digital cameras/ship Q?

[IndieTraveler]

Hello,
We'll be on the Zaandam and wondered if the PCs have a usb port avail so that we can unload the pics off the memory card onto our flash drive. We're trying to decide if 2 memory cards are enough or if we should get a 3rd. I'd think there'd be something available like that.
If so, have any of you successfully done this?

If not available though, is there another option? I've heard we can get the pictures developed on board, but we'd want to keep the files to bring home.
Also, are there board games, pool table/ping pong available? Seems I read there's a library and DVDs available to rent or borrow since there are DVD players in the room, but wondered if games of any sort are available?
Thanks!

[fcorey]

Hello,
We'll be on the Zaandam and wondered if the PCs have a usb port avail so that we can unload the pics off the memory card onto our flash drive. We're trying to decide if 2 memory cards are enough or if we should get a 3rd. I'd think there'd be something available like that.
If so, have any of you successfully done this?

If not available though, is there another option? I've heard we can get the pictures developed on board, but we'd want to keep the files to bring home.
Also, are there board games, pool table/ping pong available? Seems I read there's a library and DVDs available to rent or borrow since there are DVD players in the room, but wondered if games of any sort are available?
Thanks!

Indietraveler, I usually carry three SD memory cards, 5 batteries, and the rapid charger for my camera all in a bag. One thing I just got to help out of the SD cards get full is an adapter for my ipod. It connects to the bottom of the ipod on the dock connector, there is a USB connector on the bottom of the adapter which i use my camera cable to connect to the camera, I can then download all the pictures to the ipod which has a 60GB hard disk. If you have an ipod you can look into whether yours will work with the adapter.

[DD]

fcorey, thanks so much for that tip! I feel a bit technologically backwards as I had no clue that something like that was available. Thanks so much for sharing!

As far as downloading the pictures off the memory cards onboard the ship, the service is often available. You may find, though, that if you have large memory cards (1 gig, 2 gig), that it presents a challenge and takes multiple discs which end up costing almost as much as buying a new memory card.

I swear by mysimon.com for pricing out memory cards. They usually find me a price that's half of what I'd pay locally.

[cool change]

I am so glad i read this thread tonight, we are buying a digital camera tomorrow and will be looking at ipods for music ( instead of bringing a portable cd player with cds), this should be so much easier. Now I will check to make sure that I can get an ipod that can also do this. Keep the advice coming. Much appreciated.

[Bodger]

The Ipod connection is an excellent way to back up your photos. I paid CDN$40 so it is probably about US$35 but it think it is only available for the fifth generation photo Ipods, so check and see because if you have an older Ipod it may not be compatible.

I happened to be in a big box store the other day and noticed that a name brand 2GB SD flash card was CDN$59. Depending on the resolution of your camera that is probably almost a vacations worth of photos on its own.

I have never seen a PC on board that will transfer photos, but the photo shops usually will provide the facility.

My suggestion is buy more memory as it is pretty cheap these days, and if you can use the Ipod solution to backup your photos do that too. Having multiple cards is a good idea in case you have a card failure. I would leave the original photos on the card and down load them once back home.

Bodger (a Nikon man)

[OldCodger73]

It's my understanding that there are no computers available where you yourself can transfer the files the way you mentioned in your original post. You can get your files burned onto a CD for a fee on the ship, I'm guessing it's in the $10-12 range.

Using an iPod will work if you already have a fifth generation one and then buy the iPod camera connector, US$29.00. However the transfer process is very slow and extremely battery intensive.

If you don't already have an iPod there are better choices. These devices are called Personal Storage Devices (PSD). I use an Epson P-2000, which has a built in SD and CF slot, a 40GB hard drive and a 3.8" LCD screen for viewing. Here's a link to a site that will tell you more than you'll ever want to know about PSDs.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1023

As Bodger points out, memory prices have drastically fallen, so the cheapest and simplest way to go is to buy several more 1 or 2GB cards.

[fcorey]

OldCodger73 is absolutely correct about the limitations of using the ipod, and its 4th generation (photo) or later that can do it. Your best, and coincidentally cheapest, bet may just be as simple buying a couple of additional SD cards (or whatever media your camera takes) I just got a 2GB SD card from buy.com for $38 including shipping. It holds around 450 photos at 5MP with no compression, if I use regular 5MP resolution and normal compression its closer to 700. I generally dont use compression because I frequently print images at 8x10 or larger and dont want artifacting in the image. The personal storage devices mentioned are really good if you dont have somethign like the ipod and have a much nicer display. It really depends on what you are looking for. When I travel I try to take as little electronics etc as possible. The ipod comes so i can drown out the screaming little darlings in coach ;)

now you have comments from two competing camps me (Canon) and Bodger (nikon) :D

[bruce-r]

If you don't already have an iPod there are better choices. At least when it comes to digital image storage, but not for an MP3 player IMO.

These devices are called Personal Storage Devices (PSD). I use an Epson P-2000, which has a built in SD and CF slot, a 40GB hard drive and a 3.8" LCD screen for viewing. Here's a link to a site that will tell you more than you'll ever want to know about PSDs.
dpreview.com (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1023)
That Epson unit is the deluxe way to go. There are less expensive PSD's but they won't have the P-2000's nice color preview screen.

www.dealram.com is also a great resource for finding low cost memory cards for you camera.

[OldCodger73]

[color=black]At least when it comes to digital image storage, but not for an MP3 player IMO.


The above comment was referring to photo storage only. I definitely agree that for an MP3 player the iPod can't be beat.

