Lens Storage

[wallrat]

Hi all, I remember there being a thread recently about lens storage and as I expected there are as many ways to store lenses as there are types of people. Well, I'm the type that goes overboard (some people think anyway) when it comes to storing and caring for my gear. I absolutely love finding better storage systems, rearranging my gear, etc when I'm not out shooting of course. Disclaimer aside, I wanted a safe, relatively dust free way to store my lenses that would also work for when I carry my gear in the back of the car. I had heard of using fishing reel cases and tried a couple but was never really impressed overall. I was surfing Amazon the other day and came across this holder (linked below) and it arrived yesterday. It's amazing in all aspects; quality, design, protection and capacity! I highly recommend it if you are looking for a nice lens storage solution. I'll get a couple of snapshots of mine loaded up later today.

It has an outer "shell" lid that closes via velcro all around the perimeter and there are 2 long, waterproof zipper pouches inside it that are perfect for filters, cable releases, cleaning cloths, extra lens boards, spanner wrenches, etc. After that is open, there is a zipper top that opens to the main compartment. The inside of the zipper lid has a number of pouches that use elastic to bunch them closed. I used them to store my myriad of lens wraps that I use when I want to throw a couple of lenses in a backpack. The main compartment is padded well with one main divider down the middle. The sides and middle divider are very soft and stick to velcro very well. 6 dividers are included and are identical to the dividers that come in traditional camera bags. I needed a couple of extras and the large bag I have left over from Lowepro and Pelican cases worked great. In the end, it's $35 well spend and holds a lot of lenses. I have 3 of Reinhold's meniscus lenses, a 90 f6.8, 150 5.6, 135 5.6, 210 f5.6, a "Galli" meniscus in a copal 1, and a number of brass barrel lenses. I even have a bit of extra room. All the above mentions lenses are on Tech type lens boards. Hopefully this will help someone find what they were looking for!

http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Company-Fork-Fishing-Reel/dp/B004I8T9CA

[John Fink Jr.]

Thanks, this looks very handy!

[wallrat]

Glad you feel so. After using it for a couple of weeks I don't know how I lived without it. Quality is awesome and I'm very happy with it!

[jp]

Looks useful! Is it strong or just a soft case? If it's soft it looks like it could fit inside a pelican 1500.

[wallrat]

It's soft. I'll see how it fits in my Pelican and let you know.

[John Fink Jr.]

Where's those custom pictures you promised;)

[wallrat]

I'll snap some this evening. My wife's car accident and packing to move is killing my free time, what little I had to begin with. I already have the light tent setup so I'll get a few shots tonight for you.

[wallrat]

Here are some shots as promised:

The case has 2 "lids". The very top lid velcro's to the case tightly but is not dust tight. This top pocket does have 2 dust and water tight zipper pockets.

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Below that lid, the main case is closed via a full zipper.

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Unzip the inner lid. On the inside of that lid you have 1 full length, full width zipper pocket for items that aren't too thick. It would be perfect for a note pad and pen, paperwork like reciprocity charts, etc. Attached to that are 3 bungie pockets. You see those here holding three 15" Domke Lens Wraps.

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[wallrat]

The heart of the case includes one long divider down the middle effectively splitting it in two. You can move it as all of the dividers are traditional velcro dividers like those in almost all adjustable camera cases. It includes 6 more dividers to split it into 8 total pockets. I have some smaller lenses, like the Galli meniscus special and some other oddities, so I needed more dividers. I dug into the ziplock full of dividers and found a number of them that fit. I was able to fit all of my lenses, aside from my Nikon 180 which hasn't been delivered yet, and I have room for it on the bottom right which is currently filled with a 11" Domke Wrap. You can see that all of my lenses are still on the lens boards and I have 3 of Reinhold's lenses at the top. Anyone with one of those knows they are far from compact.

Oh yeah, I hate dust so I put about anything that will fit in anti-static bags.

Let me know if you have any questions.

-Bill

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[John Fink Jr.]

Bill, I'm sold:cool: Thank you so very much for taking the time to provide these images.
Yes, we are keeping the zip-lock people in business. I see the Reiny lenses fit nicely too. I own one so far.

Hope your wife is doing well!!
Thanks again,
John

[wallrat]

As soon as I fill this one I'll buy a second. I love it. I will win my war on dust :)

The wife is having a tough time, especially regarding her neck but time will heal hopefully.

