Options for backing up photos at WDW?

[mikegood2]

As of right now, for my June WDW vacation, I'm planning on leaving my laptop at home and bringing an iPad instead. The only thing concerns me about the decision is backing up my photos for the trip. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best options for making backups at WDW?

I'll probably end up bringing my dSLR, which does not shoot video, for RAW photos and a PnS for video and photos on any day I leave the dSLR at the Resort.

I'm aware that I can buy additional cards, but I also like the idea of backing all my photos up. The options I am currently aware of are rentals a computer from my resort for 69¢ a minute, and backing my cards onto a portable drive. I'm also probably going to buy a iPad Camera kit, but my iPad is a 32GB version so I can't fit everything on it that way. Are there any other options that anyone can think of?

[disneyboy2003]

A couple ideas come to mind.

I know that you said you weren't going to bring a laptop. How about a netbook, which would be smaller than a laptop, but hopefully have the storage space and USB ports for you to unload your memory cards to.

Or how about a netbook + portable hard drive? I'm not sure how much capacity those hard drives in a netbook are. But if those netbook hard drives are too small, you can bring a portable hard drive (like you suggested) and connect it to your netbook.

How about an Epson Photo Viewer? It takes your memory card and downloads all the photos & videos into itself. Plus, you can view your photos & videos on its 4-inch LCD screen. Here's a picture of the Epson Photo Viewer:

http://www.epson.com/alf_upload/images/products/p7000_fcs_690x460.jpg


The Epson P-6000 holds 80GB of data, and is about $504. (link (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573863-REG/Epson_B31B191002_P_6000_Multimedia_Photo_Viewer.ht ml) to B&H)
The Epson P-7000 holds 160GB of data, and is about $685. (link (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/573864-REG/Epson_B31B192002_P_7000_Multimedia_Photo_Viewer.ht ml) to B&H)


With the Epson photo viewers, you wouldn't need to bring a laptop. You just insert your memory card into the viewer, unload the photos, and then you're done.

There are other no-name photo viewers that do the same thing. Do a quick Google Shopping search for "backup memory cards photo" (link (http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SNNT_enUS404US404&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=backup+memory+cards+photo#rlz=1C1SNNT_enUS404US4 04&q=backup+memory+cards+photo&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=shop:1&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf&biw=1022&bih=534&bav=on.2,or.&fp=6b9ef29973557c1c) to this Google search)

These were the options that came to mind. Hope that helps.

[YesDear]

Wolverine (http://www.wolverinedata.com/index.php/site/quicklinks/C13/) is another brand that also make storage drives for photographers. They make some that do not have viewing screens, just storage. They are much less than the Epson.

[pjacobi]

Make sure your storage device supports the Raw format of your camera or you will not be able to view Raw images on the storage devices.


-Paul

[mikegood2]

A couple ideas come to mind.

Or how about a netbook + portable hard drive?

How about an Epson Photo Viewer? It takes your memory card and downloads all the photos & videos into itself. Plus, you can view your photos & videos on its 4-inch LCD screen.

Thanks disneyboy, If I could find an inexpensive netbook, that could be a possible option. I have also looked at the Epson Photo viewers in the past, and while they are nice, they are definitely out of my price range, for an item I would not get a lot of use out of. I'd rather use part of that money to upgrade my PnS, upgrade my dSLR or put towards a new laptop

Wolverine (http://www.wolverinedata.com/index.php/site/quicklinks/C13/) is another brand that also make storage drives for photographers. They make some that do not have viewing screens, just storage. They are much less than the Epson.

Thanks YesDear, I'll look into it and also take pjacobi's advice and make sure they are compatable with everything I have.



Part of my rational in not bringing a laptop is to save space, and take the temptation of adjusting photos and video out of my way. Also my old 12" powerbook, which I have used on vacations in the past, does not have USB2 on it.

I can rent a computer, 69¢ a minute, at the resort, so it would probably run me $30 - $50 to back up my photos on this trip. Does anyone know of anyplace else you can make backups in WDW? Do any of the Parks photo centers offer backing up services?

I'm sure I'm not the only person running into this issue and hope that this thread can help other people come up with new ideas/options.

[gruZ]

Not sure about this as I don't own an iPad - but if you have the connection kit, could you upload the files to the iPad and then use an app on the iPad (like Dropbox) to upload from there to the cloud? You would need wireless connectivity of course, which may or may not be an option where you are staying.

