Copy CFExpress directly to SSD

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Frustrated at the lack of a commercially viable product with Gnarbox imploding, I decided to build my own system for working in the field with limited power options since I'm a wildlife photographer. It runs on a battery bank or A/C power. I did a walkthrough video on it if you are interested in building your own. It's been very reliable for me, and it's all commercially available hardware that is readily available from Amazon. It's based on open source software called Little Backup Box and it uses a Raspberry Pi 4. I built it for about $100 and my video has links to all the hardware. It connects directly to my Canon R5 or I can use a card reader.

Hit me up directly at [email protected] if you have any questions about the box or the build.
 
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by now it is possible to copy at reasonable speed from CFX to iPhone, which does the job for me. Not the best solution, but as I have an iPhone with me anyway, it's a valid workaround.
 
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I've had no issues using a Samsung S7+ tablet. I connect the ProGrade CFE type B card reader to the tablet, insert card and copy to the internal storage. Then from the tablet to a Samsung T7 SSD. About 2,000 images takes about 20 min total. Easy when looking to offload cards at the end of the day if on a trip.

This is obviously not direct from camera or card to an SSD, but the tablet is light and easy to bring along
 
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With my solution I encountered a problem with my CFX cards: using a Delock reader which has USB-C to connect to the iPhone, this reader will easily read say a CFX Nextorage 165GB (1950r/1900w). My Lexar Diamond 128GB (1900r/1700w) however is not recognized and cannot be read? Any ideas what the problem could be?
 
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Butlerkid said:
I have a 2 week trip to Europe coming up and will be taking my Z8 for casual street shooting. Could I use CFe's in slot #1 and save copies to XQD's in slot #2?
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Slot 2 is SD, will not XQD. Could put a large (and fast) SC in slot 2, copy CFE 2 to the SD and then replace the CFE w/ an XDQ.

Or just use you XQD in Slot 1. Buy some extras - XQD are reasonably inexpensive. 512 Sandisk is $170 at B&H (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...e_512g_ancnn_512gb_extreme_pro_cfexpress.html)
 
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Can also do this with an iPhone or iPad and a hub with a PD in so that you can attach and power a card reader and SSD at the same time…and surely an Android tablet or phone can do the same.
 
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deadesq said:
Frustrated at the lack of a commercially viable product with Gnarbox imploding, I decided to build my own system for working in the field with limited power options since I'm a wildlife photographer. It runs on a battery bank or A/C power. I did a walkthrough video on it if you are interested in building your own. It's been very reliable for me, and it's all commercially available hardware that is readily available from Amazon. It's based on open source software called Little Backup Box and it uses a Raspberry Pi 4. I built it for about $100 and my video has links to all the hardware. It connects directly to my Canon R5 or I can use a card reader.

Hit me up directly at [email protected] if you have any questions about the box or the build.
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Wow, Dave. What a slick little unit! Where are you in plans to commercialize the unit?
 
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Eagleeye299 said:

ClouZen TAINER Portable All-in-One Backup Storage with 2TB SSD​

This might be what you're looking for, available at B&H. It's a little pricey.
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Do you personally know someone who used it successfully? I only know one person who bought one, found it slow and buggy and returned it. Online reviews are worthless.
 
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I think the answer will be no, but I thought I’ll double-check: I have a USB-C iPad, SSD, hub and card reader. The Files app recognises the card reader and SSD connected at the same time.

Is it possible to do direct transfer of files from the card reader to the SSD (without copying the files to the iPad first)?
 
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If your camera and the SSD are both connected to the hub, try using the Files app to see if the camera is in Locations. If it is, yes, you can transfer to the SSD.
I don’t use a hub,
I copy camera to iPad … in the photo app I copy to a new album. When the copy is done I plug the SSD in and copy from the album to a new folder on the SSD. Thus I have two copies (backups).

… I’ve a hub somewhere, so I’ll check….and update below…

update: nope. I attached Z8 and SSD via a hub to my iPad Pro M2 . So the process is as described. I was able to import from the z8 to a new album in the Photo app, then copy those images from the album to a new folder on the SSD through the Files app. Not directly.
 
