 times to offload photos. This year I won't need to go home to offload.

The Epson P-2000 is excellent and can display the jpeg imbedded in the raw files. It has 40 GB storage which should be enough for quite some time, though I did use almost 50% on my 3 weeks holiday :lol:

[witchy]

Thanks guys,

For all the info, it's muchly appreciated :)

[Longwatcher]

Note: also look at Wolverine 100GB flashpac available at BH.

And given the current cost of CF cards, getting more cards may be a better option. Since you have the 300D, you don't need the fast cards so you cost per GB is about $70, to get a 80GB portable drive is going to the equivilant of 4 of these cards. If you are not likely to ever need more then 4 on a trip, then go with the CF cards. If you think you will be likely to need more then go with the portable drives.

The cost of the Epson P2000 is about 7-8 slow CF cards or 5 fast CF cards.

[Ken Fong]

I shoot in RAW so I need the extra space...for an upcoming China trip (12 days), I plan to use 3 2GB cards and 1 1GB card for backup, and I plan to delete my bad shots along the way. I also have a 20GB iPod with Belkin adapter unit for additional space, but I don't think I will need it. The Belkin/iPod device is a bit slower than your dedicated external storage units, and the iPod transfers can only do 'bulk' saves...you can't work with files at an individual level.

[CyberDyneSystems]

A pair of cards at least.. and an "X-drive" type of thing..

[Jon]

I have an Addonics MFR DVD+ (http://www.addonics.com/products/mfr/aemfr842d.asp) burner which will go straight from card to CD/DVD and works quite well, I haven't tried to span CDs with it, but it claims to be able to do that. OTOH, I usually travel with laptops with large disk drives. On the gripping hand I also have a FlashTrax 80 that UPS just dropped off this morning and I;'ll be looking at as soon as I get home. Different tools for different purposes. I wouldn't take the burner out into the field; just leave it back where I'm based. I usually have a laptop when travelling since I need to be ready for crisis response at work. The FlashTrax will be handy for a day shoot when I want to show others the results and not lug the extra batteries for the laptop.

There's also several gig of CF cards for each camera (dedicated to each specific camera).