Travel Hard Drive for Backup

[Thiophilos]

I'm with snowbear. Use memory cards.

If your camera has dual memory card slots, just use the camera to copy image files from the card you were shooting with to a backup card. Memory cards are cheap. Buy several. They don't need to be the fastest. Depending on how nervous you are about pic security, you can make extra copies and have a companion carry one, or mail some home.

Personally, I always have a laptop along so I can see what I was shooting and do culling. But you don't NEED a computer to back up the pics if your camera has dual slots.

 

[Rizzo]

I'm with snowbear. Use memory cards.

If your camera has dual memory card slots, just use the camera to copy image files from the card you were shooting with to a backup card. Memory cards are cheap. Buy several. They don't need to be the fastest. Depending on how nervous you are about pic security, you can make extra copies and have a companion carry one, or mail some home.

Personally, I always have a laptop along so I can see what I was shooting and do culling. But you don't NEED a computer to back up the pics if your camera has dual slots.

Unfortunately my Canon 6D does not have dual memory slots. But that would be ideal.

 

[jeffashman]

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.

Not dense at all. As noted, Copilot is not always 100% spot on, and reading the info it looks like a computer is still required. What should have returned would be similar to what @Rickbb posted above, an SSD with built in wifi hotspot, so you kill two birds with one stone. You can then go into your camera's settings and connect the hot spot and move your data to the SSD.

 

[AlanKlein]

Why get a laptop? Would a cheap tablet work? YOu could also use it for email and the web.

 

[Rizzo]

Why get a laptop? Would a cheap tablet work? YOu could also use it for email and the web.

Alan: I toyed with that idea. But since I have a small external drive, I thought that a file transfer device like the RevPower File Hub would be ideal (& cheap). But there seems to be several reoccurring issue with the device that I prefer to avoid. So the search continues.

 

[Woolsocks]

Simple solution I can think of is get a memory card to usb adapter. When your traveling it should be easy to gain access to a desktop and transfer picture fold to desktop then transfer to usb stick or drive with usb connector. usb 3 is pretty quick. Just make sure you get a fast drive and fast memory card for your camera. Unless your traveling where there is no human being around.

 

[Rizzo]

Simple solution I can think of is get a memory card to usb adapter. When your traveling it should be easy to gain access to a desktop and transfer picture fold to desktop then transfer to usb stick or drive with usb connector. usb 3 is pretty quick. Just make sure you get a fast drive and fast memory card for your camera. Unless your traveling where there is no human being around.

That certainly is an option when traveling somewhere where there is access to a computer. I'm thinking of those times when I don't have access to a computer. And at times WiFi & cell access are also unavailable.

 

[Woolsocks]

Ok. Sd card's are really light. usb drives are heavier. Why not just buy a fast and larger sd card. What camera are you using?

This is really silly.

Your out somewhere with no phone. No computer. No back pack. No pockets. No clothing. Just you nude and your camera. I get it now. Could you super glue an card adapter onto your camera and slide out an sd card. Switch it with the other sd card when it fills up.


This thread was made as a joke right? Well you got me. Ah hahaha.

 

[PJM]

I go with a Sandisk SSD and a 5th gen iPad air. The iPad has the newer USB C port and does the transfers pretty quickly. I also use the iPad for other things when I travel.

 

[Rizzo]

I think that I resolved my backup dilemma. I came across an old iPad that I haven't used for several years. With a SD card reader-to-lightning adapter, I should be good to go. Thank you, everyone, for all of your suggestions.