At home camera & lenses storage, recommendations please.

wilt

wilt

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I hope this is the right section to ask this.

I have one body (Z8) and 11 lenses (largest being the 70-200 and 100-400 amongst them)
To store them at home I have them spread out across 4 different camera bags.
This is a right pain in the backside as I have to continually open each one to find the lens I'm after as they just get put in a place where there's space and I use each of the bags for different events.

I'm looking a solution to store them all in a protective case/bag/drawer that I can select from easily.

What does everyone else use to store your gear at home, to allow easy selection from, that also keeps them safe?
 
Take a photo of what is in each bag (or make a list) and keep similar lengths together, and pack them away according to the photos (list)
 
I have all my gear in different camera bags :) They are all kept together though :ROFLMAO:

I have a Crumpler messenger bag and my big Osprey backpack that I just swap stuff about depending on obviously what I need and what bag I want to use. I have a small shoulder bag that pretty much exclusively carries my X100f and film camera.
 
I use these - I have 3 of them - I keep all my gear in these and then select what I want to take out

www.vanguardworld.co.uk

DIVIDER BAG 40 15 Litre

The Divider Bag 40 is designed to keep a mid sized camera kit safe at home, in the studio or in the back of a car, ready to decant the kit you need for your shoot. There are also zippered pockets for additional accessories such as cables. As an example, it can fit two DSLR cameras with grips...
www.vanguardworld.co.uk www.vanguardworld.co.uk

I also have the hard case for one of these https://www.vanguardworld.co.uk/collections/cases/products/supreme-40d - a divider bag just drops straight in.

I picked this size so that thehard case is hand luggage compliant for flights.

This system works well for me, and the bags can stack if required for storage
 
I have several of the divider bags that David previously recommended, can't recall the size, and have them wedged into the drawers of a filing cabinet in my office/hobby room. Although unfortunately they are all full of film gear and I need another filing cabinet and set of divider bags to re-house my digital kit which is still all in camera bags: one for Olympus, one for Pentax, one for Nikon APS-C, one for Nikon FF. Yes, I have way too much gear - I suffer badly from GAS! (sometimes both sorts)
 
Or you could buy a “dry” cabinet with a glass front to store them. No more expensive than a fancy camera bag and it keeps the dreaded fungus away. Good selection on Amazon, cheaper options on flea bay.
 
LeeRatters said:
I have all my gear in different camera bags :) They are all kept together though :ROFLMAO:

I have a Crumpler messenger bag and my big Osprey backpack that I just swap stuff about depending on obviously what I need and what bag I want to use. I have a small shoulder bag that pretty much exclusively carries my X100f and film camera.
Click to expand...
I have 4 bags all different sizes for different events, but juggling between them has been a hassle.
 
wilt said:
I have 4 bags all different sizes for different events, but juggling between them has been a hassle.
Click to expand...
I have clear plastic storage boxes, each balleld with the name of the caamera inside it. I have a bag or two of silica gel in each box to keep the humidity dry.
 
Airtight plastic boxes with dividers made from card, and large bags of desiccant to keep it nice and low humidity. Grouped by type, e.g. there's a Nikkor MF box.
 
Gosh - I didn't know this was an issue.

My lenses are in an old box in the cupboard in the hall - and the camera in the shoulder bag alongside them on the same shelf. On the shelf below I have another bag, tripod - and another old box with filters/flash/cables/charger/spare bits.

Not had a problem yet!
 
A quick question for those using desiccant (silica gel) bags.

How often do find you need to 'restore' the bags so that they are still acting effectively/effectively? And as such is the filling one of the colour change varieties & is there a clear panel on the bag to observe the change of colour?
 
wilt said:
That would work if I didn't have to continually empty a bag to use, sometimes two.
Click to expand...
wilt said:
I have 4 bags all different sizes for different events, but juggling between them has been a hassle.
Click to expand...

You need more containers :)

Keep two bags for taking out.

If there is no organised system that is stuck to, nothing will work.
 
Box Brownie said:
A quick question for those using desiccant (silica gel) bags.

