Backing up my photos while traveling

[mwhiteaz]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this, so Mods feel free to put it in the correct one.

How do you back up your photos when you're traveling in another country, without a laptop, smart phone, or internet access?  I've read of people swapping out various memory cards every couple of days in case the camera is stolen.  But isn't there some sort of compact device that I can somehow dump the day's photos into each night, and then load all the photos from it to my computer when I get home?  And how does it work?  Does it connect to the camera, or you insert the memory card into it?

Oh, and could such a device handle RAW file storage (thank you RAW forum members for setting me on that path!).

Totally not a techie--please speak slowly and use simple words.

Thanks for any info.

[Deleted]

Hi mwhiteaz, the solution to your problem is this device from Western Digital - it's a 3TB external portable drive, with an SD card slot and a USB connection for when you get home.

Hope this helps!

Edit: With 3TB you should have more than enough space for your RAW files.

[mwhiteaz]

Thanks, Storkington,

I was excited to read about this in the link you provided. Clicking on the link in the article, though, took me to Amazon where it's quite a bit more expensive than shown in the article, and the reviews were pretty underwhelming. Even the more techie types were having trouble using it. Maybe the next generation of this device will have those issues sorted out. *sigh* It sounded so promising...

[cats4jan]

I carry my iPad and back up all photos onto it each day. I also transfer everyone elses photos to my iPad. This procedure allows me to file each days photos in appropriate folders, so when I get home, I know exactly where each photo was taken.

But, I also carry extra camera cards and change them every couple of days. The cards are reusable, so when I get home and have my backups of my photos, I can reformat the cards and they are ready for the next vacation. However, because media cards have come down in price, I keep the media cards as another source of backup and buy new ones for the next vacation.

Note - transfer from camera to iPad requires a camera kit - my kit came with a connector where I can put my SD card to make the transfer, but it also came with a camera cord connector in case my camera did not have an SD card. The upside of using an iPad is when you want to show off your photos to others in your travel group, it's much more fun showing them off in a size larger than the camera's screen.

Bonus - you have an iPad to use after vacation is over.

I'm sure other types of Tablets can be used similarly.

[Sepiana]

Hi mwhiteaz,

I lean towards using a portable external HD. See if this information will help you make an informed decision.

Best portable drives of 2016

Best portable hard drives

[rapata]

Jun 30, 2016 17:13:10 GMT cats4jan said:

I carry my iPad and back up all photos onto it each day. I also transfer everyone elses photos to my iPad. This procedure allows me to file each days photos in appropriate folders, so when I get home, I know exactly where each photo was taken.

But, I also carry extra camera cards and change them every couple of days. The cards are reusable, so when I get home and have my backups of my photos, I can reformat the cards and they are ready for the next vacation. However, because media cards have come down in price, I keep the media cards as another source of backup and buy new ones for the next vacation.

Note - transfer from camera to iPad requires a camera kit - my kit came with a connector where I can put my SD card to make the transfer, but it also came with a camera cord connector in case my camera did not have an SD card. The upside of using an iPad is when you want to show off your photos to others in your travel group, it's much more fun showing them off in a size larger than the camera's screen.

Bonus - you have an iPad to use after vacation is over.

I'm sure other types of Tablets can be used similarly.

I also use my IPad as a backup, and leave my laptop at home when I travel. I have the camera kit and cable

When you get home do you transfer the photos from the IPad to your computer, and if so what method do you use, or just download from the memory cards to the computer and then delete the travel backup sets?

[cats4jan]

When you get home do you transfer the photos from the IPad to your computer, and if so what method do you use, or just download from the memory cards to the computer and then delete the travel backup sets?

My (2011) Mac has a built in SD reader - I use Image Capture to get photos from the card onto the computer.  

Unfortunately, newer Mac's no longer have card readers integrated, so when I replace this machine, I don't quite know what I will do.  

I used to use iPhoto instead of Image Capture, but I think iPhoto is no longer supported - then again, I don't quite know why I switched to using Image Capture.  

