p.3 #1 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
BPsmith511 wrote:
Funny you mention that- my current debate is between an M2 14” MBP or an M2 mini attached to the studio display - obviously a large price difference which is why I’m taking my time and figuring out my living setup first
Yep not for everyone but we often spend a lot of time between two continents and numerous 'homes' so the Mac Mini is perfect for this requirement.
We spent 9 months in Vienna in 2020 for example, and will be using our apartment in London (or our daughter's now it seems!) as our base for 6-7 months this year. Not everyone plays the nomad though
p.3 #2 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
RoamingScott wrote:
I did a pretty deep dive on this recently, as my PC has aged out and I want to replace with a mac (my MBP is technically my work's but I do some LR/PS on it because it's so powerful).
The main problem with the Mini chassis is the lack of I/O ports. I thought for sure that cooling would be an issue with the M2 Mini but they have some pretty liberal temperature tolerances on that CPU and the fan actually rarely kicks in, and when it does, it usually doesn't exceed about 60% speed. Also by time you upgrade the Mini to get the faster SSD drive/more RAM/etc it's basically the price of a more powerful/capable Studio.
The main reason to not go Mini is video editing, where the MBP and Studio still win out. It sounds like a perfectly capable photo editing box.
I'd love the studio display as well, but I'd want the matte screen and adjustable height stand, which makes it over $2000 with tax...a simply stunningly stupid price.
Long term best option is probably picking up the M1 studio when the M2 version drops in a year or so....Show more →
And it's portable ! My next home computer upgrade methinks - when I can buy one a few years old.
I don't have. big issue with the ports on the Mac Mini (I did at first) by buying a fast hub & using SSDs via that (Black Magic reads it at ca. 700-900 m/s, no matter what they claim - which is often 2,000 m/s) ! So to get around this I created an editing folder on the Mini and transfer files to that for editing, even video with FCP, and then back again. A PITA for those with high volume requirements but works fine for me.
p.3 #3 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
PIOK wrote:
Take as small laptop as possible. I just came back from 7 weeks multi islands trip. I took with me M1 MacBook Pro ( is way too big and heavy for travel and it was my big mistake to bring it with me)
I should just take my small Windows laptop I bought last year specific for trips, but somehow I decided to bring heavy MB Pro.
Go ultra lite and small
Thanks ! Good to hear of your experience with the MBP, that was also mine when I traveled with one before and your experience just reinforces my thinking on this.
I'm fully into the Apple environment so anything Windows is a no-no for me now, unfortunately (but it was also a pain when I had dual systems, so no regrets).
p.3 #4 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
tkbslc wrote:
This thread got me curious and I did some tests on backing up with my M1 iPad Pro
I have a $20 Amazon USB C to multiport adapter that has SD card, USB ports, HDMI, etc. Using Two SD card plugged into this adapter (one in the SD port, another in a USB reader plugged into a USB port), I am able to back up images from 1 card to another card at about 2GB/min. I can back images up to iPad at about 4-5GB/min. This is with Sandisk Extreme cards, it could be slower with cheaper cards. I presume backing up to a flash drive would work as well. This is just copy/paste folders using the Files app.
Given that you need external power to run a real hard drive, I think this is a good solution. SD cards are dirt cheap now, as are flash drives, and are much lighter to pack. Using Files app in iPad, I can back up at reasonable speeds from one cheap card to another without any external power. I will have to remember this when traveling in the future.
FWIW, you could also do this with the latest iPad Mini 6th gen. That would save you even more weight and size (and money). It's under 300g. ...Show more →
Awesome ! Appreciate your testing & great to hear of the results. I also use Sandisk Extreme (Pro) cards so that's very relevant testing. Yes the Sandisk SSD weighs next to nothing, it's miniscule.
I'll look into the iPad Mini. Saving an extra 300g is not to be sniffed at (that's another lens I could take in its stead) !
p.3 #5 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
AmbientMike wrote:
If you really need light, 2TB of slower inexpensive cards aren't too terribly expensive anymore. If your camera has 2 card slots you've got a backup.
