Online storage? - DPChallenge Forums

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

05/25/2009 10:04:33 PM · #1

Hi!

I looked through the forums but couldn't find a whole lot of info about online storage and was wondering if anyone has some experience with backing up photos online. I store all of my originals and edits on a backup drive and on DVD. I can't keep all of my originals on my computer because I have something around 400GB of material already. I want to backup all of my work online as a safety precaution and have been shopping around. The main thing is that I don't want it automatically updating the backup drive to match my computer, since I don't keep everything on my computer. Is there a storage place that won't break the bank but also won't try to obsess over updating itself on its own?

Right now out of these MOZY is looking pretty good, but I would have to turn off the automatic stuff.

Thanks!
Claire

Message edited by author 2009-05-25 22:06:11.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/25/2009 10:29:54 PM · #2

I don't know if Mozy has fixed this or not but I remember there being an issue of Mozy deleting files from the online backup if it couldn't find those files on your computer after about 30 days of checking. For example, if you told Mozy to backup an external drive and you later disconnect it from your computer or network Mozy might think you deleted those files and remove them accordingly from the online backup. Now I use Mozy to just backup the drives I always leave connected on my local network so this isn't an issue for me but if that's not how you plan to use Mozy you should definitely contact them to see if anything has changed in regards to how it handles offline files.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/25/2009 10:44:42 PM · #3

Good note. They do still delete the files if you unplug them from your comp after 30 days. Basically you would need to plug in your harddrive at least once a month to remind it not to delete them. Hmmm

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

05/25/2009 11:41:56 PM · #4

Online backup for photos dosn't seem practical with the upload speeds most people have.

Why not buy a second hard drive, and keep it somewhere's else, like a relative, or storage place, or work, and update it every week or month or so?

If you know someone else with a similar situation, you could each keep a hard drive for the other person at their house, and then copy your files to your disk at the other's place with FTP, Timbuktu, or a service like YouSendIt -- be each others' "online" backup service. :-)

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

05/26/2009 03:17:08 AM · #5

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I'd offer to do that for Claire except I'd be tempted to steal her photos. :P

05/26/2009 10:46:48 AM · #6

Originally posted by yanko:

Originally posted by GeneralE:
Online backup for photos dosn't seem practical with the upload speeds most people have.

Why not buy a second hard drive, and keep it somewhere's else, like a relative, or storage place, or work, and update it every week or month or so?

If you know someone else with a similar situation, you could each keep a hard drive for the other person at their house, and then copy your files to your disk at the other's place with FTP, Timbuktu, or a service like YouSendIt -- be each others' "online" backup service. :-)

I'd offer to do that for Claire except I'd be tempted to steal her photos. :P

HAHA!! That is a really neat idea though. I could do that with a computer at my parent's house probably. I will look into it.

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

05/26/2009 10:56:08 AM · #7

I use Mozy and I can usually backup several GB per day and what I like is that it's automatic and inexpensive. As far as Mozy deleting files it no longer sees for 30 days, I don't really know because I have plenty of storage and only delete things I no longer need. But if they do delete them, a TB drive should be only about $100.

One thing you may want to consider is if you really need 400GB of photos. I have to force myself to go through photos after a shoot and delete those that didn't turn out, but once I started online backup I realized I was keeping too much crap.

JimiRose

Nikon D90

05/26/2009 11:01:02 AM · #8

If you can be bothered to wait for the shots to upload you could consider getting a pro flickr account - they've got unlimited storage. You can also make all of your shots private so others can't see or download them. I'm sure there are better options but that's the first thing that came to my mind.

05/26/2009 11:01:48 AM · #9

Originally posted by Ken:

I thought of that, but when I do headshot/portrait sessions I narrow it down to a number the client can handle and after that I need to keep all of them. Sometimes people lose their cds and need their pictures again or they want different edited shots than they initially ordered. I have a 750GB backup right now and I love it. But it looks so fragile to me. I carry it from school to home and am super paranoid something will happen to it. I am moving to Nebraska tomorrow, so I am definitely considering leaving it at home an buying a new one to take to Nebraska for double backup.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/26/2009 11:11:32 AM · #10

Originally posted by lovethelight:

Originally posted by Ken:
I use Mozy and I can usually backup several GB per day and what I like is that it's automatic and inexpensive. As far as Mozy deleting files it no longer sees for 30 days, I don't really know because I have plenty of storage and only delete things I no longer need. But if they do delete them, a TB drive should be only about $100.

