Shopping for another box, this time for camera gear.

[Stick Figure]

In recent years my camera and lens collections have grown beyond wanting to throw them in a bag in the closet when they aren't in use. I've gone over a few storage ideas but I keep coming back to a tool box for this. Although that could just be one of my other obsessions creeping in to the decision making process. Anyway I've been looking at a lot of boxes but I'm just not sold yet, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask some other opinions.

Criteria:

Black or at least "pretty" since this will be in the house, and not in the garage. Vintage isn't necessarily out of the question, but new and clean is a huge advantage here.

26"-50ish" I'm fairly flexible here.

More tall drawers the better. 4-5" drawer height is my target height for the lenses to be able to maximize the space. Being able to rearrange the box to have these at the top would also be awesome.

A good looking butcher block style top would be a great bonus. I can add it if it doesn't have it but I would like to use the top for product photography and a good butcher block background is something I use pretty regularly anyway.

I would really like to keep this under $500 if I can. I'm not afraid to invest more to avoid getting something I hate and have to replace right away, but I'm not planning to abuse this like my actual Mac and Snap on TOOL boxes.

It's really the drawer height and lay out that's kicking my **** here. I've looked at a few HF options and a lot of Husky stuff. The shallow drawers that maximize space for hand tools make it less useful for this repurpose, and I've never tried to order drawers from either of these to know if I could just buy a deeper drawer to put in place of a couple shallows or not.

I've got a couple more cases of gear to drag how home from the shop and then I'll try to do some mock layouts to get a better idea of the space I want. Until then any help is appreciated!

 

[ez-duzit]

Used office file cabinet.

 

[Stick Figure]

Used office file cabinet.

I thought about that but then I switch to the opposite problem of drawers that are way too deep.

If I could find the industrial version of this


https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Adept...FDPGlZKXSmf0bfe-d7waAmawEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

it would be a great start

 

[RTM]

I am using an old wooden TV cabinet, with three equal depth drawers (guessing VHS or DVD storage). The plan was to install dividers to keep everything in place, but the best laid plans

The drawers are deep enough for all but my Canon 70-200 2.8 w stability control to stand up right. Not sure about my Tokina 80-400 atx. My main gear would fit in one drawer w a motley selection of dividers. The peripherals, underwater, gopro, flashes and remote stuff was planned for a second drawer.

Printer for computer goes where the TV was.

Tripods clutter a closet.

 

[firworks]

I keep my camera stuff in a Ruggard Electronic Dry cabinet. You could certainly put a butcher block top on one to make it a work surface (If you got a big one). It doesn't have drawers though, it's got shelves. That gets you out of the deep drawer problem.

 

[steaks&anvils]

A dresser? IKEA...

A vintage (old) card catalog file? they are sturdy but can have too many partitions. Also are trendy and can be expensive. There are many kinds of storage sizes: photo, computer punch cards, movie reels, VHS etc. They can be hard to find too.

browse this thread for ideas:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305350

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I have an ungodly amount of camera gear for my day job. I’ve tried numerous solutions over the years but have pretty much settled on https://www.zargasusa.com they weigh way less then a comparable pelican case, and last as long or longer for all of the air travel I do. I have my equipment in cases based upon type. Ie my lighting gear is in 3 cases. My “essential gear is in one” and all my specialty gear is in cases by use. That way when I get a call and have to be on the opposite side of the world in 24 hours it’s grab and go.

Depending on where you live and if you don’t travel with your gear I would consider a dehumidifier cabinet from BH photo or the like, as camera gear especially lenses stored in areas with a relatively high humidity can have lots of issues over time.

 

[Formerjeeper]

Do they have Menards in Omaha? If so their 30-36” tool cabinets meet your criteria.

 

[Stick Figure]

I am using an old wooden TV cabinet, with three equal depth drawers (guessing VHS or DVD storage). The plan was to install dividers to keep everything in place, but the best laid plans

The drawers are deep enough for all but my Canon 70-200 2.8 w stability control to stand up right. Not sure about my Tokina 80-400 atx. My main gear would fit in one drawer w a motley selection of dividers. The peripherals, underwater, gopro, flashes and remote stuff was planned for a second drawer.

Printer for computer goes where the TV was.

Tripods clutter a closet.

Not a bad set up from the sounds of it. I do have a pair of Pixma Pro 100 Printers and a flat bed scanner that will most likely be coming home as well. I have these on a cheap Ikea shelving unit right now so I didn't really think about incorporating them in to the same piece.

