Ipad Mini

[dave lackey]

Godfrey,
Now I am the one not understanding... how do you use the iPad with the M9? What editing software do you use or is it just for storage?

Hi, Dave...
As far as a "can't live without it" device....I can easily live without a computer for the rest of my life. Or driving into Atlanta for that matter. I am not addicted to the cell phone, or the TV, or this computer, nor any of the dozens of computer systems I have used since the 1960s, from mainframes to the current PCs. I don't even need a smartphone...gasp! Others like them and that is fine.

Balance in my own life is what I strive for and the tools I use whether a camera, a hammer or a crescent wrench is only for what it is designed for...I do not wake up everyday craving a chance to hammer something or turn a bolt. If an iPad will work for documentary work, then I will certainly look at it's viability.

If it works, good.

If not, no problem. I will go fly-fishing in my spare time.

[FrankS]

Dave, I don't want to talk you into getting an iPad, but you asked how you could use it, so one use for you would be to present photos of your previous documentary work, while you are on location doing new documentary work. For myself as a teacher, there are 3 ipad apps that I find a huge help for me: youTube (to show fire safety videos for example), TeacherKit (electronic grade book), and Dragon Dictation (for anecdotal records).

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by FrankS

Dave, I don't want to talk you into getting an iPad, but you asked how you could use it, so one use for you would be to present photos of your previous documentary work, while you are on location doing new documentary work. For myself as a teacher, there are 3 ipad apps that I find a huge help for me: youTube (to show fire safety videos for example), TeacherKit (electronic grade book), and Dragon Dictation (for anecdotal records).

All of that sounds good, Frank! It is one reason I started the blog. I really need to figure all of this out and these suggestions are much appreciated.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Godfrey,
Now I am the one not understanding... how do you use the iPad with the M9? What editing software do you use or is it just for storage?
...

Both ... Same way I work with it using any of my cameras:

- set camera to record JPEG+raw (the iPad is capable of but not great for raw conversion, but is a delight to use for editing JPEGs using any number of excellent photo editing apps)

- take card from the camera and insert into the SD card adapter from the Camera Connection Kit

- on the iPad, check what's on the card and tap the ones I want to work with. Tap the "Import" button and choose the Selected Photos option.

All the selected pictures, both JPEG and raw, are transferred to the iPad. Next depends on what I have in mind ...

- Review the photos using the Photos app

- If I see any that I want to edit the JPEGs, start Snapseed or Photogene or FilterStorm and open the image I want to work on. Edit to taste and save to the Photo Library.

- If I see any that I want to work on but they need extensive work, open PhotoRAW and choose the images I want to work on. Make the necessary adjustments then output to TIFF or JPEG. After that, open the TIFF files with Snapseed or Photogene or FilterStorm to do the finish editing, then save to Photo Library.

I normally incorporate the results into slide shows I create with Keynote. This is the one I created last October using the Ricoh GXR and the iPad 2 ... It was completed entirely on the iPad, the only work done on my MacBook Pro afterwards was to output put it to HTML and PDF for display on the web.

HTML: ON TRAVEL - 2011 (HTML)

PDF: ON TRAVEL - 2011 (PDF)

Another alternative, if I'm on a photo trip, is to import photos from the camera card into PhotoSmith, review them, and then set flags, grading values, and input metadata annotation. When I get home, I can upload the photos to my Lightroom catalog and then incorporate all the metadata I created on the iPad into the Lightroom catalog.

I've also created several dozen short films (typically two to four minutes) using the iPhone 4S, the iPod touch and the iPad, and iMovie on the iPad. These are fun shorts for friends and family; I distribute them to the intended recipients via a private account on SmugMug.

The iPad (and iPad mini, and iPhone) are very versatile computers—tools—that you can do a heck of a lot with if you want to. Or they're just toys for those who can't see past the 'cool new gizmo' part. I don't buy computers as toys, I buy them as tools ... Just like cameras. ;-)

---
I might mention that I acquired the iPad 2 in late March last year. I took it on the first trip (California to Jackson, Mississippi to New York to California by road) not knowing whether it would suffice so I carried both it and the laptop the entire way. Used the laptop three times. The next five trips, I took only the iPad with a wireless keyboard and the connection kit, including a three+ week photo jaunt to the UK last October. Worked like a charm. There were only two instances when I had to borrow my friend's computer in the UK because I needed to book a reservation and the particular website would not work nicely with Safari on the iPad.

In the year since, it has proven to be one of the most useful computers I've owned in 25+ years of working with computers professionally.
---

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

Both ... Same way I work with it using any of my cameras:

- set camera to record JPEG+raw (the iPad is capable of but not great for raw conversion, but is a delight to use for editing JPEGs using any number of excellent photo editing apps)

- take card from the camera and insert into the SD card adapter from the Camera Connection Kit

- on the iPad, check what's on the card and tap the ones I want to work with. Tap the "Import" button and choose the Selected Photos option.