Thanks for the concern,
-Bill

[JMO]

There was a mention in this thread about Ziploc bags, which are indeed good for keeping out dust and moisture from lenses or other things photographers might need to carry. I am a recent new member of this Forum, who works for the company that makes Ziploc bags (SC Johnson & Son, Inc. of Racine, Wisconsin). All LF Forum members are familiar with Ziploc bags in the normal sizes, but if you might need a bag that has also has some breathability to it consider the Ziploc Veggie or Produce bags that are available in the US and Canada. These have tiny ventilation holes in the bag webbing, but , alas, are only available in 1 gallon size. Some years ago there were also 1 quart Veggie bags available, but those did not sell enough to survive as a product in SCJ's line ('Sound like the situation with LF film?). FYI, the 4th generation owner of SC Johnson, Sam Johnson, was an avid outdoorsman and photographer who, when he acquired the Ziploc business said he thought those bags were especially useful for outdoorsmen and photographers (among other users), including for holding "fishing bait" and so many other items. He travelled all over the world, for decades, and used a Hasselblad MF camera to photograph waterfowl and other wildlife (his special interests). Try the Veggie bags of you need a little ventilation when you use such plastic bags. ....J. M. Owens (Racine, Wisconsin)

[John Fink Jr.]

Hey Bill,

Mine arrived yesterday and it's already taking care of my lens storage. You are certainly spot on with this wonderful case.
I may indeed get another one when needed. My wife ribbed me by asking why I hadn't found this myself since I seem to have every bag known to mankind (not true):cool:

Thanks again and take care!
John

[wallrat]

Lol. JMO, look into antistatic ziplocks. That is what I use. I split an order of 1000 bags with another forum member and ended up with 500 bags for $47 including shipping. They are 6x9 and hold 4x5 film holders and most technika mounted lenses. That price work out to even less than ziplocks annd they are thicker as well. I purchased the 2mil bags from Unlined.

[Bill, 70's military B&W]

These cases sound like they are just what I've been looking for. I just ordered 2.
Thanks,
Bill

[Michael Rosenberg]

Bill,

Did you buy the larger or the smaller case? This really looks great.

Mike

[John Fink Jr.]

Mike,
Here's the original link at the beginning of the thread.
I bought the larger one that Bill originally spoke of. Wonderful!!

http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Company-.../dp/B004I8T9CA

[Bill, 70's military B&W]

I thought about it, and decided to buy 2 large ones. I considered buying one of each but the height was shorter on the smaller one.
Great price, and they are tried and proved by the OP. Looking forward to the postman bringing them.
Bill

[wallrat]

I now own 2 large ones and I have no complaints but I do have one improvement that I would like to share. I noticed that the bottom of the bag is not padded in any way, it's just nice, tough fabric. The lack of padding bothered me a little, but more in that in didn't give the case as much rigidity as I would have liked and it would be nice to have the protection as well. I decided to cut two pieces of 1/4" black foam core board. It's a huge improvement and I highly recommend it. The size to cut is 10" x 14" and it fits like a glove! I used a t-square and a razor knife and you would think it came that way. Just a heads up as the cases are great, but this little improvement really seals the deal on a perfect case!

[Bill, 70's military B&W]

Wallrat, great idea!

[John Fink Jr.]

Mine sits on a shelf, but I agree it's a worthwhile improvement!!
Thanks Bill.

[wallrat]

Bill, are you liking the cases so far?

[jp]

I got one of these based on the recommendations and reasonable cost. I ended up using it for my 35mm lenses and will have to get another for LF. It might even hold two TLRs well with ample accessories and film.

It fits well in a pelican 1500 case as long as you don't use the pocket storage area for anything thick. It still has about an inch on either side for additional storage. I like pelican cases for being waterproof/crash proof, and I like this Allen case for its dividers and layout and light weight. I can take the Allen case out of the pelican case if I need something light weight to carry about. I highly recommend it over the pluck foam many of us use in pelican cases.

[jp]

86290 to go along with what I wrote.

[jp]

And the smaller Allen fishing reel case fit in the bottom of my backpack very nicely.

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[StoneNYC]

And the smaller Allen fishing reel case fit in the bottom of my backpack very nicely.

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Zombie thread lol