safari memory pangs
Nov 16th, 2005, 02:35 PM
#23
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Just returned last Friday from 2 weeks in South Africa. Prior to leaving purchased a Wolverine portable hard drive(60GB) with built-in card readers. Cost was less than $200US and worked great. In fact it "saved" my vacation. Had a new camera and 2-1GB cards stolen. Then on the 2nd day there, one of the two remaining cards for my back-up camera stopped working. This left me with one 256 mb card and the hard hard drive. Got home with 1585 pictures on the hard drive. It worked great, the only drawback is it has no LCD to view the pictures on the drive. Only a small black/white screen for copying instructions. So I tested it several times before I left to have confidence in the copying.
Nov 16th, 2005, 08:25 PM
#24
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What a terrible story JerryL, My heart goes out to you. I also had a camera and film stolen in Rhodes - climbed up to the 2nd floor balcony and entered the room. Very violating. How did this happen, if you don't mind reliving. Thank goodness you had at least some backup. I will check out the storage devise that you recommended.
I just recieved my pretrip safari package which states that the camps that I will be staying at do not have generators and that we will need to bring car lighter adapters for recharging - that should prove to be interesting - does anyone know where you can buy these? How long does it take to download the photos from the storage device and could you do it using a lighter adapter?
Thanks for your help.
Sherry
I just recieved my pretrip safari package which states that the camps that I will be staying at do not have generators and that we will need to bring car lighter adapters for recharging - that should prove to be interesting - does anyone know where you can buy these? How long does it take to download the photos from the storage device and could you do it using a lighter adapter?
Thanks for your help.
Sherry
Nov 17th, 2005, 03:58 AM
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high speed memory cards ffect how quickly the photo is recorded and thus how quickly the camera can take another one. So if something is happening and you want several shots in succession, the high speed ones would allow you to capture more images.
As for the storage device, my husband wanted one with a screen to review the photos before we deleted them from the compact flash card. He was not comfortable with one that said it was copied or downloaded or a disk was burned if he could not check it for himsdelf afterwards.
As for now -- I enjoy being able to carry the epson with me when I visit friends to show them the photos. It's easy to carry and to do -- and a lot less expensive than processing all the photos on paper. We will do some in an album or on the walls but most we will not print. However. we can put a slide show on it and plug it into the tv as well. We are planning to do that for a party we will have soon.
As for the storage device, my husband wanted one with a screen to review the photos before we deleted them from the compact flash card. He was not comfortable with one that said it was copied or downloaded or a disk was burned if he could not check it for himsdelf afterwards.
As for now -- I enjoy being able to carry the epson with me when I visit friends to show them the photos. It's easy to carry and to do -- and a lot less expensive than processing all the photos on paper. We will do some in an album or on the walls but most we will not print. However. we can put a slide show on it and plug it into the tv as well. We are planning to do that for a party we will have soon.
Nov 17th, 2005, 04:32 AM
#26
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Thanks Mpkp,
Not being able to view photos as they're being downloaded seems like it would be a real detriment as you said. In the best of both worlds, I will be able to find an inexpensive memory device that will show the photos as they're downloading. As for showing photos on the TV, I can do that with the attachment that came with my Fz30 or burn a cd/dvd so that part shouldn't be a challenge. Having to charge batteries and plug in a storage device into a car lighter on the other hand gives me some pause.
One other question, if I may, did you use high speed cards? Appreciate your input.
Best;
Sherry
Not being able to view photos as they're being downloaded seems like it would be a real detriment as you said. In the best of both worlds, I will be able to find an inexpensive memory device that will show the photos as they're downloading. As for showing photos on the TV, I can do that with the attachment that came with my Fz30 or burn a cd/dvd so that part shouldn't be a challenge. Having to charge batteries and plug in a storage device into a car lighter on the other hand gives me some pause.
One other question, if I may, did you use high speed cards? Appreciate your input.