All the selected pictures, both JPEG and raw, are transferred to the iPad. Next depends on what I have in mind ...

- Review the photos using the Photos app

- If I see any that I want to edit the JPEGs, start Snapseed or Photogene or FilterStorm and open the image I want to work on. Edit to taste and save to the Photo Library.

- If I see any that I want to work on but they need extensive work, open PhotoRAW and choose the images I want to work on. Make the necessary adjustments then output to TIFF or JPEG. After that, open the TIFF files with Snapseed or Photogene or FilterStorm to do the finish editing, then save to Photo Library.

I normally incorporate the results into slide shows I create with Keynote. This is the one I created last October using the Ricoh GXR and the iPad 2 ... It was completed entirely on the iPad, the only work done on my MacBook Pro afterwards was to output put it to HTML and PDF for display on the web.

HTML: ON TRAVEL - 2011 (HTML)

PDF: ON TRAVEL - 2011 (PDF)

Another alternative, if I'm on a photo trip, is to import photos from the camera card into PhotoSmith, review them, and then set flags, grading values, and input metadata annotation. When I get home, I can upload the photos to my Lightroom catalog and then incorporate all the metadata I created on the iPad into the Lightroom catalog.

I've also created several dozen short films (typically two to four minutes) using the iPhone 4S, the iPod touch and the iPad, and iMovie on the iPad. These are fun shorts for friends and family; I distribute them to the intended recipients via a private account on SmugMug.

The iPad (and iPad mini, and iPhone) are very versatile computers—tools—that you can do a heck of a lot with if you want to. Or they're just toys for those who can't see past the 'cool new gizmo' part. I don't buy computers as toys, I buy them as tools ... Just like cameras. ;-)

---
I might mention that I acquired the iPad 2 in late March last year. I took it on the first trip (California to Jackson, Mississippi to New York to California by road) not knowing whether it would suffice so I carried both it and the laptop the entire way. Used the laptop three times. The next five trips, I took only the iPad with a wireless keyboard and the connection kit, including a three+ week photo jaunt to the UK last October. Worked like a charm. There were only two instances when I had to borrow my friend's computer in the UK because I needed to book a reservation and the particular website would not work nicely with Safari on the iPad.

In the year since, it has proven to be one of the most useful computers I've owned in 25+ years of working with computers professionally.
---

Godfrey, you continue to amaze me...

So, would you recommend the iPad mini or the larger one and what specs?

[digitalintrigue]

It would be between the iPad 4 and the mini if you are looking at new. If you buy used, then the ipad 3. I’d not bother with the 1 or the 2 (the 1 can’t use the latest OS version.)

Depends on what you want to do with them. If it’s a laptop replacement, probably the larger screen. For me, I like to read books and watch movies, and the lighter mini is probably what I will settle on. The heavier iPad 3 can get a little tiring to hold after a while…when reading or viewing.

[mathomas]

I had an iPad 2 and sold it after a couple of months of trying to use it as a laptop replacement (I type a lot when using a computer). That being said, I just ordered an iPad Mini, but have no intention of using it as a laptop replacement. It's small enough to toss in just about any bag, more readable than the iPhone, and I can use the hotspot feature of my iPhone to connect to the 'net just about anywhere.

Now, watch me sell it after two months...

[photomoof]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

I am PC based. Will the Mac mini work with LR? Photogshop CS2?

IIRC, all of my software would have to be repurchased for a MAC system. With all of our medical bills, that is financially impossible if I were to change from a PC.

CS2 won't run on the newest OS Lion, it is just too old. Windows 8 (and earlier versions) will install easily on the Mac Mini, but buying a Mac to run Windows makes no sense to me.

I will most likely install Windows 8 on an external drive on my mini, just to take a look at it. Most of my Windows software is too old however to run on Win 8 properly.

Originally Posted by mathomas

I had an iPad 2 and sold it after a couple of months of trying to use it as a laptop replacement (I type a lot when using a computer). That being said, I just ordered an iPad Mini,

You are aware you can use a keyboard with the mini? And of course with the iPad 2.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Godfrey, you continue to amaze me...

So, would you recommend the iPad mini or the larger one and what specs?

Well, David, given your previous requirements and ideas, neither. You'd be better served with a MacBook Air 11" or 13" running Windows as both your main and mobile computing resource. If you really want a new desktop and mobile as separate devices, change the above to a Mac mini and an iPad.

Then, per my previous suggestion, you want 64G storage and the cellular data capability. That leaves out a new iPad 2 as it is now only available in 16G capacity. You can also buy used and refurbished, to some degree. Pick an iPad mini or an iPad 4th gen based on whether the larger, higher rez screen and greater performance, or the compactness and light weight, are more important. If you write a lot, add a Bluetooth wireless keyboard to either.

Since I'm confident that the iPad 2 64G does the job well enough for my needs, I will order an iPad mini 64G soon, for when the compactness and lighter weight are critical needs. It will be a pleasure to have the same functionality in a smaller and lighter package.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by photomoof

CS2 won't run on the newest OS Lion, it is just too old. Windows 8 (and earlier versions) will install easily on the Mac Mini, but buying a Mac to run Windows makes no sense to me.

