Bag or case for daily use: which do you prefer?

B

Bobonli

Well-known member
I took my first road trip with my week-old EX-1 today. Packed away in a photo backpack which I had been using with my small HV20 and all of its accessories. I chose not to get a Storm or Pelican case for the EX-1 thinking it would be too cumbersome particularly since I do not fly with my gear and it does not get thrown about by baggage handlers. But now I'm having second thoughts about lugging a $6k camera protected by only a thin layer of padding. My gut churned when I heard my babies' stroller tip over onto the knapsack in the cargo area of my car! Nothing bad happened but it made me reconsider whether I'm taking appropriate precautions.

So, I'd like an informal poll as to who uses a hard case for everyday use and what you pack into it, please. Do you put all your audio gear, hard drives and other bits and pieces into the same case or bag as your camera?

The "pros" of the backpack for me are that it's infinitely configurable and low profile/inconspicuous. The case will afford much greater protection but it's not as if you can wheel it around town without attracting attention.

{FWIW: my current bag has the camera, wireless mic, batteries/charger, warm cards, soft slate, the HV20 as a backup, and two portable hard drives. I'll be adding a matte box in a few months}

Thank you.
 
Depends on how much stuff I am carrying - I used use a backpack alot because I just had a camera, sticks, and a small amount of audio equipment along with a single case that carried my lights. Now my lights dont fit in one small case and just travel in milk crates as do alot of my other pieces of gear - milk crate for stingers, another for misc grip and tape and then a pelican case for audio, one for camera, a padded golf case for stands/tripod and a cart to carry it all on. With that much stuff its nice to have things that stack well. I do have a large soft bag for when I'm keeping the camera on rails and need to be quick to unload and get shooting. Really just depends on how much gear I'm toting.
 
I use a Zacuto Storm case for every day use (professional use) . It stores our EX3 camera, Letus Ultimae adaptor, 3 Nikon lenses, charger, extra batteries, extra memory cards, business cards, audio cables, microphone, headphones, user manual and miscellaneous stuff. The best part is that it has wheels so it's easy to take anywhere. It's got handles on all four sides so it's easy to lift in/out of the back of a car. It is a little big, but it's nice to be able to put EVERYTHING in one case, except for the tripod and lights. If I bring our little hand cart (for the lights, tripod and extension cord), I can make it in/out of a business in one trip.
 
Cinebag CB-01, Great bag holds everything, EX1, 2 Zylights,matte box, 7 filters, hood pro(sock loupe), 4 EX1 batteries, and lots of small stuff.
It fits in the overhead bin on most large aircraft, just not the connection flight smaller aircraft.
 
I've got a storm 2720 for my Ex1 for 90% of general use.. i only bring out my Kata Back pack if i really have to travel light weight. Like Heli work or traveling around following talent.

My audio gear is in a separate storm case.

The gears worth too much not to put it in a hard case.
 
An update for those who helped me and those who stumble on this thread trying to decide for themselves: I went with a Storm case from Abel, custom cut for the EX-1. I'm satisfied with the case and it has wonderfully smooth wheels.

Clockwise from the camera: Large slot big enough for a monitor. I use it for warm cards, filters and cables. Short shotgun in bottom right. Memory cards and remote control. Swit torch on camera light and filters. Battery charger. Batteries (room for 3).

The knapsack I had been using is now my location "extras" bag with wireless, other audio cables, hard drives and a few grip items.

My intent was to set thte Storm case up with the essentials, so I can shoot without the accessory bag if needed.

It's amazing how quickly you accumulate little bits and pieces and need more and more bags and cases to move it around. And I don't even have a lighting kit!
 

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MitchLewis said:
Nice setup! I didn't know Abel did custom cases like this. I wonder if they offer something for the EX3?
Click to expand...

They most certainly do, but it's for the stripped down EX 3 not the full-on war machine with adapter!

http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1001237&cat=336&page=1

I'm not sure who cuts the foam. It's definitely not a Zacuto insert that they happen to be selling. It shipped from the LA shop so I wonder if they have someone out on the West coast doing the foam. There was a post here months and months ago about someone in LA that will do custom cutting.

Bob
 
Nice find Bob. The case looks significantly smaller than the storm case that Zacuto sells because the Zacuto is designed for an adaptor. Nice to know there's a similar option for those who don't use an adaptor. Thanks!
 
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