Advice Desired re trip

[andalus]

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I am headed to Singapore late Feb. for two weeks and then to rural Cambodia for four. I am taking my M9 and 28 and 50 lenses, plus an RRS ground tripod maybe. Since I will be in SE Asia for six weeks at least, I am also taking my Mac Book Pro, 15 inch, and will file some newspaper stories, too. Except that, I recently met another traveler who swears by the iPad. Really, I want to be able to clear data cards and download shots to computer or maybe the iPad.

I am reluctant go go buy and iPad today, because the 3 model is due probably when I am gone and I do want that one. But on the other hand, it sure would be nice to pack my stuff, camera and other gadgets, in a much smaller easy to keep with me all the time bag.

IF I buy a used iPad, say, and take it, what are the most relevant applications for a journalist and photographer for the iPad? I have not used this device before.

Any thoughts appreciated.

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[jaapv]

Some use it for backup, or evening viewing. I personally do not find it particularly well equipped for this and would prefer a small laptop or Macbook Air. DNG upload is slow and cumbersome (special app to view) and the photoediting software severely limited. Storage space is 64 Gb max.

[wda]

Have you considered one of the better Netbooks? I have a small Asus EeePC which is not much bigger than an iPod and rather more versatile.

 

Also consider buying enough memory cards for the trip and use your desired device as a backup. Otherwise, budget for a USB connected small external hard-drive so that you have data stored in two places. I have a small Samsung (4"x3") which would be ideal for extra back-ups.

[Double Negative]

If you have any plans to work your photos, a laptop is the only way to go.

 

If all you need is a backup device with some light viewing an iPad is quite usable - the only caveat being that you must shoot in DNG+JPEG mode. If all you want is backup, then DNG-only is fine. Point being, you need the JPEG shots to view anything other than the ridiculously tiny preview images built into the DNG files.

[algrove]

If you really want something small. Just get an Air and be done with it. I am typing this on an iPad and I also have an Air. I just gave up taking this iPad for any photo work, unless you shot JPEG, then it works for viewing photos, but not much else photographically. Since I shot now only DNG, I cannot use this iPad even for photo viewing. If downloading simple files kills each and every evening, then it's no good to me. You can't put LR on this thing, but you can on an Air.

 

Backup, consider an SSD drive if the budget allows. My OWC drive in their thin case weighs like 5 oz and stores thousands of images.

[jaques]

a second vote for an Asus EEpc- these are great for travel and good value. Perfect small size and all round usability. good for other computer jobs beyond storage and editing photos.

[Ralf]

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a second vote for an Asus EEpc- these are great for travel and good value. Perfect small size and all round usability. good for other computer jobs beyond storage and editing photos.

 

Vote no. three, the Asus is great!

[MarkP]

MacBook Air if you want to travel light (as opposed to a MacBook Pro, etc), and a Hyperdrive Colorspace for backup.

[Ecaton]

I travel with the MBAir despite having an ipad2. The Air is so much more versatile and the newer generations powerful enough to do some first sorting out and PP on the road.

[wattsy]

and the newer generations powerful enough to do some first sorting out and PP on the road.

 

Yes, the 11" Air is perfect for what the OP wants to do. I recommend it very highly. Incidentally, I've owned 5 Airs of various generations (including the first with the ipod quality hard drive) and they have all been more than adequate for photo editing and raw conversion on the road.

[Double Negative]

I usually (and reluctantly) travel with a hotrod 17" MacBook Pro, as I do like to process and post my photos, as well as having a backup of all SD cards. It's a monster; obviously in size but weight is up there also. I do have an iPad which I use as well, but I need to have VPN access to the corporate network, a terminal and other apps a lot of the time. So for me, the compromise going forward is obvious - a 13" MacBook Air. I'd go for the 11" but I like to have some breathing room on the screen and of course - the built-in SD slot means one less gadget and cable to drag around.

 

So my recommendation would be either the iPad for backup and viewing - or the MacBook Air for more advanced stuff including DNG processing, etc. The latter is only larger by 1 1/2" on one side and 3" on the other. Thickness and weight are quite comparable.

[sanyasi]

I am an amateur and travel in two week blocks. The iPad works fine for my purposes. Having said that, you are going for 6 weeks and sound like a professional. If you want to back up everything, the iPad could be a problem if you shoot a lot and do so in RAW.

 

I would take the suggestions of others and go with an AIR or comparable device, particularly if you want to edit.

 

On the travel note side: I found Singapore to be more interesting than I had initially thought it would. If you are headed to Siem Reap, don't miss the new museum in town that has a lot of the artifacts from the temples. I was there three or four years ago when it had just opened. It was first rate. I have talked to a number of people since who have missed it.

 

Have a nice trip.

 

Jack Siegel

[tdtaylor]

I just returned from 4 days on the road, lots of utilitarian pictures, but all processed on my 13 inch Air. About a month ago, I retired my 4 year old MacBook Pro, and don't miss it at all. I often use my wife's iPad, but I have not found it very versatile for Lightroom (the iPad's version of a photo [processing program) work. Also, the Air is not that much lighter than an iPad, which is surpassingly "dense" for is size.

 

YMMV