Camera bag for F23/F35? Think Tank or Sachtler??

youngindiefilms

youngindiefilms

Well-known member
To you F23/F35 owners out there, I don't have mine yet, it's incoming but want to get a "soft" bag rather than a heavy hard case.

Do you guys have any specific bag you'd recommend. I want to be able to put the F23, interface box, Odyssey 7 and at least one zoom in it... (plus some of the obvious smaller accessories like SSDs, etc.).

Would love to hear from F23/F35 owners, thanks in advance!
 
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So far from my research I would consider the following bags:

Sachtler Dr. Bag 5
Sachtler Camporter Large
Think Tank Photo Video Workhorse 25

anything else I should be looking at? I prefer a weight not over / around 4kg/8.5pounds.
 
Seriously, I would not put thousands of $ worth of camera and lens equipment in a bag like this. I use them for sports etc., they're nowhere near protective enough.
 
I hear you...I only use hard cases as I find soft cases useless for any serious traveling.

If it's only for the car to get from point A to point B, there's no difference in the camera soft bags vs. duffel bags for me, personally.
 
I have owned and still do own both soft and hard cases, unfortunately not in the size I'd need for an F23.
Weight is a big factor for me, most people typically don't own cars here in Hong Kong. Also jobs are often one man band gigs or minimal crew where you're thankful if your soft bag is only half the weight of a heavy crate or similar case.

Anyway from what I've seen I've narrowed it down to Think Tank Workhorse 25 and Sachtler Camporter Large. They're comparable in features, size and weight. I've never owned any of these brands so I'm wondering which are better quality and offer longer longevity?

In comparisson, one of my Cinebags' shoulder strap started coming apart within a year and the bag wasn't even used heavily. I wouldn't buy their products again, that's for sure.
 
youngindiefilms said:
I have owned and still do own both soft and hard cases, unfortunately not in the size I'd need for an F23.
Weight is a big factor for me, most people typically don't own cars here in Hong Kong. Also jobs are often one man band gigs or minimal crew where you're thankful if your soft bag is only half the weight of a heavy crate or similar case.

Anyway from what I've seen I've narrowed it down to Think Tank Workhorse 25 and Sachtler Camporter Large. They're comparable in features, size and weight. I've never owned any of these brands so I'm wondering which are better quality and offer longer longevity?

In comparisson, one of my Cinebags' shoulder strap started coming apart within a year and the bag wasn't even used heavily. I wouldn't buy their products again, that's for sure.
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In my experience, shoulder bags for this camera are very impractical because the camera and accesories get so heavy that it will destroy your back. I have tried different models and sizes and nothing really works for me. Currently I am trying to fit it in a 1510 with wheels and a backpack with lenses and batteries. Someone in the forum did it in the past, and the package makes the most sense to me. If you add a tripod to your kit, you will also carry that on your shoulder. In my opinion, too much weight. Also, the camera bags that you have listed don't look tall enough. I have used:https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1263474-REG/porta_brace_cinema_compact_soft_sided_case_for_compact.html and it gets too heavy with lenses. And I have packed 4 lenses, recorder and f35 body and HDVF in a 1610 and it is totally impractical for NYC where I live. To heavy to go up and down steps in the subway or lift on location. For a more run and gun setup I would again try 1510 and backpack for lenses, batteries and accesories. If you have just one zoom lens. it might even fit in the 1510... Let us know how it works out for you. Interested in your results.
 
Dragging a F35, or F23 for that matter, in a soft case is quite a stunt. I would never use anything other than a hardcase. If I absolutely needed a soft case for mobility reasons, it would probably mean I should use a smaller camera and image quality is probably not my top priority. Or it would be a suicide type of mission where I would be aware that the camera might not make it back.
 
Aaveum said:
Dragging a F35, or F23 for that matter, in a soft case is quite a stunt. I would never use anything other than a hardcase. If I absolutely needed a soft case for mobility reasons, it would probably mean I should use a smaller camera and image quality is probably not my top priority. Or it would be a suicide type of mission where I would be aware that the camera might not make it back.
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Well, we've been "dragging" 25-30lb+ ENG cameras around in soft Porta-Brace bags for decades... Obviously you can't ship it like that, but working "around-town", it could work just fine.
 
Run&Gun said:
Well, we've been "dragging" 25-30lb+ ENG cameras around in soft Porta-Brace bags for decades... Obviously you can't ship it like that, but working "around-town", it could work just fine.
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Yep, the F35 can get heavy, but I wouldn't use any bag that wasn't a Porta Brace. They have the best shoulder straps.
 
Run&Gun said:
Well, we've been "dragging" 25-30lb+ ENG cameras around in soft Porta-Brace bags for decades... Obviously you can't ship it like that, but working "around-town", it could work just fine.
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Well, I guess an ENG camera falls under this:
Aaveum said:
If I absolutely needed a soft case for mobility reasons, it would probably mean I should use a smaller camera and image quality is probably not my top priority.
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An ENG camera is a self contained package. The F35 is not. An ENG camera has by nature a smaller footprint. It's not only that the F35 camera head is bulkier. The whole set up is much bigger once you have it all on. I'm aware some DSRLize it and try to make it more compact. But it is still a full size cinema camera, even if you are willing to sacrifice quality, ergonomics and usability for size. With ENG everything you need is on the camera ready to go, out of the bag. Totally different tool, totally different scenario, totally different job. It's the sole reason ARRI has the Alexa and the Amira in their line.

But to each his own. I would not risk F35s, Alexas, F65s and the like in a bag. Or limit myself in trying to pack everything in a small space. Not for anything but emergencies. Hard case for me it is. Always. I know to many weight is the most important aspect. To me it isn't. Or I wouldn't shoot on F35s. Just my personal preference, of course.
 
I ended up getting a used Porta Brace that is a good fit. I only have to take off the top handle via quick release, the camera can stay built with lens on etc. so it's a pretty good deal for me. I'm ok with this kind of bag for the way I work. In a different working environment where other people handle my gear I also would use a hard case though.
 
Could you post a picture of the bag, or list the model number? I am interested. I currently use a pelican rolling case, but interested in something I could shoulder for short distances.
 
James0b57 said:
Could you post a picture of the bag, or list the model number? I am interested. I currently use a pelican rolling case, but interested in something I could shoulder for short distances.
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Probably should take a look at some more before you make a decision...currently there are 242 different ones in stock at B&H; all kinds of sizes, colors, features, material, etc.

Amazon of course has a bunch too, but it's easier to navigate and find what you're looking for through B&H's superior search/results system.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=2044&fct=fct_a_filter_by|03_INSTOCK&N=4028759492
 
He could also go directly to PortaBraces's website. Or even contact them directly. Although it's been years now, PB has done custom work for me in the past that I was very happy with.
 
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