Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

esjessi · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Posts: 21

Hey guys.
I'm going to Tanzania for 15 weeks at the beginning of next year, and of course I'll be bringing along my D70. :) Currently I just have a 1GB card that does just fine, but I'm going to need a lot more storage than that! I figure at the least, I'll be taking 30 pictures a day, which translates into almost 11 GB when shooting at JPEG fine, and a hell of a lot more if I figure out how to play around with NEF raw files. I saw that somebody else on here had recommended an external harddrive such as http://secure.serverlab.net/shop/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=7040&Category_Code=HardDrives&Store_Code=T00107 this one, which seems convenient and handy. However, I am weary of external harddrives, as they are notorious for crashing.

What do you guys think? Should I risk the hard drive, or should I spend a bajillion dollars on more flash cards? Thanks!

joeygil · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 450

I have a portable HD (Jobo Giga Mini), and haven't had any crashing problems with it - though the earphone jack has gotten flakey, but that's not too important.

If you're really worried about crashes, how about a portable CD or DVD writer? Once the disc is written, it should be pretty sturdy.

feztaa · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 616 Location: Canadia, eh?

I use a Wolverine SixPac 20GB portable harddrive. Pretty nifty device, it's got built-in readers for 6 different types of memory cards, and plugs into the computer via USB and shows up as a mass storage device (meaning it doesn't require any drivers or anything, it just magically works when you plug it in, even on linux).

I've taken it on a number of roadtrips and it hasn't failed me yet. I just transfer the images off the card and onto the device, and then when I get home I transfer them all onto my computer.

It seems they've discontinued my model, but there's a new model that can read 7 different types of cards and holds twice as much, and costs less.

Wolverine FlashPac

fotofinger · Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 75

i own an xdrive and since this toys are a bit slow in copying files i suggest you to buy a second memory if you plan to shot more than then size of the memory per day. Months ago i was doing a parade and lost many good shots while my drive was working!

SeaOtter · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 305 Location: West Hartford, CT

I went to your link and saw that the product is available at B&H Photo (bhphotovideo.com). So I went to the B&H website to see what else they have. I found the Epson P-2000. Current price there is US $489. Epson has a 60 gig model coming out, B&H price about US $700. Following is the description on B&H's website about the product. According to information on Epson's website, it supports the .nef raw files of your D-70. To me this looks like a great option since you can leave your computer at home and view your shots on this equipment.

Description of the product's features as it appears on the B&H website:

Enjoy the freedom of multimedia portability with the Epson P-2000, featuring a 40GB hard drive and 3.8" LCD to view, store and playback photos, videos and music - all without a computer. Review images easily, or share and enjoy them at your convenience. Exclusive Epson Photo Fine LCD technology ensures brilliant color and vivid detail.

A perfect companion to any digital camera, the P-2000 makes it easy to download files to and from any CompactFlash or Secure Digital memory card through its built-in card slots. And, with an optional third-party adapter, it supports additional memory cards. Designed with a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface, this portable device transfers photos, video and audio files in a snap. It supports JPEG and select RAW image files, MPEG4 and Motion JPEG video files, plus MP3 and AAC audio files.

Windows and Macintosh compatible, the P-2000 features an intuitive menu that enables users to easily browse through files or create new folders for easy accessibility. And, it can even print directly to select Epson printers

This travel-friendly battery operated device is ideal for any application - both personal and professional. Share photos with friends, or display a digital portfolio for business use. A versatile multimedia storage viewer, the Epson P-2000 offers on-the-spot downloading and playback of photos, videos and music - anytime, anyplace.

Key Features

• Experience Multimedia Portability
Enjoy your favorite photos, videos and music - anytime, anywhere

• Brilliant Color with Enhanced Detail
View razor sharp images with a 3.8" Epson Photo Fine LCD

• Store Thousands of Photos
You can download files directly to the Built-in 40GB hard drive and have space fro thousands of typical JPEG Files

• Transfer Files in a Snap
Directly download files using the built-in CompactFlash and Secure Digital card slots - then use the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 for fast downloads to and from your computer

• Display Your Photos and Videos on a TV
The unit connects Connect to many TVs or projectors using an optional third-party video cable

• Organize Your Files
Create folders to categorize and group your files for easy access and viewing

scott5797 · Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 658

Do yourself a favor and shoot all your pics in RAW, if you don't ,you'll regret it when you do learn how much more you can do with your pics in the RAW format. I wish I had my D70 when my wife and I went to China to adopt our daughter. My pictures could have been so much bigger and better than with my 3 MP olympus:-)

keeklers · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 22 Location: northern ireland

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Portable-Digital-Photo-Bank-Camera-Partner-USB-2-0-HDD_W0QQitemZ7553834750QQcategoryZ18871QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

this link is to the photo bank i use it has the card slots it the side as well it comes without a hard drive but you fit the size you want it takes laptop hard drives, i have a 20gb in mine and they are not too expensive to buy, it is rechargable and is good for 2hrs use and will download a 1gb card in no time you hook it up to your computer to download your pics.
hope this is of help

pedrodiaz · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 135 Location: Madrid, Spain

More about the Epson P-2000: This HD is featured as the editor's choice on a portable storage comparative in the Practical Photography magazine (september 2005).

Under pros they say: "Massive high quality screen. Classically stylish and great to use". Cons: "Download times could be better and can be slow to preview pictures"

It's on my candidate list of things to buy with shutterstock money ;-)

Cheers

Pedro