Just a thought!

[jimim]

As of right now, for my June WDW vacation, I'm planning on leaving my laptop at home and bringing an iPad instead. The only thing concerns me about the decision is backing up my photos for the trip. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best options for making backups at WDW?

I'll probably end up bringing my dSLR, which does not shoot video, for RAW photos and a PnS for video and photos on any day I leave the dSLR at the Resort.

I'm aware that I can buy additional cards, but I also like the idea of backing all my photos up. The options I am currently aware of are rentals a computer from my resort for 69¢ a minute, and backing my cards onto a portable drive. I'm also probably going to buy a iPad Camera kit, but my iPad is a 32GB version so I can't fit everything on it that way. Are there any other options that anyone can think of?


I used my ipad this past dec. I usually take my MacBook pro with me but I thought I would give the iPad a try. I was very very please. I only shot pics with my 7d. No video. I have a 32 gb also ( well as of 5 tonight I now have a new 16 gb ipad2 ) and had no prob. I only keep games and a movie or two on mine soi had a ton of room. My iPhone houses all my music.

I also bought a domke bag to carry my lens, camera, and other stuff. The best part it has a slit that fits an iPad with a case on it perfect. I loved the idea of misusing on bag for this way also! That was the best part. No laptop bags anymore!

Hope this helps

[jimim]

As of right now, for my June WDW vacation, I'm planning on leaving my laptop at home and bringing an iPad instead. The only thing concerns me about the decision is backing up my photos for the trip. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best options for making backups at WDW?

I'll probably end up bringing my dSLR, which does not shoot video, for RAW photos and a PnS for video and photos on any day I leave the dSLR at the Resort.

I'm aware that I can buy additional cards, but I also like the idea of backing all my photos up. The options I am currently aware of are rentals a computer from my resort for 69¢ a minute, and backing my cards onto a portable drive. I'm also probably going to buy a iPad Camera kit, but my iPad is a 32GB version so I can't fit everything on it that way. Are there any other options that anyone can think of?


Oh and raw is no prob with the camera kit. U will see a jpg on the iPad but the raw will dl to ur computer when u get home. The jpg created is for preview only.

[mikegood2]

Not sure about this as I don't own an iPad - but if you have the connection kit, could you upload the files to the iPad and then use an app on the iPad (like Dropbox) to upload from there to the cloud? You would need wireless connectivity of course, which may or may not be an option where you are staying.

Just a thought!

We are staying at the Swan/Dolphin and get high-speed Internet access for the room, but not sure if it is Wi-Fi, or has any restrictions. Dropbox is a possibility for at least a few photos.


I used my ipad this past dec. I usually take my MacBook pro with me but I thought I would give the iPad a try. I was very very please. I only shot pics with my 7d. No video. I have a 32 gb also ( well as of 5 tonight I now have a new 16 gb ipad2 ) and had no prob. I only keep games and a movie or two on mine soi had a ton of room. My iPhone houses all my music.

I also bought a domke bag to carry my lens, camera, and other stuff. The best part it has a slit that fits an iPad with a case on it perfect. I loved the idea of misusing on bag for this way also! That was the best part. No laptop bags anymore!

Hope this helps

thanks jimim, it does help. Glad it worked for you, I think I'll get the kit in the next few weeks and give it a try. If I get allot of use out of it, I see myself using the swip finger left / select delete alot. :lmao: Enjoy the iPad2, with this trip coming, I'm probably waiting for the iPad3 myself.

Also think I'll have to take a look at that Domke bag, do you know what model it is?

[Anewman]

Digital Foci Photo Safe II $129 @Adorama
Flashpoint Portable Picture & Data Backup Hard Drive same price(never used it)

they seem very similar.

It backs up memory card data... the files on said card can be any format, since it is not a viewer just copies data onto the 250gb hard drive. I have the Older photo safe(not II), and I just insert card press copy, it creates a folder and saves all data. Has battery and charger, can also be used as a card reader.

http://www.adorama.com/images/large/DFPS2250G_1.jpg
http://www.adorama.com/images/large/ICDFP320_1.jpg

[jimim]

We are staying at the Swan/Dolphin and get high-speed Internet access for the room, but not sure if it is Wi-Fi, or has any restrictions. Dropbox is a possibility for at least a few photos.




thanks jimim, it does help. Glad it worked for you, I think I'll get the kit in the next few weeks and give it a try. If I get allot of use out of it, I see myself using the swip finger left / select delete alot. :lmao: Enjoy the iPad2, with this trip coming, I'm probably waiting for the iPad3 myself.

