How many MBs, GBs, for 10-11 Weeks?

[cher1e]

I recently bought a new nice 6MP digital camera, and its great. What i was wondering, was that how many ememory cards should I b taking for a 10-11 week trip in Europe?

Id prefer to take memory cards as opposed to handfuls of prints.. it takes XP cards, so it fits more photos on it (or so im told)..

Thanks

[MuvverRussia]

I guess it takes XD? 6 MP photos should be around 2-4mb each iirc. Photo wise, I'd estimate around 20-30 'keepers' per day as a minimum? That would mean 1400 - 2100 shots over your trip. Now you'll probably want capacity for maybe 200 more too, so let's call it 2300. So that's around 9gb.

1gb XD cards are around the US$50 mark (I've no idea where you're from, so this is the 'common denominator', so to speak). Based on the estimates above you'd be wise to get 8 or 9 of them - US$400-450 worth. XD is just another flash standard btw - a 1gb XD card holds exactly the same amount as a 1gb compact flash card, it's just physically smaller (and more expensive).

A cheaper option would be a portable hard drive, or even the latest generation IPod (I believe this can act as a USB host?). Failing that, a lot of photo shops will burn photos to cd for you from a memory card - this is quite cost effective.

[dumbdiety]

I agree with Muvver, but it also has to do with how picture happy you are. A few of us here take a picture every time we take a breath, while others take a picture if they remembered to bring their camera.
You can get a 1 gig xD card at Newegg for about $45.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820171098

[cher1e]

Thanks ..
Yep typo! On top quality it seems to take photos at about 2 MB.. with a 512MB memory card it typically held about 347 top quality photos so I dont get it! lol...

How much do CDs cost and is it difficult to do in places like Eastern Europe where it is harder to communicate?

What is more logical, an IPOd (where I've read often crashes and is annoying,) or buying several memory cards?

BTW Im Aussie thru and thru

[Eagle]

cher1e, a few comments to add to what the others have posted.

The number of photos you can store on each memory card is determined by both the size of the camera sensor (6 MP) and the type of file compression you set (fine, superfine, etc.). Therefore, with a 6 MP Camera set to the highest resolution, the images will be approximately 3 - 3.5 MB in size, which will allow about 300 images on a 1 GB XD Card (if my calculations are correct). If your Camera is capable of using RAW or TIFF files, the size will be MUCH larger! Check the Manual that was supplied with your Camera, as it should provide some information on file types and sizes specific to the model you bought.

Unfortunately, I think 1 GB is the highest capacity available for XD Cards at the present time, so this will leave you with the choice of either using some form of portable storage device OR getting your photos burned to DVD as the Cards become full. It's probably a good idea to have at least two Cards (and preferably more) for your trip. I don't have any information on what the cards are currently selliing for in Australia, but here in Canada the current price is $89 - 99 for a 1 GB Card. This is considerably higher than an equivalent CF Card, as I just found a listing at the same outlet for a 1 GB CF Card at $44.99.

Of course, as the others suggested there are a few additional variables in terms of how many pictures you normally take, and how many you delete at the end of the day. I've found that most people tend to take more pictures with digital than they would with film, so that will be an important point in deciding how many Memory Cards to take.

In my experience, using an I-Pod for photo storage is not a good option! My Son tried this approach, and I'm still trying to recover his photos before re-formatting the hard drive on a fairly new I-Pod Photo. It's a great music player and although I'm a big Apple fan (I do use an I-Pod Nano), I wouldn't trust my photos to one. Your best option is to use local photo shops to burn CD's / DVD's as Muvver suggested; portable hard drives / portable CD Burners are a bit on the expensive side. Some travellers get two copies burned of each CD, posting one home and keeping the other copy with them. That way if one CD gets "lost" or whatever, the photos aren't lost.

I'm currently working on the same problem, in order to be set-up for (hopefully) a trip this fall. I recently discovered some photo storage devices that I hadn't seen before, and am considering whether the 40 GB Hard Drive model might be an option for me? If you want to have a look at them, check www.ezpnp-usa.com for further information. The company seems to be a bit "restrictive" in terms of international shipping and credit card payments, but I'll "cross that bridge" if I decide to order one.

Anyway, hopefully I've answered some of your questions. I'm a bit tired tonight (work!) so not thinking too clearly (tomorrow will probably be worse!). If you have any other questions, post another note.

Cheers and happy travels!!!

[cher1e]

Thanks, that prety much sums it up =) I really like the idea of two CDs.. i'll probably stick to that!

Oh, just about the eastern europe thing.. I know its come along way, so I shouldnt have any problems, should I?

[Eagle]

cher1e, I don't know a lot about the availability of photo shops in Eastern Europe? You likely won't have too much trouble in Prague, Budapest, etc. but not sure about other places? Hopefully some of the others can answer that question.

You might want to take three memory cards, if it wouldn't strain your budget too much. Don't forget Plug Adapters and extra Batteries!!!

Good luck and happy travels!!!

