I use Managed Libraries and back them up with Vaults, all on separate drives (one of which I store off-site and switch out weekly).
On another drive I have saved all of my .nef files from forever.
I have Restored Libraries from Vaults when I was organizing everything into a meaningful structure last month and it worked totally smoothly.
So is there any need for me to actually be saving my original files? I could sure use that extra disc for something else.
Thanks in advance for any insights.
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Should I save original files?
#1
iamunique127,
We have a saying… “if it doesn’t exist in three places, it doesn’t exist”.
It sounds like your backup routine is pretty robust, if you’re truly swapping out backups to one being offsite. I would personally prefer using a could backup (in addition to what you’re doing) as this ensures that your data is stored far, far away. I used to live in California so the earthquake example was always a good one… if my offsite location is at the office or in the bank vault and the “big one” hits and takes out most of California, chances are my local and backup are both toast. I like cloud backups, which are in industrial servers and mirrored in multiple locations. My personal preference is Backblaze but there are others as well.
I don’t think there’s a need for a separate backup of your NEF files if they are already managed and backed up by Vaults. It’s easy to open the package of a Vault and dig out all your original .NEF files, if you ever got desperate.
@PhotoJoseph
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Thanks a lot for your reply, Joseph.
I thought I do have my images in 3 places already: my managed files on one drive and 2 separate drives of Vaultsbut hadn’t thought about needing them in 3 different physical locations.
I did look into Backblaze through your link and it appears totally simple so I subscribed.
It will be nice to free up that extra hard drive that held the original files.
Thanks again.
iamunique127,
Great, glad to hear it. Your initial backup may take a considerable amount of time if you have a huge archive and/or a slow upload connection, BUT it’s a really nice feeling once it’s done.
@PhotoJoseph
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