Zip ties – so many uses, so easy to carry

In this part two of what I am now categorizing as “What’s in my camera bag that isn’t necessarily made by a photographic company” allow me to introduce zip ties.

They come in all sorts of widths, lengths, colors and materials. They are typically plastic but also come in stainless steel, and ones with a place to write a label on.  They weigh next to nothing, and cost just pennies, so why not carry a small assortment with you. When gaffer’s tape might not work, they can save many broken things, bottom line, they are just for cleaning up cable messes.

On my last stay in a hotel, I was walking down the hall, and overheard a woman asking the housekeeper if she had any sort of string so she could repair a broken strap on her bag.  It wasn’t a camera bag, but one of those plastic “lobster claw” type of latches.  One of the plastic tabs had cracked and wasn’t staying clipped together.  I told her I had some zip ties, and offered her some.

She was amazed and even offered to pay for them.  I politely declined the $5 bill she was trying to hand me and went on my way.

I am going to look through the rest of my bag and see what else fits the category “What’s in my camera bag that isn’t necessarily made by a photographic company” and post some more.

Do you have something in your bag that fits this category?

Please share your thoughts in the comments!