[cher1e]

Thanks, will take as many was budget allows... hoping for about 4... Does all europe have the same power adapter? I have one which works in western Europe, but would it work in Eastern?

[mango]

It's only the UK and Ireland that have a different adapter to the continent, if you are going to the UK you should be able to pick up an adapter for a couple of quid from the airport, an electronics store or large supermarket.
the other thing to be aware of is that voltages and frequencies do vary in some places (110V,220V, 240V etc and 50Hz or 60Hz) but most appliances and power packs these days can deal with these but it doesn't hurt to check.

[Jules80]

i read this quickly so i don't know if anyone mentionned this but another option is to not always use the camera at 6 mp! my understanding from friends that have 5 -6 mp cameras is you can put the setting lower. i personally have a 2 mp and it takes fabulous pics. you'll find in many instances 3 mp will be sufficient and this will take up a lot less space on the cards.

[Eagle]

cher1e, If you have any questions on which Plug Adapters will be required in the countries you'll be visiting, check www.kropla.com/electric2.htm. The Euro (2 round pin) Adapter should work in most places.

Jules, Yes, you're right. Most Cameras have the ability to vary both the resolution and compression, in order to create smaller files per image and allow more photos on each Memory Card. However, doing this degrades the quality somewhat (with the amount depending on where this is set). While this might be adequate for normal 4 x 6 prints, it doesn't allow for good quality enlargements or cropping. AFAIK this can't be changed after the photo is taken, so for this reason I've always used JPEG images at the maximum file size.

I'll probably be trying out RAW images very shortly, and these create the largest files (in my case the RAW images are about 8 MB while compressed JPEG are about 3.3 MB). These provide the most flexibility to work with and make changes if necessary (exposure settings, white balance, etc.) but they're also more work.

Cheers!!!!

[MuvverRussia]

eagle said:

AFAIK this can't be changed after the photo is taken, so for this reason I've always used JPEG images at the maximum file size.

Definitely can't be changed. You'd be trying to add data that isn't there, so unless you were to use a sophisticated interpolation system (basically it looks at the surrounding pixels and guesses what should be in the missing ones - it's nowhere near foolproof though), you wouldn't be able to do it.

Anyway, my opinion is that you've paid the extra for a higher resolution camera, so you should at least use it .

[Jules80]

Eagle, i fully agree that image size can't be changed later. however, my point was, if you're taking a close up shot of something... say in a museum or say of friends at dinner... this is not something you will want to blow up to 8 x 10 or bigger (either way 2.0 blows up really nicely). most people tend to enlarge pics of scenerey... instances where you know you're not going to be making a poster out of it, it might be worth lowering the resolution to 3 or 4 mp. these can still be blown up quite large without taking up quite so much room. i've personally blown up a 2 mp to 1x1.2 m for a poster (presented at a conference) back ground which worked really well.

its part of my plans to upgrade my digital in the next year or so and when travelling i won't take 6 mp pics every where just cause i can. it'll end up costing me an arm and a leg in memory cards!

Jules

[dumbdiety]

Eagle, I shoot in RAW and it's saved more than one picture! Shooting in RAW let's you alter the white balance, exposure, etc. It's like re-taking the picture. It also doesn't compress anything, so there are fewer macro blocks, like in JPEGs, to deal with when color correcting them later.

[Eagle]

Doug, I agree, shooting in RAW is preferable in many ways. However, the two reasons I haven't used it much so far, is that the file sizes are considerably larger (one has to make sure to have an adequate supply of memory cards on hand), and also most images need a bit of "tweaking" in post-processing - white balance, sharpening or whatever. I don't have time for that right now - I'm renovating!!! Also, at this point I'm not that familiar with Photoshop yet, so have been a bit "lazy" in using only JPEG's, and have allowed the pre-programmed settings in the Camera to set the parameters.

I'm don't profess to be completely knowledgeable with all aspects of digital photography; I'm learning some of this stuff too, along with many on the Boards here. I'm looking forward to getting a 70-300 zoom lens (probably in a week or two, as I NEED to have it before June 28th!). That should be all the Lenses I'll be buying for now (although the 50 mm/f1.8 prime does look like an awesome Lens!!!).

BTW, I've just ordered a portable photo storage device from a firm in the U.S. (Texas, I think). I didn't research this one as carefully as I usually do (a process that can take months!), but just kind of took a leap of faith and "jumped in". Check www.ezpnp-usa.com for further details - I ordered the 40 GB Hard Drive model. Will let you (and everyone else on the Boards) know how this works out once I've had a chance to use it for a while. The price seems a bit steep, but to look at it another way, it's a darn sight cheaper than 9 or 10 - 4 GB Compact Flash cards, so in that sense it's a real bargain!!! I would have preferred a preview LCD, but the compact size of this model was a really strong selling point, and as long as there's adequate file verification I'm sure it will be OK. Having the extra capacity will allow the freedom to shoot RAW + JPEG if desired. Should fit perfectly in one of the internal pockets in my Tilley Vest, so I won't have to leave it in the Hostel!

Cheers!!!