Best Backups for Photographers
Photo by recep-bg via iStock
With the sheer number and size of images and other files you need for your photography business, you need to have ample backup storage.
But choosing the best backups for your business can be a bit of a daunting task, given how many options are available on the market today.
That's where this list comes in...
If you need backup storage sooner rather than later, consider one of the following as being among the best available.
Best Backups for Photographers: Synology DiskStation DS1019+
Brand-new to the market is the Synology Diskstation DS1019+. This is a new model line and replaces Synology's 5-bay DS1517+.
Critical upgrades include a newer CPU - an Intel Celeron J3455 quad-core processor at 1.5GHz with burst up to 2.3GHz - and more RAM. Where the DS1517+ had 2GB of RAM (expandable to 8GB), the DS1019+ has 4GB of RAM with expansion to 8GB (2 x 4GB DDR3L memory module pre-installed) if needed.
Additionally, the new DS1019+ has a hardware transcoding engine for 4K video. In fact, it's capable of transcoding up to 2-channel 4K video simultaneously. That's just one of the reasons why I'll be using this rig for my video backups!
That means this unit offers excellent video streaming, and with built-in applications like file sharing, data backup and recovery, and collaboration tools, you can utilize the DS1019+ to give your productivity a boost as well.
With scalability to up to 10 bays with one DX517 expansion unit, it's not like you'll be lacking for storage space, either.
Speaking of backups, the DS1019+ offers active backups for business, including the ability to centralize backup tasks for VMware, Windows, and file servers. Likewise, you can use what's called Hyper Backup to backup your data to a local shared folder, a public cloud, an rsync server, an external device, or another Synology NAS.
There's even a Desktop Backup option that allows you to safeguard your PC with Cloud Station Backup or back up data on a Mac to a Synology NAS using Time Machine.
Also of note is that the DS1019+ has a PCIe expansion slot for M.2 NVMe SSD support for SSD caching.
That's significant because you don't have to use any of the drive bays if caching is something you need to do.
As a Synology customer, I can attest to the ease of use of their products, their impeccable design and performance, and their reliability.
If a comprehensive backup system is what you need, this is it.
Learn more about the Synology Diskstation DS1019+
BEST BACKUPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: SYNOLOGY DISKSTATION DS918+
I've used this rig for a while now, and I've been impressed with everything from its features to its performance to its ease of use.
Setting it up is easy, even if you have no experience setting up network-based storage.
Just pop in your drives, fire up the DS918+, and connect to your network. Then all you have to do is open a browser, enter the IP address assigned to the DS918+, and enter your credentials to begin setup.
The Control Panel makes it easy to set up the DS918+, particularly because help is built right in.
You can quickly set up user and groups, start and stop services, and configure networks. And that's just the start!
All told, it'll take about 15-20 minutes to get things set up. That's not bad!
I like the size and build of this thing, too.
It's not much bigger than a toaster, so you don't feel like it's encroaching on your workspace. In fact, I don't even notice it on my desk anymore.
Part of the reason it blends into my office is because it's so quiet.
The DS918+ has two huge exhaust fans that keep the unit cool, but despite their size, they are whisper quiet.
From a hardware standpoint, this thing is loaded for bear with an Intel Celeron J3455 quad-core processor at 1.5GHz. It can be boosted to 2.3GHz when in full load as well.
The DS918+ comes with 4GB of DDR3L RAM (expandable to 8GB) and the network attached storage can host up to nine hard drives if need be (with the optional Synology DX517 drive bay).
All told, it can accommodate up to 48TB of storage or 108TB of storage with the optional external drive bay. That's a lot of photos! There's hardware transcoding engine for 4k video, so you can use some of that storage space for gorgeously detailed videos.
Better still, this unit has a PCIe expansion slot for M.2 NVMe SSD support for SSD caching, which is notable because you don't have to use up any of the drive bays if caching is something you need to do.
This rig is feature-rich, easy to use, powerful, and scalable. If you need a backup for your photography business, it's hard to beat!
Learn more about the Synology Diskstation DS918+
Best Backups for Photographers: Drobo 5C
If the networked storage options available with the Synology DS918+ are a little much for your operation, you can opt for something direct-attached like the Drobo 5C.
It's got one USB 3.0 port and one Type-C port as well.
This little guy holds up to five 3.5-inch SATA hard drives and supports a total volume size of 64TB, so there's a plethora of space for all your files. It even has self-healing features and will create a second volume to protect your computer's files and operating system.
If you find you need more storage space, you can hot swap drives with larger ones or add additional drives to give yourself a scalable desktop storage solution.
It also has battery-backed memory so you don't have to worry about power bumps interrupting your backups.
This Drobo unit is compatible with Windows and Mac for ease of use no matter which system you have.
Speaking of ease of use, this unit has a toolless design, so you can insert hard drives without screws or carriers.
And like the Synology unit discussed earlier, the Drobo 5C is supremely quiet so you won't be bothered by fan noise all day long. You can even dim the lights and spin the unit down when it's not in use.
In other words, this is an affordable, scalable option with direct connection to your computer that ensures quick and efficient operation.
Best Backups for Photographers: Seagate Backup Plus Hub 10TB External Hard Drive
With 10TB of space, the Seagate Backup Plus Hub doesn't offer the mountains of space of the Synology or Drobo units, but it's still a good deal of storage for you day-to-day needs.
It has two front-facing USB 3.0 ports so you can easily connect your camera, phone, or other devices to backup files or to simply recharge them.
It's compatible with Windows (out of the box) and Mac (with the installation of the provided NTFS driver).
Seagate has made it easy to use this unit with a downloadable dashboard that enables one-click backups. You can also schedule automatic backups to occur at specified intervals.
You can take advantage of a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan as well, so long as you redeem it by January 31, 2020.
In other words, this rig will give you the storage you need, is easy to set up and use, and has functionalities beyond simple backups.
Learn more about the Seagate Backup Plus Hub
Best Backups for Photographers: LaCie Mini 1TB Portable Hard Drive
If you're on the go a lot like me, you need a backup storage device that you can take with you and that will take a few hits along the way.
The LaCie Mini 1TB Portable Hard Drive definitely fits the bill.
This thing is dustproof, water-resistant, and shockproof for drops of up to four feet. It's also pressure-resistant.
It's got built-in password protection for added security, and for fast file transfer, it uses USB 3.0.
The orange color is nice, too, as you can easily see it in your camera bag when you need to make a quick backup or grab files.
There are various sizing options, too, with 2TB, 4TB, and 5TB models available.
At the time of this writing, if you buy this backup by LaCie, you get a free month's subscription to Adobe CC (all apps) too.
Learn more about the LaCie Mini 1TB Portable Hard Drive
Best Backups for Photographers: G-Technology G-Drive Mobile 4TB Portable Hard Drive
Another option for photographers that need a small, portable storage backup is the G-Technology G-Drive 4TB Hard Drive shown above.
Though this outfit isn't a rugged, go anywhere sort of device like the LaCie, it's nevertheless an ultra-portable backup that you can easily take with you from the studio to shoot locations.
It's got a plug-and-play USB 3.0 port that enables transfer speed up to 130MB/s. With 4TB of storage space, you can load it up quickly and retrieve your needed files quickly as well.
The package includes USB-C and USB-A cables so you can start backups on any computer. This rig is specially designed for Mac users, though, because it has native support for Apple FileVault and Time Machine.
This little backup looks great, too.
The aluminum exterior complements Macs beautifully, and since it's so small, it can look good on your desk without taking up a ton of room.
Learn more about the G-Technology G-Drive Mobile 4TB Portable Hard Drive
