So I know we've talked about camera bags before, but how do you guys keep your gear stored when  you aren't hauling it?  

Personally, I have my stuff divided into 4 'bags.'  One (Lowepro) has the camera, lenses, commonly used cleaning gear, etc.  The others are (1) extra cleaning, batteries/chargers, and misc accessories, (2) flash modifiers and equipment, (3) light stands and umbrellas.

Mind you, I paid significantly less than retail price on my ones, but the Allen fishing gear bags work fantastic for photography stuff.  Water resistant fabric and compartments, heavily padded, set up with dividers out of the box, and super easy to just grab and toss in the truck.  My main two main bags are an older version of the (new one linked) Allen Reel & Gear case, with the Cottonwood Rod and Gear bag being perfect for light stands, umbrellas, and misc stuff.  Not bad considering I have probably $50 on all of it.   The Cottonwood will fit standard size light stands with a bit of clearance, so I managed to squeeze 3 light stands plus umbrellas and other goodies into it.

They make a smaller one for $17, but for half the size and 2/3 the price, why not just get the big one?

And yes, I'll post photos of how my stuff is set up later today.  

Thanks for posting this.

Not into cameras, but the links above show some bags that would be great to pack AR pistols for road trips.

Thanks for posting that...I'd like to see how you have it all organized.

I like to take my camera with me in my side by side, but it's usually pretty dusty and jarring so it would be nice not to have to wrap everything in a trash bag so it doesn't get covered in dirt.

No problem, and I'll try to get photos taken here in a bit.  Completely spaced it yesterday so it's on my list for in a few. 

So here are the cases in order.  I did purposely leave some pockets empty, that way if I need to stash something or grab <whatever> from another case, I can do it without rearranging stuff.  I also picked up some cheap aluminum luggage tags from Amazon to put labels on them.  Figure $8/8 isn't bad.

-Light stand case with a closeup of how I have them and the umbrellas secured

-Flash modifier case with extra batteries and charger in the zip top, and user manuals and lens wipes in the flip top compartments.  I'd like to organize it a bit better, but since the modifiers are so bulky, it's easier to just keep them boxed up for now.  Once I get rid of some umbrellas and other stuff, I'll likely put them in with the light stands.  Granted that'll also depend on if I'm going to Bowens mount full size softboxes, etc as well.  But for now it works great.

-Misc case with a bit of everything.  Extra battery adapters, video lights, pocket tripod, lens pouches, cleaning gear, sensor loupe, etc.

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Wowzers.


On the topic of bags, I need a small soft case for my backup camera. No lenses needed in the bag (I can use my Full Frame lenses on the crop camera)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KT7GKCQ?tag=vglnk-c102-20

I have that for the camera / lenses... just need a smaller one for the backup.

Why not get one of those fleece lined neoprene lens bags?  You can get 3-4 for $15 in different sizes.  I have the 3 pack of these, and they'll hold everything except my wide angles without issue.  Probably 1/4" of neoprene with fleece inside. Small enough that you can stick it in your main bag without issue, or (if needed) clip it to the outside.

That or, depending on the size of the mirrorless, grab something like this admin pouch.

I can't fit the FF, Crop and 2 lenses in the main bag.

I would rather keep the FF cam and 2 lenses together, and the crop in a separate (smaller) bag as the backup.

Ah okay.  What camera is it?  I'll see what I can dig up.

Canon 80D

no freaking idea why I thought you had a mirrorless, so those ideas wouldn't have worked anyhow.  Lemme see what I can figure out.

Honestly, for the price I'd just consider the little $17 Allen soft case.  Figure the 80D is 5.5 x 4.1 x 3.1 in. and the bag is 8.25x5x3.75in internally.  Could hold it in place with one or two of the foam dividers (one on top, one on the other side, and give yourself a touch of storage plus what's in the lid.  

But I am biased as these are padded as hell.  Minimum of a half inch of closed cell foam padding on the sizes, with closer to .33" on the top and bottom.  If it's a worry,  you can sandwich the camera with the 1/4" foam dividers.  That said, I'll keep looking but I don't think I'll find that much padding for less than $20.

Not really finding much on inexpensive and fitting the camera.  The only really other idea I'd have would be one of the EVA cases.

This guy is designed for a video monitor but has foam you can cut and is 9.4x7.4x3.5" externally, so it should fit the camera with a little extra padding on the sides.  $15.  Pretty sure it's the same case my flash came in

That Allen case seems like it would work.

Thanks.

 Honestly, those Allen cases are awesome for the money.  It's why I have so many of them. 

Gets here Tuesday.