What’s Your Preference?

GNK · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-2010, 03:50 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm shooting in RAW but like so many, I am running out of room and/or can't keep buying external harddrives. To save space, what is the best way to archive RAW images. I assume JPEG, but to stay true to the original image, how do you decide on a optimal size/resolution when converting the image? Thanks for any and all help.
Greg

Meadster · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2010, 04:01 PM

GNK - Welcome to DPS! I think you'll find this place to be an amazing source of information and opinions! Glad you're here!

As far as the issue of limited storage space - my answer is two fold and is not perfect - the best answer is get more $$$ to buy more storage ( easy, huh? LOL). First off, in going back through your archives, be totally ruthless in deleting anything that you have not looked at in 6- 8 months that is not a client archive. Second - look at the images you saved that are more in the "snapshot" category that could be saved as JPEGs for the long haul.

This is not a perfect system for everyone, but it could make some significant storage inroads for you. I know others here will have great ideas I have not thought of yet.

GOOD LUCK!

TheDarkReaver · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2010, 04:10 PM

ZIP files and DVDs.

kirbinster · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2010, 06:58 PM

Well you could convert to DNG which is Adobe's open source raw format that is supposed to save room over typical camera raw format. But why not just buy more hard drives? You can buy a 2 terabyte drive for under $140 these days --- that is a lot of cheap storage. I just recently set up my new computer where for data storage I have four 2TB drives set as a RAID10 array.

tuxcomputers · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2010, 11:53 PM

I just bought a 1TB Western Digital NAS, I own a Pentax and it can take photos in DNG format but it just eats too much card and HDD space. Sure it gives you alot more flexibility in post but for me the extra work in post was not worth it. I ended up deleting all the RAW files and just keeping the JPG's.

My advice for you, just keep buying more storage.

Jim Poor · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2010, 10:34 AM

If you can't afford more storage, shoot less - delete more. Seriously, you have to be running through a LOT of images to truly be out of storage space.

I shoot anywhere from about 60 - 150 GB per DAY at my dog sport events. I usually delete about 10-20% right off the bat. I have everything backed up in triplicate and I'm not out of room. Then again, I do have 20TB of drives on my desk.

Still, the average shooter should get by for a LONG time on a 2TB drive.

LenDog · #7 (**permalink**) 07-11-2010, 04:49 PM

I save every RAW file and every edited jpeg. I just filled a 160G, but that includes a lot of film scans and P&S stuff from before I bought a DSLR a year ago. I don't shoot as much as many people, but the fact is hard drives are getting cheap. 500G is almost down to $100.

I use 3 removeable drives, one desktop to do quick back ups from the PC (in case it fails), 2 others one of which stays home and guards against pc corruption and the third is stored away from home in case some really bad happens. All 3 different models, again, just in case. When one is full, it goes in storage away from home.

Very redundant I know, but one day some crazy kids will get a kick out of the photos that great, great, great, whatever took back in the 21st century. That alone is worth it.

Gaurav Prabhu · #8 (**permalink**) 07-11-2010, 05:13 PM

You can even store them online on various file sharing services. Just mark the files private, so nobody will be able to download them. Will not be much useful if you have lots of data though. Best option would be to get a new HDD.

sk66 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-11-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNK

Hi everyone,
I'm shooting in RAW but like so many, I am running out of room and/or can't keep buying external harddrives. To save space, what is the best way to archive RAW images. I assume JPEG, but to stay true to the original image, how do you decide on a optimal size/resolution when converting the image? Thanks for any and all help.
Greg

To "archive" old stuff you aren't thinking you'll want to access anytime soon, I'd burn them to DVD. Put the DVD's somewhere safe....
Regardless of any method for archiving it will be imperative that you convert it to "new technology" when what you used becomes obsolete....