Shooting over the weekend, memory card filled up

R

RCAnderson

Messages
220
Name
Richard
Edit My Images
Yes
I was as the National Student Rodeo in Nottingham this weekend (anyone else here into kayaking? I paddle myself, but decided not to this weekend) Decided I wanted to take plenty of photos whilst watching.
Over the course of the weekend I took a little under 1500 (how many are keepers is still to be seen, as I haven't had a chance to check through them yet), problem is, with only a single 4GB memory card (I had a 2GB second card until xmas, when I leant it to one of my brothers, and haven't had it back), the space fills up fast (I shoot with a Nikon D40x in RAW+basic JPG (usually works out to be around 10MB per photo combined)
This weekend, I knew I would take way more photos than would fit on my memory card, so I took my Tablet PC with me, to download the photos to once the card was full/when there was a break in the action.

So, my question is, what's the best way to prevent me having to take my Tablet along (it's about £1800 of convertible Tablet goodness, and I use it for all my Uni work, so don't really want to risk it getting broken/lost/stolen)
Is it best just to buy a handful of 4GB memory cards (maybe another 3-4, as they are only around the £6 mark each), or is there a better way of doing it? I've seen some devices before, which are basically a small Hard Drive, with a battery, and card reader, which allows you to transfer all your photos, off the card, onto the device, allowing 80+GB of storage, what are these like, are the reliable? Are there any fairly cheap ones? (I don't need it to do anything special, basically just copy the files off the card, and store them, so I can transfer them onto my PC later, I don't need to view, edit etc them on the device)

Sorry for the essay, I tend to ramble on a lot... Anyway, anyone got any advice (other than just always shoot the perfect photos, so there aren't so many :P)
 
RCAnderson said:
Is it best just to buy a handful of 4GB memory cards (maybe another 3-4, as they are only around the £6 mark each.
Click to expand...

You've answered your own question.
 
admirable said:
You've answered your own question.
Click to expand...

I did kinda think that as I was typing :shrug: just thought if someone knew of a good, cheap device like I mentioned, it might be worth getting (although I would probably still buy at least 1 more card, so I can continue to shoot, whilst the other has the data being transferred.)
 
A hand full of cards is the way to go... 4Gb is about the best for price and not loosing too many images if a card goes wrong either. As you rightly say, they are cheap so have a nnumber of them and number them to keep track of them too.
 
Yeah, I'd just get more cards. I think the 4gb tend to be better value for money, but get whatever size you want.
I don't see the point in getting these external devices to put all your photos on as you then have them all in one place on a device that can very easily get lost, damaged or stolen. At least with a few memory cards if you loose one you'll only loose some of your image, not all of them, and they're a lot easier to carry around.
 
More memory cards is the most practical solution, and I agree with the 4 GB recommendation. The portable storage devices are fine if you want a travel back up, but I don't format the cards until I have a second back up, just in case.
 
Never been bothered with saving the Jpeg if I'm shooting RAW. My Mac has no trouble giving me a thumbnail preview of the RAW files and Preview opens them fine too. I use RAWKER to batch process a whole shoot and then use ACR + Photoshop to edit decent ones. There must be a batch processor for Windows around too. That'll save you some space but buying more 4Gb cards seems to be the most economical and reliable way of storing data.
 
Thanks all, gone for more cards now, so just put an order in for 4x4GB Transcend class 10 jobbies, £5.80 each, so not too bad :)

Also, thanks for the input about only shooting RAW, but I like the ability to quickly share with friends etc, as it saves me having to convert the RAW files to JPG for sharing.
 
philgale said:
I just bought an Ipad for this, i for in a phone shop and a staff price came up at £280 for the 32gb one so snapped it up. cheaper to buy memory cards mind.
Click to expand...

When you say I bought an iPad for this do you mean as a Storage device for showing to friends once they have been transferred from a Mac. If you are using Compact Flash cards they is no way to Directly transfer them to the IPad.

You can only truly use the IPad as a Portable Storage device if your camera uses SD cards.
If you are using SD cards, then you can by the Connection Kit directly transfer to the IPad, or by USB directly from the Camera to the Connection Kit.

Just trying to Clarify what you mean.

Regards.
 
Last edited:
not looked if it converts them to jpeg or not but i use these and just plug my camera straight into the USB adapter and it sticks them all in the photo app which can be transferred to my mac after. ill have a look if it converts them in a min and post back up

ipad-camera-adapters.jpg
 
I have memory cards and an ipad. Not sure I would use the ipad for storage though. That reminds me, I need more memory cards, it's only 300 piccies (or less) for each 8gb card in my 7d!
 
philgale said:
not looked if it converts them to jpeg or not but i use these and just plug my camera straight into the USB adapter and it sticks them all in the photo app which can be transferred to my mac after. ill have a look if it converts them in a min and post back up

ipad-camera-adapters.jpg
Click to expand...


Sorry my friend I was thinking you were trying to Insert a CF card Directly into the Connection Kit. The kit does not convert anything just Transfers the Images to the IPad.

Regards.
 
I have 10 x 4GB SD Cards to go with my 450D, I did on important occasions take my netbook with me to backup as required but until I am able to fully backup I don't delete from my SD hence why I have 10 also as I think has been stated I only use 4's so if one craps out there is only a fraction of the days images lost

Matt
MWHCVT
 
If you are shooting the jpegs just to share, presumably you are shooting jpeg basic, for phoning around or web use...they take up no space anyway.

I used ot shoot only RAW, but to be honest, like Andy Rouse, I now only shoot RAW for high value work. I shoot jpeg fine for most jobs and still just give minor tweeks if necessary. The loss is so minimal you can ignore it. For magazine shoots that will be of little further use in th efuture I can't see the point in shooting RAW, just spend the time on the job to get it right in the camera - it is less than the computer time to edit and prosess! I call it shooting DIGITAL TRANNIES. Working with E6 stock taught you to get it right in camera, what was on the tranny was what you had - no different to shooting jpegs that don't need tweeking.

If there is a specific need, because of tricky lighting or something, then it is only a moment to switch to RAW for a few shots. Then back again for the bulk of the work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top