There was some disappointment when I purchased my iPod, now called a 5th generation when just a few months later the announcement of the iPod Touch came out.

That wasn’t so bad, because I still needed a lot more storage then the initial new Touch models had to offer, although I have to admit after having played with one, the cool factor is off the cool gauge.

Anyway, I have but 25GB left on that 80GB iPod.

Shortly I’ll be heading to Trinidad with a couple of press passes and photography gear in tow. With a total of 3 X 4GB Compact Flash Cards and shooting in RAW format. that’ll only give me be about 224 shots per card and total of 672 shots. Dragging around a laptop won’t cut it. I’ll have enough gear on my back.

Some options considered were mini-notebooks, the Epson P-7000 or just buying some 16 or 32GB memory cards. Anything was going to cost at least $400.00 CAD. Not a problem and I was approaching considering the Epson P-7000.

I kept googling and came across the iPod camera connector. Checked out the specs and requirements. The planets aligned and it’s perfect to my 5th generation iPod (or earlier). If you read this blog and think this might work for you, check out Apple.com first. A lot of people who wrote reviews were only disappointed because they didn’t read the requirements and how to check for camera compatibility. I won’t be able to view RAW format, but that doesn’t matter to me. It’s about offloading my media cards.

The kicker is still coming. Hang in there with me.

If you’ve ever dealt with Apple, you know the service. Unbeatable. Through my whole career of having owned numerous computers, gizmos, gadgets and cameras, no one comes close. Let’s hope that remains the Apple creedo.

First, I tested clearing my iPod which was a cinch. Just uncheck what you don’t wan’t to sync, in my case over 50GB of music and click Apply in iTunes. Super Simple and now some 70GB of storage that fits in the palm of my hand with about 14 hours of power, well maybe. Typically 14 of play time, but if that translates to even 7 hours of downloading, that should do it for on the road storage for a full day of shooting. I’ll update you on that in a future phlog entry.

Oh yes, the kicker.

The iPod Camera Connector, shipping and taxes $46.33 CAD.

Here’s how it works on the road.

Plug in the Connector (about the size of a matchbook) into the iPod.

Plug in the camera using the USB cable that came with it into the connector.

Transfer.

USB 2.0 so it should be reasonably swift. I’ll let you know soon.

We’re not done yet.

All of this is useless unless you have some significant ongoing power for your camera.

I considered a battery grip. Pretty pricey. I was using two Lion batteries each good for about 300 shots, rechargeable. New one, name brand about $134.00 CAD. Well, Optex had the same ones with slightly better maph at 1/3 the price of the name brand. I like that math. I know they’ll work fine because I had used them the past with some of my other Digital SLRs. Same charge time, same average number of shots. Also check out Lenmar rechargeable Lions. They have some new product with high maph (about 1600 to 1800) for extra long power, yet still about 1/2 price of name brands.

5 batteries gives me about 1500 shots. I can always take a beak about midday and recharge.

Good to go!

:)

Looking forward to Carnival...

Marc Mantha reporting