Where do you store/back up your pics?

[serene]

Hi everyone,
I hv used up 2 CF cards now and have been keeping my pics all over the place, including a portable HDD (which is needs to be powered thru a PC). I would like to keep my pics backup in one of the photo portables (not too expensive type). So, would appreciate if you could advise

(1) Where do you store yr pics - kindly be specific about the type of device
(2) Estimate cost
(3) Any plans for upgrade
(4) Other comments, advice if any

Thanks a million in advance
Serene

 

[Paul_Yeo]

i store 2 copies. one in harddisk and one in CDROM. for impt photos eg my wedding, i will make another copy after a few years.

i dun keep in CF cards as i need to recycle them as i shoot weddings for people.

also, i developed some % of my photos, eg i develop around 40% of my australia photos and put in photo album. i find it easier to flip through and look at. they are sort of backup (if my hard disk died and when my CDROM spoilt, i still got my printed photos though it may not last as long but still ok for me)

i dun use portable hard disk as i think disk-based will spoil relatively easier as i always drop things one. very careless.

 

[chii]

I would store them on my hdd after a shoot for processing.

After that I burn out the RAW files & post processed tiff files onto 2 copies of DVD media for redundancy & store them in a dry cabinet.

cost of media would vary from $1~$3. but i recommend made in japan media as it is more reliable.

As for the dvd burner I prefer Pioneer model A08 or A09 as i find it gives consistant burns. The burner is approx $180 .

ALso I would suggest keeping a jpeg copy in the hdd if u have the space.

just my 2cents

 

[nightpiper]

i store them on DVD. use 2 different media to store the same thing just in case one brand fail.

for me, if i can keep those pic forever, its a bonus. in film days, negs/slides/prints also won't last u a life time. so i let nature takes its course as things come & go. :angel:

 

[bariq]

I just burn the raw n processed pics onto dvd media. Till now keeping only one copy but i think taking backups on two types of dvd media will be helpfull. Iam using LG DVD writer and its good n comes with price tag of only 110+

 

[chancy]

Hello Serene,

I've got two harddisks that are duplicated daily using a backup SW. The folder that hold my photos are transferred to an external plain vanilla harddisk manually. I've only had my E1 for over a year & haven't run into storage limits of my drives; however from time to time, I review my photos to delete those that can't withstand close scrutiny over time I don't need to keep many photos to feel my cameras is worth paying for

The only time I use optical media (CD/DVD) is giving away photos of important occasions of friends. I'll ask them to make a duplicate after which I trim those on hand I find memorable. Basically, I keep what I like ... which isn't that many & has so far been manageable.

Maybe if I run of of diskspace, I'll go back to using film

Cheers,

 

[buddy]

i have the same setup. two hard disks with one acting as backup.

 

[Josephteo548]

Store them in backup hd and burn into dvd.

 

[tao]

yep, DVDR is da best solution.

 

[zmwang]

yep, DVDR is da best solution.

Or buy a big big hard disk to store. Only used as store disk.

 

[ekchua]

I am not sure what serene might be referring to... 1) long term storage and/or back up or 2) portable mass storage ?

For 1), I transfer my images to my PC's HDD and back up on an external HDD hooked up to my PC. At suitable intervals, when a directory has accumulated about 4.7 GB in data, I archive onto a DVD (which essentially is a backup of my external HDD). DVD writers and media are relatively cheap today.

In the case of 2), I am currently looking into a battery powered HDD storage 20-40 GB. One that will allow CF, SD and XD card slots. This will allow me sufficient memory capacity on an extended trip when I cannot download to my PC. (Short of buying more memory cards). Does anyone have any experience with these devices? Would certainly appreciate your input and feedback TIA

I have seen a few on the market, basic ones have a simple LCD screen with no preview function. I am considering the Photo iDisk (20GB) approx $350.
Then the next range have a slightly larger colour LCD which allow previews of the jpegs. The full-fledged versions have 3.8 inch screens which allow jpeg and mpeg4 videos, and even video recording and mp3. These are priced $750 - $1000+ for 20-30GB capacities. Again, comments from anyone who have experience with these gadgets is greatly appreciated.

Regards
EK

Hi everyone,
I hv used up 2 CF cards now and have been keeping my pics all over the place, including a portable HDD (which is needs to be powered thru a PC). I would like to keep my pics backup in one of the photo portables (not too expensive type). So, would appreciate if you could advise

(1) Where do you store yr pics - kindly be specific about the type of device
(2) Estimate cost
(3) Any plans for upgrade
(4) Other comments, advice if any

Thanks a million in advance
Serene

 

[crazypaladin]

Since most people use DVD as one of the storage option, will anyone comment whether how long these DVDs will last? I used DVD as the storage option and I am using the reliable brand but the disk does not last long. After 6 months, some of the DVDs become unreliable... sigh...

 

[chii]

Since most people use DVD as one of the storage option, will anyone comment whether how long these DVDs will last? I used DVD as the storage option and I am using the reliable brand but the disk does not last long. After 6 months, some of the DVDs become unreliable... sigh...

What spd did you burn @, as higher speed will yield higher chances of failure over time.

What brand did you use, as not all reliable branded dvds are good.

For me I go for mostly made in japan media as i find them more consistant.

 

[ekchua]

As CD/DVD ROM media is quite cheap these days, I usually have two hard copy back-ups. It's not absolutely failsafe but chances that both fail are much reduced.

I try not to stinge on "better quality" media, but even with the better brands it's hard to tell which will outlast the other. All things being equal, usually the better quality (known brands) will perform better. They also cost more

 

[cookiez]

wa!! u guys really make an effort to back up your pics....for me, everything
is dumped in my PC HDD...if one day my HDD crashes, I'll be crushed !! and
no one will pity me for being so lazy...choi choi choi...touchwood...

 

[nightpiper]

if u know this disaster is coming sooner or later, why let fate decide? can i recommend u a DVD burner & some good quality DVD medias? :devil: :devil: c'mon, u NEED them. :bsmilie:

 

[kktan]

if u know this disaster is coming sooner or later, why let fate decide? can i recommend u a DVD burner & some good quality DVD medias? :devil: :devil: c'mon, u NEED them. :bsmilie:

Please do..... Buy, buy, buy............

:cheers:

 

[cookiez]

if u know this disaster is coming sooner or later, why let fate decide? can i recommend u a DVD burner & some good quality DVD medias? :devil: :devil: c'mon, u NEED them. :bsmilie:

haha...ok ok....pls recommend me some medias, but not too expensive hor...
recently very broke :bsmile:

 

[nightpiper]

i recommend NEC 3520A for the "cheap & good" category. if money no object, then only the Plextor 716A will do.

my cousin bought the NEC for about $135 & i bought the plextor for $243. :devil: (i dun recommend TDK, LG, Liteon, etc)

media wise, Taiyo Yuden chemical/make is highly recommended. i use Fuji 8x +R & -R which is a TY product. recently just found out Sony 16x +R also not too bad. both brands r made in japan at this point of time. if u want to get quality stuff, now is the time. SLS 6th floor has a shop that specialise in medias. very good price & very obviously located. :thumbsup:

i archive my pics on 2 separate brands of media in case one failed. kia su s'porean mentality. :sweatsm:

lastly, can i recommend u the ZD 50mm? :bsmilie: u can't leave home w/o it, just like serene.

 

[plinius]

Why not LG? I have been using the 4603 and so far so good for me.

check this forum for things related to DVD burner and media:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/index.php

my cousin bought the NEC for about $135 & i bought the plextor for $243. :devil: (i dun recommend TDK, LG, Liteon, etc)