Medium format location backup drives

[pixjohn]

I am in the market for new backup drives for shooting on location. I currently use 2 older G-tech 100gb drives, but have a big shoot and need more space. I am thinking about getting 2 new portable SSD drives. The G-Tech is pretty pricy at $500 each and wanted to look at other brands, that are just as reliable. Has anyone found other drives that work as well or had had problem with any other brands SSD drives?

[Ajoy Roy]

Your best bet would be a dedicated mirrored drive solution.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1028252-REG/wd_wdbzvm0080jwt_nesn_8tb_my_cloud_mirror.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1028254-REG/wd_wdbzvm0040jwt_nesn_4tb_my_cloud_mirror.html
http://www.buffalotech.com/products/desktop-hard-drives/drivestation/drivestation-duo-1

Most of them run on mains power, but for location, you can get small car battery based inverters.

[Bo Dez]

I've had very good experience with dozens of Lacie Rugged drives. Not one problem.

[Craig Lamson]

Ive been using these msata external SSD's.  I'm really happy with them and I use them with Capture One

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=Msata+external+sad+drive

I'm sure there are other brands but these have been flawless for me.

[Figolux]

We find these reasonably priced, compact, robust and reliable:

https://www.sandisk.com/home/ssd/extreme-500-ssd

[pixjohn]

I think those drive defeat the purpose of being good for location projects. I like to keep a drive in my pocket after the shoot, when we go out to eat.

Your best bet would be a dedicated mirrored drive solution.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1028252-REG/wd_wdbzvm0080jwt_nesn_8tb_my_cloud_mirror.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1028254-REG/wd_wdbzvm0040jwt_nesn_4tb_my_cloud_mirror.html
http://www.buffalotech.com/products/desktop-hard-drives/drivestation/drivestation-duo-1

Most of them run on mains power, but for location, you can get small car battery based inverters.

[Ajoy Roy]

I think those drive defeat the purpose of being good for location projects. I like to keep a drive in my pocket after the shoot, when we go out to eat.

In that case a simple USB 3 drive should be enough, as long as the camera accepts is. These drives are around US $100/TB.

[dwswager]

.

I do use 1tb SSD's to make a bootable computer drive, but treat them like glass because honestly ssds scare me.  Love the speed, but if they go, they're really gone.

This baffles me.  A comparably ruggedized SSD will be more durable and reliable than a ruggedized HDD.  The only difference between them is the storage media.  One is solid state while the other has moving parts.

[Ajoy Roy]

This baffles me.  A comparably ruggedized SSD will be more durable and reliable than a ruggedized HDD.  The only difference between them is the storage media.  One is solid state while the other has moving parts.

If an SSD goes kaput, it will be extremely difficult; if not impossible; to recover the data. On the other hand recovering critical data is not only possible but the probability of recovery is extremely high with a conventional HDD. The data is there on the magnetic surface and recovering data from them is a big business.

That is why I will always be wary of using SSD for back up. Working data yes, back up, no.

[pixjohn]

I only use the drives to backup during the day. I always backup my laptop with 2 different external drives and them transfer everything when I get back. I like to keep the drives separate on big jobs and store them apart.

[Craig Lamson]

I only use the drives to backup during the day. I always backup my laptop with 2 different external drives and them transfer everything when I get back. I like to keep the drives separate on big jobs and store them apart.

Another interesting option...

http://www.owcdigital.com/products/external-storage/envoy-pro-mini-overview

[pixjohn]

I ordered 2 ssd Lacie drives. Thanks for the tip, I forgot about researching Lacie drives before your suggestion.

[mcbroomf]

I just bought one of these.  Should be very flexible and I hope fast.  I plan to copy files onto both an SSD and mechanical HD in the dock and run LR on files on the SSD (keeping the LR catalog on the laptop drive).  Just to be safe I'll copy the files onto a 3rd separate 2.5" drive in a single enclosure.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1222949-REG/atech_flash_technology_bb_0200_r01_blackbird_vx_2ssd_usb_3_1.html