M5 and travel HDD

Going on my first ever cruise this July with my relatively new M5 and 18-150. Trying to travel light and not take a laptop. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with a good backup HDD that either takes sd cards or works with the WiFi sharing on the M5.

Thanks in advance,

Michael

HyperDrive ColorSpace

With the decreasing price of memory cards, and their increasing capacity, do you really want/need a HDD? I've gone on three-month jaunts where I have failed to go through the memory cards I already own (less than 128GB). What I do recommend is a tablet where you can review, enjoy and cull the images you take each day.

Hombre de Maiz said:

With the decreasing price of memory cards, and their increasing capacity, do you really want/need a HDD? I've gone on three-month jaunts where I have failed to go through the memory cards I already own (less than 128GB). What I do recommend is a tablet where you can review, enjoy and cull the images you take each day.

Click to expand...

It's true that a large card can hold a whole lot of photos... Perhaps not 3mo worth, especially if you shoot raw, but still a lot. However, still a good idea to have backup in case the card goes bad or the camera is lost.

Ali said:

Hombre de Maiz said:

With the decreasing price of memory cards, and their increasing capacity, do you really want/need a HDD? I've gone on three-month jaunts where I have failed to go through the memory cards I already own (less than 128GB). What I do recommend is a tablet where you can review, enjoy and cull the images you take each day.

Click to expand...

It's true that a large card can hold a whole lot of photos... Perhaps not 3mo worth, especially if you shoot raw, but still a lot. However, still a good idea to have backup in case the card goes bad or the camera is lost.

Click to expand...

I am not suggesting a single card, but rather a few of them. I toured Iberia for three months shooting RAW, and I did not need more than two cards, a 64GB and a 32GB. I had spare capacity on hand, but did not need it. But also my shooting style is not spray & pray, but rather more deliberate, and I cull each night.

Backup your photos to your smartphone or tablet and then sync with Google Photos.

I have 128gb cards in my phone and tablet. Every night I will copy the new photos to my phone or tablet. This can be done with a camera wifi app or by plugging the SD card into the device with a small dongle. Once the photos are in the device, I then let Google Photos run a sync overnight and backup everything to the cloud. With this routine I have duplicates of all of my original files (RAW and JPEG) on my mobile device as well as high quality 16mp JPEGs in the cloud (Google shrinks files to 16mp with unlimited storage).

Aside from the $10 I spent on an SD reader and USB OTG cable, everything else is hardware that I would already have with me.

I am using an Android device , but a similar method should be possible on fruit flavored devices.

nnowak said:

Backup your photos to your smartphone or tablet and then sync with Google Photos.

I have 128gb cards in my phone and tablet. Every night I will copy the new photos to my phone or tablet. This can be done with a camera wifi app or by plugging the SD card into the device with a small dongle. Once the photos are in the device, I then let Google Photos run a sync overnight and backup everything to the cloud. With this routine I have duplicates of all of my original files (RAW and JPEG) on my mobile device as well as high quality 16mp JPEGs in the cloud (Google shrinks files to 16mp with unlimited storage).

Aside from the $10 I spent on an SD reader and USB OTG cable, everything else is hardware that I would already have with me.

I am using an Android device , but a similar method should be possible on fruit flavored devices.

Click to expand...

Most cruise ships offer a pretty slow internet service at VERY premium prices, so I am not sure that using a ship's internet is a great choice for backing up large image files. If there are frequent shore stops and fast free wifi is available, then it might an option if the OP is prepared to sit in a cafe etc for a while on a shore trip.

Most ships have computers available, but I have never tried one, so I am not sure that you could sit at one for a few minutes with a card reader & HDD to do a backup for free, or if you would have to buy a few minutes of internet use to be able to plug the devices into the computer's USB ports - perhaps check out some cruise forums for an answer.

Michael

i tried the Western Digital drive with a spinning drive, sd card and wifi. Would have been better had it been an ssd drive given it was for travel but the real issue was that it corrupted the dates of the images by updating date last modified. There was a fix released but I was patched up to date and support wanted details but I'd lost confidence in it and returned it.

Take that unit, fix the date bug and use ssd not a disc drive and it would be a winner.