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The 2Tbyte DJI Lacie HDD is one device that does copy memory cards directly. I've had mine since 2018. Although it's older tech I cannot find an update nor any similar device. To be blunt, yes it copies CFExpress or SD cards "out there" but it sure is primitive! It also uses propriety cables. However, the smartphone App does make it easier

Right now as @deadesq demonstrates, currently the only other solution is a home build! i.e. a backup device for images that works without carrying a laptop. There was the obscure NEXTO DI NPS-10 But it's discontinued apparently. As Nimi said above, the gap in the market for user friendly stand-alone storage solution is a glaring gap in the digital imaging industry. Something that is compact, fast with a LCD screen and user-friendly interface with modern fast interfaces (USB-C etc) and integral card readers (CFEXpress B as minimum)

Backup without a computer?

Afternoon all! Just a quick question. The wife and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone, Glacier, and the Tetons later this year. I’ll be bringing my Nikon D5 and Nikon Z7, both of which will be using XQD and CFexpress Type B cards. I keep three backups on portable hard drives here at home...
bcgforums.com bcgforums.com

What is the best way to store images on the road ?

Hi friends. When shooting for four to five days and with large file prosumer bodies like D850 and D6 - it becomes difficult to carry laptops and download the images to free up your cards. Yes carrying multiple cards is an option - but you feel secure when you have the images backed elsewhere...
bcgforums.com bcgforums.com
 
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Fer.Saravia said:
But do you allow copying from CF to SD? In that case it would be even more power and heat, because it is reading and recording?
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I doubt very very much many people are using that technique, and besides, forgoing the external connections/cable, the cause for much of the issues, reduces those concerns. I don't use that method, personally; for video I simply record externally to an SSD using an Atomos Ninja.
 
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Patrick M said:
update: nope. I attached Z8 and SSD via a hub to my iPad Pro M2 . So the process is as described. I was able to import from the z8 to a new album in the Photo app, then copy those images from the album to a new folder on the SSD through the Files app. Not directl
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Card reader works though. Belkin usb c hub with PD, card reader and Samsung T7 both plugged into the hub and it worked either with the PD port plugged into the charge cable or not. Copied direct from card to drive. Up to date iPad Air 4 but anything with usb should also work. I don’t have a Lightning iPad to check it with a Lighting to usb adapter.
 
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Anjin San said:
Card reader works though. Belkin usb c hub with PD, card reader and Samsung T7 both plugged into the hub and it worked either with the PD port plugged into the charge cable or not. Copied direct from card to drive. Up to date iPad Air 4 but anything with usb should also work. I don’t have a Lightning iPad to check it with a Lighting to usb adapter.
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I would be curious to know the power draw of a Samsung SSD (e.g. T5 or T7) and an SD card/reader plugged into an unpowered hub. I wonder if a phone or tablet could handle the load, and for how long?

--Ken
 
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Anjin San said:
Card reader works though. Belkin usb c hub with PD, card reader and Samsung T7 both plugged into the hub and it worked either with the PD port plugged into the charge cable or not. Copied direct from card to drive. Up to date iPad Air 4 but anything with usb should also work. I don’t have a Lightning iPad to check it with a Lighting to usb adapter.
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Yes, a card reader is simply an external drive as far as the iPad/computer is concerned, so it can be seen in Files, As a result you can copy directly from the card to an SSD. It's still an extra step. I prefer to upload to the iPad as it gives me 2 copies - hence my workflow Z8 -> iPad -> ssd . The card in situ, ie in camera, isn't an external drive as such, which is why it isn't seen by the Files app on an iPad.
 
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Patrick M said:
Yes, a card reader is simply an external drive as far as the iPad/computer is concerned, so it can be seen in Files, As a result you can copy directly from the card to an SSD. It's still an extra step. I prefer to upload to the iPad as it gives me 2 copies - hence my workflow Z8 -> iPad -> ssd . The card in situ, ie in camera, isn't an external drive as such, which is why it isn't seen by the Files app on an iPad.
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right. i think the camera would have to support "usb mass storage mode" for that to work. some cameras do, hopefully it will become common in the future.
 
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