Equipment Identification

A few months ago I took a photo workshop. There were many photographers and lots of camera equipment and tripods. After seeing all of this equipment, it made me wonder if I should put my name on my tripod/lenses/camera. Does anyone do this? I have a P-Touch machine and was thinking of sticking my name (and maybe my cell phone number) on everything I own. Do any of you put your ID on your equipment and if so, how???

Thanks in advance!

I've never done this and don't see much point for the way I work. I don't do workshops and am rarely out shooting with any other photographers (and when I am with one or two others they usually have Canon gear).

I could see a name or tag of some kind helping keep things straight when you are working with a bunch of others, but doing something permanent like engraving will greatly limit resale value. A business card in a small case for a teleconverter could help you get it back if someone honest finds it in the field somewhere. I keep a list of all serial numbers on the home computer so I can use that if I need to file a police report.

Sometimes I shoot weddings with other photogs and have a need to keep all of the gear straight. I simply use blue painter’s masking tape to mark my stuff. Just a little spot makes it easy differentiate and there is no worry of harming the gear.

I also use the tape on batteries in order to mark the dead ones.

I have also found that the masking tape is great for sealing memory card holders containing full cards. Taking it a step further, the masking tape is handy for marking notes, too.

I carry a small amount in the pack for other uses.

I just love the stuff.

We keep a list of serial #'s with us at all times, but also use tape like Richard when we're around other pro photogs. It's actually pretty easy to spot our gear when we're with a bunch of recreational shooters though. Ours generally looks like it was dragged behind a truck, while their is mostly pristine!