What I've found to be a better alternative to the image banks, are portable CD burners.

These are about the same size as an image bank and obviously much smaller than a laptop.

While I've not experienced it personally, I've read horror stories about the portable image banks. They seem susceptable to hard drive failures.

The portable burners let you burn a hard copy of your shots anytime you want.

I'm probably going to shoot mostly digital on my next European trip in June. To be on the safe side, I'll probably carry an image bank, and a portable burner...but I'm paranoid.

By the way, the Canon A80 is a nice little camera. For something just a bit larger, I think the Olympus 5050 outperforms it.

http://www.jimtardio.com

My mistake Jim. It's the Image Tank, the much newer and faster version. I haven't heard any bad things about it and it.

What portable CD burner do you have Jim? How is the transfer speed? I'd like to hear more about the idea since I haven't gotten the Image Tank yet.

Bill

Robbiegirl, This is mean, but tell your DH that my husband cheerfully offered to carry the laptop because it was "too heavy" for me to carry. He did it too!

Maybe DH will feel guilty and do your schlepping. Do practice with the camera though. It's awful to miss a good shot just because you didn't know how to set the camera.

Have a great trip.

Wojazz3...I don't have one at the moment either...I'm shopping myself. About the only one available is the Apacer model.

The few people I know that have it are happy with it, but say it's on the slow side. Here's a link to B&H where it's available: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...#goto_itemInfo

Wojazz3...the few CDs that I have burned with this model came out fine. I was waiting for this weeks Las Vegas PMA camera expo to see if any new models are introduced.

If not, I'll probably get one of these for myself. Here's another link to Apacer's site: http://www.apacer.com/apacer_english...tone_cp200.asp

Jim,

Was just reading your info on the portable CD burner and wanted to say thanks for the info. I'd been thinking about getting a storage device. The burner makes a lot more sense. CD's aren't susceptible to magnetics and jarring. As long as you keep them out of the sun, the pics are much safer so this makes a lot more sense, plus you can burn multiples for insurance.

I used a Sony DSC 707 Digital Camera on our last trip to the west of Ireland. The Sony DSC 707 produces 5 megapixel images or less, as the user selects. Even at the 5mgpixel size, a 128 mb memory stick will hold more than 50 images and at 3 mgpixel about twice that many. I don't know the weight of this camera but I find it easy to use with adequate battery life for a day of shooting. The 20 x 30 prints made from the 5 mgpixel images are great.

I've had very good results using my mp3 player to store images. I have music of my choosing for the flights, and 15GB of storage left for pictures, all in a small, light, package. A laptop could serve just as well, but takes up more space (but does offer the capability to store all the information we pick up on Fodor's).

Jim:

Thanks for the info. I found the Apacer online also. I stopped in to the local high end camera store and they recommended the Flash Trax. It's quite a bit more expensive, but does double as a MP3 player and has a viewer that allows you to see them at double the size of most digital camera viewers. It even plays PowerPoint files, but lets hope we don't need those on vacation. They run from about $365 for 20GB to $450 for 40GB.

Bill

I finally bit the bullet and moved from film to digital 3 months ago. I still have a lot of adjusting to do but its the only way to go. I would suggest the Olympus C- 740 or 750. Either has a 10x optical zoom and is small considering the features they have. I use a 256mb card at the next to highest resolution and get 326 photos. I've taken three trips(four weeks)so far and haven't filled a card...I usually review and purge the photos I don't like each night.I carry two sets of rechargable AA's,leaving one set on charge at all times.I tuck an emergency backup set of Lithium(ageless shelf life)in my pocket when out and about.The Olympus picture quality is hard to beat and there are times when I'm glad for the 10x zoom.

charlie,
I am also looking at the Olympus because of the 10x optical zoom. Could you tell me if you need to use a tripod when taking a picture using the full zoom. I had read somewhere that at full zoom the camera was difficult to keep steady.
Thanks

Ratings on the Olympus 740/50 cameras. The site has ratings on most digitals.

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/4502-65...amp;qt=Olympus

I have the Olympus with the 10X optical zoom. When you read the reviews, there are a couple that say beginners shouldn't get this camera because the learning curve for operation is too high. Ignore them. If you really don't want to put the time in to learn all the settings, you can shoot in automatic mode all the time and still get great pictures. (It's a shame not to learn what the camera can do, but if you like the auto mode and you don't want to learn the settings, it is still a great camera.)

As for needing a tripod . . . as with any camera, a tripod is always preferable but they are not fun to carry around. You can use other things to brace the camera, like fences, cars, rocks, etc. The digital is probably easier to use at high zoom than the manual cameras because at the moment of shooting, it will freeze the subject. Yes, you can still get blurry shots, but on the other hand, you sometimes are absolutely amazed at the clear shots you get.

It's a great camera!

Rufus & Sal--thanks for your help

I just got back from China and took this portable CD burner:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_...onics_mfr.html

What a great gadget! I burned all of each day's photos onto a CD each night, then used it to show movies to the kids. I borrowed some of my travelmates cards and burned their photos to my CD too. Mine cost about $200 at NewEgg, I believe.
Rebecca

When I am home I have a Canon D10 which I wouldn't consider for travel use even though it is a great camera. I travel with a Canon Elph 2.1 megapixel and have been able to recharge all over the world with an adaptor. Light, compact and fits in a small pouch on my belt. Anything larger would be a pain.

Does anyone have suggestions for APS film for European travel this fall? I'm expecting gray overcast days. thanks!

Re: storage devices for digital pics, my son owns an iPod and he says he could easily store photos on it. Sounds like a great plan, as the iPod is so small and it will travel with us anyway. Anyone ever tried this idea?

Although new to me, my A80 straps wonderfully to my belt with an optional case. I have also bought rechargable aa batteries.

Last two years I had a Fuji 2600 zoom. nice 2 MP camera. I have blown pictures up as large as 11 by 15 without any serious image quality problems. I think the new model is the 300, well recommended..

This year i will be buying a charger for my batteries witht he electrical adapter for europe, will save a huge amount of money over buy9ng batteries when i need them.

Looking at upgrading to the new Panasonic Lumic z20, the specs look awesome. Another oen seems to be the nikon 5700