How often do find you need to 'restore' the bags so that they are still acting effectively/effectively? And as such is the filling one of the colour change varieties & is there a clear panel on the bag to observe the change of colour?
Click to expand...
I’m using that sort, fairly large sachets (50g) in not too large boxes - would hold a couple reams of A4.

As I had one anyway I’ve also got a temp/humidity sensor in there.

Current one has been in two months, I’ve not seen fit to recharge it yet but humidity is slowly increasing:
Image.png
 
the_accidental said:
I’m using that sort, fairly large sachets (50g) in not too large boxes - would hold a couple reams of A4.

As I had one anyway I’ve also got a temp/humidity sensor in there.

Current one has been in two months, I’ve not seen fit to recharge it yet but humidity is slowly increasing:
View attachment 438286
Click to expand...
Thanks for the insight.

Have I read your humidity 'change' graph correctly? It was initially about 32% and has risen to around 56% ? If so, can I ask where in the world you are located as even 30% humidity to me seems high!

Here in Surrey UK we are currently in a high pressure weather area and my electronic temp/hygrometer device tells me that the room it is in (the lounge) is at 17% and even on the most hot & humid of summer days I don't ever recall seeing above at most 25% and those felt very muggy :(
 
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My lenses are mostly individually wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in bubble wrap lined metal biscuit tins along with silica gel packs. A few are in lens pouches.
 
Box Brownie said:
Thanks for the insight.

Have I read your humidity 'change' graph correctly? It was initially about 32% and has risen to around 56% ? If so, can I ask where in the world you are located as even 30% humidity to me seems high!

Here in Surrey UK we are currently in a high pressure weather area and my electronic temp/hygrometer device tells me that the room it is in (the lounge) is at 17% and even on the most hot & humid of summer days I don't ever recall seeing above at most 25% and those felt very muggy :(
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Your readings seem very low, thought average UK humidity is 50 odd.
 
I'm in Bristol.

The readings are relative humidity, the sensors have been calibrated (to each other at least, but they agree with readings from other devices too).

17% is crazy low, that's dry-sauna levels of dry! Drier than an aeroplane etc. Something wrong there...

The Met office tells me it's currently 85% outside in Surrey..

About the lowest I can get a room in my house is mid 60s with a powerful dehumidifier running, typical UK terraced victorian house. UK Average humidity outside is in the 80-90 range.
 
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Box Brownie said:
Thanks for the insight.

Have I read your humidity 'change' graph correctly? It was initially about 32% and has risen to around 56% ? If so, can I ask where in the world you are located as even 30% humidity to me seems high!

Here in Surrey UK we are currently in a high pressure weather area and my electronic temp/hygrometer device tells me that the room it is in (the lounge) is at 17% and even on the most hot & humid of summer days I don't ever recall seeing above at most 25% and those felt very muggy :(
Click to expand...
As was mentioned, that is almost certainly inaccurate.
Our current readings are 79% outside, and 45% inside. That 79% is quite low, it is often above 90%, and inside it will never go above 55% (controlled)
 
usually sits around the 50-60%
Click to expand...

I wish I had a newer/less leaky house!

Or maybe just would need to run the heating a lot more, never gets cold enough to need the heating on much though (I'm Scottish, my wife is from Yorkshire...it's the tropics down here!)
 
My photography related stuff is spread across 4 different rooms, the boot of the car & the back of the garage (the last two not for cameras or lenses) I have camera bags dedicated to specific systems but some systems have outgrown any practical bag...

I'm starting to see my wife's point that I should get rid of some, perhaps sell some duplicates along with 50 bodies & 100 lenses so I have more chance to find things. It might even happen after I get some good shots of those flying pigs!
 
I keep all my lenses standing with caps on shelves (except 600/f4 which is in a flight case) in a spare room, alongside camera's. All accessories are in drawer units.
I select camera bags and kit depending upon the task at hand and unpack afterwards
The room is heated and has a humidity meter to check levels, not had an issue to date BUT perhaps I should now give it more thought:confused:
 
wilt said:
Quite a few different approaches.
I was thinking of a large rolling bag for everything, anyone recommend one?
Or doing what this guy done, but maybe not as rough around the edges.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=87sSMFX7y9g&t
Click to expand...

