bag or case?

Egg Born Son

Egg Born Son

Veteran
G'day,

I'm looking to upgrade from the cardboard box (perfect fit, courtesy of USPS!) that I currently keep my HVX200 in. I was going to re-purpose a bag that wasn't born with 'camera' in it's title (at a less than a quarter the cost) but its nice to have nice things. Since its a one-time purchase I've decided to go with a purpose built carrying solution. After finding not a lot in local stores that cater to such a large camera, I looked to the internet. I'm tossing up between a lightly padded, plush-lined shoulder bag (online photos display my camera with perfect fit) or a flight case with custom insert.

Initially I was intending to get the hard flight case, thinking primarily of protection (and a little cheaper) but just as I was about to lay down the cash I find myself being swayed as I think of pros and cons. The square edges and size of the flight case look uncomfortable and unwieldy to lug around (not to mention heavy) and there will be a fair bit of empty 'air' in the case. Whereas the bag I'm looking at will only carry the camera and a few basics but will fit in hand luggage, is designed to be light and comfortable to wear and I can carry it even when the camera is on the tripod - keeping all my bits on my person (where they're harder to grab). On the other hand I wouldn't want to drop it or knock it too hard in a doorway or something - concentrating has been known to make me clumsy.

I would like to draw on your collective wisdom as to what has served you well in regards to protection, convenience and theft - bags or cases, to help me make up my mind. So far I've mostly filmed in safe locations (at my home or those of friends and family) but I'm looking to get out into the field where I'm sure my well intentioned priorities will change - no doubt ultimately favouring convenience above all (I'm already favouring lighter tripods and I haven't even had to hike with one yet!).

Or maybe I should make my own and know it's as strong as I make it? I was thinking of trying out that new self-expanding packaging for a perfectly moulded insert - anyone tried using that?

Thanks in advance
 
Get a camera bag pack. Y went from camera bag to pelicase to the camera back pack.
This is the way to go.
 
Thanks for the response. I am inclined to go this way. Was comfort and portability the ultimate factor in your choice?
 
We got one of these for our HDR-FX1.
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2170.htm

It fits the camera nice and snug with room for batteries, chargers, tapes and lenses. Also has the usual spots for a tripod, and other bits and pieces.
It is pretty big though, but has rigid sides to prevent crushing and has thick padded straps for comfort.
I'm pretty happy with it. It fits all our essentials so far. But that list is growing steadily... :)
 
I have an HVX and I actually have both a camera bag (Ogio Ty bag) and a hard case (porta brace). I kinda like the backpack better. It's a little more versatile and it fits my dslr and laptop. Hope this helps a bit.
 
As you've stated, if you are 'ultimately favouring convenience above all' I would strongly recommend a bag rather than a case. In my personal opinion, a camera bag is a far more practical option as opposed to a case because they're lightweight (compared to most cases, which makes it easier to move around most of the time). Also, it limits you from having way too many accessories, etc. that you probably don't truly need to lug around in the first place.

Simply put, a bag will tend to keep you more disciplined throughout a shoot. Rather than wasting time not being able to decide what lens you want to use or whether you should use the Sennheiser mic or Audio Technica mic etc., since you are limited to space with a bag, you will find you work sharper (even faster). I find that if I'm shooting something where I'm not able to go back and forth to my equipment, a good bag is ideal so at the very least I can carry my essentials.

Here is a bag made from Petrol Bags that I have had for about 2 years now and it still looks, feels, and works the same way it did when I bought it. It's not my exact bag but this is the HVX200 version. Not too expensive, fits in small places, and not too heavy even when you fill it all the way up. Good luck finding the right fit.

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/petrol_pc003

-B
 
I think you need to consider how you operate

Do you do big production where all the gear is basically spread out, on the floor or a cart and 'policed' by assistancts or security

(how big productions work)

Then hard cases are the way to go

If you operate like this but need a bit more mobility then a backpack would be appropriate

Personally I like to be a lot more mobile and have the ability to operate 'on the street' where putting a bag down may get it stolen or have a MOP (member of the public) trip over it

In this situation I find a shoulder bag to be the solution

Shoulder bags can be moved without doing them up and you can access the kit while the bag is on you

If you move a backpack/Case without doing it up you tend to spill the contents

Now my shoulder bags also need transporting securely in a vehicle

I keep them in a stackable hard cases in the vehicle

Brands?

I use Billingham shoulder bags and store them in Really Useful Boxes

I would upgrade from Really Useful Boxes to Pelis or flight cases when budget allows as a RUB is not a lot of use on a plane

My co-worker arrived at my company using Lowepero backpacks, he then changed to a Domke bag, and now has finally changed to Billingham!
I have used backpacks and pelis in the past

S
 
it totally depends on where you shoot and how mobile you want to be. ive always used hard cases (pelican brand specifically) as my main case. mainly because i do a good bit of air travel. then also keep a couple of bags around for specific lighter needs.
 
+1 to WGZN's comments.

I used to have an HPX170, now I have an AF100.... And shoulder mount, monitor, follow focus, lenses... etc...

I use one of these: http://www.amazon.com/National-Geog...apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1322999173&sr=1-1-catcorr

Justification: Mostly because I travel abroad frequently and don't like announcing to people I have a camera and other expensive electronics in my bag. The bag itself has lots of padding, so that helps, but it's never as tough as the pelican I use when doing local shoots here in the states. My thought, if you are the only one to use your gear, the bag is a good way to go. But if you share or rent the gear, or someone else might be transporting it for you, a pelican or other hardshell case won't do you wrong.
 
Thanks for all your comments guys. I expect as I grow I will continue to be a small operation mainly working with small crews made up of friends and family to achieve results primarily for personal gratification. I have little interest in making money - I am happily amateur. But I would like to eventually make consistently decent videos, made properly with the resources I have - not just 2 minute captures of antics for youtube. By virtue of getting a proper camera I do have some opportunities coming my way for small commissions amongst people and organisations I already know - docos, promotion, maybe events. Which will make me feel important but what I really want to do is make short films and eventually an amateur feature. I'm not shooting for the moon with my expectations and the process is the real goal - journey not the destination sort of thing. I'm fulfilling the high school dreams that the real world snatched brutally away (the real world sucks!) but sensibly treating it like the fantasy that it is.

Mobility on a shoot isn't that important but I do want to be able to board a flight and keep my valuables in overhead. In the field I would like to keep anything of significant value nearby or on my person because I don't want to and can't rely on other people to pay attention to the security of my gear. I like the suggestions to get a bag that looks low key. A good point because if I get ripped off I don't think I can justify going prosumer a second time. I could buy an old but good condition car for the price of it and the clock of doom is always ticking on the marriage/kids front. Sooner or later a relationship is going to stick and that will be the end of being allowed to spend money having fun! It was the variable frame rate of the HVX that finally got me to bite after years of dreaming. I don't think I can downgrade to a consumer camcorder now that I have experienced THE POWER, BWAHAHAHA!!! ...erm, sorry...

After consideration I'm pretty sure I'll go with the shoulder bag. The hardcase is definitely out, too unwieldy. I was tempted by the backpack to be sure but I think I prefer the idea of having a bag that is like a bucket (harder to spill) and accessible while wearing it. Plus even though I know its not an issue because everyone seems to be doing it, I'm just not comfortable with storing my camera vertically. And finally, with all those dividers in the backpack I'm just going to want to fill the spaces with toys I don't need...

Unfortunately I'll be keeping the cardboard box a wee bit longer, however.
(Damn christmas, who the hell's idea was it anyway to buy things for other people grumble grumble...) :angry:

:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
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