512gb is probably cheapest these days, $50, 128 & 256gb not far behind if you prefer more cards. Inexpensive SanDisk micro SD might slow things down a bit, but they're OK imo. Much faster than older cards.
Four 512gb micro SD or 8 256gb are going to be really light. Even double that for 2 card slots much lighter than any laptop or device
Absolutely true Mike.
If it was just for a week or less then that is likely the best option by far (though I have numerous other uses for an iPad - including checking shots, maps and planning. My eyes are deteriorating and I appreciate the large screen now).
p.3 #6 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Ai_Print wrote:
For two months I photographed a project in the Faroe Islands and did it in the colder season. I had to really consider what I brought and by far the top priority was the right gear all around. There was no way I was going to bring my 16" MBP so I opted for a 11" M1 iPad Pro w/2TB of storage and cell service. I also brought two 2TB OWC Envoy SSD drives to backup on.
In terms of editing, I ever cull while on the road, just select images as per deadlines and clients needs then do the correct archive once I get home. I also don't do much in post on the images I do send out, am a get it right in camera kind of guy.
The iPad Pro was awesome for everything I did and that includes running my business, my duties as photo editor for a magazine, planning my trip, and yes, dealing with photos. It does have the usual workflow and organizational warts to deal with, but in my experience, that is well worth the overall value of the utility I get from it in such a small package. And it is fast, from processing 50MP Hasselblad raw files to putting together 16,000 pixel stitched images from as many as 25 individual files from my Mavic 3 Cine.
So I have adapted to it, used the heck out of it in Iceland last Fall, will take it on a paid job to NYC next week and leave the brand new 16" M2Max MacBook Pro at home. It's a good way to go in my opinion.
Absolutely awesome. Your experience perfectly underscores the reasons why I was considering the iPad Pro (now the M1 version) in the first place and confirms my decision. Thank you !
I'll have a lot of cards to dump each night (and day, after astro sessions) from 3 cameras / 2 drones / an Insta X2 and the iPhone POV ! So connectivity and ease of use are important. This seems by far the best solution.
p.3 #7 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
flash wrote:
Currently I have a 14” M1max MBP that’s pretty much fully loaded (64GB ram and 4 TB HDD). I *just* (like yesterday) moved from the original M1 max 12.9 iPad Pro to an 11” M2 iPad Pro. I have travelled extensively with the old iPad Pro and somewhat with the MBP. At home the MBP is hooked up to a Wacom Cintiq via a SanDisk Card Reader Pro Dock. I also use a 32” ASUS Pro Art display for my print work, which has made Eizo a no go for me. I think the Pro Art is a better display and half the money.
I use Lightroom as my DAM and basic processor as it’s the only software that reads files from all my systems. I also use DXO and Phocus (Hasselblad) for better raw conversions for special files, sent from LR. Phocus is on the iPad. LR for iPad is shit but I’m stuck with it. I despise that I can’t export a catalogue. Absolutely despise it.
I used Windows for years (still do) and REALLY miss the fact that Mac won’t put a pen/touch display in a MBP for a money grab. Nor is the iPad OS unleashing the full power of the hardware. It pisses me off that i need to use the hobbled version of Lightroom and upload/download thousands of files just to sync to my *classic* database. You can’t calibrate either of the screens with any currently available commercial colorimeter under about 10K. But there’s simply no denying the power to battery ratio these things have and the screens are *OK* if not spectacular. I wish for a Surface Studio Laptop with the power/battery of the MBP but I’ll be dead before it arrives.
The 12.9” iPad Pro was generally my go to but it’s so big once you add a keyboard etc that you may as well take a MBP or an Air. The 11” is MUCH smaller and I have them sitting side by side I do wonder why I went the larger one last time. I did get the 1TB version this time and I’m already questioning that…. Yes it’s not worth the money for the 2TB but I still should have done that. I suppose the 12.9” would be smaller than a 16” MBP but I’d never travel with a 16” MBP. Way too heavy for me to even consider. The 14” is already borderline. So my choice is now between a 14” MBP or a 11” iPad Pro.