However, if you already have a fifith generation photo iPod and are willing to work with the slow transfer speed and heavy battery useage, the $29.00 iPod Camera Connector is an acceptable low cost alternate for photo storage. The simplest solution, though, would to buy several additional cards.

[bruce-r]

The simplest solution, though, would to buy several additional cards.I agree, this would be the easiest, least expensive way to go.

Another thing to try is find someone on your cruise thru the roll call section that is bringing a notebook computer and see if they will burn you some CD's. I always travel with my MacBook and would be happy to help out if the person had the blank CD's.

[rjbean4]

I have also recenly bought a Epson P-2000 and will be using it for the 1st time while cruising on the Westerdam trans canal the end of the month. Its a 40 GB so has lots of room to store photos. It also has a 3.8 inch screen on it so you can see your pics. Epson also makes a 80GB which is the P- 4000. I bought mine at a Ritz camera store and came with a $50 mail in rebate.

Up till now and since going digital I had been bringing my laptop and downloading the photos to that. But the reason I had been bringing my laptop is to also be able to watch the DVDs form our home collection that we would bring. Now the ships pretty much all have flat screens & dvd's in the cabins so we can just bring our dvd's.

I did some searching and found that I could spend a little more and get the Epson vs. buying enough compact flash cards to have enough for the number of photos I take and have the screen to see the pics. I also bought a adapter so that I could transfer pics off our Sony digital camera which uses a memory stick. I take a lot of pictures so I don't really have a limit becasue of the Epson to store them.

47 cruises on HAL at the age of 41
504 days at sea on 11 different DAM ships
500 day gold medallion holder
Sept. 04 Rotterdam Trans Atlantic Hurricane Karl Survivor
9/06 Trans Canal - Westerdam
12/06 Christmas & New Years - Westerdam
if Holland America doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!

[BCEagle78]

Also, are there board games, pool table/ping pong available? Seems I read there's a library and DVDs available to rent or borrow since there are DVD players in the room, but wondered if games of any sort are available?
Thanks!

There are board games available, there is ping pong near the rear pool but no pool tables. Pool tables require a level surface. A moving ship doesn't provide the right stable environment to support a pool table.

I can't help with the DVDs.

[RuthC]

A moving ship doesn't provide the right stable environment to support a pool table.
I always thought a pool table and/or a bowling alley would be kind of neat on those long days crossing the North Atlantic. :rolleyes:
Can't ya just picture it? :eek:

[fcorey]

RCCL has pool tables on Freedom of the Seas at least. They have special tables that are gyro balanced. Also I think NCL is putting bowling alleys on some of the new ships

[OldCodger73]

I have also recenly bought a Epson P-2000 and will be using it for the 1st time while cruising on the Westerdam trans canal the end of the month. Its a 40 GB so has lots of room to store photos. It also has a 3.8 inch screen on it so you can see your pics. Epson also makes a 80GB which is the P- 4000. I bought mine at a Ritz camera store and came with a $50 mail in rebate.

Up till now and since going digital I had been bringing my laptop and downloading the photos to that. But the reason I had been bringing my laptop is to also be able to watch the DVDs form our home collection that we would bring. Now the ships pretty much all have flat screens & dvd's in the cabins so we can just bring our dvd's.
...

You can also buy an inexpensive AV cable at Radio Shack and connect your P-2000 to the room's FP TV. While the 3.8" screen on the Epson is great for reviewing your shots, it's also nice seeing your pictures on the larger TV screen. Check the P-2000's instruction manual for details.

[bottomrung]

Why carry something else on board other than the storage media that your camera uses. If you are using a 1 gig card you can store around 400 pictures @ 5 meg. @ a fine mode setting. So if you are on a 7 day cruise and take 100 pictures a day you only need 2 cards. Just for the heck of it take 3 cards and go wild, thats 1200 pictures in 7 days or 172 per day.

When buying any type memory one ought to buy the higher speed cards so you don,t have to wait as long for the next picture to be taken, you never know what you might miss especially if your on the beach.

These little rascals are easy to misplace so one ought to get a small plastic carrying case like a sandwich container to store the memory cards in. When the card is full put it in the safe in your room aboard ship.

[rjbean4]

OldCodger73,

Yes I am aware that you an use a AV cable to do this. Its not uncommon for gadgets like this to come with the cable. Its just something I haven't bothered doing but maybe will give it a try this time.

Bottomrung,

Its always best to use the setting that gives you the highest resolution which will give the best quality you can get when it comes to getting them printed or doing enlargements. I have a Nikon D70 digital SLR with a 1 GB card. Its a 6.1 megapixel. When I have my image quality setting set to fine (highest resolution) that allows me to take 293 photos. When I change it to normal it goes up to 577. I want the highest resoluton so I leave it on fine. We will be on the Westerdam for 17 days and be transiting the canal on October 8th with up to 4 other ships including the Ryndam. So this day will be taking a lot of photos. Last summer when we were on the Veendam cruising Alaska for 2 weeks I took over 2,000 photos. I found that I was going to spend almost as much $$ on buying enough memory cards to have enough storage than spend about $30-40 more and get the Epson. With 40 GB I can shoot away. Plus I can put music on it too. Beacuse of its size its nothing to carry. Its smaller than my laptop. Yes I thought about the memory cards but just decided to go with the Epson. When I see the pics on the screen I know they have been transferred and can clear out the card and start over. There are also other digital SLR's out there with higher megapixels too so those will take even less on a 1GB card.

47 cruises on HAL at the age of 41
504 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS
500 day gold medallion holder
Sept. 04 Rotterdam Trans Atlantic Hurricane Karl Survivor
9/06 Trans Canal - Westerdam
12/06 Christmas & New Years - Westerdam
if Holland America doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!