I'll stick to uploading all images to my iPad as my backup to the sd card plus you get to see the images as you go.

I have proved to my simple test that an image uploaded to the iPad from an sd card via the sd card reader adapter and then sync'd with Photos on my iMac and then exported the originals matches the original .cr2/jpg size and dates.

Good enough for me

HTH

Robin

Rockin_Robin said:

Michael

i tried the Western Digital drive with a spinning drive, sd card and wifi. Would have been better had it been an ssd drive given it was for travel but the real issue was that it corrupted the dates of the images by updating date last modified. There was a fix released but I was patched up to date and support wanted details but I'd lost confidence in it and returned it.

Take that unit, fix the date bug and use ssd not a disc drive and it would be a winner.

I'll stick to uploading all images to my iPad as my backup to the sd card plus you get to see the images as you go.

I have proved to my simple test that an image uploaded to the iPad from an sd card via the sd card reader adapter and then sync'd with Photos on my iMac and then exported the originals matches the original .cr2/jpg size and dates.

Good enough for me

HTH

Robin

Click to expand...

I agree the iPad route has always been a good method for me. If I'm not bringing my laptop with me on a trip I'm always sure to at least bring my iPad. I don't tend to bring the iPad out of my hotel room mostly use it as my "travel laptop" so its safe to assume any images downloaded to it are as safe as on a HDD. With my Leica i can wirelessly send to a sandisk connect, but for some reason i have not yet been able to get the M5 to find the sandisk connect. Honestly i only tried once and until i had this post i had forgotten i need to investigate this issue. Bringing an IPAD allows not only back up but it also allows me to start deleting unwanted images when i have down time and of course a great way to review your shots on a screen much larger then the m5s. Below is a screen shot of sandisks connect stick. It works incredibly well and i often stream to and from it while it stays in my bag. The leica finds it as a media hub and connects, the M5 lists media hun in the connection menu when setting up wifi but the one time i tried it The M5 did not find it. However, if you don't mind the extra step of saving your images first to a cell phone then you can send from the cell phone to the sandisk connect. Personally when om traveling i am more concerned of my phone being stolen in many countries then my camera so having a back up is always great.

Another great but small option from sandisk, is the IXPAND, it too requires the additional step to first download from camera to iPhone or iPad but is less expensive and is direct connect to the phone so faster then the sandisk connect.

Both are so small and when not being used as a back up are wonderful for storing excess videos when your iPads are too full and you want to carry a lot.

the connect is amazing also my wife myself and my daughter all streamed movies from it while on a flight home from italy recently to our individual iPads.....

That's interesting. I love the idea of the ixpand - does it allow you to take images from the iPad which in turn have been copied from the SD card on to the ixpand? I was always under the impression you couldn't see the iPad as a normal drive to copy from

Rockin_Robin said:

That's interesting. I love the idea of the ixpand - does it allow you to take images from the iPad which in turn have been copied from the SD card on to the ixpand? I was always under the impression you couldn't see the iPad as a normal drive to copy from

Click to expand...

yes thats actually its original intent was to be able to free up space on an iPhone or iPad. transferring or backing up photos or any data from them to the ixapand is from a user interface standpoint the easiest thing you can do with it.

I actually found when updating from 1 iPhone to a new one, the best way i have found to shorten set up on the new phone if you have tons of pics on the old phone was to fully back up the photo library to the ixpand...then wipe the shots from the phone then set up new phone... and then download the pics to the new phone from the ixpand. The transfer rate of the ixpand is so much faster then other options.

Thanks for the information and tips - very useful. Looks like I'll be visiting Am@zon soon

Thanks to all the above for the replies. My go to up to this point has been a laptop that has been converted into a Chromebook, backing up to local storage and then on to Google Photos. With the essentially complete lack of internet access on the cruise ship I'd considered ditching the laptop entirely and will look at some of the options suggested. Thanks again. Glad to have found a community of M users; I am the only one I know of anywhere near where I live...

Rockin_Robin said:

Thanks for the information and tips - very useful. Looks like I'll be visiting Am@zon soon

Click to expand...