I used to use two large trolley bags for studio lighting, but that was for a specific use, was all going to the same place.
I don't see how it would help you much.

You have one body, how many lenses would you use on one trip?
With M43 I can have from 14mm to 800mm (FF eq) with 3 lenses, but more typically what lenses I carry is determined by the topic/event of that day, ie I am unlikely to take the 100-400 to the same place on the same day as the 100-400.
You mention taking up to two bags with you, and having to juggle 4 bags
How would a large rolling bag help you if it was just for at home storage?

Seems the title question has become a bit murky, and would probably answer itself once your aims and needs become more organised :)
 
wilt said:
Or doing what this guy done, but maybe not as rough around the edges.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=87sSMFX7y9g&t
Click to expand...
I started a project like this, and really should get it finished. I was planning on a box for bodies and accessories and a box for lenses and accessories.

Currently my kit is spread out between 3 of my camera bags, but I often have to empty a lot of kit out to get the kit/bag combination that I need.
 
On a pine wood shelf. Although am tempted by the idea of a wall mounted system.
 
Sangoma said:
I used to use two large trolley bags for studio lighting, but that was for a specific use, was all going to the same place.
I don't see how it would help you much.

You have one body, how many lenses would you use on one trip?
With M43 I can have from 14mm to 800mm (FF eq) with 3 lenses, but more typically what lenses I carry is determined by the topic/event of that day, ie I am unlikely to take the 100-400 to the same place on the same day as the 100-400.
You mention taking up to two bags with you, and having to juggle 4 bags
How would a large rolling bag help you if it was just for at home storage?

Seems the title question has become a bit murky, and would probably answer itself once your aims and needs become more organised :)
Click to expand...
My aim is very easy to understand.
I want somewhere safe and protected for my camera body and lenses to all be housed at home, where I can then select from them very easily to fill one/two of the four bags I have for events. Rather than moving lenses from one bag to another to free up a bag or two, as the bag and lens selection differs all the time, for what I'm doing.
 
wilt said:
I want somewhere safe and protected for my camera body and lenses to all be housed at home, where I can then select from them very easily to fill one/two of the four bags I have for events.
Click to expand...
Perhaps consider a wheeled box. I use a Manfroto one which houses 5 M43 bodies and 8 lenses. Others are even bigger.

It has an extending pull handle, a carry handle and a tripod sling all built in.

Manfroto hard wheeled camera case FZ82 P1010630.jpg
Manfroto hard wheeled camera case FZ82 P1010631.jpg
 
wilt said:
Quite a few different approaches.
I was thinking of a large rolling bag for everything, anyone recommend one?
Or doing what this guy done, but maybe not as rough around the edges.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=87sSMFX7y9g&t
Click to expand...
My LF kit is in a large 'Explorer' case which are a slightly more basically a budget version of Pelican cases.
Mine's not portable enough for everyday gear as it fills the rear seat of the car, but it takes two 5x4 bodies with some extras, and does have wheels...

LF case small by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr
 
I have one of these.. .. (not sure if this is the exact model and I'm too lazy to go and have a look).

www.lowepro.com

Pro Roller x100 AW

We've taken our award-winning, proven roller to the next level with the Pro Roller x-Series AW. Its MaxFit System™ makes it easy to customize and maximize the amount of pro-sized gear you can fit and travel with.
www.lowepro.com www.lowepro.com


For the same reasons as you mentioned, plus portability. I have a couple of other Lowepro bags too, one is a shoulder bag, the other a backpack. Our house was burgled and they ripped the trolley case open, although they didn't take any gear. It was a few days after getting the case and I contacted lowepro to ask how much a repair would cost. They asked me to send the bag to them, which I did and they sent me a brand new bag free of charge. Obviously, they had no reason to as it wasn't their fault, but that kind of customer service gives me the confidence to stay with them for future purchases.
 
