Travel Hard Drive for Backup

Rizzo

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For travel photography when weight can be an issue, I would like to use an external hard drive to back up the images on my camera's SD card (without connecting a computer). What exactly will I need?
Thank you so much.
 
For a lightweight portable hard drive, it's hard to beat a USB SSD drive. But moving the images will require some kind of software. Your camera might do it, but I've not tried that.
 
Actually Ian looking at the RavPower File Hub. Has anyone used it?
 
Actually Ian looking at the RavPower File Hub. Has anyone used it?
I can't see anything in the description that states you can use it to transfer images without a computer, in this case specifically a MacBook. Also, there are no example use images in the listing that don't show it connected to a computer. Power for these devices has to come from somewhere. AFAICT, it's simply a hub.

I tried to find something similar about 2 months ago and determined there wasn't one out there, or at least I couldn't find it. I have seen a few external HD docking stations that have a card reader built in for direct transfer, but again, they need to be powered by a computer. Samsung or WD had one a while back, it was a small portable HD or SSD (can't recall which) that allowed direct transfer from a card to the drive, but it needed to be connected to a computer as well.

To be perfectly honest, SSD cards are so cheap these days, if you want small and light, just carry extra cards.

If you are successful in finding something, or if you determine the RavPower does what you're looking for, do let us know!
 
I can't see anything in the description that states you can use it to transfer images without a computer, in this case specifically a MacBook. Also, there are no example use images in the listing that don't show it connected to a computer. Power for these devices has to come from somewhere. AFAICT, it's simply a hub.

I tried to find something similar about 2 months ago and determined there wasn't one out there, or at least I couldn't find it. I have seen a few external HD docking stations that have a card reader built in for direct transfer, but again, they need to be powered by a computer. Samsung or WD had one a while back, it was a small portable HD or SSD (can't recall which) that allowed direct transfer from a card to the drive, but it needed to be connected to a computer as well.

To be perfectly honest, SSD cards are so cheap these days, if you want small and light, just carry extra cards.

If you are successful in finding something, or if you determine the RavPower does what you're looking for, do let us know!
The forte of this device apparently is the ability to transfer files between a source & a destination (e.g. from an SD card to an external drive). Several of the reviews pointed out that some of the functions of the RavPower can be confusing & clunky -- possibly the result of dated technology. But the file transfer function seems to do the job.
 
The forte of this device apparently is the ability to transfer files between a source & a destination (e.g. from an SD card to an external drive). Several of the reviews pointed out that some of the functions of the RavPower can be confusing & clunky -- possibly the result of dated technology. But the file transfer function seems to do the job.
I understand that, but it does not appear that it will do so without a computer, which is the thrust of your question.

If you get it, please let us know how it works for you. If it were me, I'd ask some very specific questions of the manufacturer before ordering.
 
Not to belabor the issue, the appeal of this device for several travel photographers is that it eliminates the need to pack a computer. As a WiFi/router device with its own power source, it supposedly can transfer the data without a computer. Will keep you posted.
 
I’m in the “extra sd cards” camp. They weigh nearly nothing.
 
Looked around and found this,


If your camera has WiFi it might work.
Thanks for the link. But since I have a compact external drive, I prefer to simply get a device to transfer images from the SD card to the external drive.
 
I’m in the “extra sd cards” camp. They weigh nearly nothing.
The idea of extra SD cards is appealing. I assume that you are suggesting that I shoot using different SD cards over the course of a trip. That way the images are spread over several cards rather than being on just one. However, I would not have a backup for those cards in the event the cards were lost.
 
In that case you will need some kind of computing device and a USB hub and/or a card reader. No way around it.

Doesn't have to be a full-size laptop, could be a tablet, or even a phone with the right software. I've heard of people making one from a razzberry pi, same size as a phone though which is why the Pi is not very popular anymore.
 
The idea of extra SD cards is appealing. I assume that you are suggesting that I shoot using different SD cards over the course of a trip. That way the images are spread over several cards rather than being on just one. However, I would not have a backup for those cards in the event the cards were lost.
You'd be in the same boat if your external drive were lost.
 
Here is what I could find... understanding that Copilot is not always 100% on spot, but is still quite helpful. I haven't personally validated the information below.

You
is there an external hard drive that does not require a computer to store photographs from a digital camera


Copilot
Certainly! If you’re looking for an external hard drive to store photographs directly from your digital camera without needing a computer, there are a few options to consider:
  1. Portable SSDs (Solid State Drives):
  2. External Hard Drives:
 
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Here is what I could find... understanding that Copilot is not always 100% on spot, but is still quite helpful. I haven't personally validated the information below.

You
is there an external hard drive that does not require a computer to store photographs from a digital camera


Copilot
Certainly! If you’re looking for an external hard drive to store photographs directly from your digital camera without needing a computer, there are a few options to consider:
  1. Portable SSDs (Solid State Drives):
  2. External Hard Drives:
Jeff: Forgive me if I'm being a little "dense". But I don't see how I can transfer images directly from the camera's SD card to an external drive without an intermediary file transfer device.
 

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