I picked up the expand 64 and a 128 and 256 wireless connect when they were on some crazy sale at best buy, with memorial day coming up might be worth the wait if you can.

mp

Unfortunately we don't land until 11th June so will miss any Memorial Day events. The 64gb version in the U.K. Is currently around £55 so it will need to be under $45 to make it attractive. I'll keep a look out though the places we're visiting are generally light on BestBuy type stores.

Robin

mpressed said:

Rockin_Robin said:

Thanks for the information and tips - very useful. Looks like I'll be visiting Am@zon soon

Click to expand...

I picked up the expand 64 and a 128 and 256 wireless connect when they were on some crazy sale at best buy, with memorial day coming up might be worth the wait if you can.

mp

Click to expand...

Just to make sure I understand: For this approach, you need to first download stuff from the M5 (or M6) to an iPad or other phone/tablet, then copy them over to the memory stick, right? Or is there a way to make it work directly from the camera?

FWIW...I am embarking on a two-month tour in a few weeks, and will be taking the M. I need to be able i.) to store two-month's RAW output, and ii.) to convert RAWs to JPEGs for sharing on the fly.

For storage, I am taking a 128GB and a 64GB MicroSD card, a total of 192GB, for the camera. In today's prices, 192GB of MicroSD storage costs about $70.

For conversion and sharing, I am taking an 10.5" Amoled screen Android tablet with a MicroSD card slot, and Adobe Lightroom. I take the MicroSD card from the camera, and pop it in the tablet. Lightroom takes care of RAW post-processing and conversion. The tablet's Wi-Fi and SIM card take care of connectivity.

This is a simple yet complete system that does not rely on Wi-FI, but can exploit it if it exists. The tablet is lighter and smaller than a laptop, and the AMOLED screen great for color accuracy, contrast and viewing. No need for dongles, cables, or slow wireless transfers from camera to editing/conversion device. Pop the card in, and you're ready to go.

Hombre de Maiz said:

FWIW...I am embarking on a two-month tour in a few weeks, and will be taking the M. I need to be able i.) to store two-month's RAW output, and ii.) to convert RAWs to JPEGs for sharing on the fly.

For storage, I am taking a 128GB and a 64GB MicroSD card, a total of 192GB, for the camera. In today's prices, 192GB of MicroSD storage costs about $70.

For conversion and sharing, I am taking an 10.5" Amoled screen Android tablet with a MicroSD card slot, and Adobe Lightroom.

Click to expand...

A galaxy tab S by any chance?

Hombre de Maiz said:

I take the MicroSD card from the camera, and pop it in the tablet. Lightroom takes care of RAW post-processing and conversion. The tablet's Wi-Fi and SIM card take care of connectivity.

This is a simple yet complete system that does not rely on Wi-FI, but can exploit it if it exists. The tablet is lighter and smaller than a laptop, and the AMOLED screen great for color accuracy, contrast and viewing. No need for dongles, cables, or slow wireless transfers from camera to editing/conversion device. Pop the card in, and you're ready to go.

Click to expand...

While you have eliminated the dongles, you also eliminated your backup space. I would suggest leaving your micro SD cards in the tablet and using them to store a backup copy of your photos. Get additional cards (SD or micro SD) for use in your camera. A USB OTG cable plus an SD or micro SD reader are cheap, simple and small. Once a day, or whenever appropriate, copy the photos from the camera card to the tablet card. This route keeps your photos in two places at all times for safety. It also allows you to have both devices active simultaneously. For example, shooting food photos while uploading at an Internet cafe.

Personally, I always get annoyed whenever I need to insert or eject a micro SD card into my tablet. My nails are too short and fingers too fat to eject the card without using a coin or key or some other tool.

nnowak said:

Hombre de Maiz said:

FWIW...I am embarking on a two-month tour in a few weeks, and will be taking the M. I need to be able i.) to store two-month's RAW output, and ii.) to convert RAWs to JPEGs for sharing on the fly.

For storage, I am taking a 128GB and a 64GB MicroSD card, a total of 192GB, for the camera. In today's prices, 192GB of MicroSD storage costs about $70.

For conversion and sharing, I am taking an 10.5" Amoled screen Android tablet with a MicroSD card slot, and Adobe Lightroom.

Click to expand...

A galaxy tab S by any chance?

Click to expand...

