Backup Solution

PDD

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if anyone has a good suggestion for a backup solution for digital camera. I would like to be able to backup my memory card while on the road. Ideally I would like an MP3 player like an IPod to doble up as backup solution but it seems very few of them support the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP). Has anyone got a hard drive based backup solution that they would rcommend and is hopefully not too expensive.

Just to give you a bit of a background Im a complete n00b for photograpy and dont really concentrate on it much but have been told that I have a good eye from various people. I also seem to have a knack of getting good pics with people as the main subject in real life moments as opposed to contrived moments from poses etc (I wonder is there a name for those kinda pics).

Im a n00b as my knowledge isnt great and Im still relying on a point and shoot Fuji F-10 rather than a digital SLR but I want to really bump my game so any suggestions appreciated. Im going traveling to Oz soon so loads of subject matter to be explored and hence the need for the backup. Im also considering going ultra-compact so I can always have the camera with me and I don't miss any really good oppertunities. Does anyone have the Fuji Z3 and if so what whats their experience with it?

PDD

rymus

I got a PD70X some time ago and stuck a 60GB hard drive into it. Can copy a good few gigs on 4 AA's before they die and afaik, it's still the fastest portable storage solution around. No luxuries like the big screens that some of the devices have, but it's grand for hanging on your belt and doing fast backups of cards. Still, having said that theres no luxuries, it does have the luxury of being significantly cheaper than alot of the other devices around.

Roen

What kind of HDD goes in it? Lappy or 2.5"?

rymus

if memory serves, I ordered the pd70x without drive (to save on the duty I'd end up paying) and stuck in a 2.5" Maxtor. Takes all of 5 mins to install and setup the drive.

Roen

Cheers, the only laptop hdd I had at my disposal was one from a Panasonic Toughbook, which wasn't that tough when it came down to it. It uses a kind of weird sata connector that I hadn't seen before.

rymus

Ah yeah, this takes IDE only. The maxtor came recommended as a drive that could take a bit of vibration and general abuse before it eventually goes tits up.

wingnut

Some MP3 players offer USB host functionality.

zod

The Archos Gmini 402 has a 20GB HDD

It offers USB host mode - so you can download photos and video to it on the road..and you can also flick through them or even video .. if you wanted.

They are quite cheap from this Irish supplier

Luzern Solutions Ltd
Kingston Building
Blanchardstown Technology Park
Snugborough Road
Blanchardstown
Dublin 15
Ireland
sales@Luzerntech.com


http://www.luzerntech.com/Items/LTS-GMINI402-000?

311

Has anyone heard about the jobo giga one drives ??
They were meant to be very fast ,also very cheap

mervifwdc

rymus wrote:

I got a PD70X some time ago and stuck a 60GB hard drive into it. Can copy a good few gigs on 4 AA's before they die and afaik, it's still the fastest portable storage solution around.

Another vote for these little babies. They are definitly the fastest download device I've ever used, handle a good range of card types (but have a problem with cards over 2 gig for some reason). They also act as a battery charger if you plug them in (to the 220v supply, or a cigar lighter in the car).

brilliant pieces of kit.

Merv.

jaqian

wingnut wrote:

Some MP3 players offer USB host functionality.

The Cowon A2 but Canon's don't seem to like it. They call it USB OTG (On The Go)

Heres a list of devices that work with it. http://www.jaqian.co.nr/Cowon_A2_USB-OTG_Update.htm

Roen

rymus wrote:

I got a PD70X some time ago and stuck a 60GB hard drive into it. Can copy a good few gigs on 4 AA's before they die and afaik, it's still the fastest portable storage solution around. No luxuries like the big screens that some of the devices have, but it's grand for hanging on your belt and doing fast backups of cards. Still, having said that theres no luxuries, it does have the luxury of being significantly cheaper than alot of the other devices around.

Where did you actually get yours Rymus?

rymus

off eastgear in the US..

Roen

Cheers, I keep getting shoved on to the Aussie site for some reason.

Roen

I think the PD70x is gone, can only find these lads, great value tbh.
http://www.eastgear.com/shop/index.php?cPath=17_101

rymus

that new model looks even better than my pd70x. That external battery pack is a great job.

FreeAnd..

Excellent, this saves me starting a thread - the NEXTO ULTRA ND-2525 PROFESSIONAL STORAGE looks like, exactly what i am looking for...

Roen

Got an 80Gb one. More than I'd need, but better be looking at it than for it I suppose.

Roen

You can order the Nexto I got from the UK instead of the States, link here. Thus avoiding the nasty fedex tax bill a few weeks on