Camera and Film Storage

JADoss23 · Mar 24, 2017

Have collected a large amount of film and several cameras over the past year. Was curious what people use to organize or store their film and cameras to declutter? Thanks!

Gerald C Koch · Mar 24, 2017

First make two lists of what you have. If the cameras are valuable then you should have pictures for any insurance claims along with purchase prices. Save any documentation such as sales receipts. For film a list of what you have on hand and where it is stored, freezer, refrig, ... BTW when cameras with manual shutters are not being used the shutter should be detensioned, ie uncocked. Don't leave batteries in cameras. They will know and leak. I have two metal cabinets where I keep my cameras. But to a certain extent clutter comes with the territory.

Cholentpot · Mar 24, 2017

Dumped in a cheap cabinet. Good cameras with functioning meters are on top shelf. Meterless and clunkers go middle. Obsolete formats or sorta working cameras are on the bottom shelf in a jumble.

The cool looking ones are on display.

Ap507b · Mar 24, 2017

Lots of gadget bags. Started out as on a shelf but have now spilled over to be a pile on the floor in front of the shelf. Also have a small set of plastic drawers on a table for other odds & ends.

Luckless · Mar 24, 2017

Personally I'm a fan of storage cupboards/cabinets. Still working on my own collection, but expect something along the lines of a china cabinet might eventually be had to house the camera gear.

The style I have in mind would be the kind with the solid faced lower drawers/cupboards, then open shelving in the middle of the top section flanked by glass panelled doors on either side.
- Stuff that is used often goes in the upper middle part where it is easy to grab.
- Nice looking stuff that doesn't get used as often goes in the glass fronted sections to help keep the dust off.
- Anything else gets stored below, out of sight, in simple divided trays as needed.

Key thing in my experience is to try and limit larger 'junk drawers/boxes' of things. Annoying to find something when you go looking for it a year or two later.

thuggins · Mar 24, 2017

Two words... "plastic bins".

bsdunek · Mar 24, 2017

Ap507b said:
Lots of gadget bags. Started out as on a shelf but have now spilled over to be a pile on the floor in front of the shelf. Also have a small set of plastic drawers on a table for other odds & ends.

That's kind of what I do. I get old, neat leather camera bags off eBay. Generally for very low prices as they don't seem to be very popular. I have two closets with shelves in my home office where I keep all my camera equipment, as well as other office type stuff.
As for film, I have taken over the freezer section of our second refrigerator in the basement. I use plastic food tubs labeled with the kind of film to keep it (relatively) well organized.
Oh, my antique camera collection is in a glass cabinet in our living room. Makes a nice display and conversation starter.

CMoore · Mar 24, 2017

thuggins said:
Two words... "plastic bins".

We are shooting a remake of "The Graduate".....i think we have a part for you.

GRHazelton · Mar 24, 2017

I use "plastic bins" the sort with lids that clamp on. They exclude dust, mostly, but allow air circulation. I really need to build some sort of data base for my GAS syndrome. I'm fortunate that wife Flora is understanding and tolerant.

Sirius Glass · Mar 24, 2017

Generally I store each camera in its own pack. The only exceptions are:

that I have a pack both 35mm slrs in one one pack because one is for color and one is for black & white. The WideLux is in that pack.
that I have a pack that can carry both the Hasselblads if I want both of them on a trip.

carlostaiwan · Mar 27, 2017

Here in Taiwan is really humid, I use a massive off-brand tupperware as a dry box. The box has a soft plastic bottom, like the ones you can find in fruit boxes. And a couple of dehumidifier (or dry box) inside. I bought a couple of hygrometers (to see the humidity) one is outside and the other one inside. the outside one usually marks 80% the inside one usually 35-40%.
For the film, the same, but smaller, inside the fridge or a cold(ish) place.
Really cheap DIY drybox.

Camera and Film Storage

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