How do you store ALL of your gear?

[bryan k]

I have a Tamrac Expedition 5 backpack that holds quite a bit and worked for me up until my latest purchase....

I had this in it:
20D with battery grip
50mm 1.8
18-55
10-22
75-300
28-135
100 2.8 Macro
550EX Flash
2 extention tubes
some hoods. filters, batteries, chargers, monopod, etc.

It was slightly heavy, but I could take it places, it was nice having everything in one place. Yesterday I got my 70-200 2.8 L and 24-105 L and have to rethink my storage- it won't all fit... Since I don't need everything all of the time, I am ok with building the backpack (or canon bag which holds body, 3 lenses, and a flash) depending on the trip, but I think there has to be a better way...

My question to you - What do you store everything in while its in your home? Some of those travel suitcases look great (although pricey) and would be very handy if I went on a photography trip. Its just becoming a pain to take all lenses out that I don't need and leave them on a table or something while I am using the bag or backpack....

Thanks,

Bryan

[Raphael Emond]

I put all my equipement in a Pelican 1550 case.
Enough room for an upgrade, though and heavy!!

[Scottes]

4 camera bags and several of those big plastic storage containers for the stuff I don't use too often, and the boxes, manuals, and such. I think I have too many doo-dads, yet I'm always finding a reason to get another doo-dad or two....

[Wilt]

I have enough stuff in my medium format film system that some resides in a nice Lightware case, while the working inventory goes into a shoulder case.

I have enough stuff in my 35mm film system that some resides in a big large format case (that would hold a large format monorail camera) while the working inventory goes into a shoulder case.

I have enough portable lighting (Metz flash, battery packs, etc) that that stuff resides in two drawers, while the working inventory goes into a shoulder case separate from the camera system in use.


I don't have that much in my dSLR inventory yet to warrant a separate case

[subtle_spectre]

Pelican 1654
Tamrac Expedition 8
Cases for lighting gear
and a bid shelving unit

[MDJAK]

I can't wait to have too much stuff that I need more bags. :)

mark

[bryan k]

I can't wait to have too much stuff that I need more bags. :)

mark


Well, by looking at your signature, it would appear you are well on your way....

[bryan k]

I don't know what I was thinking. In my original post I said I had a Lowepro bag- I don't know where I got this from.... I have a Tamrac Expedition 5 (last years model).

http://www.tamrac.com/5575.htm

The 8 looks big... and cool.... and heavy...

[T.Hogan]

Just recieved my Lowepro Photo trekker II AW and it's HUGE. I think that I will build a hammock next to my bed, and tuck it in when not in use. Any more equipment and I will be building a really nice dog house, my owner(wife) says.

[bryan k]

I put all my equipement in a Pelican 1550 case.
Enough room for an upgrade, though and heavy!!

Is that a soft case, like a duffel bag or do they make a hard case version of that one?

[bryan k]

Just recieved my Lowepro Photo trekker II AW and it's HUGE. I think that I will build a hammock next to my bed, and tuck it in when not in use. Any more equipment and I will be building a really nice dog house, my owner(wife) says.

I thought I lost my eyesight for a second ;)


"Just recieved my Lowepro Photo trekker II AW and it's HUGE. I think that I will build a hammock next to my bed, and tuck it in when not in use. Any more equipment and I will be building a really nice dog house, my owner(wife) says"

[T.Hogan]

The photo trekker is a large backpack, almost like a small sleeping bag.

[bryan k]

T.Hogan,

Wow, that looks like a parachute! They look similar to the Tamrac expedition series (well, from the outside at least). I hate to spend 225+ dollars for storage since... maybe this is the L sickness kicking in... but thats like 40% of a Canon 17-40 L !!!!

I have a feeling I am going to be broke before Christmas.

Maybe Thanksgiving.

B

[yenoram]

I use multiple camera bags - Lowepro Slingshot 200AW for the stuff I use the most and a Lowepro Mini Trekker and a Tamrac shoulder bag (can't remember the model) for the my other gear. In the short term, I'd suggest selling your 70-300 and the 28-135 - based on my experience, with your new glass, these lenses won't see the light of day.

[SuzyView]

Multiple bags. Keep all gear ready to go at all times. Now I fill each bag with what I need. It takes way too much time to move things around right before a shoot.

[T.Hogan]

I picked the bag "new" from digital corp. for $183. and free shiping. T.Hogan,

Wow, that looks like a parachute! They look similar to the Tamrac expedition series (well, from the outside at least). I hate to spend 225+ dollars for storage since... maybe this is the L sickness kicking in... but thats like 40% of a Canon 17-40 L !!!!

I have a feeling I am going to be broke before Christmas.

Maybe Thanksgiving.

B

[Ray Marrero]

I use tamrac expedition 8, and for umbrellas and lights and "stuff" I have two black truck boxes from Walmart, only $17. When I am on the go I just put the truck boxed in the car and go. I will need a third box soon though.

[Billginthekeys]

i keep everything in a nature trekker II AW. with a lens case straped to the side.

[ZeroFiveOne]

Sorry to resurrect the dead thread here, but I've been doing a lot of searching on POTN to get a good feel of how everyone stores their gear.

The common thing I'm seeing here: Your stuff isn't secure! By secure, I mean protected from a thief getting his/her dirty hands on your stuff easily. (We all know to keep our stuff dry and off the ground.)

Some folks, like me, work a full 5 day week with no time to shoot. That means some of us leave our gear at home while at work. And some of us, me included, are not allowed to bring cameras to our workplace.

