It all starts off nice and simple, a couple of cameras and lenses, then things slowly get out of hand. There are thousands of small parts that make up a commercial studio, and keeping on top of it all often seems like an impossible task.
When I started out, I had a Bronica EQRsi, a 75mm lens, and a bag of film. Then, my uncle kindly lent me his crop sensor SLR camera, and after that, I purchased the first my first full frame body and a few Canon L lenses, and I was kind of happy carrying it around in a small bag. Over the next few years, a few more backup bodies arrived, and then, more lenses, lights, stands, modifiers, and triggers arrived, and I was up to two bags. Before I knew it, I was moving into a studio space, and from that point forward, trucks became a requirement for jobs to pack all of the gear into them.
Granted, not everyone wants to go down the commercial photography route, but for those who do, you will find that you quickly end up with so many tiny bits of kit that it is hard to keep track of all of them and to make working easy. With every job needing something slightly different, being organized is key.
In this video, I go over my method for packing bags and storing gear, from what I put into which case or bag through to how I label my plugs and sockets.
How do you organize your camera gear to make working as easy and fast as possible?
Been thinking about this myself. Currently got one main roller whee the cameras and lenses live and a backpack for the on location light kit.
Got a 2nd roller sat doing nothing at the moment.
Studio wise I am putting together a grip kit in an old tool box to leave at the tether station for things I need quick access to. Storage hooks have been put up and racking in the office to help also.
I use the coat hook you use in your space to hold reflectors and spill kills that are taken off lights when using modifiers and just in general, also use a few to hold egg crate grids if they are removed from a modifier during a job.
I would like to make some changes to the lights in the studio by moving to units that are battery based with AC Pack option. Ultimately one set of lights to do all instead of mains powered 400/600 heads plus a selection of location lights. Kind of a consolidation.. but that will be a long way off. #fuckyoucovid
I am sure I will find other things to tweak as well. The never ending studio evolution. lol
Yeah I’m 100% holding off on big purchases until the COVID mess is over. Which is frustrating
Your hazylite is not on a flamingo stand. I know that makes me a wanker, but it irritates the hell out of me every time you get the name of bits of Bron gear wrong, and don't even get me started on "spill kills" GRRRRRR. /H
What is the stand called ?
I couldn’t find any other information on it.
Thanks
Hi Scott,
It is called a Hazylight Stand. (No I am not taking the piss) Broncolor code 35.200.00.
It was also used for the Cumulite mini. There was a bigger one for the Cumulite called the Cumulite stand, Bron was not very imaginative with their names.
I have both. Definitely prefer the Flamingo stand but they are both cool.
Cheers,
Jason.
Thanks Jason. It’s hard to google for answers when you don’t know what you are looking for haha.
Impressive, all this equipment and its organization. Do you get rid of all your old equipment or do you add more storage space or room for some that you want to keep but don't fit into the work set?
I tend to use things until they break. Anything else I give away to people in my area
its always a head braker to pack your gears ... but first of all its to decide what to not take
Yes choosing what not to take is really the tough part.