HVX200 Backpack Decision?

Bags are tough, heck they are worse then picking a girlfriend or wife. Luckily they are cheap in comparison and you can have two or three without recourse.

That being said, I like Kata bags because they run smaller through the hips and things are held in tight. You happen to be looking at larger bags, so check out Kata's 207 backpacker bag at: http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=273&cid=28&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

That's my two cents, oh, and I am perfectly happy with my wife.

Regards and good luck,

Rob
 
dvInsight said:
Bags are tough, heck they are worse then picking a girlfriend or wife. Luckily they are cheap in comparison and you can have two or three without recourse.

That being said, I like Kata bags because they run smaller through the hips and things are held in tight. You happen to be looking at larger bags, so check out Kata's 207 backpacker bag at: http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=273&cid=28&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

That's my two cents, oh, and I am perfectly happy with my wife.

Regards and good luck,

Rob
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I've actually tried the Kata 207 before, and while I've heard a number of good things about Kata, I didn't really like that particular backpack (and returned it). Kinda made me feel like a turtle carrying it around, with the whole shell design, plus it was just WAY too bulky to be a backpack (and I'm 6'2")!

These too seem to be pretty nice for different reasons. I'm kinda leaning towards the Cinebags backpack. The Portabrace kinda looks like carrying a microwave on your back. But I'm really interested to hear if people have any experience or information about these.
 
Though this was designed as a still photogs backpack, I bought it for transporting a PD 150. I just used it last week to travel with the HVX 200 across the country on an airplane (hand carried) and was able to fit all my accessories and still have room. You can reconfigure the dividers inside any way you like.
http://www.tamrac.com/5578.htm
I bought mine for a great price on Ebay a few years back.
 
What is the best way to put the HvX in a backpak : lens down or lens up (horizontal will probably not fit. I am a bit afraid of the OIS which seems to be loose when the HVX is switche of. Can it be demaged when putting the HVX wrong in a backpak?
 
I ended buying the Kata BP-502 but fully loaded with a 17" Powerbook, external D2 hard drive, the HVX and associated cables I'm seriously wondering how portable it really is due the weight!

I'm off to India, Tibet and China next month so we'll see.....

Indy....
 
I wouldn't order anything from Cine Bags there stuff sucks and is expensive. I have a production bag that has fallen apart and a water bottler holder that is in pieces. I really like the Petrol Papoose more like a backpacking back pack. Cheers.
 
Kata 207!!! Have been on the road for the past couple of months w/ my HVX 200 and it ROCKS!!! I was skeptical, but HVX, merlin, Wide Angle, Filters, Lectro, batts, charger, tools, 17" PB & Lacie 360gig drive later I do endorse the bag. Yes, it ends up weighing as much as a small refrigerator but your gear is overhead on the plane with you and I am able to get allot of airport, plane, tarmac related footage for my tv show. Otherwise (when I have an ample crew) I use big Pelicans for everything.

Cheers,
Prio
 
What about the Tripod?

What about the Tripod?

For you guys using the back packs, I haven't seen anyone mention carrying a tripod. The manufactures' web sites show tripods on the packs, but those are for still cameras. It seems to me that a tripod big enough for the HVX + wireless or etc. would be too big to carry on the pack. I'm just getting back into pro video, but the tripods I've used in the past for cameras larger than the HVX wouldn't fit in the back pack holder. Is anyone carrying a tripod on the pack with all the other equipment? I'll be doing HVX, 17" powerbook, extra drive, microphones and who knows what else. Good thing I've just started with a fitness coach. :)

-Steven
 
sjmvideo said:
For you guys using the back packs, I haven't seen anyone mention carrying a tripod.
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Sore point really... well with me anyway! The dealer said my Kata BP-502 had a tripod accessory that allowed me to attach it to the side of the BP. Although there is a picture of this its not particuarly practical especially with the bigger tripods.

Load up any bag your thinking of buying BEFORE you buy it to check that it 'works' the way you want to work.
Regards

Indy....
 
John Rivers said:
I've actually tried the Kata 207 before, and while I've heard a number of good things about Kata, I didn't really like that particular backpack (and returned it). Kinda made me feel like a turtle carrying it around, with the whole shell design, plus it was just WAY too bulky to be a backpack (and I'm 6'2")!

