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OT: storing lenses at home

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DavidP #28649

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If you have more lenses than you can fit in your normal carry bag, how do you store the lenses at home?

I have:

1D
17-35/2.8
28-70/2.8
70-200/2.8 IS
10-400/4.5-5.6 IS
28-135/3.5-5.6 IS
50/1.4
85/1.2
135/2
ST-E2
550-EX
1.4x-II TC
2x-II TC

Whew!

Even with my Domke J-1, F-7, and F-6(?) bags, I can't quite fit everything into them. Even then, I have to do a lot of jockeying around if I want to use a different set of lenses.

I'm thinking about getting one large, or maybe two small, Pelican cases to keep the lenses in at home. That way, I'd have something nice and sturdy, too, should I ever need to check them on an airline (don't intend to do so, though), or even for long hauls on a trip.

What are you others doing?

Maybe I should get a gun safe, and put the camera stuff in there, instead.

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
 
Hey, I want one of those 10-400L lenses. Must be a behemoth though.

Seriously, I recently purchased a 48w x 20d x 72h white cabinet from Home Depot just to store all my gear. In it I have my 5 camera bags (with gear), tripods, Alien Bees strobes, light stands, folding posing bench, etc., etc. Not as secure as a gun safe but it does a good job of consolidating all my gear.
DavidP said:
If you have more lenses than you can fit in your normal carry bag,
how do you store the lenses at home?

I have:

1D
17-35/2.8
28-70/2.8
70-200/2.8 IS
10-400/4.5-5.6 IS
28-135/3.5-5.6 IS
50/1.4
85/1.2
135/2
ST-E2
550-EX
1.4x-II TC
2x-II TC

Whew!

Even with my Domke J-1, F-7, and F-6(?) bags, I can't quite fit
everything into them. Even then, I have to do a lot of jockeying
around if I want to use a different set of lenses.

I'm thinking about getting one large, or maybe two small, Pelican
cases to keep the lenses in at home. That way, I'd have something
nice and sturdy, too, should I ever need to check them on an
airline (don't intend to do so, though), or even for long hauls on
a trip.

What are you others doing?

Maybe I should get a gun safe, and put the camera stuff in there,
instead.

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
Click to expand...
--
Doug Walker

D30 w/BG-ED, Elan 7e, Sigma 15-30, Tokina 17mm ATX PRO, Canon 28/2.8, Canon 28-135 IS, Canon 28-70L, Canon 50mm F1.4, Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS, Canon 100-400L IS, Canon 100 USM macro, Canon 1.4x teleconverter, Kenko Pro Extension tubes, Arca Swiss B1, Hakuba carbon fiber, 3 550ex, ST-E2, Alien Bees
 
That's quite a nice line-up you've got there. My own:
D30
17-35/2.8
28-105/3.5-4.5
75-300/4.5-5.6 IS (up for sale)
85/1.8
100/2.8 macro
135/2.0
200/2.8 II (to be replaced with 200/2.8 IS if Canon ever makes one.)
1.4X-II TC
420 EX flash with two brackets

And, of course, spare batteries, storage media, filters, extension tubes, off camera flash cords, etc.

To be added:
2nd body (1D?)
50/1.4
Two yet-to-be determined wide primes.
Either the 70-200/2.8 IS or the 300/4 IS.

And, if ever produced, 70-200/4 IS, replacement model of 28-70/2.8, 180/3.5 IS macro.

I used to keep it all in a PhotoTrecker AW backpack, throw it in the car along with a smaller bag and then pick out what I needed when I got to location. Since having two friends have all their gear stolen out of their car trunks, I've stopped doing that. Now I store it all in an old chest used just for that purpose and take with me only what I think I'm going to actually need.

Doug
 
What are the details on those stolen cameras? Were they in a "bad area" of town? How did somebody know they had valuables in the trunk?

I only take with me what I need (esp. since I only want to carry one bag with me on trips that involve air travel). Sometimes going home, though ( a 6-hr drive), I'll take most of it along, in multiple bags.
Doug Caesar said:
I used to keep it all in a PhotoTrecker AW backpack, throw it in
the car along with a smaller bag and then pick out what I needed
when I got to location. Since having two friends have all their
gear stolen out of their car trunks, I've stopped doing that. Now
I store it all in an old chest used just for that purpose and take
with me only what I think I'm going to actually need.
Click to expand...
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
 
I bought a Fire King 2-drawer filing cabinet for the camera gear.

It's lockable, sturdy, and fireproof. And at 250 lb (about the weight of a fridge) it can actually be moved if need be. A typical fireproof gun safe can get up to the 500-750 range easily.