Moey said:
I have one of these.. .. (not sure if this is the exact model and I'm too lazy to go and have a look).

www.lowepro.com

Pro Roller x100 AW

We've taken our award-winning, proven roller to the next level with the Pro Roller x-Series AW. Its MaxFit System™ makes it easy to customize and maximize the amount of pro-sized gear you can fit and travel with.
www.lowepro.com www.lowepro.com


For the same reasons as you mentioned, plus portability. I have a couple of other Lowepro bags too, one is a shoulder bag, the other a backpack. Our house was burgled and they ripped the trolley case open, although they didn't take any gear. It was a few days after getting the case and I contacted lowepro to ask how much a repair would cost. They asked me to send the bag to them, which I did and they sent me a brand new bag free of charge. Obviously, they had no reason to as it wasn't their fault, but that kind of customer service gives me the confidence to stay with them for future purchases.
Click to expand...
A nice thing for Lowepro to do. All my bags are Lowepro (Tahoe 150, Magnum 650, Classified 160, Flipside 400) they're all great bags.
 
I decided to go for the Halfords Advanced 4 Drawer Side Cabinet.

The ability to lock it, set a bag on top of it to fill, bolt it to the wall and four decent sized drawers swung me that direction,
I was very fortunate to go to Halfords and they didn't have any in stock other than the floor model. So the manager done a good price on it.
I'm now going to completely line the inside of the drawers with self adhesive neoprene and divide them up according to my lenses.

I thought the last thing I need is another bag and if someone broke into my house, they could make off with everything all neatly packed into that one bag.
I'm sure the locking mechanism on the Halfords Cabinet isn't much cop, but it's got to be better than nothing.

Hopefully it'll not take long to get it done and I'll post a few photo of it, if someone else might want to organise their collection.
 
wilt said:
I decided to go for the Halfords Advanced 4 Drawer Side Cabinet.

The ability to lock it, set a bag on top of it to fill, bolt it to the wall and four decent sized drawers swung me that direction,
I was very fortunate to go to Halfords and they didn't have any in stock other than the floor model. So the manager done a good price on it.
I'm now going to completely line the inside of the drawers with self adhesive neoprene and divide them up according to my lenses.

I thought the last thing I need is another bag and if someone broke into my house, they could make off with everything all neatly packed into that one bag.
I'm sure the locking mechanism on the Halfords Cabinet isn't much cop, but it's got to be better than nothing.

Hopefully it'll not take long to get it done and I'll post a few photo of it, if someone else might want to organise their collection.
Click to expand...
I recall some article or maybe a YouTube video about the use of a particular USA based and brand of such cabinets........ IIRC the cabinet was a few 100's of $

An example again IIRC showed a bench top backboard with peg holes and a shelf with battery chargers all lined up.

I will look forward to seeing the results of your finish & configuration:)
 
I use an old wall mounted cabinet with a couple tubs of silica beads to reduce humidity. Generally keeps it 10% drier than the houses ambient.
Might be a bit old school but so are the lenses I keep in it.

I have been toying with the idea of mounting a reptile vivarium heat mat to the wall behind the cabinet and incorporating a thermostat into the box as our house gets pretty chilly in the winter and I hate heating unless its sub zero outside.
lensCase2.jpg
 
Interesting as I've been looking at the Halfords 5 drawer tool cabinet to make all my photography bits and bobs easier to sort and find- but having had a look at their website prompted by your post I might go for the 36" six drawer tool cabinet instead as they have 30% off the full range as a Black Friday sale - may have a wander into the shop this afternoon for a look.
wilt said:
I decided to go for the Halfords Advanced 4 Drawer Side Cabinet.

The ability to lock it, set a bag on top of it to fill, bolt it to the wall and four decent sized drawers swung me that direction,
I was very fortunate to go to Halfords and they didn't have any in stock other than the floor model. So the manager done a good price on it.
I'm now going to completely line the inside of the drawers with self adhesive neoprene and divide them up according to my lenses.

I thought the last thing I need is another bag and if someone broke into my house, they could make off with everything all neatly packed into that one bag.
I'm sure the locking mechanism on the Halfords Cabinet isn't much cop, but it's got to be better than nothing.

Hopefully it'll not take long to get it done and I'll post a few photo of it, if someone else might want to organise their collection.
Click to expand...
 
If you’re buying Halfords roll cabs etc best to buy in store, or click and collect if you can - they can often get dented in transit so you want to inspect first as a hassle to return otherwise. Good cabs though so long as you avoid the cheapest ones - the better ones have much better drawer slides.
 
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