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Thread started 20 Aug 2008 (Wednesday) 21:08
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What is your gear storage technique?

 
ben4633
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Aug 20, 2008 21:08 |  #1

I have been into photography for a bit over 2 years now and am still trying to figure out the best way to store my gear and I guess im looking for ideas. I cant even tell you how many backpacks, slingbags, shoulder bags i have bought and returned because I was unhappy with them. So, my question is what do you guys use to store your gear when not in use? What do you guys use when going out on a shoot? Do you guys typically take everything, or does it depend on the actual shoot? I know there are various types of photographers in here many of you have alot of gear so I think the responses will be all over the place, but I think all your responses will be great. Thanks


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Rafal_BC
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Aug 20, 2008 21:54 |  #2

If you're searching for that one perfect bag, give up now. There are excellent bags, but each has a purpose and eventually you'll end up with a closet full of them. I have 5 or 6 that I've narrowed it down to, and each has their place and time.

Storage:
I store my shooting gear in a TT Airport Acceleration backpack. All my lenses, bodies, flashes, PWs and other shooting-related accessories manage to fit inside. It weighs a good 50 pounds, but then I rarely take the whole thing along.

My chargers and cables sit on a shelf in the storage closet. They get tossed into a Domke J-2 for transportation.

Computer equipment including card readers, hard drives, backup drives, etc. live on another shelf. These come along in a TT Urban Disguise 50, which also fits a 15" MacBook Pro.

Tripods, monopods, lightstands, etc. I store in TT Humongous Bazooka. Also used to transport the stuff.

I have a whole shelf in my closet to store the rest of my bags - a mix of Think Tank & Domke stuff.

Travel & Transportation:

I choose which bag to take depending on what I'll be doing. If I'm going by car, I have a ton of space so I generally end up taking way more than I need. But it's nice to have choice.

For flight travel, it really depends on the gig. For weddings, I more often than not end up packing along almost everything. All 50 pounds of backpack comes along as carry-on with another 20lbs or so in the Urban Disguise comprising my laptop, portable hard drives (3), readers, misc. cables and all documents I might need.

The Bazooka gets tossed into a duffle bag, along with the Domke containing all my chargers. Somehow, I always end up with another bag of miscellaneous accessories - tape, reflectors, umbrellas (the rain kind), tarps, etc. You just never know what you'll need!

For other gigs - events and travel - I don't need as much stuff and usually know ahead of time exactly what I'll need. So I pare down as much as possible while still having everything backed up and pack it into the smallest bag I can manage.

Usage:

Again, totally dependent on the job at hand. I usually work with a camera on each shoulder so I prefer to have a beltpack. Taking out two bodies, two lenses and two strobes also frees up a lot of space in the backpack, so taking that along would be overkill. If possible, I'll bring only the bare minimum and stash backup gear in a hotel room.

Advice:

Try to figure out what you think you'll need for any specific shoot, and take just that. Don't worry about accumulating a lot of bags - once you have a few to pick from, you'll naturally gravitate towards your favorites. Keep those, sell the others.

One other fun thing to do might be to take along just a couple of lenses in a smaller bag and forcing yourself to use just those. I recently brought only a 17-40 and 300 2.8 to a model shoot and never missed the in-between focal lengths. And this way, you learn to work with what you've got.


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jhom
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Aug 20, 2008 22:09 |  #3

Storage: 2 IKEA display cases hold my lenses, bodies, flash, PSD, filters, light meter, batteries, cords, etc. My lighting equipment, bags, umbrellas, etc are stored in a closet

Bags: I have a collection of Think Tank bags, belts, and components. I pick a belt/bag setup depending on the shoot.

Usage: I only take the gear I need for the shoot. No point to have excess gear or bulk.


Jim

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Quad
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Aug 20, 2008 22:42 |  #4

I use two tool storage chests. I got foam for a big pelican case and use it to fit lenses and bodies. One drawer has one of the grey pelican liners as well. I like the locks to keep out the curious (kids, wives, in laws, roaming bandits). I use another chest with lots of 2 inch drawers consolidated from the 3 chests for prints.