What I take while travelling really depends what the trip is like. If I need to push out files or I have time to process properly I take the 14” MBP. I have a trip to Italy in May that I’ll take the Mac Book on. If I just want to check the files or make a few quick edits then I’ll take the iPad. In September I’m going to Mongolia. I’ll take the 11” iPad Pro for that one. No matter what I take I also have 2x 2TB portable SSD’s and enough cards to cover the trip.
Since you like your mini for *serious* editing, I’d probably go an 11” iPad Pro with as much storage as you can afford. A MacBook would seem, to me, to be like a replacement of your mini rather than a companion.
Yes I agree - it's looking like the 11” iPad Pro will be my choice.
I spent a week photographing owls in Inner Mongolia (very similar to Mongolia). Great fun (though really cold, -30C our warmest day) ! You'll have a wonderful time there.
p.3 #8 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Frogfish wrote:
Absolutely awesome. Your experience perfectly underscores the reasons why I was considering the iPad Pro (now the M1 version) in the first place and confirms my decision. Thank you !
I'll have a lot of cards to dump each night (and day, after astro sessions) from 3 cameras / 2 drones / an Insta X2 and the iPhone POV ! So connectivity and ease of use are important. This seems by far the best solution.
Cheers !
When I am in front of my ipad, I will get you the name of the 3rd party app I use to batch rename. I think it is super helpful when dealing with multiple cameras and avoiding file management gremlins.
p.3 #9 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Ai_Print wrote:
When I am in front of my ipad, I will get you the name of the 3rd party app I use to batch rename. I think it is super helpful when dealing with multiple cameras and avoiding file management gremlins.
p.3 #10 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Frogfish wrote:
That would be very helpful - thank you !
It’s called FileBrowser Professional, I think it had a modest cost and was the only app I could find at the time that allows me to batch rename. It’s a green icon with an FB in the folder logo.
I am nearly certain I will continue to upgrade and use the 11” size iPad Pro. The size is simply unbeatable, I use it with an add on keyboard so it really is a mini laptop with a touch screen except that in this use, if you get water on the keyboard, it does not glitch your computer. You just remove the keyboard and keep right on working.
p.3 #11 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Frogfish wrote:
Thanks JR. Actually a huge weight difference. The MB Air M2 weighs 1.24 kg and M1 1.29 kg. The iPad Pro around 468g (WiFi and Cellular). I will use the pencil not the keyboard when hiking (keyboard is too heavy).
I do use the iPad for a lot when traveling (reading books, maps and plotting routes and a few of the apps I use will work on both my iPhone and iPad). The Affinity app is pretty awesome actually - I have it but never use it in between trips (my loss) and will likely stick with that (I'm a Sony user) unless someone recommends something better. Cheers ! ...Show more →
You are quoting the weight of the iPad without case or keyboard, a keyboard is about 8 oz and protection for the back (optional of course) is another 3-4 ounces. I don't think weight play such a big role here (my point of view of course) versus the greater choice of peripherals that the MacBook Air can power and the fact you can use all your standard software. I use the very compact SanDIsk solid state drives for backups. Sitting in an airplane, on a bus or in the hotel lobby, I find the MacBook to be more comfortable to use. The main differentiator may be the availability of built-in 5G for the iPad that allows access to cloud and other facilities away from your hotel, AirBnB or Starbucks, the MacBook needs Wi-Fi or the less efficient use of a cellphone as a hub.
p.3 #12 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Rivermist wrote:
You are quoting the weight of the iPad without case or keyboard, a keyboard is about 8 oz and protection for the back (optional of course) is another 3-4 ounces. I don't think weight play such a big role here (my point of view of course) versus the greater choice of peripherals that the MacBook Air can power and the fact you can use all your standard software. I use the very compact SanDIsk solid state drives for backups. Sitting in an airplane, on a bus or in the hotel lobby, I find the MacBook to be more comfortable to use. The main differentiator may be the availability of built-in 5G for the iPad that allows access to cloud and other facilities away from your hotel, AirBnB or Starbucks, the MacBook needs Wi-Fi or the less efficient use of a cellphone as a hub. ...Show more →
Thank you, Yes that's the weight of the iPad sans peripherals. For my use case (as I explained) I won't take any peripherals at all (except for SSD, Pencil & Hub) because, as I mentioned, it's for long trips mostly involving backpacking/camping and the keyboard and case offer no benefit to me in these situations.