I have a Jeep Cherokee, which translates into having no trunk. I bought one of the larger Pelican cases to keep the gear in when it's in the car. The case is locked, and one of the locks is fasted to a security cable looped around a strut, so even if they were to simply break a window they'd still have a hard time running off with the equipment.

The Pelican case is wheeled, btw, so if I fly I hand carry my camera gear in a bag and put my clothes in the case. When I get there I unpack the case, then lock up the camera equipment, looping the security cable around whatever's handy.

As you may have noticed I'm a little paranoid about this. But as the saying goes, that doesn't mean they're not out to get you--especially asI've had camera gear ripped off twice in the last year or so.
 
I keep my lenses in a drawer/storage bin system I have in my closet. Not a safe as a gunsafe, but it works for now.
DavidP said:
If you have more lenses than you can fit in your normal carry bag,
how do you store the lenses at home?

I have:

1D
17-35/2.8
28-70/2.8
70-200/2.8 IS
10-400/4.5-5.6 IS
28-135/3.5-5.6 IS
50/1.4
85/1.2
135/2
ST-E2
550-EX
1.4x-II TC
2x-II TC

Whew!

Even with my Domke J-1, F-7, and F-6(?) bags, I can't quite fit
everything into them. Even then, I have to do a lot of jockeying
around if I want to use a different set of lenses.

I'm thinking about getting one large, or maybe two small, Pelican
cases to keep the lenses in at home. That way, I'd have something
nice and sturdy, too, should I ever need to check them on an
airline (don't intend to do so, though), or even for long hauls on
a trip.

What are you others doing?

Maybe I should get a gun safe, and put the camera stuff in there,
instead.

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
Click to expand...
--
Valliesto
 
One was at a beach in a touristy area, but the other was in the owner's own driveway in a good neighborhood. Thankfully, both were insured.

My only problem with the car is that sometimes I want to stop on the way home to take care of an errand. Now I go home first, unload the gear, then run the errand.
DavidP said:
I only take with me what I need (esp. since I only want to carry
one bag with me on trips that involve air travel). Sometimes
going home, though ( a 6-hr drive), I'll take most of it along, in
multiple bags.
Doug Caesar said:
I used to keep it all in a PhotoTrecker AW backpack, throw it in
the car along with a smaller bag and then pick out what I needed
when I got to location. Since having two friends have all their
gear stolen out of their car trunks, I've stopped doing that. Now
I store it all in an old chest used just for that purpose and take
with me only what I think I'm going to actually need.
Click to expand...
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
Click to expand...
 
An extra wide steel filing cabinet. Bottow drawer dedicated to camera gear, the top drawer to cut media and other printing supplies. My 600 IS lives in a Lowepro 600AW.
DavidP said:
If you have more lenses than you can fit in your normal carry bag,
how do you store the lenses at home?

I have:

1D
17-35/2.8
28-70/2.8
70-200/2.8 IS
10-400/4.5-5.6 IS
28-135/3.5-5.6 IS
50/1.4
85/1.2
135/2
ST-E2
550-EX
1.4x-II TC
2x-II TC

Whew!

Even with my Domke J-1, F-7, and F-6(?) bags, I can't quite fit
everything into them. Even then, I have to do a lot of jockeying
around if I want to use a different set of lenses.

I'm thinking about getting one large, or maybe two small, Pelican
cases to keep the lenses in at home. That way, I'd have something
nice and sturdy, too, should I ever need to check them on an
airline (don't intend to do so, though), or even for long hauls on
a trip.

What are you others doing?

Maybe I should get a gun safe, and put the camera stuff in there,
instead.

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
Click to expand...
--
Jan Brittenson
http://www.rockgarden.net/janbrittenson/gallery
 
A pelican case is a great idea.

Store it in the basement.

Crimminals will never enter a basement to steal anything.

If its expensive, keep it in the basement. Its also a more stable temperature environment.

Murphy
 
I've got roughly the same gear (D30 rather than 1D, however) and a pile more other stuff, too. I've devoted an entire small closet to my photography gear and nothing else. I built shelves into it to facilitate storage of this type of equipment. Heck. I've got over a dozen bags alone. I do keep my lenses tucked away in a Pelican case, however. When I head out to shoot, I select gear and bag appropriate for the occasion and I'm off. Works for me.
DavidP said:
If you have more lenses than you can fit in your normal carry bag,
how do you store the lenses at home?

I have:

1D
17-35/2.8
28-70/2.8
70-200/2.8 IS
10-400/4.5-5.6 IS
28-135/3.5-5.6 IS
50/1.4
85/1.2
135/2
ST-E2
550-EX
1.4x-II TC
2x-II TC

Whew!

Even with my Domke J-1, F-7, and F-6(?) bags, I can't quite fit
everything into them. Even then, I have to do a lot of jockeying
around if I want to use a different set of lenses.

