FS7: Camera Bag - FS7 + Fujinon 20-120

V

Vintegreo

Well-known member
I'm now trying to dot all my eyes and cross all my tees on the camera package I'm putting together. The big basics are:

FS7M2
Fujinon 20-120
Zacuto Gratical Eye Bundle

I'm looking for a case that's not a hog and might just be able to sneak into the overhead bin on a plane if it needed to and the flight attendants weren't paying attention! Ha! :D

I've considered the Sachtler Dr. Bags, the Cinelux bags from Tenba, Portabrace of course, and a host of others....

Perhaps someone out there has a similar camera lens accessory bundle and can offer some insight.

Thanks!

Tim
 
Depends on preffered style of packing. I just tested a thinktank video transport 18 and switched to a thinktank takeoff. Both rollerbags that fits int. airline rules. The takeoff is bigger inside but is a softer bag with less protection. I could fit a fs7 kit in the takeoff but not in the video transport. But it also depends on how much you can accept to rig down. I like to keep the handle and baseplate on so I went with the takeoff. I can fit three smaller lenses, the arm, the VF, batteries, charger, follow focus, handle, microphone and some other small stuff.
 
I have F5/CN7.. EYE or LCD VF.. use one of the Portabrace ENG bags.. I take the lens off for flights.. but it also fits into the same bag.. then for actual shooting days, I can put the whole thing into the bag fully made up.. if Im using wireless video I take that off and any audio receivers hanging off the camera .. so far !! I have not been stopped getting it on a plane..(I got a black one hoping it looks smaller).. but a couple of close calls.. but i think given the clowns involved .. any sort of bag they would have made a fuss.. but convenient in that the same one bag can be used when shooting and traveling ..
 
We use the Dr. 3 bag for the FS7 I with the 28-118 lens. You'll have to arrange the viewfinder towards the lens to protect it. When flying overseas, I broke the camera down and wrapped some parts with bubble wrap and I was able to carry more contents. I noticed you're buying a II, so the packing might be different.
 
Donny 123 said:
I have F5/CN7.. EYE or LCD VF.. use one of the Portabrace ENG bags.. I take the lens off for flights.. but it also fits into the same bag.. then for actual shooting days, I can put the whole thing into the bag fully made up.. if Im using wireless video I take that off and any audio receivers hanging off the camera .. so far !! I have not been stopped getting it on a plane..(I got a black one hoping it looks smaller).. but a couple of close calls.. but i think given the clowns involved .. any sort of bag they would have made a fuss.. but convenient in that the same one bag can be used when shooting and traveling ..
Click to expand...

I second this. I leave my rig fully built in the porta brace ENG bag...

I've had this for two years now, it's pretty great. I leave my XDCA, baseplate, matte box, lens, everything except a brick, mounted to the camera. I don't have a gratical, I just fold the stock viewfinder down on its 15mm rod and it fits nicely.

The porta brace bags are designed for an ENG camera though and have options like instead of using the side pouch as a side pouch, it can hard fold and the VF tucks right in there for transport. I've also taken this bag on flights and stuffed into overheads. the airlines don't love it but they always let me through - only one time on a super small plane I took the camera out of the bag to fit the bag, and wrapped that in my jacket behind the bag. That was a PITA and I didn't love it - but it all worked out fine.
 
I have Sony FS7M2 with Cabrio 20-120mm. Cabrio plus FS7 will barely fit on Cineluxe 21 bag. If you own XDCA unit, it won't.

My suggestion is if your rig must be built and carried out, Portabrace ENG bags are probably the best. If can be separated, just get Pelican cases.
 
What model ENG bag are you all using to transport your cameras? Seems they all exceed the airlines' carry-on allotment, & I've had too many hassles with ones that didn't, so be hesitant to go that route.

My FS7 typically flies in a ThinkTank International roller, which is roughly the same size as their Airport Takeoff roller, but with a bit more interior space. If your based in the USA, & never fly international, the Airport Security provides even more storage space. When necessary I've put the Airport International in a Pelican, & sent it as luggage.

When working locally I leave the camera built, & transport it inside a Doctor-style bag from Tenba, I think the Cineluxe Video Shoulder Bag 24.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1282531-REG

On the rare occasions I've been forced into small regional jets with tiny overhead compartments I've used ThinkTank's Airport Advantage, but it's a tight fit, & had to send backup bits as luggage.
 
I use think tank as well I travel a lot national and internationally and it fits even into the smallest regional jets overheads. I would also not advise traveling with a heavier lens attached to the camera even when using support. It takes 15 mins to assemble the camera at the destination. I fit the camera the 18-55 Fuji 2 Otus primes 3 V-mount batteries zacuto Eye, Vct plate and handles into one.


Bern Caughey said:
What model ENG bag are you all using to transport your cameras? Seems they all exceed the airlines' carry-on allotment, & I've had too many hassles with ones that didn't, so be hesitant to go that route.

My FS7 typically flies in a ThinkTank International roller, which is roughly the same size as their Airport Takeoff roller, but with a bit more interior space. If your based in the USA, & never fly international, the Airport Security provides even more storage space. When necessary I've put the Airport International in a Pelican, & sent it as luggage.

When working locally I leave the camera built, & transport it inside a Doctor-style bag from Tenba, I think the Cineluxe Video Shoulder Bag 24.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1282531-REG

On the rare occasions I've been forced into small regional jets with tiny overhead compartments I've used ThinkTank's Airport Advantage, but it's a tight fit, & had to send backup bits as luggage.
Click to expand...
 
Have you stuffed the International into a CRJ-100/200's overhead? Been forced onto those a couple of times, & if I remember correctly my colleague's Airport International did not fit.