I keep my camera stuff in a Ruggard Electronic Dry cabinet. You could certainly put a butcher block top on one to make it a work surface (If you got a big one). It doesn't have drawers though, it's got shelves. That gets you out of the deep drawer problem.

I've looked at the dry cabinets before. I like the extra protection offered but I'm not a fan of the shelf for organization. A couple years ago I had most of my spare gear stored on a shelf and it always stayed spare because you almost forget you have it when its buried behind the last 3 lenses. Yes this is a whole different hoarder situation that needs a solution but still.

A dresser? IKEA...

A vintage (old) card catalog file? they are sturdy but can have too many partitions. Also are trendy and can be expensive. There are many kinds of storage sizes: photo, computer punch cards, movie reels, VHS etc. They can be hard to find too.

browse this thread for ideas:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305350

I've been watching craigslist and the link around here. Nothing spectacular has popped up and I've already got some DIY furniture projects on my list as well as some cars that haven't been out from under their covers for a year because of our moving, so I'm really leaning towards that "buy and starting using" option. I'll take a look at that thread and see what kind of trouble it can get me into though!

I have an ungodly amount of camera gear for my day job. I’ve tried numerous solutions over the years but have pretty much settled on https://www.zargasusa.com they weigh way less then a comparable pelican case, and last as long or longer for all of the air travel I do. I have my equipment in cases based upon type. Ie my lighting gear is in 3 cases. My “essential gear is in one” and all my specialty gear is in cases by use. That way when I get a call and have to be on the opposite side of the world in 24 hours it’s grab and go.

Depending on where you live and if you don’t travel with your gear I would consider a dehumidifier cabinet from BH photo or the like, as camera gear especially lenses stored in areas with a relatively high humidity can have lots of issues over time.

I've got a couple Pelican cases but usually for my day outings I can pack into a pair of Tenba bags. A year and a half ago when I moved my tools and cars back to Omaha, I moved a lot of my camera gear with them. Then I ended up buying more/different stuff for the year we were in California still. This is the first time I'm getting all of my gear together so this will also be about a reset to see which equipment I actually use when I have all of the options in front of me.

Do they have Menards in Omaha? If so their 30-36” tool cabinets meet your criteria.

Yes we do and yes they do. I'll be honest I forget about Menards for tool boxes. The last couple of times I have needed something I look at the website and get all excited only to get to the store and find out it's not in stock locally. It looks like they have a couple options on hand that I can check out on the way to the shop today though!


Thanks for the responses everyone.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I've got a couple Pelican cases but usually for my day outings I can pack into a pair of Tenba bags. A year and a half ago when I moved my tools and cars back to Omaha, I moved a lot of my camera gear with them. Then I ended up buying more/different stuff for the year we were in California still. This is the first time I'm getting all of my gear together so this will also be about a reset to see which equipment I actually use when I have all of the options in front of me.

Regardless of how you store your gear I’d strongly recommend organizing it into kits for dedicated tasks. I’E lighting gear, portrait gear, pov, drone, essentials. I’ve found over the years that I may go a while without using a specific piece of gear but then a project comes along and that item is essential to getting the shot. It’s all about the right tool for the job.

If your bored, check out my Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/grant_gunderson/?hl=en

 

[Stick Figure]

Regardless of how you store your gear I’d strongly recommend organizing it into kits for dedicated tasks. I’E lighting gear, portrait gear, pov, drone, essentials. I’ve found over the years that I may go a while without using a specific piece of gear but then a project comes along and that item is essential to getting the shot. It’s all about the right tool for the job.

If your bored, check out my Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/grant_gunderson/?hl=en

That is part of the reason I want to do this. My lack of space while in CA and splitting my possessions between Nebraska and California for a year left bits and pieces everywhere. Right now it's been upgraded to scattered all over the floor in the spare bedroom trying to figure out what might fit where. The Menards tip was good although their boxes are pricey for the quality. I'll probably still end up paying it just for the drawer sizes I need. Looking into "Garage Cabinets" opened up a lot more possibilities with taller taller drawers than most "Tool Boxes" offer. I've got to stop by a different location tonight on the way home, the one the other morning didn't have everything in stock.

Nice IG feed. The photography is good, but I think I'm more impressed that you are able to keep the algorithms happy posting both about mills and skiing. My personal feed is https://www.instagram.com/brandon_most/ although my constant inconsistency hasn't been good for the social media game lol.