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Post by caitiebelle on Apr 22, 2004 13:46:34 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I'm a 19 year old student from the US who will be studying in Rome next year, and traveling around Europe on the weekends and over breaks. I own a digital camera, which is great except for the fact that it sucks battery power like a leech, so batteries often have to be replaced, and (more importantly) it uses memory cards which limit the amount of photos one can take, so periodically it's necessary to unload the photos onto a computer. I was thinking I could bring a laptop from the US and leave it in my dorm room during the school year -the memory cards should cover any pics I'd take over weekends and breaks. However, at the end of the school year, before coming home to Chicago to work, I was planning on spending a week or two traveling around the UK, and since I'll be flying back to the states from there, I'll have to bring my computer. This has me worried as I'll probably be staying in hostels, and would prefer not to lug a computer around with me everywhere, but because of security concerns I fee l I have no other choice. Are the logistics of batteries, laptops, and digital cameras too much? Should I ditch the whole idea in favor of a traditional camera (which I'll have to buy)? I'd appreciate any advice more seasoned travellers could offer on this subject.  Thanks! CAM in Chicago |
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Post by LHR02 on Apr 22, 2004 15:09:54 GMT -5
Why not just plan to ship your laptop home from Italy prior to departure to UK? It's a bit costly granted, but you could FedEx or UPS it home with a fairly good expectation that it will arrive in one piece if you take the time to pack it well. And if you insure it fully even itf it is damaged you could get it replaced. Of course that may limit the amount of pictures you will have available for the UK leg of your trip....you could always grab a few one use cameras for backup just in case. Shipping should run you less in the bigger picture than buying a whole new film camera setup. And, since you will be there for so long you have the advantage of being able to take it over and have the shipping charges quoted to you in plenty of advance time to budget/plan for that expense. Just a thought. I'd totally try to discourage you from taking it along with you to UK! Just having to lug that thing around every single place you go makes me shudder at the thought! ;D
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Post by Eagle on Apr 22, 2004 16:40:04 GMT -5
Caitiebelle, A few comments and questions on your Post.
First of all, what type of Digital Camera do you have, and what type of batteries are you using? It seems odd that it should be having problems with battery power? Perhaps another type of battery would provide better results?
Next, concerning the Laptop. Will you be using this for your studies, or are you taking it just for the express purpose of storing digital photos? I'm sure it could be shipped home safely using FedEx or whatever, but a potential problem with that approach is the Customs might try to "nick" you for duty or taxes when it arrives in the U.S. (not sure what the Customs situation is there, but in my experience in Canada I've had to pay the duty first and then apply for a refund)? If you do decide to take it, you might have to get some kind of a "declaration" or something stating that the Laptop was purchased in the U.S. Whoever (your parents?) accepts the shipment from FedEx might have to pay the charges initially, and then get a refund later on?
One other possibility occurred to me. When you first arrive in the U.K. it might be possible to store the Laptop in a Locker at the train station or whatever (not sure if Lockers are still open with all the security concerns?). If you stored it at the Tube station that you'll be taking to Heathrow, you could pick it up on your way to the Airport. The Locker might be safer than leaving it in a Hostel?
Hope these few comments will be of some help, and hope you have a great time in Rome. Good luck!!!
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rando
Full Travel Member
Posts: 16
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Post by rando on Jul 19, 2004 13:03:13 GMT -5
i too, have the same dilemma...what to do with my digi photos when my card fills up!? Solution: i went to www.newegg.com and purchased a 2gigabyte compact flash card that will hold a bit over 2000 pictures at 1600x1200 resolution....prolly more than i need but why not go all out if i'm buyin more memory rite? buy several smaller capacity cards or one big one.  i hope this helps! Peace, Rando |
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rando
Full Travel Member
Posts: 16
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Post by rando on Jul 19, 2004 13:05:16 GMT -5
ooops, another option is to stop in at a camera or printing type place(similar to Kinko's in the states) and have them dump yer memory card to a cdR. only problem i foresee with that is if u lose, crack, or scratch the cd, yer photos are gone  rando |
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Post by jennifer on Jul 19, 2004 15:49:31 GMT -5
Hi!
Well, if it were me, i'd make about 3 copies, send one home, send one to my mom and keep one on me, hehehe they can't all break, I HOPE!
200 pictures on a card? wow, how much did this cost by any chance?
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rando
Full Travel Member
Posts: 16
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Post by rando on Jul 19, 2004 16:01:03 GMT -5
no, the card i have is a 2gigabyte compact flash card and it holds alil over 2 THOUSAND, not 2 hundred pictures I paid $199 with free shipping here's the link..... www.newegg.comThe company is in Cali but they ship worldwide. I received my order via fedex 2 days after i ordered. i think u click on the cameras/videocamera link at the top of the page then choose MEDIA on the left hand side then you can specify what type of memory card and what capacity and click search rando |
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Post by jennifer on Jul 21, 2004 15:45:15 GMT -5
not bad at all, if I would have known before I bought my other card, oh well!
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