If the Electronics Ban expands, which is being bantered about right now, we'll all be checking our bags, & I have no idea what we'll do with Lithium batteries, perhaps move back to Nickel bricks. Had a gig a couple of years ago where we traveled to multiple cities with three Alexas, & it wasn't practical to carry-on all the batteries, so rented a bunch of the newer Nickel bricks that flew in the airplanes' luggage holds.
 
I have the airport security. That one fits. The flying is becoming more and more annoying. I'm sure the market will react if to new restrictions with solutions. Overall I think keeping you insurance in top form is a must. I can see companies like lensrentals offering battery drop-ship services. At nab they had some super fast charging bricks maybe something like that with a discharger.
 
If it helps, I use a PortaBrace CO-PC. Carried my VariCam's with W/A lens attached, no battery. It was the smallest one they made(make) that could fit my VariCam and still fit in most overheads in full size jets(it's actually pretty tight on the camera). I've been on regional jets that I was jamming my naked camera into the overhead and then struggling to get it back out. Some of the regional jets are ridiculous and can't even accommodate small backpacks. For maybe a better frame of reference, I can also fit my F55 with Canon 17-120 and big brick battery in the PortaBrace Carry-On.
 
I have both the same PB as above.. except I actually bought a new black on for my F5/CN7.. as older blue one was really worn out.. and I had some idea that the black would make it look smaller.. Carry on good for flights.. but cant be used as a work bag for actual shooting..an advantage of the CO PC.. mind you I guess if I was stopped 3 or 4 times I would have to give up and find a smaller bag.. but basically its totally random to what ever clown ,having a bad day, is at the machine.. with a bag sized to fit Fs7/F5/55 and a large size zoom..
 
I would like to share my bag setup. I usually store all my gear in their dedicated Pelican cases, but sometimes I need to stay super mobile. When I can prep my gear at home on my own, I like to take it on a backpack setup.

The bag I'm using is Tenba's Cineluxe 21 bag. This is for the people who don't use XDCA extension unit.

My setup is as follows :

- Sony FS7 MK2 Camera
- Fujinon Cabrio 20-120mm Lens
- TVLogic VFM-058W Monitor
- Paralinx ACE Transmitter
- Wooden Camera ZipBox 110-115mm with Two Stage slot
- SHAPE Follow Focus Pro

IMG_2998.jpg
This is the bag - Lens stays on the camera and it fits JUST perfectly on it.

My top handle is on a Nato rail, removeable and adjustable. Everything else just sits to the side of the body, which I'm using included padded dividers included with the case.


IMG_2999.jpg

Side pockets are useful in storing card and readers, or even extra pairs of back up cables. My otherside stores Battery chargers and AC power adapters.



IMG_3001.jpg

This is my complete build. Camera can be taken out and built under just a few minutes and it's good to shoot.


For those who are considering my combination and need a quick way to whip out cameras, I highly recommend this setup.
 
stokstad said:
... I just tested a thinktank video transport 18 and switched to a thinktank takeoff. Both rollerbags that fits int. airline rules...
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The roller bags fit the size but add more than 2kgs just for the rollers. Weight limit for most airlines I booked in the last year is 8kgs for cabin luggage. The weight gets checked more and more often and the check-in staff is mostly not willing to bend the rules. Worst case can happen and you have to put it to the freight luggage. I use a TT Airport Accelerator for more than 3 yrs now with FS700, Canon DSLR, Pentax 645z and Sony FS7. I am super happy with it. I also found out if you carry a backpack on your back it gets weighed less often :). (it also happened on a fully booked plane that purser picked cabin luggage for freight room when entering the plane..)
 
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Here in the USA they almost never check for carry-on weight -- though often the overhead space on regional jets will be too tight for the standard carry-ons. Having the camera easily removable has at times allowed me to pull the camera out (and place under the seat in front) while gate checking the bag and accessories.
One carry-on accessory that's come in handy more than once: Cargo Pants! Since most batteries can no longer be checked they can add weight to your package. Before having your carry-on bags weighed, transferring the battery weight (or other heavy accessories) into cargo pants pockets may save you some grief. Also, if they make you gate check the bag, the cargo pockets can be a convenient way to carry some of the more fragile items that shouldn't go in the hold!
 
Having just spent the last two seasons flying all over the US shooting on a series, a couple of notes: overhead space is lacking severely, unless you have advanced boarding status. It's a real risk taking anything in a soft sided camera bag...and now that we have to carry on all our lithium bricks, it's harder to figure out how to accommodate a big backpack of bricks plus a camera bag, even if you plan on taking some of the camera gear out in a pinch.

Also, more and more US airlines are using the CRJ planes (Canadian Regional Jets) which have very limited over head space. A Pelican 1510 carry on still fits nicely overhead or under the seat in most configurations, but several times this season I ran into rather pugnacious flight attendants who swear that no wheeled luggage of any kind can be brought on board, per FAA rules. (which don't seem to exist, AFAICT) Delta, for instance, involuntarily separated me from my 1510 Pelican planeside, and then promptly smashed $5K worth of lenses securely packed inside.

While I get my bricks swabbed regularly at TSA...I have yet to have a single agent check whether the lithium size is legal. YMMV.
 
captslomo said:
Delta, for instance, involuntarily separated me from my 1510 Pelican planeside, and then promptly smashed $5K worth of lenses securely packed inside.
Click to expand...

DAMN - that BLOWS! Even reading it secondhand I flinched a little. My heart goes out to you. What lenses did you lose, and how were they packed? I've always thought Pelis with dividers or foam inserts were next to bomb-proof. Good to know they're not.

Were you able to get any compensation from Delta, or did you have to claim on insurance? Hope it was on the way back from a shoot at least!

Cheers,

jason
 
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