Hard Case vs. Soft Case PLEASE HELP.

Anytime Buck! Yeah, that's the thing, I have fallen ahead of a camera to keep it from hitting the ground, and twisted to fall on my chest so as not fall on my backpack. The things we do for our master, the Camera. It's like I tell folks, my cat is not my pet, I am his slave, I feed him, clean up after him, take him to the vet, and all he does is just sit there and destroy my remote controls :grin:
 
Rush said:
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:
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Rush,
have you had any experience with the Kata Teddy-2??? That looks to be what I need, none of the weird wheels and tote crap, but has the waist and chest strap, and looks to have room for the other stuff like tools, spare tire, chain, and what have you.

Thanks
Buck
 
Hey Rush,

What Pelican case would you recommend for the XL2? Enough room to house the camera and a couple extra lenses. I keep an AG Dionic 90 on the back...

Matt
 
vjbrennan said:
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. :)
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Haha, that's funny Vjbrennan. Truth is, the last 3 times I flew my bags were searched over. Now granted, it was probably the security team checking for 'things' but it was still checked over. How do I know this? They leave a tag INSIDE the bag letting you know. This tells me that though there is not much time, there IS enough time to swipe an expensive camera that I have worked VERY hard to save up for. So, umm...I'll stick with the carry-on, thanks. ;o)

Rick
 
Yea, that's the government (TSA) They run every bag (supposedly) through a bomb sniffing machine. If something is suspicious, they have to hand check it. For some reason the chemical makeup of peanut butter does that a lot, I don't know why.

I don't know how it works when you check in, but the set-up they use for transfer bags (like from canadian flight, which don't get checked when they board) is pretty safe. The guys have to work very quickly to make connections, and there are way too many people around to steal something like a camera. At least that's how it is here in Denver. I'm not saying it couldn't happen. But it's not very likely. The ramp guys don't go through your bags, and there really isn't anyplace to hide to steal anything. But I'm sure some people can find a way.
 
vjbrennan said:
I don't know how it works when you check in, but the set-up they use for transfer bags (like from canadian flight, which don't get checked when they board) is pretty safe. The guys have to work very quickly to make connections, and there are way too many people around to steal something like a camera. At least that's how it is here in Denver. I'm not saying it couldn't happen. But it's not very likely. The ramp guys don't go through your bags, and there really isn't anyplace to hide to steal anything. But I'm sure some people can find a way.
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VJbrennan-
Thanks. That's actually very encouraging. So, maybe I am being a tad paranoid. I am going to stick with the bag that RUSH suggested, the Pelican 1514 then get another big, well-made soft case for my eventual accessories. Based on what you tell me, I will bite the bullet and trust the check-in guys with my filters, batteries, mics, boom poles, etc...
I'm trustin' ya...
Rick
 
BUCK said:
Rush,
have you had any experience with the Kata Teddy-2??? That looks to be what I need, none of the weird wheels and tote crap, but has the waist and chest strap, and looks to have room for the other stuff like tools, spare tire, chain, and what have you.
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Yeah, I like the Teddy2, but it does not have as much space as the Panda. As you can see from this link to kata:

http://www.kata-bags.com/ESearchResult.asp?eqt=1&mkid=9&mdid=385&ProdLine=1

It does not qualify for the DVX either. If you want a big backpack, get the BP502. Panda is medium, perfect for me, and not wider than my shoulders, so when I walk through doorways, I don't bang up against things.

Portabrace has two great bags like that, the smaller:

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]BK-3 [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]New[/font][/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]Panasonic AG-DVX100, 100A, AG-DVC80w/large mic and matte box[/size][/font]
http://www.portabrace.com/asp/ProdDesc.asp?DescCode=BK

And the larger:

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]HKP-2L [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]New[/font][/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]Panasonic AG-DVX100, 100P, AG-DVC80, AG-DVC30 (has divider system-no pillow)[/size][/font]
http://www.portabrace.com/asp/ProdDesc.asp?DescCode=HV
 
MattC said:
What Pelican case would you recommend for the XL2? Enough room to house the camera and a couple extra lenses. I keep an AG Dionic 90 on the back...
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I have our rental XL2 in a 1610. That is just barely big enough, even with the front hood removed, and the VF disassembled, if you leave the rear accessory plate attached for the dionic:

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1610BLACK DVXuser $147


If you get the 1620, you can drop in the camera with VF assembled, because it is deeper, but you still have to remove the sunhood if you leave the rear accessory plate attached. You will also be able to drop in lenses vertically, as opposed to laying on their side.

