STOP Destroying Your Filmmaking Gear
Let’s be honest for a second.
If you’re a filmmaker, you’ve probably spent thousands of dollars on your camera gear. You researched the camera body. You obsessed over lenses. You debated filters for weeks. And yet…
Most filmmakers are slowly destroying their gear without realizing it.
Not because they’re careless — but because no one ever talks about the boring stuff. Storage. Protection. Organization. The unsexy details that quietly decide whether your gear lasts two years… or your entire career.
That’s exactly what this guide is about.
Because scratching a $3,000 lens due to bad storage hurts way more than buying a simple accessory that could have prevented it.
Why Proper Gear Storage Actually Matters
Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
How you store your gear matters just as much as how you shoot with it.
With the wrong storage setup, you can:
Scratch lenses
Damage filters
Smudge or scratch LCD screens
Slowly degrade image quality
Shorten the lifespan of gear you rely on professionally
And it doesn’t happen all at once. It happens over time — quietly — until one day you notice scratches, dust, or damage that shouldn’t be there.
So instead of letting that happen, let’s walk through simple, practical accessories that actually protect your filmmaking gear and make your workflow easier at the same time.
1. Stop Letting Filters Destroy Each Other
If you shoot video, filters are non-negotiable.
You’re probably using:
ND filters
Circular polarizers
Creative filters like black mist
Most filters ship in individual plastic cases. That’s fine… until you start collecting more than a few.
At that point, your bag becomes a mess of rattling cases, and pulling out the right filter turns into an annoying scavenger hunt.
The Problem
Too many separate cases
Filters rubbing against hard plastic
Increased risk of scratches over time
The Solution: A Hard Shell Filter Pouch
A hard shell filter pouch keeps all your filters in one protected place, instead of scattered across your bag.
Why it works:
Holds multiple filters together
Hard shell exterior for protection
Soft microfiber dividers between each filter
Prevents filters from scratching each other
Makes filters faster and easier to access on set
Even when filters are stacked, the microfiber separation keeps them safe. After months of use, there were no new scratches — which is the whole point. I use this one from JJC.
Action step:
If you’re still carrying filters in individual cases, consolidate them into one hard shell pouch with microfiber dividers.
2. Microfiber Cloths Are Not Optional
This one is boring — but critical.
Your image quality is only as good as how clean your lens is. That applies to:
The front element
The rear element
The Mistake Most Filmmakers Make
Using any cloth… or worse:
Shirt sleeves
Random wipes
The same cloth used on phones, glasses, and screens
That’s how debris and grime end up on your lens.
The Right Way to Use Microfiber Cloths
Use dedicated microfiber cloths for lenses only
Never use that same cloth on other screens
Keep several in your camera bag at all times
Once a microfiber cloth touches a phone screen or glasses, it can pick up particles that should never touch your lens. Any work, but here are the ones I use that are affordable and high-quality.
Action step:
Designate lens-only microfiber cloths and keep them in your camera bag so they’re always accessible.
3. Your Camera Bag Matters More Than You Think
A camera bag isn’t just about comfort — it’s about long-term protection.
A high-quality camera bag should:
Be lightweight
Fit your camera body and lenses comfortably
Protect gear without being bulky
Have space for accessories
For everyday shooting, a well-designed camera bag makes it easy to carry:
Camera body
A few lenses
Microphone
Filters and accessories
When Smaller Is Better: Travel & Hiking
For travel, hiking, or lightweight shoots, a compact hard shell camera case becomes incredibly useful.
Why a small hard shell case works:
Extremely durable
Microfiber-lined dividers inside
Fits a camera and 1–2 lenses
Dedicated pockets for SD cards and batteries
Comfortable for extended wear
This kind of setup is perfect when you’ll be wearing your bag for long periods and don’t want unnecessary weight. I use this one from JJC.
Action step:
Have two setups:
One main camera bag
One smaller hard shell case for lightweight or travel shoots
4. Why Aren’t You Using a Screen Protector?
Here’s something almost no one talks about.
If you use a screen protector on your phone… why wouldn’t you use one on your camera?
The Reality
Filmmakers often place cameras in bags with the LCD screen facing outward. Over time, this leads to:
Scratches
Smudges
Permanent damage to the LCD
The Fix: Camera Screen Protectors
Super affordable
Easy to install
Protect the LCD (and top screen, if applicable)
Prevent scratches and smudges
Many filmmakers end up with scratched screens simply because they didn’t take this small precaution.
Using screen protectors consistently can mean never seeing a scratched LCD screen at all.
Action step:
Install screen protectors on your camera’s LCD and top display as soon as possible.
Protect Your Gear Like It’s Meant to Last a Career
None of this gear protection is exciting.
None of it is flashy.
And that’s exactly why most people ignore it.
But these small decisions compound over time.
Proper storage, microfiber protection, smart bags, and screen protectors all add up to:
Cleaner images
Longer-lasting gear
Fewer costly mistakes
A smoother on-set workflow
If you’re serious about filmmaking — whether professionally or passionately — your gear deserves the same level of care you put into your shots.
Final Takeaway
You don’t need to buy more gear.
You need to protect what you already own.
Start with:
Better filter storage
Dedicated microfiber cloths
The right camera bag for the job
Screen protectors on your camera
Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.
