Kids and keeping gear secure

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Brian Legge

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Okay, odd/naive question but I could use some ideas.

My wife and I are expecting our first child. Our computer/camera room is becoming a guest room... with some space dedicated to a vastly reduced amount of camera gear. We're in the process of furnishing the room at the moment.

For those who have children and camera gear, how do you store it? We'll have guests with kids of various ages staying in the guest room, I'm thinking more about how to handle storing gear as with kids in the house long term.

Ideally the more valuable elements would be in closed/locked cabinet. Is that a risk for fungus or other issues compared to storing in a more open-air environment? Higher locations aren't idea due to earthquake risk.

I know this sounds silly compared to the big picture life changes but I want to figure it out so I focus on more important issues. :)
 
If you play ball with your kids in-house - don't keep your cameras on open shelves, I have learned that obvious lesson the hard way :) It's ok, it's just camera - I said to my boy. And yes, it's just camera...
 
I have a lockable electronic powered dry-box (it only opens/closes with the key)... there are many sizes.

When I was a kid growing up my dad was a professional photographer and he had (among other equipment) a Linhof 5x7 Technika. I use to play with the lenses... could not get enough of the shutter action... I guess it was the start of something ; )
 
I kept a couple of sacrificial cameras for my kids to play with; the rest went into a glass-fronted cupboard.

Kids love Spotmatics.
 
Brian Legge said:
Okay, odd/naive question but I could use some ideas.

My wife and I are expecting our first child. Our computer/camera room is becoming a guest room... with some space dedicated to a vastly reduced amount of camera gear. We're in the process of furnishing the room at the moment.

For those who have children and camera gear, how do you store it? We'll have guests with kids of various ages staying in the guest room, I'm thinking more about how to handle storing gear as with kids in the house long term.

Ideally the more valuable elements would be in closed/locked cabinet. Is that a risk for fungus or other issues compared to storing in a more open-air environment? Higher locations aren't idea due to earthquake risk.

I know this sounds silly compared to the big picture life changes but I want to figure it out so I focus on more important issues. :)
Click to expand...

I use Sterilite ClearView Latch Storage Bins from Target, etc. I use silica packs and do not close them tight. These are stored on shelves in a closet. Out of sight, out of mind.
 
shimokita said:
I have a lockable electronic powered dry-box (it only opens/closes with the key)... there are many sizes.
Click to expand...

Same here. Helps preventing fungus infection of the lenses and keeps fingerprints away. I have some junk cameras my son and friends can play with and enjoy setting aperture, distance and shutter speeds.
 
Never been a problem. My kids never touched my cameras. I didn't really think about it. It is only once we got a cat that I was careful not to leave a camera on the piano stool. Displeased cats have such a delicate touch in knocking precious things to the floor. And now even that seems not to be a problem. The piano stool seems not to interest him.
 
The good photographer rule #1 is : no wife, ni kids. A cat only (the best earthquake detector), but never ever allowed in the darkroom. From times to times, a young, rich and single girlfriend blessed with a family castle you will spend some week-ends at (she just has a swimming-pool digged somewhere in the park).
 
Brian Legge said:
Okay, odd/naive question but I could use some ideas.

My wife and I are expecting our first child. Our computer/camera room is becoming a guest room... with some space dedicated to a vastly reduced amount of camera gear. We're in the process of furnishing the room at the moment.

For those who have children and camera gear, how do you store it? We'll have guests with kids of various ages staying in the guest room, I'm thinking more about how to handle storing gear as with kids in the house long term.

Ideally the more valuable elements would be in closed/locked cabinet. Is that a risk for fungus or other issues compared to storing in a more open-air environment? Higher locations aren't idea due to earthquake risk.

I know this sounds silly compared to the big picture life changes but I want to figure it out so I focus on more important issues. :)
Click to expand...
Just put a hefty Silicagel pack in with the cameras and lock the cupboard.
 
I don't worry too much about it. I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old. I keep my few cameras in a couple of bags in the master bedroom. The bags are open so humidity is managed. The girls never seem to bother with the cameras...the worst I had to do was pick up my 2 year old when she was trying to step on a camera bag. She wouldn't have affected anything. I did make sure I kept the RB67 on a bag on the floor though...If it was left out I worried that they may TRY to pick it up and drop it on themselves when they realize how heavy it really is.
 
Thanks all. Its my first time thinking about child proofing. Most of the stuff is simple. The camera gear was a question as I've always stored gear on low open shelves and have never dealt with humidity management.
 
My kids are older (8 & 10) and I have taught them how to use my various cameras and they do it with great care. I have been impressed by some of their photos, they see things differently from a different vantage point. Now they are learning how to develop film.. :D
 
JoeLopez said:
I use Sterlite ClearView Latch Storage Bins from Target, etc. I use silica packs and do not close them tight. These are stored on shelves in a closet. Out of sight, out of mind.
Click to expand...
Me too.. plus I keep my standard kit in my camera bag. If you are worried about your kids or guests getting in to your camera stuff, it's easy to put a lock on the closet door. Don't over think it.
 
Lockable file cabinets. I have one normal 4 drawer, one 2 drawer new style where the drawers open sideways. There are very heavy.

If you have a closet , change the lock set to keyed one and move equipment there as required.
 
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