Storage of Camera Equipment During 1250 mile 2 nights 3 day travel?
Dec 17, 2015 09:34:36 #
Tom47
Loc: Gettysburg, PA
I travel to Wyoming each fall with all my camera equipment, guns and hunting equipment. I had an additional alarm system installed on the truck. I carry an over night bag and leave everything in the truck. When the alarm is tripped all h-ll breaks loose. It makes so lots of noise and the lights flashing. I always leave it close to the main entrance. The only time it has ever gone off was in the Chicago area. I can no longer get a room at that hotel.
Dec 17, 2015 09:34:45 #
[quote=steveo52]In a few weeks we will be traveling 1250 miles from New England to Florida in our Chrysler van, spending 2 nights on the road.
The weather should have no affect upon the equipment. But theft of the equipment is the major concern even if "Concealed". Do you have an alarm system on the vehicle that is very loud and notifies you when triggered? Will you respond to the alarm or sleep through it? It seems like most people with alarm systems seem to be dead to the world and do not hear the alarm even though everyone around hears it. And the others are most happy once the crook has silenced the alarm so they can go back to sleep and are willing to help the crook for that very purpose.
The weather should have no affect upon the equipment. But theft of the equipment is the major concern even if "Concealed". Do you have an alarm system on the vehicle that is very loud and notifies you when triggered? Will you respond to the alarm or sleep through it? It seems like most people with alarm systems seem to be dead to the world and do not hear the alarm even though everyone around hears it. And the others are most happy once the crook has silenced the alarm so they can go back to sleep and are willing to help the crook for that very purpose.
Dec 17, 2015 09:36:22 #
Dec 17, 2015 09:38:09 #
Dec 17, 2015 10:18:26 #
Certainly bring the equipment in BUT remember a change in temperature or humidity will cause fogging and adversely affect the ability to shoot.
Dec 17, 2015 10:34:45 #
Dec 17, 2015 10:58:03 #
Several years ago, I was on a commercial assignment traveling from Memphis to St. Louis. Late one night, I stopped in some tiny town only to find some real sleazy motels. I had a Jeep without tinted glass, so I decided to bring everything in. Problem was several people saw me do that plus to run out and to catch some dinner. So I chained all that handles of my cases together to a built-in desk. The problem with that is most handles are either fabric or plastic, however everything was there when I got back. I don't know if that was the best solution or not.
A couple of times I've also taken Amtrak, there everybody's suitcases are in a common rack right near the doors. I've always carried my cameras with me, but I have also traveled with backup cameras and lighting equipment. The baggage car on the train will not accept liability for my stuff--not easy solution there either.
A couple of times I've also taken Amtrak, there everybody's suitcases are in a common rack right near the doors. I've always carried my cameras with me, but I have also traveled with backup cameras and lighting equipment. The baggage car on the train will not accept liability for my stuff--not easy solution there either.
Dec 17, 2015 11:08:36 #
steveo52 wrote:
In a few weeks we will be traveling 1250 miles fro... (show quote)
I've done this trip numerous times and, coincidentally, we have a 2012 Chrysler T&C LTD. Here's what I do. I use a Pelican rolling case. http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1510-000-110-Carry-Case-Black/dp/B0002SKHIK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450367714&sr=8-1&keywords=pelican+rolling+case. I stow my middle and rear seats in the van and I use a good bicycle cable and lock, looped through the seat anchors in the floor and through the handles on the case, to fasten the case in the van. I also use TSA luggage locks to lock the case closed and I hide the case under a blanket so no one can see what is there. It gives me a feeling of security even when we are just leaving the van for a little while for lunch or a pit stop. But I still bring the camera gear in each night. The good part is that the case is on wheels with a retracting handle. The other thing I like is that, if we are staying in a hotel room for more than one night, I can lock the case and secure it in the room using the bicycle cable so, when we are out, it is still secure. I also bring a camera backpack and a messenger style bag to move the gear to as I need for going out and shooting. I use these bags as luggage for other items when my gear is in the Pelican case.
By the way, I keep a Canon G1X Mark II where I can reach it when traveling so I don't miss shots while my good gear is under lock and key.
Dec 17, 2015 11:21:27 #
Don Fischer
Loc: Antelope, Ore
I think being careful is a good idea but paranoid just doesn't work. I wouldn't leave my gear in a car, no sense to invite trouble. But for every person that has been robbed there's probably a hundred thousand that have had no trouble. But still I would take reasonable care to remove temptation!
Dec 17, 2015 11:21:27 #
Don Fischer
Loc: Antelope, Ore
I think being careful is a good idea but paranoid just doesn't work. I wouldn't leave my gear in a car, no sense to invite trouble. But for every person that has been robbed there's probably a hundred thousand that have had no trouble. But still I would take reasonable care to remove temptation!
Dec 17, 2015 11:25:35 #
I have been hoping someone would suggest less equipment...
makes it a lot easier to carry into your room...as you should!
better safe then sorry.
makes it a lot easier to carry into your room...as you should!
better safe then sorry.
jeryh wrote:
I wouldn't even contemplate that idea ! Apart from vibration damage, you also have quite a vast range of temperatures to contend with, not withstanding the possibility of theft. Try cutting down on the equipment range, set it up in bags, so its ready to go, and take it indoors over night.
Dec 17, 2015 11:51:59 #
RiverNan wrote:
I have been hoping someone would suggest less equipment...
makes it a lot easier to carry into your room...as you should!
better safe then sorry.
makes it a lot easier to carry into your room...as you should!
better safe then sorry.
True, but not always practical. When we go down to FL it is for 4-5 weeks on the road. We visit relatives (portrait lens and lighting), go to game preserves (long lens for animals and often a macro lens for flora), sight seeing (wide angle for landscapes, 24-105 for general) etc. I use a fairly wide variety of gear on these trips. I also bring a monopod and tripod. Extra body, extra batteries, chargers, memory cards, lens care supplies. I'd rather do the extra bull work to lug it all around than have the situation where I didn't have the right gear for a shot I really wanted. When the trip is done, I forget about the extra work, but I never stop kicking myself for the missed shot!
Dec 17, 2015 12:33:54 #
steveo52 wrote:
Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. We do use the luggage trolleys.
SS I got a laugh out of your comment.
I had to submit receipts to my insurer for all camera equipment.
SS I got a laugh out of your comment.
I had to submit receipts to my insurer for all camera equipment.
As did I. State Farm required all of the purchase receipts before writing the policy as well as serial numbers for lenses, bodies and equipment that had serial numbers. Any time I add or subtract equipment from the inventory I have to notify the insurer provide receipts, bills of sales and add or delete serial numbers and they adjust the premium accordingly. My agent of 30 years indicates that they routinely encounter scams related to high end photography gear so they are very fussy about the authenticity and changes in the inventory of insured items.
Dec 17, 2015 13:32:54 #
I agree with quixdraw. Always treat your gear as you treat yourself .
Dec 17, 2015 13:37:00 #
Temperature won't be a problem. Car thieves could be though. Of course, if you take all your gear into your room and then leave to go to dinner.....
You want to sleep easy? Talk to your insurance agent.
You want to sleep easy? Talk to your insurance agent.
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