Best;
Sherry
Nov 17th, 2005, 06:03 AM
#27
Sherry - I recently went on a 17 day safari with 5 serious photographers. We were mobile camping and did not have electricity/generators so we had to use inverters to charge batteries for 12 cameras, 3 laptops, 7 or 8 Epson P2000's and it worked fine. We had one inverter that had 2 plugs so 2 pieces of equipment could charge at a time (they wired this one direct to the battery) and another inverter plugged into the cig lighter.
As for storage devices - for 2 safaris I used a storage device that did not have a viewing screen but I also used a laptop. So even if the storage device failed I still had one copy of the images. I replaced that with the Epson P2000 and couldn't be happier. (well I could be happier if it held more than 40GB.) It downloads pictures very fast and they are immediately available to view. (And very simple to use, too.) I think I saw that HP had a photo storage device for around $200 (no viewing screen) and I'm sure there are others in that price range if you aren't spending more to get the screen. What I've been referring to as "storage devices" are really computer harddrives in small cases. They are the same as the harddrive in your computer. So as a rule I would expect that they are dependable and you would be "safe" without the screen. But, harddrives in computers fail too so there aren't any guarantees!
Good luck!
As for storage devices - for 2 safaris I used a storage device that did not have a viewing screen but I also used a laptop. So even if the storage device failed I still had one copy of the images. I replaced that with the Epson P2000 and couldn't be happier. (well I could be happier if it held more than 40GB.) It downloads pictures very fast and they are immediately available to view. (And very simple to use, too.) I think I saw that HP had a photo storage device for around $200 (no viewing screen) and I'm sure there are others in that price range if you aren't spending more to get the screen. What I've been referring to as "storage devices" are really computer harddrives in small cases. They are the same as the harddrive in your computer. So as a rule I would expect that they are dependable and you would be "safe" without the screen. But, harddrives in computers fail too so there aren't any guarantees!
Good luck!
Nov 17th, 2005, 06:15 AM
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Hi Sherry,
Have you done a search on this board for previous posts about photo storage devices? As far as I remember, there are quite a few posts, with a lot of great options. My husband and I were in Tanzania for 26 days in January and we shot 3478 photos! I know a few people on this post have questioned what one would do with so many photos... the answer is: ensure that you have "the perfect shot"
Alot of our 3400 photos weren't good (blurry, animal not looking), but because my husband shot so many, we got some incredible shots that will be wonderful memories for years to come!
As for photo storage devices, we bought the Nikon Coolwalker and we absolutely recommend it! We have the Nikon D70 camera, but I believe the Coolwalker will work with most other cameras as well (I think it depends on the memory card...). Anyways, the Coolwalker was about $350 Cdn, but it has a large colour screen that you can watch while your photos are transferring; the batteries are great and we didn't need to charge it all that often; we were able to safely store about 3000 which limited the number of memory cards that we had to buy; the device performed beautifully despite the harsh, hot, dusty conditionjs - all in all, I recommend looking into the Nikon Coolwalker; it was well worth the money.
I know that others have suggested burning CDs of photos when in lodges, but I honestly wouldn't have been comfortable with that option. Maybe when staying at the highest end accomodations, this could work, however, I know that there were plenty of things that we expected to do while at a particular camp or lodge that didn't up working out as we expected (e.g. we thought we could get laundry done when staying overnight at the Ngorongoro Wildlife lodge on New Years Eve. (because we knew they had laundry facilities available), but didn't factor in the reality that we were arriving in the afternoon and leaving the following morning and didn't have time). I wouldn't want to rely on burning CDs at a lodge, only to discover, for instance, that you are not going to be at the lodge when their computer station is open... again, I would really recommend a photo storage device. Then you don't have to worry about any of those issues, or whether your memory cards are properly storing your photos, etc.
Good luck making your decision!
