Portable CF card reader/ data storage

the pokemon kid · March 12, 2014

Okay, I will start with a little background on myself. I am a photographer/ Videotographer. I use a 5D MK II to do both Photos and video work. I have three 16gb CF cards which I use in the camera.

I have found that I am having to take my laptop along to shoots to be able to store the files onto as I am using up all three 16gb CF cards. I have been looking around for a product which will allow me to plug in my CF cards into it and download the files to some sort of data storage. I need something that is relatively small which will fit into my camera bag.

Epsom had the P range, mainly the P-5000 but it has been discontinued for a while now. A few people had recommend me buying an Ipad but I would end up buying it and snapping it over my knee ( God damn apple).

Any alternatives with fairly decent storage capacity, maybe even a little screen to view the contents on?

Puppet · March 13, 2014

I used to see them a lot a couple of years ago, a friend of mine that does travel photography had one that I think he bought from Calumet, don't remember the brand and can't seem to find it on their site.

B&H seem to have some: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Stand-Alone-Data-Storage/ci/3369/N/4000227848

Not sure if they ship to the UK.

I think they are pretty much getting phased out, they are becoming fairly pointless these days...

You are definitely better off going with a tablet or ultrabook, the major bonus is that you can shoot tethered and because lots are based on x86/x64 architecture now there's a huge range of comparability for programs, so you can set it up to automatically apply settings in programs like Lightroom or Capture One.

the pokemon kid · March 13, 2014

I used to see them a lot a couple of years ago, a friend of mine that does travel photography had one that I think he bought from Calumet, don't remember the brand and can't seem to find it on their site.

B&H seem to have some: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Stand-Alone-Data-Storage/ci/3369/N/4000227848

Not sure if they ship to the UK.

I think they are pretty much getting phased out, they are becoming fairly pointless these days...

You are definitely better off going with a tablet or ultrabook, the major bonus is that you can shoot tethered and because lots are based on x86/x64 architecture now there's a huge range of comparability for programs, so you can set it up to automatically apply settings in programs like Lightroom or Capture One.

I was looking at the Sanho Colourdrive yesterday. It looks fairly interesting. I would possibly get the empty one and slap a 120gb SSD into it.

I need something that is more compact than an ultrabook. I need something I can take out when I am at a concert and slot the card in a drop it back in my bag. A laptop is a lot of faff when I am at a concert, I just don't want to have a prolonged opportunity to miss a shot...

I might be able to set something up for a tablet but even then they are pretty limited with their space.

Puppet · March 13, 2014

I was looking at the Sanho Colourdrive yesterday. It looks fairly interesting. I would possibly get the empty one and slap a 120gb SSD into it.

I need something that is more compact than an ultrabook. I need something I can take out when I am at a concert and slot the card in a drop it back in my bag. A laptop is a lot of faff when I am at a concert, I just don't want to have a prolonged opportunity to miss a shot...

I might be able to set something up for a tablet but even then they are pretty limited with their space.

Cool, yeah I suppose there are some situations were being tethered isn't great. I wouldn't fancy having a mini USB dangling out of the side at a concert lol, just in case it got knocked and I doubt previewing is really much use to you in those situations... Thought it might have been for something like on location portraits or something...

It is kind of strange that there aren't as many going about these days, but I suppose capacities have increased so much and price has dropped quite significantly on cards.

Had a look on Amazon and there's a few, the Sanho ones seem to be the best looking ones quality wise to me, pretty steep for what they are though... You could buy a fair amount of 16gb cards for that price...