These too seem to be pretty nice for different reasons. I'm kinda leaning towards the Cinebags backpack. The Portabrace kinda looks like carrying a microwave on your back. But I'm really interested to hear if people have any experience or information about these.
Click to expand...

Ok, so I admit I have made a mistake. I have not tried out the 207 Kata backpack, I mistook that for the BP-502, which DOES resemble a tortoise shell.

I looked in the 207 a bit more and it actually does seem pretty solid. Placed my order yesterday, so it should be in by Friday. I'll let everyone know how I like it and post pictures and such.

Besides, you know your bag has gotta be strong when the same company makes bullet proof groin protectors. That's hardcore.
 
I also own and dig the Kata 207. It's actually a bit more turtle-esque than the 502, but has a semi-hard lower rear shell--er, uh, "base" that the former model lacks. Though I know better, it feels as durable as a Pelican case. It's slightly bulky but I can haul a ton of gear and still ride my bike (almost comfortably). But there's no way in hell I can attach my Cartoni Focus to the miniscule tripod holster.
 
Lenilenapi said:
Cees,
Lens should always be up with a Chip camera, not down.
Click to expand...


I'm curious why that would make a difference? I could see some logic to that with a bayonet mounted lens but not with a fixed lens unit.
 
HVheX said:
I also own and dig the Kata 207. It's actually a bit more turtle-esque than the 502, but has a semi-hard lower rear shell--er, uh, "base" that the former model lacks. Though I know better, it feels as durable as a Pelican case. It's slightly bulky but I can haul a ton of gear and still ride my bike (almost comfortably). But there's no way in hell I can attach my Cartoni Focus to the miniscule tripod holster.
Click to expand...

Wow, I now can see EXACTLY what you're talking about with the "rear shell". One look at the bag, and one of my first reactions was "...my bag has an ass!" Lol.

I just got the bag in today, going to customize it to see what the best setup would be later tonight when I get time. I'll try and take and post some pics.

Just a thought, but I was reading the "bag recommendation sheet" that came with the 207, and it suggests across the board to use the Grizzly-3 with professional camcorders. I took a look at that bag just now, and it looks massive, but it looks like it would hold a professional tripod and everything you'd need for a production inside. Not carry-on compatible, but for some that wouldn't matter. Anybody ever use the Grizzly before? Thoughts on the two bags (207 and Grizzly-3) and how they compare?
 
two questions :

are the 207 and 502 actually different bags or just an up-grade/new model of the same thing


are any of the bags mentioned suitable for overhead storage on a plane?
 
Hey everyone,

Just checking in because I haven't had time to photograph the final setup, but just wanted to say that I really, really like the KATA HB-207. I'm AMAZED at how much I've been able to fit in this bag, and while it took some time to figure out how to best set up the velcro dividers and where to put everything, I've finally got a configuration I'm extremely happy with. So to anybody following this thread who has similarly been searching for an excellent bag, I highly recommend the Kata.

Like I said, I WILL post pictures by tomorrow once I get the time and add on the final touches to my setup. Thanks for everyone's help with this.
 
I have a Portabrace for my DVX and I like it. And I put it lens up. It's in the center (I cut the dividers in such a way that all accersories go around it); so that it doesn't hit anything directly in case of a fall.
 
sjmvideo said:
For you guys using the back packs, I haven't seen anyone mention carrying a tripod. The manufactures' web sites show tripods on the packs, but those are for still cameras. It seems to me that a tripod big enough for the HVX + wireless or etc. would be too big to carry on the pack. I'm just getting back into pro video, but the tripods I've used in the past for cameras larger than the HVX wouldn't fit in the back pack holder. Is anyone carrying a tripod on the pack with all the other equipment? I'll be doing HVX, 17" powerbook, extra drive, microphones and who knows what else. Good thing I've just started with a fitness coach. :)

-Steven
Click to expand...

Check out the Lowepro stuff. They make packs that include hydration, mount tripods, are waterproof, are weatherproof, etc. lowepro.com
 
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