Have you done a search on this board for previous posts about photo storage devices? As far as I remember, there are quite a few posts, with a lot of great options. My husband and I were in Tanzania for 26 days in January and we shot 3478 photos! I know a few people on this post have questioned what one would do with so many photos... the answer is: ensure that you have "the perfect shot"
Alot of our 3400 photos weren't good (blurry, animal not looking), but because my husband shot so many, we got some incredible shots that will be wonderful memories for years to come! As for photo storage devices, we bought the Nikon Coolwalker and we absolutely recommend it! We have the Nikon D70 camera, but I believe the Coolwalker will work with most other cameras as well (I think it depends on the memory card...). Anyways, the Coolwalker was about $350 Cdn, but it has a large colour screen that you can watch while your photos are transferring; the batteries are great and we didn't need to charge it all that often; we were able to safely store about 3000 which limited the number of memory cards that we had to buy; the device performed beautifully despite the harsh, hot, dusty conditionjs - all in all, I recommend looking into the Nikon Coolwalker; it was well worth the money.
I know that others have suggested burning CDs of photos when in lodges, but I honestly wouldn't have been comfortable with that option. Maybe when staying at the highest end accomodations, this could work, however, I know that there were plenty of things that we expected to do while at a particular camp or lodge that didn't up working out as we expected (e.g. we thought we could get laundry done when staying overnight at the Ngorongoro Wildlife lodge on New Years Eve. (because we knew they had laundry facilities available), but didn't factor in the reality that we were arriving in the afternoon and leaving the following morning and didn't have time). I wouldn't want to rely on burning CDs at a lodge, only to discover, for instance, that you are not going to be at the lodge when their computer station is open... again, I would really recommend a photo storage device. Then you don't have to worry about any of those issues, or whether your memory cards are properly storing your photos, etc.
Good luck making your decision!
Nov 17th, 2005, 10:14 AM
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Appreciate your good advice Sund and Always,
I'm aready feeling better about the cig. lighter - one more neccessary thing to buy. I guess one of the things that we love so much about Africa is experiencing the unknown .... but with all our stuff for the just in case scenerios - kind of ironic.
I will do some research this weekend to conclude my memory storage dilemma. Any advice is welcome.
How was the Ng Wildlife lodge, Always - we'll be staying there in Feb. between camps. I'm having visions of lots of vinyl and shag carpet.
Cheers;
Sherry
I'm aready feeling better about the cig. lighter - one more neccessary thing to buy. I guess one of the things that we love so much about Africa is experiencing the unknown .... but with all our stuff for the just in case scenerios - kind of ironic.
I will do some research this weekend to conclude my memory storage dilemma. Any advice is welcome.
How was the Ng Wildlife lodge, Always - we'll be staying there in Feb. between camps. I'm having visions of lots of vinyl and shag carpet.
Cheers;
Sherry
Nov 17th, 2005, 06:24 PM
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Hi Cybor!
Sorry to say, but we didn't love the Wildlife Lodge. We were staying there after 4 nights of semi-permanent camping in the Serengeti (which we LOVED) and expected to then love the "lodge experience". The one positive thing that I can say is that the views were gorgeous. The lodge is right on the rim and our room window had a beautiful view into the crater. However, we didn't like the lodge experience as much as we thought we would.
Keep in mind that it was New Year's Eve. and so people were all dressed up and eating and drinking to excess... but all in all, we found the experience somewhat disappointing. The guests sat around chatting in their fancy clothes, smoking and drinking and being rude to the staff... it felt like we were at a ski resort somewhere - but certainly not Africa. It definitely did not feel "African" - completely unlike, of course, the rewarding camping experience. All of that said, however, the lodge did what it was supposed to: it provided us with a place to sleep (and a place to charge all of our batteries before the generator went out
, food to eat (which was good - not as good as at the camps, but good nonetheless) and allowed us to wake up early in the morning (while most people were still sleeping after partying the night away...) and let us be as close to the rim as possible to start our day of spectacular gameviewing in the Crater!
