Getting Organized Cheaply? Inexpesnive Solutions to Video and Audio Equipment Cases?

[Mark Romero 2]

I know you get what you pay for, but...

Does anyone have suggestions for (somewhat) inexpensive cases for transporting and / or storing basic video and audio accessories?

I have a ThinTank airport accelerator for my camera and my flash guns and lenses (since I shoot mostly stills) but looking for a somewhat inexpensive way to transport a couple of LED panels, a couple of smaller mics, a couple reflectors, an umbrella or two. (I am also looking for a new inexpensive solution to carrying light stands as well).

Also, when I get home, things become something of an urban sprawl as well. I sometimes end up spending 20 minutes looking around for a particular battery or a particular tripod head or... If you have ideas for getting more organized (in general) I would love to see them.

Thanks in advance.

[BTM_Pix]

If you're looking for a cheap alternative to the Peli 1510 case, then these are actually pretty decent for a quarter of the price.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/329-US-PRO-Waterproof-Wheeled-Rolling-Travel-Equipment-Tool-Box-Hard-Case-Foam/162057203114?hash=item25bb5cadaa:g:APUAAOSwLs5XKx2R

These padded dividers are really useful for transforming any rucksack into a camera bag and for general storage and faster packing of real camera bags. I have a load of them and organise gear into logical sets (speedlites with triggers in one pack, mics and recorders in another one etc etc) so I can pack bags quickly for different jobs.

http://amzn.eu/d/0OlQsE5

[Mark Romero 2]

@BTM_Pix Awesome!!! Thanks!!!

Anyone else?

[IronFilm]

Pop down to your local hardware store and browse, always interesting stuff there, you can probably reuse various types of tool boxes there for your needs.

 

 

[newfoundmass]

Sam's Club used to, and still may, sell these. I bought two of them for my GH5 and G85. They're very well built for the price. 

https://m.samsclub.com/ip/16in-safety-box/prod20353692

Amazon also has some lower cost options under the Amazon Basics brand. I got one for my wireless lav. 

[scotchtape]

I have a bunch of these padded inserts ($19):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Partition-Folding-Flexible-Padded-Camera-Lens-Insert-Bag-Dividers-Case-for-DSLR/292318664042?hash=item440f8cd56a:g:1iQAAOSwQS1Z~xXq

 

PLano cases are good for light duty use, I put my slider, tripod, lights etc in here, no wheels though and a bit flimsy ($40):

https://www.amazon.com/Plano-Sportsmans-Trunk-Black-108-Quart/dp/B00HVCPT4W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538536359&sr=8-3&keywords=sportsman+trunk

I actually use these over my Pelican 1650s because those are so heavy and overkill for what I'm doing (working by myself). 

 

I use this onstage cart to truck everything around, goes on sale for like $80 I think:

https://www.amazon.com/OnStage-UTC2200-On-Stage-Utility-Cart/dp/B01KQ0X3OS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538536449&sr=8-1&keywords=onstage+cart

I have a huge rocknroller but it's pretty big so I don't end up using it too much.

 

For light stands I was using this:

https://www.amazon.com/Stage-LSB-6500-Lighting-Truss-Carry/dp/B000PGS5M4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538536549&sr=8-1&keywords=onstage+light+stand+bag

But I can't really cram too many stands in there, I just switched to a golf bag bag, we shall see how it goes.

https://www.amazon.com/CaddyDaddy-Constrictor-Travel-Cover-Black/dp/B007OK866Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538536587&sr=8-2&keywords=constrictor+golf

 

I also have a bunch of these types of bags I put my audio gear in, you can probably find one on craiglist for like $5 as they give these out with noobie gear.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Large-Gadget-Orange-interior/dp/B00CF5OHZ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538536841&sr=8-3&keywords=padded+camera+bag

https://www.amazon.com/Ape-Case-Digital-Camera-ACPRO1400/dp/B00079SWNQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1538536859&sr=8-5&keywords=ape+case

[kye]

I also use those padded camera insert bags.

I put one at the bottom of my backpack, so that I can put things on top of it.  This has a few advantages:

• the bag doesn't look like a camera bag, so is potentially less attractive to thieves
• you can use different bags depending on the task (eg, a day bag vs a carry-on)
• by putting things on top of the insert (eg, a jumper) then it's not entirely obvious you have equipment in there, even if the bag is open
• you can open your backpack and put it on your chest and putting your hands in from the sides there's room to change a lens in there without it being directly exposed to rain / wind / dust or even being very visible that you're doing it, and you can do that while standing or walking too so it's really handy

At home I just put things in drawers from Ikea.  Drawers keep things from gathering dust unlike shelves or lid-less containers.

[Mark Romero 2]

Wow!!! Some great suggestions so far. Thanks everyone.