I'm thinking about getting one large, or maybe two small, Pelican
cases to keep the lenses in at home. That way, I'd have something
nice and sturdy, too, should I ever need to check them on an
airline (don't intend to do so, though), or even for long hauls on
a trip.

What are you others doing?

Maybe I should get a gun safe, and put the camera stuff in there,
instead.

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
Click to expand...
--
Mike Flaherty
http://imageevent.com/mflaherty/mikesgallery
 
I live in the Detroit, MI area. Around here, unless you're centrally air-conditioned AND run a dehumidifier in your basement (I do both), you're apt to ruin basement-stored items with moisture. Might be safe in a basement in Arizona or Northern Canada, however.
Murphy said:
A pelican case is a great idea.

Store it in the basement.

Crimminals will never enter a basement to steal anything.

If its expensive, keep it in the basement. Its also a more stable
temperature environment.

Murphy
Click to expand...
--
Mike Flaherty
http://imageevent.com/mflaherty/mikesgallery
 
In Hong Kong where I live, humidity is usually very high - up to around 90%. I solved the problem by picking up a thing called a "dry box". Its like a very small bar fridge that you plug into a mains power socket. It has some kind of electronic de-humidifier device inside and a nice german humidity gauge. It keeps humidity to around 40%. You can get them in different sizes here. I think they are made in Taiwan. Mine is a mid size model and cost a mere US$125 - quite a bargain.
Doug Caesar said:
Doug
Mike Flaherty said:
Murphy said:
A pelican case is a great idea.

Store it in the basement.

Crimminals will never enter a basement to steal anything.

If its expensive, keep it in the basement. Its also a more stable
temperature environment.

Murphy
Click to expand...
--
Mike Flaherty
http://imageevent.com/mflaherty/mikesgallery
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
So other than humid how is it in Hong Kong? Its someplace I've always wanted to go, but doubt I'll make it. I used to fly in and out once in awhile on MS flight simulator, but other than that....

Doug
John Cryer said:
Doug Caesar said:
Doug
Mike Flaherty said:
Murphy said:
A pelican case is a great idea.

Store it in the basement.

Crimminals will never enter a basement to steal anything.

If its expensive, keep it in the basement. Its also a more stable
temperature environment.

Murphy
Click to expand...
--
Mike Flaherty
http://imageevent.com/mflaherty/mikesgallery
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I'm insured up to $10,000 through my homeowner's policy (and it extends to my car as well). The key is not to make it obvious you have expensive stuff in your trunk.
Doug Caesar said:
One was at a beach in a touristy area, but the other was in the
owner's own driveway in a good neighborhood. Thankfully, both were
insured.

My only problem with the car is that sometimes I want to stop on
the way home to take care of an errand. Now I go home first,
unload the gear, then run the errand.
Click to expand...
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
 
Never heard of a basement. ;)

Oh, yeah. That's things that Yankees have. ;)

Nobody has them down here. In Oklahoma, the closest thing would be a storm cellar. But I don't know anybody here in Houston who even has one of those.
Murphy said:
A pelican case is a great idea.

Store it in the basement.
Click to expand...
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
 
Well, you know all the stuff I have David. Very similar to what you have. I found that only 2 bags will carry it ALL. One is the Tamrac 614 Super Pro, but since it's NOT suitable for airline travel, I also enjoyed a Lightware bag I had. it was basically an indestructible kevlar tub ballistic nylon covered suitcase. Your airline travel that is what I'd get, but since I am not a air traveler, the Tamrac is a great alternative as it's easy to work out of and get access to all the gear easily, and easily setup.
 
Same here in Singapore. I keep everything in a drybox. It was a locally made one and cost slightly less than US$100.

Cheers
Ian
John Cryer said:
In Hong Kong where I live, humidity is usually very high - up to
around 90%. I solved the problem by picking up a thing called a
"dry box". Its like a very small bar fridge that you plug into a
mains power socket. It has some kind of electronic de-humidifier
device inside and a nice german humidity gauge. It keeps humidity
to around 40%. You can get them in different sizes here. I think
they are made in Taiwan. Mine is a mid size model and cost a mere
US$125 - quite a bargain.
Click to expand...
--
Ian S
http://www.rainpalm.com
 
Mike Flaherty said:
I live in the Detroit, MI area. Around here, unless you're
centrally air-conditioned AND run a dehumidifier in your basement
(I do both), you're apt to ruin basement-stored items with
moisture. Might be safe in a basement in Arizona or Northern
Canada, however.
Click to expand...
I think your right.

I do have central air so I never considered that.

I have no mold or moisture problems and I live just North of Detroit.

Murphy
 
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