Sorry to say, but we didn't love the Wildlife Lodge. We were staying there after 4 nights of semi-permanent camping in the Serengeti (which we LOVED) and expected to then love the "lodge experience". The one positive thing that I can say is that the views were gorgeous. The lodge is right on the rim and our room window had a beautiful view into the crater. However, we didn't like the lodge experience as much as we thought we would.
Keep in mind that it was New Year's Eve. and so people were all dressed up and eating and drinking to excess... but all in all, we found the experience somewhat disappointing. The guests sat around chatting in their fancy clothes, smoking and drinking and being rude to the staff... it felt like we were at a ski resort somewhere - but certainly not Africa. It definitely did not feel "African" - completely unlike, of course, the rewarding camping experience. All of that said, however, the lodge did what it was supposed to: it provided us with a place to sleep (and a place to charge all of our batteries before the generator went out
, food to eat (which was good - not as good as at the camps, but good nonetheless) and allowed us to wake up early in the morning (while most people were still sleeping after partying the night away...) and let us be as close to the rim as possible to start our day of spectacular gameviewing in the Crater!
Nov 21st, 2005, 10:40 AM
#32
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Thought I would add my own experience. I bought a Wolverine storage device (40gb) and had problems. It downloaded without incident from DH's 1GB SmartMedia memory cards but didn't recognize my own, newer, faster 1 GB xD card (it recognized my smaller xD cards, though). It told me that it didn't recognize the 1GB card so luckily no concern about thinking it copied when it hadn't--still it was stressful!
Luckily, I didn't fill my card. I plan to contact the Wolverine people about it but I keep forgetting. I hope they can offer something in the way of reformatting or compensating me. We'll see.
So before you buy a storage device, look not only at the type of cards it accepts but the speed, and size.
Luckily, I didn't fill my card. I plan to contact the Wolverine people about it but I keep forgetting. I hope they can offer something in the way of reformatting or compensating me. We'll see.
So before you buy a storage device, look not only at the type of cards it accepts but the speed, and size.
Nov 21st, 2005, 03:27 PM
#33
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Hi,
Well, as I've said I 've looked into the memory storage devices this weekend and think that I've concluded that I'll just get a bunch of memory cards instead. My cheapness and paranoia about losing data on the lesser expensive devices (with no view port) and no means of a 2nd back up and your advise lead me to think this way. Seeing that I'll probably never have as much of a need for this many cards, I'd love to hear your thoughts about the quality of the various brands of memory cards being offered and your experiences. Does one have to go with Sandisk and other costly brands? As also advised, I will probably get at least a few higher speed cards and maybe some of the regular speed cards for the Catamaran part of my trip. All information as always is appreciated.
Thanks;
Sherry
Well, as I've said I 've looked into the memory storage devices this weekend and think that I've concluded that I'll just get a bunch of memory cards instead. My cheapness and paranoia about losing data on the lesser expensive devices (with no view port) and no means of a 2nd back up and your advise lead me to think this way. Seeing that I'll probably never have as much of a need for this many cards, I'd love to hear your thoughts about the quality of the various brands of memory cards being offered and your experiences. Does one have to go with Sandisk and other costly brands? As also advised, I will probably get at least a few higher speed cards and maybe some of the regular speed cards for the Catamaran part of my trip. All information as always is appreciated.
Thanks;
Sherry
Nov 21st, 2005, 03:39 PM
#34
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If you go to BestBuy or similar place with a 30 day refund policy, buy some cards before you go, leave them in the package unopened and if you don't use them you can take them back. (they weigh hardly anything even in the packaging) That is what I did and had no problem getting a refund.
Dennis
Dennis
Nov 22nd, 2005, 11:56 AM
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I realize the OP has decided on memory cards but wanted to update my Wolverine Flashpac dilemma in case others read this post. Wolverine emailed me a download that will fix the problem I was having with my Type M memory card. They responded swiftly about it, too. So no more problems.
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