And of course, as you rightly stated, the fact the iPad can use GPS signals is important to me in many situations.
For clarification I've taken the iPad I have on many trips without any hint of damage, it is extremely well protected/padded in between clothes in the pack and rain gear in an exterior pocket so effectively better than any cover
Obviously for people, maybe like yourself, that will use it in hotels or other more civilised locations than mountainsides, the case and keyboard will be important additions.
Thank you for the information you provided - much appreciated !
p.3 #13 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Ai_Print wrote:
It’s called FileBrowser Professional, I think it had a modest cost and was the only app I could find at the time that allows me to batch rename. It’s a green icon with an FB in the folder logo.
I am nearly certain I will continue to upgrade and use the 11” size iPad Pro. The size is simply unbeatable, I use it with an add on keyboard so it really is a mini laptop with a touch screen except that in this use, if you get water on the keyboard, it does not glitch your computer. You just remove the keyboard and keep right on working. ...Show more →
p.3 #14 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
If you use a laptop, the choice depends what your main reason is for taking the laptop. If you plan on doing serious editing of large files, something more powerful may be worth the extra size and weight. On the other hand, if your processing needs are relatively low and your main photography-related goal is to have a backup, then even the relatively lower spec'ed MaBook Air can work pretty well.
I've been using Airs for a long time as my laptop. Ergonomically, from a travel perspective, the smallest model was probably my favorite. I used to shove it into my PD 10L bag along with my travel camera and lenses and other assorted stuff I wanted to keep with my while in transit.
The newer models (mine is the last Intel version before the M1 update, sadly — a case of bad timing!) are unfortunately a bit larger, and the current models now are pretty hard to squeeze into the old PD bag and impossible to fit in the updated one I recently bought.
Compared to higher-spec'ed MBP models — and especially to better desktop systems — the Air isn't all that fast, which is why I wouldn't recommend it for heavy duty image processing tasks. (Perhaps this has been resolved with the newest models?) I can run Photoshop/ACR on the thing and process my 5DsR files and my XT5 files, but it isn't very fast.
One other option to think about, depending upon where you travel and what kind of internet access you have: you may be able to use iCloud as a way to upload files to the cloud. We have the 2TB enhanced storage, and that's more than enough space for a typical trip.
Being paranoid — a trait that has served me well over the years with computers — I'd still probably toss a small external drive into the load and make copies there, too. (Truth be told, I normally travel with a copy of ALL of my Photoshop archive, in case someone contacts me to get a file while I'm on the road... and in case some almost unimaginable disaster takes out my home copies AND the offsite hard copies I store.)
As to the iPad option, I've pondered but not tried it. I'm kind of thinking of it again for some upcoming major travel, but since I do often do some Photoshop (not LR) work while traveling, I'm less sure how this would work for me.
p.3 #15 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
gdanmitchell wrote:
If you use a laptop, the choice depends what your main reason is for taking the laptop. If you plan on doing serious editing of large files, something more powerful may be worth the extra size and weight. On the other hand, if your processing needs are relatively low and your main photography-related goal is to have a backup, then even the relatively lower spec'ed MaBook Air can work pretty well.
I've been using Airs for a long time as my laptop. Ergonomically, from a travel perspective, the smallest model was probably my favorite. I used to shove it into my PD 10L bag along with my travel camera and lenses and other assorted stuff I wanted to keep with my while in transit.
The newer models (mine is the last Intel version before the M1 update, sadly — a case of bad timing!) are unfortunately a bit larger, and the current models now are pretty hard to squeeze into the old PD bag and impossible to fit in the updated one I recently bought.
Compared to higher-spec'ed MBP models — and especially to better desktop systems — the Air isn't all that fast, which is why I wouldn't recommend it for heavy duty image processing tasks. (Perhaps this has been resolved with the newest models?) I can run Photoshop/ACR on the thing and process my 5DsR files and my XT5 files, but it isn't very fast.
