Hard Case vs. Soft Case PLEASE HELP.

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
Hello-

I am about a week away from finally purchasing the DVX100A and I am planning on buying the bare minimum of accessories. An extra battery, a warranty, tapes, tape cleaner, and of course a case. I see that the Panasonic soft case is $150.00. Which seems high for ANY soft case. But alas, that is the price. Is the soft case enough protection? It's not like I will be tossing this camera around. And yes, I'm sure the hard case would offer a more stable universe for the camera but IF the soft case is fine, I would rather get that. The hard case is not only a pain in the neck to carry around, but it's $330.00 dollars. OUCH! Any suggestions, ideas, input??? Please advice oh wise people of DVXuser.com...

Rick
 
Do a search on cases - they've been discussed here lots and lots recently. Get a hard case unless you are a news or documentary filmmaker and then get one anyway. Portabrace bags make nice compliments if you're doing the work indicated above - your camera is much easier to deploy in a PortaBrace.

I use Hardigg Storm cases exclusively - others love their Pelican cases. These are waterproof, float and have equalizing valves for airportability. Padlocks or zipties secure the load when checked. We flew our DVX, production audio and lighting in the belly of the Boeing beast using Hardigg Storm cases and didn't lose a bit to rough handling.

Here are the ones I use and the Peli equivalents:

Hardigg im2100 (Pelican 1300) - A DVX100(a) with the rubber eyepiece stuffed into the handle void fills these cases using the removable cube foam. Room for one spare battery - no charger or other nonsense.

Hardigg im2700 (Pelican 1600) - DVX100(a), batteries, charger(s), raw and exposed stock, mattebox and rods will fill this case using the removable cube foam. Room to spare, but these are the size of a conventional suitcase without wheels.

Hardigg im2720 (Pelican 1650) is 2" deeper than the 2700 and has wheels and a retractable handle.

Another thing about the Hardigg - and I think Pelican still does this as well - they have lifetime warranties. You will be hard pressed to find another option for less than $150 that gives you that guarantee - take the plunge and protect your gear.

Yet another pitch for my buddies at Hardigg...

e
 
Get a pelican case - they are very durable and watertight. Didnt think it mattered much until I was caught in the rain and was able to protect my cam easily :) Mine (Pelican 1550) was $120 - fits cam and other stuff easily.
 
i was in your exact same shoes about two weeks ago: getting ready to buy a dvx, trying to figure out what case i wanted. here's what i decided on:

1. hard cases are too big and bulky.
unless you are gonna be shipping your camera buy mail or buy plane i don't think this level of protection is nessesary if you have to sacrifice the space and the manueverabilty that a hard case would require you to.

2. hard cases spell "expensive" to onlookers
this might just be paranoia, but i feel like bringing a hard case onto the field while shooting would draw too much attention and just be screaming out loud about how much your equiptment is worth. i guess public theft isn't much of an issue with most places you'd be shooting at, but it was something i decided was important.

3. foam protection means less room for other equipment.
this might not matter to you if all you have is the camera, but if you have an extra mic, a mattebox, filters, and whatever else, then you might need an extra bag if you get a hard case.

i came up with a couple other reasons but i'm kinda drunk right now and can't remember any more.

heres the case i got:

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DVO2CR4

i know i shamelessly plug EVS whenever i get a chance too, but those guys kick ass.

back to the bag though: i love it. i'm literally in love with my bag. it holds EVERYTHING. I've got a Formatte box and some filters, a LCD shade, few extra batts, tapes, manuals, charger, mic, every last thing fits in there except the tripod.

it also has very rigit plastic all around it rather than soft foam, and i had an extra devider piece that was made of out the same material, so i whacked it with a hammer a few times and it didn't crack so i feel pretty safe about it. the only thing is that i doubt its very water proof so you have to make sure to stay out of the rain.

but for everything else, it's awsome.

i go to a school for media and stuff like that, and we have an equiptment room and a bunch of crappy pd170's, but all they have in there are soft backed porta brace cases, and like 50 people check out each camera a week and those soft cases do the job keeping the camera's safe and operational, so this is one of the major reasons i dont think a hard case is nessesary.

this is all just my opinion of course. if you have 250 to spend on a case, you can't do any better than that porta brace i recommended. it comes with a real sweet white card too, and i love them for that because i always forget to bring something white along.

damn that was long. sorry about that. i didn't have time to write a short one. hope that helps though.

-joey
 
I have the Storm 2720 w/ wheels....and love it because I can drag it around rather than carry everywhere & it has tons of room, it's safe, pro appearance and it helps me pretend that I'm organized.

For soft bags the porta brace is a dream bag, especially with the big thick strap pad. It'll save your back after walking a few blocks.

Either way your safe, and yes Pelicans are excellent also, I have one of the big ones too!
 
Okay-
Thanks for the advice guys. I am still kicking around some ideas. Here is one thing I forgot to mention...I am too much of a coward to check my camera in on a plane flight. Therefore, it would have to meet FAA carry-on regulations. Is that PortaBrace small enough to carry on a plane and to fit in an overhead storage bin? I went to EVS online and I admit, it is a beautiful bag. I am strongly considering it. But, I am planning on taking this camera to Cali with me in a few months, and there would be no way I would trust it to the baggage people on United. No way.
Rick
 
That link I gave you details which Hardigg and which Pelican cases meet FAA / carry-on requirements at the bottom of the page.

e
 
Take a look at
www.petrolbags.com

Very nice stuff, I use a big old DOMKE shooters bag and it is great for shouldering and humpin' through the jungle.

PELI is good for throwing under the plane but too rigid for carrying around, IMHO.

Gordo
 
i'm not sure what the size regulations are for airline carryon, but the bag is about 13x22 by 12 inches tall. it's like the size of a gym bag.

