Digital Storage

Enygma

Is there some kind of portable hard disk available that you can copy your CF cards onto when you're out and about?

Nothing worse than running out of space and having to waste batteries and time by going through them all deleting the throw-aways.

What are the options?

TempestSabre

While you can buy specialist photographers gear to do this. You can also use a MP3 player that has a feature called "USB on the GO". The iRiver H320 has this for example. Basically you can plug the CF card into a card reader than then into the H320. On the 320you can copy files from the CF card to the H320, 20GB disk.

JackKelly

Something like this might do the job. There definitely are such devices. Have a search around here to find out more.

rymus

I got a PD70X without hard drive not too long ago for a decent price. Then you just put a drive into it (I stuck in a 60gb maxor I think) and bobs your uncle. It takes all different kinds of media but I only use CF. I think it still has the fastest transfer rate around but if you need to preview the images its out as it only gives basic info about the transfer; no. of files/mb transferred etc. Battery life is grand, people say you'll get around 60GB on one set of AA's although the most I've ever needed to do was around 10gb.

In all honesty if I was you I wouldnt bother pissing about wasting time with the other units.. If all you need is to be able to store files without previewing them, the PD70X is your only man. If you want to be able to view the files, maybe something like the Epson P2000 would be more suitable. Hell of a lot more money but if its what you need...

Enygma

That looks like the right job rymus. I've ordered a 2GB card anyway, but that looks like exactly what I'll be looking for.

I don't need to preview pics at all. I just want something for when you've filled up your cards and still want to take more shots, or when you're on holidays and don't have access to a PC.

Nice one.

DamoKen

don't mean to hijack the thread but I was thinking of something similar yesterday. I have a 20gb Archos mp3 player that I can throw whatever I like onto when I link it via usb to my pc. Is it possible to do the same with a dslr, I mean push data off the sd while it's in the camera or do you need to pull it down from the storage device? The DSLR is a nikon D50.

conorgriff

rymus, where did you buy your pd70x?

rymus

From eastgear - http://www.eastgear.com/shop/index.php?cPath=17_66&osCsid=58b619ca998704f957644965f3c017bf

Just a warning that you will get hit with import duty, mine was around 30 quid. I chose to minimise this by buying the cheaper unit without hard drive. As I said, I installed a hard drive myself.