How do you store your gear?

[nda]

How do YOU peoples store all your hard earned gear
Here's me

[neuroanatomist]

I've outgrown a single case...   

I need to re-shoot this pic at some point, as I've replaced the Peli 1600 with a Storm im2720 (deep enough to hold the 600mm f/4L IS II), replaced the Primus AW backpack with a Flipside 300, added a Lens Trekker Pro 600 AW II, RRS tripod bags, and a few more S&F accessories.

[Iahcon]

In my gun safe.

[nda]

In my gun safe.

niceee

[vlim]

Wow i'm really impressed ! for two bodies and 4 to 5 lenses (no longer than a 400 5.6), which pelican case is recommanded ?

[PackLight]

I've outgrown a single case...   



I need to re-shoot this pic at some point, as I've replaced the Peli 1600 with a Storm im2720 (deep enough to hold the 600mm f/4L IS II), replaced the Primus AW backpack with a Flipside 300, added a Lens Trekker Pro 600 AW II, RRS tripod bags, and a few more S&F accessories.

If these are not all full you need to think about adding a few more supertele's.
Otherwise you will be waisting space.

[neuroanatomist]

Wow i'm really impressed ! for two bodies and 4 to 5 lenses (no longer than a 400 5.6), which pelican case is recommanded ?

Personally, I'd recommend Storm cases over the Peli cases (although Peli bought Storm, so it's the same company).  The Peli latches are called 'knuckle busters' for a reason, the Storm latches are much easier (and quieter). 

I think a Storm im2600 would work for you, Peli equivalent is the 1554.  A Storm im2700 would give you room to grow.  The im2620 or im2720 are taller, and allow white zooms (70-200/2.8, 100-400, 28-300) to stand on end - the Peli equivalent is the 1614 pictured above.  If you want to stand the 400/5.6 upright you'd need the im2750 (Peli 1624).

You might be able to get your gear into a Storm im2500 (Peli 1514).    Those are the largest hard cases approved for airline carryon, if you fly with your gear.  That's why, in addition to the larger and smaller cases, I have an im2500.  I have the one with the dividers, although when flying with gear I take those out, pack the gear in either the Flipside 300 or Flipside 400AW, and put that loaded backpack inside the im2500.  That way, I have safe transport just in case I'm forced to check the gear, a locked case for hotel rooms, and an easy way to carry my gear around once I get to my destination.

[Jay Khaos]

Damn.. nice..  I bet you attract some attention showing up at an airport with those cases.  I like the cases in yellow.  I have 3 of the largest size and 2 non-wheeled, all black (max carryon size).

I'm not sure if they are sold third party or what (I stole mine from this sketchy company's warehouse i used to work for when they laid me off).  They are foam sheets fitted to the size of the case.  4 or 5 of them stack to fill the case and you can pluck out little squares to create your own slots and holes and whatnot.  I don't have a photo, but thats a good alternative to padded lens sleeves if you know what youre putting in your case..

[vlim]

Thanks a lot for your answer ! I have to think about that kind of solution at home...

[squarebox]

Would that storm case be good for storing lenses as opposed to a lens cabinet with a dehumidifier attached?

[Jeffrey]

I keep my camera bodies and lenses in a safe. The rest of the gear is on shelves or in cabinets.

[neuroanatomist]

Would that storm case be good for storing lenses as opposed to a lens cabinet with a dehumidifier attached?

I keep a desiccant pack in each of my cases (the indicator kind, so I can replace them when they get saturated).  I suppose the only down side to an airtight case with a desiccant pack is that prolonged storage in very low humidity is also not good for lenses (high humidity means mold, ultra low humidity dries out grease and rubber components).  But if the lenses are used frequently (all of mine are), there's no real risk from the desiccant storage.  The advantages of the Storm case are that they're portable (that's one reason I have several - there are bigger ones, but I don't want one so heavy I can't move it), and they're both waterproof and breakproof (ceilings leak, pipes burst, etc.). 

True story: Pelican changed their guarantee terms a while back, when they got a new CEO, I think.  The current version is basic cut-and-dried legalese, but the old version (which is still found reproduced on some vendor websites), stated, "The guarantee does not cover shark bite, bear attack and children under five."  I have young kids...   

[crasher8]

Would a Storm im2400 be a nice size for:

The gear in my siggy plus
430 ex


I'm not looking for room to grow just a good fit for that, thanks

[neuroanatomist]

Would a Storm im2400 be a nice size for:

The gear in my siggy plus
430 ex

I'm not looking for room to grow just a good fit for that, thanks

I think that would work.  For comparison, in the im2300, I store 5 lenses (no bodies): 35L, 85L II, 100L Macro IS, 135L, and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II.  A gripped body will not fit in the im2300 or im2400, but a non-gripped body will fit fine.

[crasher8]

Thx NA