One thing you may want to consider is if you really need 400GB of photos. I have to force myself to go through photos after a shoot and delete those that didn't turn out, but once I started online backup I realized I was keeping too much crap.

I thought of that, but when I do headshot/portrait sessions I narrow it down to a number the client can handle and after that I need to keep all of them. Sometimes people lose their cds and need their pictures again or they want different edited shots than they initially ordered. I have a 750GB backup right now and I love it. But it looks so fragile to me. I carry it from school to home and am super paranoid something will happen to it. I am moving to Nebraska tomorrow, so I am definitely considering leaving it at home an buying a new one to take to Nebraska for double backup.

Is it truly a backup or your main storage? I'd also be very concerned if you are carrying it around and have no other copies. While the initial cost is a bit high (unless you can find a USB version), you may want something like a drobo. Essentially you plug it in and forget about it. I have about 400GB on the Drobo also backed up on Mozy.

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

05/26/2009 11:12:55 AM · #11

I use Carbonite. I have had superb service with them, and have had no problems. I have actually had to restore my files on 3 different occasions with no difficulties whatsoever. I can also access my files from anywhere at any time via internet/carbonite, a great plus for me since I travel so much and frequently find that I need a file that is "home".

It will back up several GB a day, and it backs up "on the fly", as when I am doing editing, it will be backing up new versions fairly quickly.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/26/2009 11:28:22 AM · #12

Originally posted by LindaLee:

Doesn't carbonite have an upload limitation after the first couple of months? If I recall it's 500MB a day, at least that's what it was when I tried it a year ago.

ErikV

Nikon D7000

05/26/2009 11:38:21 AM · #13

Originally posted by LindaLee:

I use Carbonite. I have had superb service with them, and have had no problems....

Carbonite will only back up what is located on your internal hard drive, and not anything on any external drives. Thus it becomes less useful for backup once you accumulate enough photos to fill up your internal drive and start using external hard drives for primary storage. (Not sure if the other online back up services take the same approach.)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

05/26/2009 11:40:12 AM · #14

Originally posted by ErikV:

Originally posted by LindaLee:
I use Carbonite. I have had superb service with them, and have had no problems....

Carbonite will only back up what is located on your internal hard drive, and not anything on any external drives. Thus it becomes less useful for backup once you accumulate enough photos to fill up your internal drive and start using external hard drives for primary storage. (Not sure if the other online back up services take the same approach.)

Mozy doesn't promise that external drives are supported, but it works for me and others.

smichener

Nikon D300

05/26/2009 11:48:11 AM · #15

Originally posted by ErikV:

Carbonite does a great job. As for your point that it won't back up an external HD, that's true. My solution was to add a second internal HD. I back up to both Carbonite and an external HD- works for me.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/26/2009 11:52:11 AM · #16

Originally posted by Ken:

Originally posted by lovethelight:

Originally posted by Ken:
I use Mozy and I can usually backup several GB per day and what I like is that it's automatic and inexpensive. As far as Mozy deleting files it no longer sees for 30 days, I don't really know because I have plenty of storage and only delete things I no longer need. But if they do delete them, a TB drive should be only about $100.

One thing you may want to consider is if you really need 400GB of photos. I have to force myself to go through photos after a shoot and delete those that didn't turn out, but once I started online backup I realized I was keeping too much crap.

I thought of that, but when I do headshot/portrait sessions I narrow it down to a number the client can handle and after that I need to keep all of them. Sometimes people lose their cds and need their pictures again or they want different edited shots than they initially ordered. I have a 750GB backup right now and I love it. But it looks so fragile to me. I carry it from school to home and am super paranoid something will happen to it. I am moving to Nebraska tomorrow, so I am definitely considering leaving it at home an buying a new one to take to Nebraska for double backup.

Is it truly a backup or your main storage? I'd also be very concerned if you are carrying it around and have no other copies. While the initial cost is a bit high (unless you can find a USB version), you may want something like a drobo. Essentially you plug it in and forget about it. I have about 400GB on the Drobo also backed up on Mozy.