-joey
 
Okay-
I am crossed eyed here. I was convinced that I wanted the Panasonic soft case. I figured that the design of it would be sufficient since it was made BY them specifically FOR the DVX100A. But, I got a load of Joey's post and took a look at the porta-brace. It seems like it would be supremely comfortable and roomy. But, then it occured to me...if I am willing to invest nearly $4,000.00 grand for a camera, some tapes and an extra battery, I had better protect it with a hard case. And something tells me no matter what, at this stage of the game, I will only need a bag that is only so big and if I ever to begin to 'collect' accessories, (which we all eventually do) I would need another bag anyway. So, I think for now, a Pelican hardcase should do me fine. I am pretty sure that I am going to go with the Pelican 1510. Check it out if you please. Let me know what you think.
http://pelican-case.com/pelican-flashlights/15caonca.html It's the largest FAA regulated carry-on hard case that Pelican makes. And, as I've written, it's GOT to be a carry-on size. I just can't trust the baggage people to NOT swipe the camera. I don't like that the handle is not soft like the Hardigg cases, Overland, believe me, I looked at Hardigg for a long while...but this Pelican case...at $130.00, wheels and a drag handle, the price is right.
Any further thoughts?
Rick
 
Hi Rick, actually the Pelican 1510 does have rubberized handles on both the horizontal and vertical sides. It is just big enough for the camera and some basic accessories, and it is our most popular pelican after the 1550 (not FAA reg.) Also the locking holes have metal retainers for extra protection against someone trying to cut through them with a saw. Pelican has been one of the most successful and reliable products we have ever sold, with 1000's of cases shipped. Pelican also has a lifetime guarantee. They are wonderful cases to own and use, and all our rentals are in Pelicans. :thumbsup:

If you want a little more space, I recommend the pelican 1514, which is the padded divider version, not foam based. Same size and dimensions. It is not as shock-absorbing, ofcourse, but it fits a lot more accessories, like a mic, batteries, 10 tapes, cables, an a wireless kit. It is akin to a photo-SLR divider interior. If you can't order it online, just call our sales office and ask for the P1514 case (that is the exact model). Tell them the DVXuser discount is $140.
 
Hi Rush, Hi Trabiezo-
Thanks for your input. I am convined that a Pelican is THE way to go. I need to ask....that 1514...same demensions as the 1510? If so, it should be small enough to bring onto a plane as carry-on luggage, correct?
And how about that 1550? Small enough to carry on?
Rick
 
rlm7189 said:
there would be no way I would trust it to the baggage people on United. No way.
Rick
Click to expand...

Hey now, I was working the ramp until I got laid off a few months ago. I've said this before but, It's not that we don't want to steal your stuff, but really...we just don't have the time. :)
 
Hey guys,
Instead of starting a new thread I'm just going to tack on to this one.
I'm looking for a camera bag to get when I order my DVX(very soon!!! woohoo). I need to have a waist strap and chest strap, b/c I will be needing to carry the camera skiing and biking, and the load has to be stable on the back. It also has to have some place to stick a tripod, spare batteries and tapes, and space for equipment to be in the back country for a day. does anything like that exsist??? I was looking at a Kata bag the GDC but it had no waist strap.
Thanks for any input
L8R
Buck
 
rlm7189 said:
Hi Rush, Hi Trabiezo-
Thanks for your input. I am convined that a Pelican is THE way to go. I need to ask....that 1514...same demensions as the 1510? If so, it should be small enough to bring onto a plane as carry-on luggage, correct?
And how about that 1550? Small enough to carry on?
Rick
Click to expand...
1514 has the same dimensions, just padded divider interior, and it is aircraft legal. 1550 is small but the dimensions are wrong for aircraft, it will not fit overhead.
 
BUCK said:
Hey guys,
Instead of starting a new thread I'm just going to tack on to this one.
I'm looking for a camera bag to get when I order my DVX(very soon!!! woohoo). I need to have a waist strap and chest strap, b/c I will be needing to carry the camera skiing and biking, and the load has to be stable on the back. It also has to have some place to stick a tripod, spare batteries and tapes, and space for equipment to be in the back country for a day. does anything like that exsist??? I was looking at a Kata bag the GDC but it had no waist strap.
Thanks for any input
L8R
Buck
Click to expand...
I own a Kata Panda case, the KTVE1401, and that has a chest and waist strap.:thumbsup: It can easily hold the cam (sits high in the bag, by your neck), 2 wireless kits, 4 big batteries, charger, 20 tapes, shotgun, 42"reflector, paperwork, and many more miscallaneous parts. It was originally designed o hold a laptop with the camera, but that is not written in stone. You can latch a small light tripod and boompole to the sideports, but I carry those in a separate shoulder bag. Petrol and Portabrace also make excellent bags, I just picked the Panda because it is inconspicuous for travel abroad.

You can also put a pelican case in a hiking bag, I just had to mention that.:grin:
 
Advice...

Advice...

Kata is good stuff half of it is hand made in isreal(seriously)

truth is what you need it for

do you want to look cool? the sony hard cases cant be beat...

also storage and transportation(stacking like box's with hard case)

considering your a dvx user then all you need is a good soft case(kata is good) but dont need it, go to a local store and pick out whatever you like(soft) hard is usually only needed for transport/looking cool

plane trip or the back of a van thats for what hard cases are there for. taking it with you on your shoulder, throwing it in your sedan for a short trip soft all the way

make sure you get the size you need and you should be good
 
hahaha thanks rush i'll be sure to keep that in mind, you should be getting a call from me next week to order my DVX and such. I'll keep lookin' at packs, the only thing about a pelican case is if I fall on it, it could really hurt me...hopefully I never fall with a dream cam in my pack though!!!

L8R
Buck
 
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