I will most likely install Windows 8 on an external drive on my mini, just to take a look at it. Most of my Windows software is too old however to run on Win 8 properly.

Lots of people prefer Apple hardware even if they need to run Wndows for whatever reason.

The installation of Windows on Apple hardware is limited to the internal drive due to some tricky issues with the boot sequence and hardware interfaces. OS X is much more flexible in this regard.

[digitalintrigue]

Originally Posted by photomoof

CS2 won't run on the newest OS Lion, it is just too old.

Correct, the Mac version of CS2 is a PowerPC app and would need Rosetta. There a work around that would allow it to run under Mountain Lion but I won’t complicate this thread by explaining how.

[photomoof]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Correct, the Mac version of CS2 is a PowerPC app and would need Rosetta. There a work around that would allow it to run under Mountain Lion but I won’t complicate this thread by explaining how.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/government...ased-mac/10652 <-- The author makes it sound harder than it is.

Yes it can be done, but not for new users. Easy for me I have a couple of minis.

Originally Posted by Godfrey

Lots of people prefer Apple hardware even if they need to run Wndows for whatever reason.

The installation of Windows on Apple hardware is limited to the internal drive due to some tricky issues with the boot sequence and hardware interfaces. OS X is much more flexible in this regard.

Actually you can, but you can't use Bootcamp, you have to install vmware http://www.vmware.com/ or qemu http://wiki.qemu.org/Main_Page on the external -- not ideal, but it works.

[Godfrey]

That's true, but I never really trust the third party utilities. No need to anyway. :-)

[dave lackey]

Thanks again, guys.

This is getting rather complex and interesting...

[gilpen123]

I use iPad engineering applications quite frequently i.e pressure temperature chart, unit conversion, etc. for my work. I normally will not edit in the Ipad if it's not needed urgently. I'll just store and download later in my MBP for editing. I do have snapseed and IMO a good compact editing application. I store some best shots in my Ipad for showing off to friends. Most used though is push email (office) sync with our server and browsing when I'm waitting for my wife when she's shopping. I do travel a lot as a requirement in my work thus it is an invaluable gadget for me. With the mini, it will serve my purpose well. Cheers!

[GaryLH]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...xus-7-compared

This surprised me.. The pie chart toward bottom of article about web browsing shows iPads accounted for 92% of the hits... How valid are the stats harvest who knows... I am an iPad 2 user who will eventually get the mini, I have been presuming android devices would be at least 15% if not higher.

The article also looks at the difference in How each player is attaching the market.

Gary

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Originally Posted by GaryLH

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...xus-7-compared

This surprised me.. The pie chart toward bottom of article about web browsing shows iPads accounted for 92% of the hits... How valid are the stats harvest who knows... I am an iPad 2 user who will eventually get the mini, I have been presuming android devices would be at least 15% if not higher.

The article also looks at the difference in How each player is attaching the market.

Gary

I bought my son a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 last year for Christmas. He's a computer geek who runs Linux on his Toshiba laptop, and he thought Android was more hackable/geekable than the iPad2 (the current iPad at the time). I have to admit, as a mac user who should want an ipad, that my son's Samsung is very, very nice. It even has a built in GPS, which the iPads do not have unless you buy the cellular-internet versions. It cost the same as an iPad did back then though. I wouldn't mind having either the Samsung or an iPad to use as a portable portfolio, but could only afford one...so Mack got it.

[robert blu]

Originally Posted by Chriscrawfordphoto

...so Mack got it.

i always knew you are not only a good photographer, but a real good father!
robert

[Doug]

My iPad Mini arrived yesterday... Even knowing it would be smaller, I was impressed at how slim and light it is compared to my old iPad 1. And how nicely made, not a surprise. I've read complaints about the "low resolution" screen. But since it shows the same number of pixels in a smaller space, the pixel density is higher than the iPad 1/2 and it looks very sharp and smooth to me. If there's a downside it is that skinny fingers are a plus, since everything on screen is scaled down somewhat. I'm going to enjoy using it.

[digitalintrigue]

Mine did as well, it's a winner. The screen isn't retina but it's excellent nonetheless, and the weight is, well, not weighty at all. This is the biggest difference for me...read books for a far longer period with hands/wrist/arms not getting tired...

[gilpen123]

Wow so far so good, can't wait for it to arrive here. I'm still using my Ipad 2 did not upgrade to the "New iPad" cause I'm waiting for this. Please let us know how the apps that were redesigned for a 7.9" are doing and the existing apps designed for Ipad 2/3.

[digitalintrigue]

Apps just work, no redesigning required

[gilpen123]

Oh I thought there were some apps reconfigured (sorry not redesign) for a smaller screen.

[digitalintrigue]

Not required

[gilpen123]

That''s good.