  
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ben_r_
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Aug 20, 2008 23:16 |  #5

When its not in use I have a Pelican 1624 case that holds it all perfectly! See my review of it here: LINK

A little out of date as far as the gear goes, but you get the idea.

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rubber_duckie
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Aug 20, 2008 23:52 as a reply to  @ Quad's post |  #6

I stored all my gears in the dry cabinet to protect my lens from fungus to grow..

So far I have 1 NG medium size back pack
and 1 small shoulder bag give as a free gift from Canon
last but not least a DIY porter shoulder bag.

I only carry what I need....carry too many stuffs will kill my back and shoulder.


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coorz
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Aug 21, 2008 01:01 |  #7

Pelicans; tidy and safe.


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Edgar ­ in ­ ATL
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Aug 21, 2008 05:00 as a reply to  @ coorz's post |  #8

Pelican 1514 with silica gel box.


Canon EOS enthusiast

  
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neil_g
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Aug 21, 2008 06:43 |  #9

i have the following plan at the moment..

got a generic large plastic storage crate from your local DIY / homeware place. purchase some storage foam from tinternet. job done for sub £50. who needs a peli if its only going to sit in a cupboard or under the bed lol


Burp.

  
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SYS
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Aug 21, 2008 09:11 |  #10

STORAGE: Pelican 1614

LIGHT SHOOT: Kata H-14 for events; Kata T-212 Torso Bag for hiking/activities

HEAVY SHOOT/TRAVEL: Kata R-103



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maverickliew
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Aug 21, 2008 10:24 |  #11

An 80L dry cabinet most of the time.

When shooting events/wedding, 2 setups along with ThinkTank belt system all in one Kata OC-84 with trolley.

On normal day when i work, 1 setup with 2 primes and a macro with flash in a Billingham Harvey Pro.

On weekend, a beatup Lowepro Stealth Reporter 200 for me to trash around.


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René ­ Damkot
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Aug 21, 2008 11:23 |  #12

When shooting: Depending on what I bring: Billingham 445 or 335.
At home: In one or both of the bags.
Some old SLR gear in a desk drawer ;)

Lumedyne set in a Pelican case.

Tripod and light stands on this (external link) at home.


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jr_senator
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Aug 21, 2008 16:57 |  #13

I keep 95% of my gear in a Lowepro Road Runner AW wheeled case. I don't pack both of my 550EX flashes (just one), focusing rail or ring light unless I expect to use them. If I travel light I carry my 1D3 and one lens in a Lowepro Toploader 70 AW. I can always take another lens and/or a flash in a small bag (I have several). I wear a smallish, light weight light meter on a cord around my neck. Works for me. One more picture follows.


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jr_senator
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Aug 21, 2008 16:59 as a reply to  @ jr_senator's post |  #14

cont.


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SuzyView
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Aug 21, 2008 17:24 |  #15

ben_r_ wrote in post #6148912 (external link)
When its not in use I have a Pelican 1624 case that holds it all perfectly! See my review of it here: LINK

A little out of date as far as the gear goes, but you get the idea.

IMG NOTICE: [NOT AN IMAGE URL, NOT RENDERED INLINE]

IMG NOTICE: [NOT AN IMAGE URL, NOT RENDERED INLINE]

IMG NOTICE: [NOT AN IMAGE URL, NOT RENDERED INLINE]

Ben, that storage system is INSANE! I love it! I wish I had a system like that one. Congrats and seriously, a thing of beauty and I'm salivating as we speak!:o

I keep the gear in 3 bags, 2 being the TT International and Pelican 1510. The "grab and go" stuff in one of my favorite Domke bags, as usual. I love Jon. He makes me spend money on Domkes. :)


Suzie - Still Speaking Canonese!
RF6 Mii, 5DIV, SONY a7iii, 7D2, G12, 6 L's & 2 Primes, 25 bags.
My children and grandchildren are the reason, but it's the passion that drives me to get the perfect image of everything.

  
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What is your gear storage technique?
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