[muscle750]

Thinking about maybe getting one anyone got any ideas how many RAW files i can get stuffed on it before it starts smokin!

[Markulous]

You don't say what camera you have but I'd say 4-8,000

[muscle750]

D200

[Markulous]

Well, apparently the D200 RAW files take up 15MB - unless you use compressed RAW, in which case 8MB. So 5-10,000, according to my maths!

[VinnyP]

I just got rid of one (used mostly with a D200) it's usually in the high 4000s for raw files. It is a cracking gadget but has quite a slow transfer rate compared to the latest devices. The screen is amazing but that together with the slow power hungry transfers mean the battery life was disappointing. It will happily view D200 files but if history is anything to go by is unlikely to be upgraded quickly to view the D300 or D3 raw files. That's my main reason for getting rid of it and I seldom used the screen.

[Dave Canon]

I own an Epson P2000 which has a 40G Byte drive and stores about 5,000 of my EOS 20D RAW images. A useful device though I only tend to use it on holidays as additional storage. The screen is useful for reviewing pics but I only use this for removing obvious unwanted shots. Given that I only use it once or twice a year, it is a bit of a luxury and it would have been cheaper just to have bought a few more CF cards. Nevertheless, I like it and it has proved to be very reliable.

[GainfulShrimp]

I love my P-5000 but have to admit I use it more often to view DivX videos when I'm forced to wait for something. I also use it to back up my CF cards when I'm worried about running out of space or I'm paranoid at not having a backup. It's good for showing off your pics, too - the screen is great for colour and brightness, etc.

One thing to note is that it uses the jpeg preview image embedded in the RAW file, not the raw data itself. That has the benefit that the preview is quite quick, but the bummer is you can't zoom in very far because the embedded jpegs aren't full size. It's good enough for a quick focus check but don't expect any full size pixel peeping.

One feature I quite like is the ability to transfer pics to other people's flash keys when out and about using the USB host function. So I could take someone's portrait, back up the file to the P5000, then borrow the subject's USB key (seems like everyone has one now) and give them a copy. Not something I do every day and usually I'd only share the post-PP version, but it's been useful once or twice and works very well.

I sometimes wish there was a firmware update to enable a few more audio and video codecs to be viewable, but realistically watching videos of strange formats isn't really its primary purpose!

The P-5000 is one of those gadgets that works well as advertised. It's short on some advanced features/gimmicks but the interface is nice and simple, the buttons and build quality are very good and it just works. I haven't been disappointed with mine, unlike some other gadgets I've bought where you have to update the firmware just to get the features claimed on the box to work (are you listening, Netgear?).

[Markulous]

Must admit that my usual backup device (Archos AV40) tends to be chock full of MP3s as I like to listen as I photo - with the proviso that I delete tracks to make room for pics!

If I'm out all day I'll even take my power pack - which will drive my camera/flash/phone/gps but always seems to be used to ensure my Archos keeps on rocking!

[M1ke A]

Originally Posted by Dave Canon

I own an Epson P2000 which has a 40G Byte drive and stores about 5,000 of my EOS 20D RAW images. A useful device though I only tend to use it on holidays as additional storage. The screen is useful for reviewing pics but I only use this for removing obvious unwanted shots. Given that I only use it once or twice a year, it is a bit of a luxury and it would have been cheaper just to have bought a few more CF cards. Nevertheless, I like it and it has proved to be very reliable.

Mine gets used for more or less exactly the same reason(s).

I found that you can't zoom or slideshow the raw files so shoot raw + small jpg at the same time for later reviewing, where the screen is a cracker.

Dunno whether this foible has been changed for the newer units, or if it's an issue for the OP.