Raw image storage

Check Lan's site - sticky thread.

And check the Storage and Media forum at DPReview.

I know this is a couple of weeks late, but I've just joined today. I will be travelling OS later in the year and I am also concerned about the amount of storage I'll need (Canon5D, shooting RAW). Portable hard disks are expensive - and I've heard of some brands failing. It's been suggested that I look at a 80G video iPod with a card reader attached - has this been considered an option by anyone? What is their reliability? Any issues with the iPod for a Windows user? Any traps for the uninitiated?

Rosie...I too shoot RAW with a 5D....From what I've read, I would not use an iPod as a PSD, mostly because it's slow. I got a 60 gig Wolverine PSD for about $140 (though you can't review the pictures once they're in there on my particular model). Just stick your CF card in at night and download. Easy! I've traveled with it in South America, Asia, India and West Africa and never had a problem. I've found that for thse kinds of things, "purpose built" is better than "general purpose."

Right, update: Even after the abuse I subjected them to in Morocco - both hard disks are still running well. Plenty of internet cafés in the major tourist areas - not sure about CD burning ability though, I only recall seeing one place advertising that, but I wasn't really looking.

I would still strongly recommend the NextoCF ND2525 Ultra as the portable storage option.

RosieMM: All hard disk based devices are more prone to failure than flash memory, the big iPods are included in that - it uses hard disks from the same manufacturers as everyone else. If you're worried, take two different devices from two different manufacturers, with two different types of HD, and store them in two different places - that's what I do.

As it happens this trip proved more problematic with cameras than storage. The 400d started to fail on day 2, and was effectively a heavy paperweight by day 5 - and then on day 6 some kind soul stole our Fuji F31fd backup camera. sigh

Be particularly careful around the train/bus station in Fes, as that's where I became a camera lighter. Instead of taking some nice photographs of the tanneries, I spent the morning at the police station reporting it stolen - and unfortunately good cameras are hard to buy out there.

Don't you mean "kind sole"?

Welcome back. Sorry to hear of your troubles.

lol, yup, a footpad alright. i'll email you the link to my pictures later :)