[Leica] Re: Digital image storage

[LRZeitlin@aol.com]

Fears about obsolescence and deterioration of magnetic storage media are well 
placed. The half life of a specific magnetic format is about five years. I 
have a drawer full of 5 1/4" magnetic discs that I no longer have the 
equipment to read. My research lab has reels of magnetic tape dating back 20 
years that are well on their way to decomposition. Even my 3 1/2" floppies 
can no longer be read by my newest computer. Last year I started burning my 
own CD-roms for long term storage of valuable data and intend to transfer my 
image files to them. A 650MB CD disc holds more than100 scanned images, costs 
less than a dollar and, according to the manufacturer, will last until the 
next century. Because of the enormous base of music CDs and the emergence of 
DVDs, equipment should be around to play them until then. By the end of this 
year, I should be able to store my lifetime file of 10,000 negatives on 
CD-roms in a couple of shoe boxes and call up any image to print of a high 
quality ink jet printer.

I won't scrap my Leicas in favor of digital cameras, at least not yet. I 
will, however, store the resulting images in a more convenient and durable 
format.

LarryZ