What do I do to protect my investment(s) while away from the house?
I keep it all locked in a safe (not a cheap one). The safe is bolted to the floor. The combination isn't written down anywhere. I'm the only one who knows the combo.

Even if I didn't own a few firearms, I would have bought a safe of some sort for my camera gear.

The bottom line: There is no such thing as complete protection. The only thing you can do is limit other's ability to get at your goods.

Something to think about?
Or am I just being paranoid? :mrgreen:

Cheers,
-John-

[awad]

i keep all my crap spread all over the living room. i use it too much to actually pack it up when im done. i have insurance, so if someone wants to come and steal it all, im not going to lose too much sleep over it.

[Scottes]

I insure everything. Cheaper than a safe big enough to hold it all. Well, I'd get at least 15 years of insurance for the cost of a decent safe big enough to hold my gear.

And insurance covers a heck of a lot more.

And where's your safe when you're traveling?


Yes, you're being paranoid.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Honestly?

I have no insurance. I just set my gear here and there, and I'm not really concerned. My 70-200L IS usually sleeps between my keyboard and monitor on top of my desk, my 35L, 24-70L, and flashes sit on top of my pc tower. my rocket blower, CF cards, batteries, and so on sit on top of my desk wherever, and my 100 macro I keep in a bag because it doesn't stand up well, but it doesn't lie down well either (it rolls).

I have a couple lowepro lens cases, a Kata H-14, and a Lowepro Orion Trekker for if I go out, but the Kata is usually the winner. I'll have to find something bigger when I get my MR-14EX and other stuff. Probably a big Nova or something.

[crn3371]

I figure that's what homeowners insurance is for. If someone breaks into my house, they're going to get a lot more than just my photo gear, so I don't really worry about it.

[ZeroFiveOne]

All this talk of insuring your gear just begs the quesion: How much do you trust your insurance company?

Ask the thousands of people on the Gulf coast if they trust their insurance company after Hurricane Katrina...they might have a few things to say.

I realize I might be talking about apples and oranges here, but there is a common thread. These companies are HUGE and keep a large stock of lawyers on a retainer just for occasions when they think they shouldn't have to pay a policy holder.

Something to think about:)

Cheers,
-John-

[awad]

i can afford to buy all my equipment over again, so if worse comes to worse, i wont be out of a job.

[Scottes]

I think you're just trolling, really.

[dooks88]

I put all my equipement in a Pelican 1550 case.
Enough room for an upgrade, though and heavy!!

I have the same case. It is heavy, but worth it for the piece of mind.

[ZeroFiveOne]

I think you're just trolling, really.

If trying to encourage discussion about security/insurance issues is trolling, then I'm guilty as charged. I don't see the harm.

You might think I'm being paranoid about securing my stuff, but I have good reason to think and act the way I do.

My firearms collection has grown over the last 10 years much faster than I ever anticipated. Yes, they are all covered by my insurance. But my insurance company won't be able to replace all of my weapons. Some of them aren't made/imported into the U.S. any more. Why would I trust only in my insurance company to take care of my stuff?

If you had a really old bellows camera that is no longer made or is extremely rare, would you leave it laying around your house for the taking? I know I wouldn't...

By the way, most of my "paranoia" comes from my proffession: Federal Law Enforcement Agent. I've seen enough crime in my day to take steps of my own to protect myself, my property and hopefully you. Forgive me for trying to help. But I guess I'm just a troll, eh?

Cheers,
-John-

[Scottes]

If you want to help, then help. Your methods are those of trolls. Give us some facts, statistics, reasons.

Instead, you throw about FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) with extremist statements that say nothing. "How much do you trust your insurance company?" and "Ask the thousands of people on the Gulf coast if they trust their insurance company after Hurricane Katrina..." followed by unprovable "information" meant to prove that you are of some importance: "...comes from my proffession: Federal Law Enforcement Agent."

What kind of crap is that? It's troll crap. Inflammatory implied accusations with no intended credibility, meant solely to provoke, not to educate.

Move on troll, or stop trolling and start educating.

[Mark_Cohran]

Things are getting pretty heated here.

I find validity to both the insurance and the security issue. I have a specific rider to cover my electonics (computer and camera), but I also have a monitored security system on my home, plus a locking Haliburton Zero Aluminum Case to lock up my gear. I'm not going to put it in a safe, though, that's just overly paranoid to me. And yes, I do trust my insurance company to reimburse me for any loss gear, as I've had no issues with them for previous unrelated claims.

Mark

[Jim7226]

Personally, I use both the insurance and safe method to protect my vital property. Rarely, if ever, do I take all my camera equipment with me when traveling...so when it's not needed, it stays locked away.

Ten years ago I wouldn't have carried insurance nor owned a safe...but experiencing a theft of your personal property has a big way of influencing your future ways so as not to be victimized once again.

[Tapeman]

The gear I leave at home goes in a gang box. (A heavy gage steel jobsite storage box the size of a refridgerator.) I may eventually get a gun safe as it is also fire resistant. My home owners insurance covers my gear.

[pepsi]

All of my gear stays housed in my backpack. (I don't have nearly as much as a lot of y'all do!)

I have renters insurance that covers everything at my house. I also have a seperate policy to cover my camera body, my 17-40 and my 70-200 along with my firearms that extends out of the house. That way, if my car gets popped and my bag gets stolen, I'll still be covered.