How to pack a DVX into hard case?

G

galt

Well-known member
Hey, my Pelican 1600 just arrived. I think I have a plan for how most stuff will go in it. Obviously, the camera has to go first, and suddenly I was stumped. Right now, I have an AT-897 attached to it with the skimpy plastic 2 piece shotgun microphone mount that comes with the DVX. But I can't figure out what I want to do. Obviously the DVX goes near and parallel to the hinge, for best weight distribution and access. But then it got tricky.

How do you guys orient it axially? Handle up, or towards you, or away from you? (surely not down...)

Do you take off the microphone every the time, or do you leave it attached for quick access?

If you take the microphone off, that microphone holder seems pretty fragile, and likely it would break in the case. What do you do about that? Surely you don't unscrew it all the time???
 
I leave my mic clamp attached inside my custom foam case as it would be too much pain and too much wear and tear to remove it every time. It would be great to leave the mic attached for quick response times but the case would have to be that much larger (and costlier). You can see a picture of my case design here:
http://boxofbees.com/bananabox/
 
I leave the stock mic clamp off the camera, packed into its own void in the case. If I'm using a 416 or 897, it is typically on a Rycote-style mount, separate from the camera.

We orient the camera so that it is horizontal (handle-up) when the cases handle is up. I don't know how jolts translate to the steady-shot lens stabilizer, but I (with no good reason) tend to believe it better to keep the camera with its base down during transit. Probably silly, but having a lighting background, I'm a "burn base-down" kinda fellow!

We use Hardigg im2700 cases for our full camera kit with 4x4 mattebox and filters, charger, batts. and tape stock, but also have smaller, more airportable im2100 3-case option for each piece of the kit - with the camera in one, mattebox / filters in a second and charger, batts. and tape stock occupying a third.

e
 
Maverickprods,

I think he already has the case - he was just wondering how to best organize it.

e
 
1600 is a great case. The only problem is that it is too big for carry-on and there's no way I'd check my camera. Of course if you are just using it for local transport then it's great.
Pelican just released a new case - the 1510 - which Pelican claims is the largest airline legal carry-on on the market.

Take Overlands advice. Camera handle same orientation as the case handle. All other pieces "below" the camera so the camera more or less rides on top of or above the other parts.
 
I understood that he had the case, I was offering an option to other people. The case from Abelcinetech is specifically made for the dvx100 and its attachments. The case he has seems a bit small for the money.
 
Okay, I need someone to do a training video for me, words are inadequate. :)

Even keeping the handle oriented so that camera is "right side up" when case is in usual storage orientation, that STILL leaves two options. Lens to left or lens to right :) :) Lens to left looks right (correct :) ) to me, putting the mic clip at the top. But it sure does look like it will have alot of pressure on it that way.

It's looking more like I will take the microphone off for storage, even though a) it leaves mic holder more vulnerable to breakage and b) it takes longer to grab & go. It will also use up some valuable real estate in the case to store the mic separately.

I guess whatever I do is going to be a compromise anyway. If I want to attach a wireless mic, I will need to completely remove the mic holder anyway. I wish I still had a friend with a plastic factory so I could invent a quick disconnect.

Sirius, I looked at 1510, but right now I never travel by airplane, and the advantage of having a one-box kit seems to outweigh everything else. But Overland didn't say anything about "other pieces below the camera". I was planning on putting the camera closest to the hinge, so the biggest item would be lowest, and also safest. EVerything else surrounding it on three sides so it fits best.
 
it really boils down to a personal preference. As long as there's foam around all four sides and not too much pressure on any of the components, you'll be fine. Just don't try to cram too much in the case.
 
I just took another look at that banana box. It seems a high price, compared to pelicans. But if you mouse over the picture, you see a couple of cool packing ideas on where to stash extra tapes and such to maximize volume use. I like that a lot, just bought me a bunch of space.
 
I have the tape side up in both the im2700 and the im2100 setups. As far as double packing components goes, all of the cases we've been talking about so far are less than 8" deep - effectively negating any chance to stack.

If you're looking down on the open case (like a suitcase sitting on your bed), I always put items like dovetail / baseplates perpendicular in the foam, so that they displace side to side instead of a broad, flat void. Just a little edge peeks up out of the foam, and there is zero chance the piece is going to float around during transit. These 1/2"W x 10L" x 3"D channels are harder to pluck out, but the Hardigg foam is well-suited to deep channels.

