Bullets Out / Batteries In

Weapon stores are a cool place for photogs to hang out in, not necessarily because photographers use firearms (though we are constantly treated as terrorists), but because photogs share some of the same concerns of hunters.

Readers Michael Page just spotted that bullet cases or (“Ammo” boxes) can be used to store batteries on long trips where you have no chargers. Or when you need lots of batteries to stay dry.

Here is what Michael had to say about it:

Dunham’s [sports] sells stuff for hunters that load their own
ammunition, including these dandy little plastic cartridge boxes. The
“big bore” rifle cartridge box is the perfect size for storing and
carrying AA batteries, and “small rifle” is exactly right for AAA. I’m
going to keep the charged batteries in the boxes, and just dump the
depleted one’s into an empty pocket on the camera bag. Not only that,
but it keeps the battery’s contacts from coming into contact with each
other, doing strange and often unmentionable things to your battery’s
innards. I even got one extra ($4 US) to separate rechargeable
batteries from standard.

Now, the big bore boxes are tall enough that if you’re the rough and
tumble type that do a lot of jumping around, the batteries can come out
of the little dividers. They’ll still be in the box, just scrambled
around. In that case, a little scrap foam inside the lid will keep
everyone in their place just nicely.

A short search on Amazon reveals a ton of those boxes for almost every size of battery out there, including some water proof cases if you expecting a wild watery ride. And they start at ridiculous prices like 3-4 Dollars.

Thanks, Michael for the tip. You can find many more tips and fellow great photogs who really know their stuff on DIYP’s Flickr group where Michael shared the tip. If you have a question to ask, or a tip to share the group is a great place to do so.