Also think I'll have to take a look at that Domke bag, do you know what model it is?

It's the fx3? I have to check when I get home. It's a nice bag. I got the rugged ware version. For in the parks I use a smaller domke for just my camera.

[ViOnline]

how long batter holds?
I had similar device, but couldn't backup 4GB card without pluging it into power socket.

Digital Foci Photo Safe II $129 @Adorama
Flashpoint Portable Picture & Data Backup Hard Drive same price(never used it)

they seem very similar.

It backs up memory card data... the files on said card can be any format, since it is not a viewer just copies data onto the 250gb hard drive. I have the Older photo safe(not II), and I just insert card press copy, it creates a folder and saves all data. Has battery and charger, can also be used as a card reader.

[Groucho]

What Anewman suggests is probably your best bet, but ideally, you'd want two of them, or to keep the memory cards untouched, so that the pictures exist in two places. Laptops hard drives are pretty unreliable; your pictures are safer on a memory card than a hard drive. If you want to keep it easy, I'd recommend just buying some extra memory cards and make sure you don't lose or damage them. Maybe flip the write-protect switch when you've filled one up.

Make sure you don't underestimate, though - I managed to use up a little over 120 gigs last trip. That included some movies, but still... it's easy to chew through a lot of memory cards.

Renting time on a PC would seem to be a last-resort choice. Even with a regular card reader (not using the camera itself), it can take a []long[/i] time to empty those big cards...

[zackiedawg]

Personally, I go the netbook route for just that reason. Netbooks are much smaller than laptops, so very portable - mine even fits in my camera backpack with all my lenses and gear. It has a good 160GB harddrive, and functions normally just like a laptop...which also means I can bring along a WD passport 250GB USB-powered pocket drive too. That lets me stick my cards in each day I get back to the room, backup all my photos to the netbook, then copy those all onto the pocket drive so I have two copies. Picked up my Asus Eee netbook for under $300 - and of course it can serve other purposes like e-mail, browsing, etc. so it serves very well as a replacement for my laptop when traveling and needing portability and small form factor. I looked at the iPad type solution, but didn't like the virtual keyboard for e-mail applications and the photo backup options weren't as good - I preferred a completely self-starting solution with a card reader, automatic photo downloading, USB connectibility for backup, and I'm readily familiar with normal Windows operating systems - I just wouldn't get much use out of an iPad, as it's mostly a multimedia/surfing device, and I don't do much in the way of watching videos/movies/browsing etc when on vacation.

[cpbjgc]

I have a Colorspace UDMA (http://www.hypershop.com/HyperDrive-COLORSPACE-UDMA-s/64.htm) portable device. It has a picture viewer that handles many RAW formats, is easy to use, and can function as a USB drive as well. You can swap in any size SATA drive. I prefer to not travel with a laptop or netbook, so this provides a nice compromise for both storage and being able to view RAW while away on a trip.

[mikegood2]

Thanks for the replies, I will take a look at some of the options this weekend.

Also, I picked up the iPad camera connector kit tonight. Haven't spent much time with it yet, but so far it looks nice. Will play around with it some more over the weekend and see if a few ideas I've thought of work with it. Our party will probably have 2 or 3 32GB iPads with us so that should give us an additional 30-60 gb of space to play around with.

Will probably report back this weekend with a few of my ideas work and run them by everyone.

Keep the ideas coming.

[southernbelle_amy]

I have an iPad 32gb and the camera connector kit. If my memory card had more than a few pics it wouldnt read? Any suggestions or additional apps to get?

[redboxcar]

You could also use an Eye-Fi card. It's an SD card replacement and I think you have to get the EXPLORE one for your situation, but the card uploads the photos and videos wirelessly to your computer or certain websites (flickr, facebook, picasa, etc.)

http://www.eye.fi/products/compare-cards

If you click the "more info +" next to each point, it gives you, well... more info. =)... under the cool features, where it says effortless online sharing, you can see which 25 websites it is capable of uploading your photos to.

I have one and I love it!

[mikegood2]

I have an iPad 32gb and the camera connector kit. If my memory card had more than a few pics it wouldnt read? Any suggestions or additional apps to get?

