Cost effective cloud storage

doopydug · 16 Apr 2020 at 08:31

Our photograph collection has built up over the years to the extent that we have hard drives full - many TB.

We would like to back them up to a cloud solution in case of mechanical failure or some other reason where we don't have access to the hard drives.

What are the most cost-effective solutions for photo storage these days, guys?

edgedemon · 17 Apr 2020 at 13:57

Have you considered a paid Flickr plan? Unlimited storage, full res jpgs, no Raw, about 60 quid a year off the top of my head. I have shed loads up there and really like it.
Smugmug also offer unlimited storage, but they are more expensive

doopydug · 17 Apr 2020 at 14:43

I didn't even consider them - will look into it - thanks

edgedemon said:
Have you considered a paid Flickr plan? Unlimited storage, full res jpgs, no Raw, about 60 quid a year off the top of my head. I have shed loads up there and really like it.
Smugmug also offer unlimited storage, but they are more expensive

Minstadave · 17 Apr 2020 at 14:45

Amazon Prime gives you unlimited photo storage (JPG and RAW iirc).

doopydug · 17 Apr 2020 at 14:46

WOW - I did not know that - epic !

Minstadave said:
Amazon Prime gives you unlimited photo storage (JPG and RAW iirc).

EGuitarStar · 17 Apr 2020 at 15:19

I don't think RAW storage is free at least it isn't for me as I've been storing JPGS on Amazon for a number of years and have purchased additional storage due to RAW files.

Minstadave · 17 Apr 2020 at 15:23

EGuitarStar said:
I don't think RAW storage is free at least it isn't for me as I've been storing JPGS on Amazon for a number of years and have purchased additional storage due to RAW files.

Looks like you're right, never actually checked!

The_Abyss · 17 Apr 2020 at 21:25

Before looking at the storage I'd definitely be looking at the library and having a cull of all those image that are just being kept for the sake of keeping them.

GravyMonster · 18 Apr 2020 at 13:08

Minstadave said:
Amazon Prime gives you unlimited photo storage (JPG and RAW iirc).

To give that away for free it means they've got bots trained on quantifying every single picture you upload, similar to Facebook and Twitter. That may not bother you, but it's certainly something to be aware of.

EGuitarStar · 19 Apr 2020 at 08:40

Minstadave said:
Amazon Prime gives you unlimited photo storage (JPG and RAW iirc).

You are right, I had no idea and purchased additional storage, found out my picture folders had videos too.

So JPEG and RAW files are unlimited storage.

Energize · 27 Apr 2020 at 21:39

I use Microsoft Onedrive, it's £4.20 a month per TB and 50GB exchange email account, any filetype.

I've never found a solution that's a better all round cloud backup for the money, I've found ones that specialise in photos tend to have a limited range of filetypes and no video support.

But yes, first port of call should be .dng conversion and image culling, because traffic shaping can be another problem with cloud storage.

easyrider · 15 May 2020 at 22:43

Thought I would share.

What I have done while in lockdown is sign up to Microsoft 365 family that gives me 6TB Cloud Storage in Onedrive.

I then installed StableBit Cloud Drive on my Server that is Running Stablebit Drivepool

I connected each of my 1TB Onedrive accounts to Clouddrive then created a 6TB storage pool

Then I use SyncBack Free to backup the server Photos Directory to the 6TB clouddrive pool

Minstadave · 15 May 2020 at 22:47

easyrider said:
Thought I would share.

What I have done while in lockdown is sign up to Microsoft 365 family that gives me 6TB Cloud Storage in Onedrive.

I then installed StableBit Cloud Drive on my Server that is Running Stablebit Drivepool

I connected each of my 1TB Onedrive accounts to Clouddrive then created a 6TB storage pool

Then I use SyncBack Free to backup the server Photos Directory to the 6TB clouddrive pool

Thats pretty cool, will try it out.

easyrider · 15 May 2020 at 23:08

Minstadave said:
Thats pretty cool, will try it out.

Russinating · 16 May 2020 at 10:37

Google Drive/Photos. Unlimited JPGs and videos. Additional storage is reasonable.

Mainly the photo search is genuinely incredibly useful.

poosemon · 19 May 2020 at 12:32

Russinating said:
Google Drive/Photos. Unlimited JPGs and videos. Additional storage is reasonable.

Mainly the photo search is genuinely incredibly useful.

Think i am right in saying that the unlimited jpgs is either only via Google Pixel phone, or when you allow google to compress the image (think they are stored at 12 to 16MP)?

I use Google Photos myself, we each have a our own google accounts, then a shared central google account. Have set both phones to sync to the central google account so all phone pictures end up in the same feed. Also, if i have used a camera i upload into google drive and that goes into the google photos too. Works well for myself and easily accessible and shareable. Our calendar and joint docs on google drive is also synced to the central account so if either of us adds something to it we both get it etc

Phate · 19 May 2020 at 13:12

Backblaze? - 50 quid a year or so, unlimited storage

Buddy · 19 May 2020 at 13:44

I quite like the way flickr presents the images when stored. They have an organiser which is handy. Can create private albums and share link with family.

edgedemon · 19 May 2020 at 18:40

Buddy said:
I quite like the way flickr presents the images when stored. They have an organiser which is handy. Can create private albums and share link with family.

This +1
I'm the same, I did use smugmug but couldn't see the point in having both and I like the Flickr interface so much more and it is so easy to organise stuff..

Russinating · 20 May 2020 at 17:40

poosemon said:
Think i am right in saying that the unlimited jpgs is either only via Google Pixel phone, or when you allow google to compress the image (think they are stored at 12 to 16MP)?

Yeah I think it's 16MP. I'm lucky in that my account is so old I still get the facial recognition as well. SO useful!

None of the stuff Flickr does is better, whereas Google does have added features.