I keep all the photos on my iPad after transfer to my Mac because I have the room for them and because I'm too lazy to sort through to delete.

I guess I could use I-Tunes to transfer the photos from the iPad to the Mac, but I really hate I-Tunes and avoid it whenever possible.

I'm finding I'm not the computer person I used to be.  I find a way that works to do a task and no longer explore options.  Just not into learning new stuff.  However, I admit I'm probably doing a lot of tasks the hard way or the old-fashioned way.  

BTW - since I got my iPad, the laptop has been stored in a drawer.  I was using the laptop for vacation photo storage, but a Tablet is so much easier to travel with and unless I was planning on writing the great novel or doing work on the road, I would never take the laptop again.  

The desktop is for at-home work - the iPad is for fun - the iPhone is for when I'm not home - the laptop is redundant.

[mwhiteaz]

Thanks, everyone. Sorry I didn't respond sooner; normally I get an email that a thread has been updated, but this time did not.

An external hard drive seems to be a popular solution, and I already own one (500GB Seagate)that I use to back up all the docs and photos on my laptop. Okay, I warned you I'm not techie and I meant it, so here's my next question: if a regular ol' external hard drive is the way to go, how do I get the photos from my camera to the hard drive? The connector/plug for the hard drive won't fit my camera.

I do carry an iPad Mini when I travel but am not sure it has enough capacity for backing up my photos.

[cats4jan]

My iPad is 64GB - I will replace it with 128 GB. I have 5000 photos on it, but I do not shoot Raw. I have very few videos.  

[Andy]

Jul 4, 2016 4:50:22 GMT BuckSkin said:

Pray tell, how do you get this site to send e-mail updates ??

Check out the FAQ here: photoshopelementsandmore.com/thread/1740/changing-method-frequency-notifications

[Fauxtoto]

Hi,
Here is a solution for backing-up on a specific device. I guess a similar solution could be used for other devices.
www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-transfer-files-from-an-sd-card-onto-a-nexus-7/

[lucian]

www.ezpnp.com/s/en/2/product/Single-Button-Portable-Storage-Device-DM110-BD-345155.html

I have their DM220 (my unit is about 10 years old). It burns directly to a DVD/CD. You can burn multiple times until the disk is full. The unit will tell you no more room so you can change to a fresh disk.

On important assignments I would burn two or more disks of the same card (i.e. insurance claims, crime scenes).   These were always shot in RAW + .jpeg.  The only drawback is you need to have a supply of disks.

The unit in the above link I believe is just a storage unit. You would treat it like an external hard drive.

Many years ago there was a device called a digital wallet, with viewing screen but I can't seem to find one.

The EZDigiMagic unit we had in the photo studio I purchased almost 10 years ago. My successors are still using the same unit.

Hope this may be of some help.

By the way I had occasion to speak directly with the EZPnP people in El Paso a few years back. They were super folks.

[lucian]

I did a search for EZDigiMagic at B&H Photo Video and Adorama.

www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/981266-REG/ezpnp_technologies_dm550_d20_desktop_dvd_burner.html


www.adorama.com/brands/EZDigiMagic

I've used both of the companies for many years - great service, great prices, and over the past 30 years never a problem with either of them.

[BuckSkin]

Four Years Later

Has anyone came up with anything that actually works and is rock solid dependable ?

Surely such a device is available, considering as many people that are needing a purpose-made SD-card backer-upper device, something reliable and with real life reviews that are something other than underwhelming.

I was considering an alternative for the wife to take on trips that she could just pop the SD card in and be able to see and control what is happening on a screen, something NOT wireless and that doesn't depend on a phone to help it work.

When I think I have found something and then check it out, I only find reviews from disappointed people.

[pontiac1940]

If we are on vacation or on extended roads trips on which photos will be taken, then my laptop is always with me. For important photo trips (vs a casual drive or visit) then I have at least one extra external hard drive for backups. 
Clive