It qualifies as a main storage but I have everything backed up to DVD is as well. I never have any file in less than 2 places at once.

ErikV

Nikon D7000

05/26/2009 12:32:12 PM · #17

Originally posted by smichener:

Originally posted by ErikV:

Originally posted by LindaLee:
I use Carbonite. I have had superb service with them, and have had no problems....

Carbonite will only back up what is located on your internal hard drive, and not anything on any external drives. Thus it becomes less useful for backup once you accumulate enough photos to fill up your internal drive and start using external hard drives for primary storage. (Not sure if the other online back up services take the same approach.)

Carbonite does a great job. As for your point that it won't back up an external HD, that's true. My solution was to add a second internal HD. I back up to both Carbonite and an external HD- works for me.

I agree. These days you can get 2TB internal hard drives, so the two internal hard drive set up is a reasonable solution, especially if you are good about deleting the photos that did not turn out well.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/26/2009 02:08:13 PM · #18

I've been trying to come up with a solution for backup in the last month as well. Currently I'm leaning toward a drobo, but Carbonite is a decent alternative. The devil is in the details though and it's good to look up the details of online storage to see what they back up and when and what they delete and when if the files leave your computer.

1.3 TB of storage on the drobo would be about $600 (2 1 TB drives).
1.5 TB of storage on Carbonite would be about $140 for an internal drive and $55/year.

EDIT: As an interesting question, I wonder if something like this could run afoul with bandwidth throttling or limits that some cable carriers are trying to impose?

Message edited by author 2009-05-26 14:12:18.

dleach

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

05/26/2009 02:19:01 PM · #19

It seems easier to just have your own local backup. The bandwidth throttling the cable operators are trying to "educate" us on will probably lead to a situation where it will be very expensive to support online backups. I would get two backup drives and rotate them off site (take them to a relatives house) to protect against a total loss of your data if your house burned down.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/26/2009 02:50:11 PM · #20

I was perusing the TOS for Cryptonite just to see what is there. Gotta love the CYA crap companies throw in there...

You agree that if i) you mark a file to no longer be backed-up, ii) you delete a file from your computer, iii) move a file to a location on your computer that is not marked for back-up, iv) you delete a computer from your Carbonite Products or Services account, v) your computer is unable to access Carbonite, or vi) you terminate or allow your trial or license to terminate, non-renew, or otherwise lapse for any reason, that the files you have marked, deleted, moved or stored on a deleted, inaccessible, or unlicensed computer may not be available to you should you wish to restore them.

05/26/2009 03:00:23 PM · #21

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I ended up using a drobo and online storage. I like the drobo because it's extremely easy to use and is redundant if one internal drive fails. I added the online storage in case of theft, fire, flood, etc, and for $5 a month it's a no-brainer for me.

As far as bandwidth, it did take me months to get everything up to the mozy servers, but I wasn't too worried about it because I have it for disaster recovery only and not primary backup.

I believe you'll get a bit less than 1 TB with your drive configuration. Check out the drobo calculator

05/26/2009 03:06:33 PM · #22

Originally posted by ErikV:

Originally posted by smichener:

Originally posted by ErikV:

Originally posted by LindaLee:
I use Carbonite. I have had superb service with them, and have had no problems....

Carbonite will only back up what is located on your internal hard drive, and not anything on any external drives. Thus it becomes less useful for backup once you accumulate enough photos to fill up your internal drive and start using external hard drives for primary storage. (Not sure if the other online back up services take the same approach.)

Carbonite does a great job. As for your point that it won't back up an external HD, that's true. My solution was to add a second internal HD. I back up to both Carbonite and an external HD- works for me.

I agree. These days you can get 2TB internal hard drives, so the two internal hard drive set up is a reasonable solution, especially if you are good about deleting the photos that did not turn out well.

Is it true that Carbonite will delete all your data and reset itself when you access it from another computer? When I did some research earlier this year I think that is what I found out. Being able to access files from another location would be really important to me and it would be awful if it all got deleted! I could be wrong though because I am not sure if it was carbonite that I was looking at.