Yes, Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5"

nnowak said:

nnowak said:

I take the MicroSD card from the camera, and pop it in the tablet. Lightroom takes care of RAW post-processing and conversion. The tablet's Wi-Fi and SIM card take care of connectivity.

This is a simple yet complete system that does not rely on Wi-FI, but can exploit it if it exists. The tablet is lighter and smaller than a laptop, and the AMOLED screen great for color accuracy, contrast and viewing. No need for dongles, cables, or slow wireless transfers from camera to editing/conversion device. Pop the card in, and you're ready to go.

Click to expand...

While you have eliminated the dongles, you also eliminated your backup space. I would suggest leaving your micro SD cards in the tablet and using them to store a backup copy of your photos. Get additional cards (SD or micro SD) for use in your camera. A USB OTG cable plus an SD or micro SD reader are cheap, simple and small. Once a day, or whenever appropriate, copy the photos from the camera card to the tablet card. This route keeps your photos in two places at all times for safety. It also allows you to have both devices active simultaneously. For example, shooting food photos while uploading at an Internet cafe.

Personally, I always get annoyed whenever I need to insert or eject a micro SD card into my tablet. My nails are too short and fingers too fat to eject the card without using a coin or key or some other tool.

Click to expand...

Yes, that is also an option with this eco-system. I have toyed with that idea too, and I already have the USG OTG cable. This eco-system affords that flexibility.

I've done two month-long tours in the last three years (One month in Vietnam, three months in Iberia), and other multi-week jaunts in Southeast Asia, without backing up, or running out of capacity. No problems. No need for advice, really. Personally I do not want to be spending any time at an internet cafe, or uploading. The eco-system I propose is field-tested.

Hombre de Maiz said:

nnowak said:

Hombre de Maiz said:

FWIW...I am embarking on a two-month tour in a few weeks, and will be taking the M. I need to be able i.) to store two-month's RAW output, and ii.) to convert RAWs to JPEGs for sharing on the fly.

For storage, I am taking a 128GB and a 64GB MicroSD card, a total of 192GB, for the camera. In today's prices, 192GB of MicroSD storage costs about $70.

For conversion and sharing, I am taking an 10.5" Amoled screen Android tablet with a MicroSD card slot, and Adobe Lightroom.

Click to expand...

A galaxy tab S by any chance?

Click to expand...

Yes, Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5"

Click to expand...

I am running the baby brother 8.4. They are still fantastic tablets, but the new S3 is starting look tempting.

Hombre de Maiz said:

Hombre de Maiz said:

Hombre de Maiz said:

I take the MicroSD card from the camera, and pop it in the tablet. Lightroom takes care of RAW post-processing and conversion. The tablet's Wi-Fi and SIM card take care of connectivity.

This is a simple yet complete system that does not rely on Wi-FI, but can exploit it if it exists. The tablet is lighter and smaller than a laptop, and the AMOLED screen great for color accuracy, contrast and viewing. No need for dongles, cables, or slow wireless transfers from camera to editing/conversion device. Pop the card in, and you're ready to go.

Click to expand...

While you have eliminated the dongles, you also eliminated your backup space. I would suggest leaving your micro SD cards in the tablet and using them to store a backup copy of your photos. Get additional cards (SD or micro SD) for use in your camera. A USB OTG cable plus an SD or micro SD reader are cheap, simple and small. Once a day, or whenever appropriate, copy the photos from the camera card to the tablet card. This route keeps your photos in two places at all times for safety. It also allows you to have both devices active simultaneously. For example, shooting food photos while uploading at an Internet cafe.

Personally, I always get annoyed whenever I need to insert or eject a micro SD card into my tablet. My nails are too short and fingers too fat to eject the card without using a coin or key or some other tool.

Click to expand...

Yes, that is also an option with this eco-system. I have toyed with that idea too, and I already have the USG OTG cable. This eco-system affords that flexibility.

I've done two month-long tours in the last three years (One month in Vietnam, three months in Iberia), and other multi-week jaunts in Southeast Asia, without backing up, or running out of capacity. No problems. No need for advice, really. Personally I do not want to be spending any time at an internet cafe, or uploading. The eco-system I propose is field-tested.

Click to expand...

Those trips sound amazing!