I'll snap some photos for ya.

e
 
maverickprods said:
I bought my Pelican Hardcase from Abelcinetech in L.A. It has an amazing amount of room. Additional lenses, Chrosziel filter package with french flag, filters and extra batteries, remote and tapes. http://www.abelcine.com/index.php
Click to expand...

aren't the Pelicans all the same as far as dimensions go, meaning a 1550 is a 1550, it's just how the foam (or dividers) are configured? But the abelcine seems a lot more expensive. There's a 1550 here for $99.30 (w/pick-n-pluck foam, not pre cut like the abelcine, but a $100 seems like a lot just for pre-configured foam), or they have one for $149 with the divider set: http://www.all-pelican-cases-4-less.com/detail_pelican_1550.html
 
All Pelican... is already more than B&H or EVS on the models I checked, but you have to give them your credit card before you can find out how much shipping will be (which is significant).
 
No they are not all the same size. I paid $250 for my pelican that is configured specifically for the dvx. As I stated, it has room for the camera, the chrosziel matte box, french flag, the base plate for the chrosziel, the adapter rings for the chrosziel, rods and rod ends, two additional lenses, 3 batteries, the remote, the ac charger and 3 additional filters for the 4x4 chrosziel, and a viewing cover like a hoodman for the screen, and Barry's book. That is alot of gear!
 
galt, I have all my rental DVX's in the smaller 1550's and they fit fine. In the ones with foam, I have the DVX on its side, in the ones with padded dividers, it is sitting up.:cheesy:

We have only had one mic clip break after hundreds of rentals, and only because it was checked into an aircraft belly:( , and received inordinate pressure. You probably want to lay the DVX with the mic holder pointing up at you, so the soft eggcrate foam in the lid nestles it. Lay the camera in the center for max protection, and organize the accessories around it. I would take off the shotgun, only bec you don't want it wobbling in there during transport. You can also leave the mic clip unfastened for quick use, and the XLR cable attached to the shotgun and the camera, so that it is just one motion to connect the two and shoot. best of luck :thumbsup:
 
ARRRGGGHHH Too late by 20 minutes. I just cut foam to have it sit the other way, with mic clip down into the foam and tape door facing up. Trouble now is I need a couple more things to finish out the kit, like a Senn G2 mic kit. The 1600 is bigger than the 1550, but I think I am going to be glad I bought this one for the extra few things I can fit into it.
 
overlandfilms said:
I have the tape side up in both the im2700 and the im2100 setups. As far as double packing components goes, all of the cases we've been talking about so far are less than 8" deep - effectively negating any chance to stack.

If you're looking down on the open case (like a suitcase sitting on your bed), I always put items like dovetail / baseplates perpendicular in the foam, so that they displace side to side instead of a broad, flat void. Just a little edge peeks up out of the foam, and there is zero chance the piece is going to float around during transit. These 1/2"W x 10L" x 3"D channels are harder to pluck out, but the Hardigg foam is well-suited to deep channels.

I'll snap some photos for ya.

e
Click to expand...

Yeah, photos would be great!
 
We're migrating our site to a new server this weekend, so I'll get some photos up once we're done. Sorry!

e
 
Don't mean to be snippy, but it seems like lots of people here seem to turn to the most expensive solutions, very readily. I wanted something compact but very protective (i.e. hardshell), while not having that "steal me" look that all those dopey crome lined cases have and branded ones too. The solution; go to a large thrift store (if you're in/near a big city) and look for an old busted VHS/C or VHS camera and case, the older the better; they all had them then. Many of them had very nice solid plastic cases with good clasps and foam that you can tinker to your needs. I got one from an old GE VHS camcorder with a hard grey shell case and foam that exactly fits my dvx with a few snips in the foam for the mic handle and some extra cuts for battery and cable. Then I carry mics/tapes/headphones and other odds in a backpack as I shoot very long days for a doc and I have to move around alot still shooting. It always seemed almost silly how durable those cases where, until I got my DVX and worried about the expense of the essential protective casing, then "poof!", I remembered the trift store full of those crappy cameras with great cases, and lots of nice accessory compartments, too. Plus you get an old VHS cam, too, and it's fun to shoot the occasional family event with one for old times sake ( I think, anyway, you may disagree). Laugh if you want, but my camera looks like new and I use the hell out of it; never pops open and not a scratch on it; even left it somewhere a couple times and no-one touched it (dark plastic/lightweight). Try it you'll see, spend your money on tape and cheeseburgers, instead. :cheesy:
 
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