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1620BLACK DVXuser $160

Ideally you would use the large 1650, but that case is very heavy. "Damn! 50lbs of materiel and 250lbs of crate", as my army buddy used to say. Though that case would allow you to fully drop in the camera assembled with battery mounted, and have room for lenses.

I can't wait for Pelican to make custom cases for the XL2 and the Sony Hidef. Those cameras have unorthodox sizes, and I usually have requests for softcases with them. I do love pelican, and I will probably suggest that to them.
 
Rush said:
Yeah, I like the Teddy2, but it does not have as much space as the Panda. As you can see from this link to kata:

http://www.kata-bags.com/ESearchResult.asp?eqt=1&mkid=9&mdid=385&ProdLine=1

It does not qualify for the DVX either. If you want a big backpack, get the BP502. Panda is medium, perfect for me, and not wider than my shoulders, so when I walk through doorways, I don't bang up against things.

Portabrace has two great bags like that, the smaller:

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]BK-3 [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]New[/font][/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]Panasonic AG-DVX100, 100A, AG-DVC80w/large mic and matte box[/size][/font]
http://www.portabrace.com/asp/ProdDesc.asp?DescCode=BK

And the larger:

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]HKP-2L [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]New[/font][/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]Panasonic AG-DVX100, 100P, AG-DVC80, AG-DVC30 (has divider system-no pillow)[/size][/font]
http://www.portabrace.com/asp/ProdDesc.asp?DescCode=HV
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Thanks Rush,
I guess I am lookin' for something that doesn't exsist...I'm lookin' for a backpack that can carry a cam, but the back pack should look like a back pack not a big square, I can't imagine riding/skiing with one of those bags on. Maybe a pelica case and my REI backpacking bag are what I'll end up doing.

I'll keep looking, thanks for the links I don't know all these companies yet!!!

EDIT: Maybe the BP-502 is what I need...http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=252&perentId=1&ProdLine=1

L8R
Buck
 
If I already have a fairly comfortable/roomy backpack that would fit my DVX, is there someplace where I can just buy a good amount of high-quality foam (similar to what they have in those pelican cases) and just stuff my backpack with it? That would seem to be the most practical/economic solution.
 
Go to a Peli Dealer, they can order in the pick and peel and the structure foam for you, all kinds of sizes and widths, cheap too

Gordo
 
whoa, that was cool. Nice cases, but I won't ride or ski with box on my back, that would hurt like hell to fall on! Maybe get one for the back of the van though.

L8R
Buck
 
Hey Buck - I'd be curious to know if you get that Kata backpack. I need the same type bag for the same type of reasons. I wonder if it's big enough to put the dvx in with a smallish external mic attached...

Cheers,
Zac
 
Buck, That looks like a nice bag. As far as a waist strap is concerned I know Lowe makes back pack bags with them. My friend was a skateboard filmer and he had one, he packed his Sony VX1000, battery charger, extra battery and tapes in it easily, he even had room for his 35 mm still picture camera. I dont know how a tripod would fit in it, unless you were using a small tripod. Sorry I dont know the model number or anything but you could check out the Lowe website I'm sure.
 
OK guys ..Please no Tomatoe throwing ...I have a Panasonic soft case . The dealer ordered the wrong case and gave me a deal on it . I suites me just fine and I can get everything it . No regrets.....Ian
 
Try the Pelican 1500 series that has instead of pluckable foam a fully functional soft case. Soft case fits perfectly inside, and has a detachable shoulder strap. Thats if you want both a soft and hard case.
 
I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but tamrac makes the backpack style cases. I can't compliment on their quality. But it's out there if you want to check it out. And the straps look very comfortable.

LowePro also makes a hard case that has a fully functional soft case, but it's a smaller size. I think that a great idea, you have to best of both worlds. I wasn't able to find the Pelican one.
 
i have to say i was pretty annoyed with my pelican hardcase, i bought the smallest model with built in wheels from EVS , it has a large plastic slab as a handle that slides up and down behind the case, mine is heavily gaffa taped up right now as on the first day of use, one of the bolts holding the back plate came out, followed by another, i think it messed up the screw thread as i was unable to put them back in.
i only bought it about a month ago but i threw the box out as i kinda thought if a humvee can drive over it how could little me possibly manage to break it ?
 
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