One other option to think about, depending upon where you travel and what kind of internet access you have: you may be able to use iCloud as a way to upload files to the cloud. We have the 2TB enhanced storage, and that's more than enough space for a typical trip.
Being paranoid — a trait that has served me well over the years with computers — I'd still probably toss a small external drive into the load and make copies there, too. (Truth be told, I normally travel with a copy of ALL of my Photoshop archive, in case someone contacts me to get a file while I'm on the road... and in case some almost unimaginable disaster takes out my home copies AND the offsite hard copies I store.)
As to the iPad option, I've pondered but not tried it. I'm kind of thinking of it again for some upcoming major travel, but since I do often do some Photoshop (not LR) work while traveling, I'm less sure how this would work for me....Show more →
Shame indeed that you missed the M1 (not to mention M2). I have an MB Air 16GB M1 with 8 GPU cores, and it runs Photoshop, InDesign, MS Office, ON-1, DPP and much more simultaneously and without breaking a sweat or even getting warm. Also runs FinalCutPro, takes less than 30 seconds to generate a 3-4 minute clip, running up to 560% CPU usage while managing a 4K 32" Samsung display. Truly amazing, and no fan.
p.3 #16 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Rivermist wrote:
Shame indeed that you missed the M1 (not to mention M2). I have an MB Air 16GB M1 with 8 GPU cores, and it runs Photoshop, InDesign, MS Office, ON-1, DPP and much more simultaneously and without breaking a sweat or even getting warm. Also runs FinalCutPro, takes less than 30 seconds to generate a 3-4 minute clip, running up to 560% CPU usage while managing a 4K 32" Samsung display. Truly amazing, and no fan.
Well, now you are really making me feel bad! Anyone want to buy an Intel-based Air? Cheap? ;-)
Fortunately, I don't have too much need to do serious post on the laptop. I think.
p.3 #17 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
gdanmitchell wrote:
Well, now you are really making me feel bad! Anyone want to buy an Intel-based Air? Cheap? ;-)
Fortunately, I don't have too much need to do serious post on the laptop. I think.
Haha, I had the last intel too and got the M1 Air. Huge upgrade. It's a beast not only for travel, but also for use on the desktop at home. I'm sure there are some good deals to be found on them.
p.3 #18 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Rivermist wrote:
Shame indeed that you missed the M1 (not to mention M2). I have an MB Air 16GB M1 with 8 GPU cores, and it runs Photoshop, InDesign, MS Office, ON-1, DPP and much more simultaneously and without breaking a sweat or even getting warm. Also runs FinalCutPro, takes less than 30 seconds to generate a 3-4 minute clip, running up to 560% CPU usage while managing a 4K 32" Samsung display. Truly amazing, and no fan.
Heck that sounds fine even for what I do.. most intensive thing is a rare panoramic stitch or exposure blend once in a blue moon
p.3 #19 · iPad Pro for Trips : Photo dumping and basic editing.
Everything M1 or M2 demolishes the last of the intel MacBook Air’s. Even the iPads. Especially the iPads as the software doesn’t use the same resources as the laptops. I remember the difference between my last Air (2nd last intel I think) and the original M1 iPad Pro. Never looked at the air again. For me the only think lacking in the iPad Pro is DXO.
Unless you play games on it the iPad Pro’s are wildly overpowered, even the M1 versions. They deserve better software and a proper OS. Apple just don’t want the market for the MacBook Air to completely disappear overnight, which is what would happen.
They’ll need to do something different next year. The M2 is quick and the battery is better but most people I know are not getting rid of their M1 MBP’s. They’re already very very quick. The M2 seems to be challenging desktop systems.
For me the iPad is the better travelling companion. I have use for the pencil and I use it for other things as much as photography. More than photography. If I didn’t need the other stuff then an Air would probably be my preferred option although if it’s REALLY a photography trip I’ll take my MBP. I got the MBP and maxed it out specifically so I wouldn’t need a separate desktop and travel option for photography. I was very tired of having things spread across several devices and the places I usually travel don’t suit a cloud based workflow, not that I trust that. I didn’t want to get home and have to spend hours/days copying and consolidating files. With the MBP I just plug in a USBC cable and my *desktop* is set up.