Not sure why you are having that problem. If it is copying over some of your files its should copy over all of them. Is possible that some of the images are in some other format? Also, I'm not sure what kind of movie formats it copies over, but it does copy over the ones on my point and shoot fine. As far as additional apps, there are not any that I am aware of that would fix your issue with it not reading some images, but there are a number of apps you can use to adjust your images. I'm planning on getting a few, just not sure which ones yet.



You could also use an Eye-Fi card. It's an SD card replacement and I think you have to get the EXPLORE one for your situation, but the card uploads the photos and videos wirelessly to your computer or certain websites (flickr, facebook, picasa, etc.)

http://www.eye.fi/products/compare-cards

If you click the "more info +" next to each point, it gives you, well... more info. =)... under the cool features, where it says effortless online sharing, you can see which 25 websites it is capable of uploading your photos to.

I have one and I love it!

I have looked into the Eye-fi cards in the past for my brother, they shoots allot of pictures of his daughters at home, so I know a little bit about them. Will look into Hotspot access requirements/restrictions and speeds. I do like the automatic geo-tagging options though.

Planing on doing some more testing on the USB connector tomorrow, and see if it reads my dSLR with a CF card. I do know that it works well with my point and shoot and SD cards. As far as the iPad interaction, it works well and is easy to understand, but it has some interface issues. It is too easy to potentially erase your card the way it is set up. I don't like that the Delete All and Import All buttons are located next to each other and after you import a dialog box pops asking you if you want to keep or delete the imported photos from the camera. If you hit delete, it does not pop up a new box asking if you are sure.

[redboxcar]

I have looked into the Eye-fi cards in the past for my brother, they shoots allot of pictures of his daughters at home, so I know a little bit about them. Will look into Hotspot access requirements/restrictions and speeds. I do like the automatic geo-tagging options though.

After looking into it a little more, it appears as if the PRO version (which is on sale at Best Buy right now for $119.99 or Amazon for $117.85) might not need you to have access to any particular wireless hotspots using the AD HOC mode. THAT might be the one that would work best for you. =)

[mikegood2]

For those interested, here's my review of the iPad Camera connector kit:

Pros:
Easy to use - basically plug and play
Fast (see times below)
Can copy over all your files or just click on the ones you want
Can delete files off you camera from the iPad if needed
Reads and displays photos in RAW and jpeg formats
Video also imports and is viewable on the iPad
Small - easy to throw in a bag or your pocket
Works with my dSLR and point and shoot

Cons:
Far to easy to delete photos from your SD card or camera
Delete All and Import All buttons are right next to each other
NO POPUP MESSAGE TO CONFIRMING THAT YOU WANT TO DELETE PHOTOS FROM THE CARD
Files don't show name or photo setting details
Small - could get lost


Importing times (from the time I plugged the card in to finishing copying over)

USB Camera Kit - Connected to my dSLR with CF card
RAW/jpeg photos (100) - 734mb - 4 and 1/2 minutes
50 RAW files - 580mb - just under 4 minutes
50 jpeg photos - 154mb - 2 minutes

SD Card Reader - SD card from my point and shoot camera
38 movies / 11 photos - 1.5GB - just under 4 minutes


If I were rating this product on just the speed and ease of use, I would probably give it 4-1/2 or 5 stars, but because of a few things Apple left out I have to lower the rating. All Apple would need to do is add a additional warning message to make sure you wanted to delete your photos, or even added preferences in the setting menu. The interface / implementation of the card are the only things holding the kit back from being an incredible product. Because of these issues I would probably give it a 3-1/2 star rating.

As long as you are careful, and make sure you do not click on the delete button, I would definitely recommend the iPad Camera connector kit

[JDBB]

For those interested, here's my review of the iPad Camera connector kit:

Pros:
Easy to use - basically plug and play
Fast (see times below)
Can copy over all your files or just click on the ones you want
Can delete files off you camera from the iPad if needed
Reads and displays photos in RAW and jpeg formats
Video also imports and is viewable on the iPad
Small - easy to throw in a bag or your pocket
Works with my dSLR and point and shoot

Cons:
Far to easy to delete photos from your SD card or camera
Delete All and Import All buttons are right next to each other
NO POPUP MESSAGE TO CONFIRMING THAT YOU WANT TO DELETE PHOTOS FROM THE CARD
Files don't show name or photo setting details
Small - could get lost


Importing times (from the time I plugged the card in to finishing copying over)

