Ever been on location in a remote area, setting up for a very important, non-repeatable shoot, only realize you forgot that little tiny adapter (or cable, or tool) that you really, really need?

I have.

No fun, right?

Well, in order to help safeguard against that kind of thing in the future, I'm putting together a utility box of miscellaneous useful stuff that I will take on every shoot, just in case. I'm sure a lot of you guys have a box like that, so my question is: what do you keep in it?

To start off the list, here are a couple of things I plan to keep in my utility box:
- C-47s
- Adapters for all the cables I use (including gender changers)
- Extra cables
- Batteries (AA, AAA, 12v, etc.)
- Gloves
- Multi-bit screwdriver
- Pliers
- Gaff tape
- Extra headphones
- Flashlight
- Small sewing kit
- Small first aid kit

What other handy odds and ends to you keep in your kit?

Allen wrench multi-tool.

Crimper with some electrical connections. Spring clamps, zip ties.

- Leatherman multitool
- Maglight LED 2 AA flashlight (to be specific)
- Head cleaning cassette
- Electrical tape
- Business cards
- Pen
- Lens wipes (dry and wet)
- Camera instruction manual (I don't know how many times I've been in the field and gone "wow, how do you do that again?" where "that" is something I only do once a year...)

In my LARGER kit bag, I keep a multitester with continuity testing ability, a soldering iron and fluxless solder and liquid flux, a cable tester, "machine" AC cords (the ubiquitous "D-Shaped" 3 pin AC connector that computers, monitors and half of everything else uses), spare headphones (usually Sony earbuds) and 1" cloth tape.

Rubber bands
Velcro double-sided strips (will attach to themselves when looped)
List of radio-mic frequencies
Ear plugs (for disco shooting)
Few coins (tightening tripod plates to cameras)
S-shaped picture hooks (for hanging radio-mics on ledges, shelves)
More spare camera tapes than you could possibly imagine
Mains and 12v battery chargers
Bottles of water

I knew I was probably overlooking a few essential things. Thanks for the ideas!

These are great ideas to keep in your kit! Unfortunately for me, my camera bag won't hold all of these items and the camera. What would you guys recommend for the "kit" items? I was thinking a small/light weight tool box. Pros/Cons?

One thing that I always have in my kit but have never needed is a fire extinguisher. If someone tips a light you could have a real catastrophe on your hands!

A bottle of Chivas...

Stelios

Coming from Ireland....

...I keep some plastic garbage bags in my camera bag. We get a lot of rain, and a bit of impromptu instant waterpoofing can come in handy!

These are great ideas to keep in your kit! Unfortunately for me, my camera bag won't hold all of these items and the camera. What would you guys recommend for the "kit" items? I was thinking a small/light weight tool box. Pros/Cons?

I was planning to use a toolbox (the portable kind made out of heavy plastic) or maybe a large tackle box. I'm also curious to see how other have fared with these options.

Well, my shooting is mostly weddings, so my kit is geared that way...I keep disposable lighters (for when candles go out), ink pens (license signing), Safety pins, "Tide" stick, plus personal stuff...breath mints, toothpicks, waterless hand sanitizer, etc. Plus much of the stuff mentioned above is somewhere nearby...

This thread basically describes what I call my 'Grip Box'. A seperate rubbermaid tub full of just about everything everyone has listed, plus extension cords, sandbags, spring clips, some 'drop cloths' in black, white and grey - to be used for hiding or covering surfaces - the usual stuff you find in a grip box.

NOT counting light stands, flags, scrims etc.

I don't have a car and travel light, so I can't imagine putting all that in my bag, but I always have a LED flashlight, extra bats for audio recorder, rain cover for camera (Latvia is rainy), lens cleaning pen, pen, paper, "sticky" tape, headphones.

The essential thing that I've forgotten is headphones!

Can of compressed air.

pocket sized sunscreen for those outdoor weddings/events

Oh my God I forgot the ice...

Stelios

Oh, and travel sized hand sanitizer, UNLESS I'm flying in which case I buy it at my destination. And Watkins brand bug repellant LOTION, (not spray).

OK. I have everything what everybody else suggested, I have the scotch, I have the ice...but I have a feeling something else is missing...

Stelios

OK. I have everything what everybody else suggested, I have the scotch, I have the ice...but I have a feeling something else is missing...

Stelios

Heavy Crystal Tumblers! The thin ones always break. It's worth the extra load for the extra durability....

--Andy P

Heavy Crystal Tumblers! The thin ones always break. It's worth the extra load for the extra durability....

--Andy P

Absolutely Andy, absolutely. Now we are set!!!

Stelios