USB Camera Kit - Connected to my dSLR with CF card
RAW/jpeg photos (100) - 734mb - 4 and 1/2 minutes
50 RAW files - 580mb - just under 4 minutes
50 jpeg photos - 154mb - 2 minutes

SD Card Reader - SD card from my point and shoot camera
38 movies / 11 photos - 1.5GB - just under 4 minutes


If I were rating this product on just the speed and ease of use, I would probably give it 4-1/2 or 5 stars, but because of a few things Apple left out I have to lower the rating. All Apple would need to do is add a additional warning message to make sure you wanted to delete your photos, or even added preferences in the setting menu. The interface / implementation of the card are the only things holding the kit back from being an incredible product. Because of these issues I would probably give it a 3-1/2 star rating.

As long as you are careful, and make sure you do not click on the delete button, I would definitely recommend the iPad Camera connector kit

Awesome job, I just bought one of these myself, waiting for it in the mail. Only other complaint I have heard so far is that the USB connector doesn't allow for some cameras due to lack of power from the ipad. Seems like a moot point since they give you an SD card reader as well.

I'm looking forward to Disney with no laptop, only a couple iphones and an ipad. The camera connection kit gives me a depository for my photos and a way to upload them to the web mid-trip. Thanks for the info!

[Experiment_626]

While there are some nifty gadgets mentioned in this thread -- some of which I'd love to have for various reasons -- it illustrates just one more reason why I'm glad I live close enough to WDW to drive there rather than fly. If I can find room for something in our CR-V, I can take it with me. Now that my job furnishes a MacBook for me, I use that to copy my images each night to the computer's internal hard drive, a high-capacity flash drive, and an external hard drive.

I remember the "old days," when I didn't have a laptop and had to copy my images to an iPod to have any sort of back-up at all -- and to continue to shoot after the first couple of days! Of course, back then I only had a couple of 4GB memory cards and was shooting with a D80. If I tried to do that now, the iPod battery would die before I could transfer all the photos on one of the 16GB cards I use with my D300; it barely made it through one of the 4GB cards on a charge as it was!

Of course, I'd love to have an iPad, regardless ...

Scott

[mikegood2]

Glad to see that this thread has been found again. I was just thinking about posting an update to it last week.

At work, our PC laptop (only used to view website design on a PC) just died, so we are looking at getting a netbook. If that is the case, my boss told me that I could bring it with me for my vacation. If that is the case I'll bring it and a external hard drive to back up my photos/videos. Hopefully it is small and light enough to bring in my personal/carry-on bag. It will also save $50-$100, if I don't have to rent a computer and don't need to buy as many extra SD cards.

[mikegood2]

Awesome job, I just bought one of these myself, waiting for it in the mail.

I'm looking forward to Disney with no laptop, only a couple iphones and an ipad. The camera connection kit gives me a depository for my photos and a way to upload them to the web mid-trip. Thanks for the info!

Glad you found my review of the iPad Camera connector kit useful. Have only used it once or twice since posting my review but my opinion is still about the same. With 2 or 3 changes it could be such a wonderful product.

I still need to do a little bit of research to find which photo adjustment app I want to get. The cost is not an issue, most are $2 or $3 dollars, I just don't want to end up with too many apps and have to choose between them. If you think you are going to use the adapters a lot you might want to look at getting Photosmith, which allows you to organize, separate add keywords, etc. to your photos as well as working with Lightroom. Drawbacks are the cost ($18) and has no adjustment options. If it had adjustment options and I thought I would work on photos more on my iPad I would have bought it.


While there are some nifty gadgets mentioned in this thread -- some of which I'd love to have for various reasons -- it illustrates just one more reason why I'm glad I live close enough to WDW to drive there rather than fly. If I can find room for something in our CR-V, I can take it with me. Now that my job furnishes a MacBook for me, I use that to copy my images each night to the computer's internal hard drive, a high-capacity flash drive, and an external hard drive.

Scott

You should definitely appreciate living near WDW, I'm sure it does give you more options. Not having easy access to a computer or laptop can be a real pain and it also helps you appreciate how nice it is when you do.

Having access to a netbook will be nice though. Small enough to carry with me, but not powerful enough to tempt me to spend time adjusting photos. I want to spend my time enjoying my vacation, and the iPad will give me enough ability to make a few adjustment for sending photos to family. My OLD 12" macbook would have been a nice option if it had USB2 on it or if I could find an affordable firewire portable hard drive and SD card reader.