Just got my 100B, need to pick a case

M

MindsEye

New member
I just got my DVX 100B, and I need to get a case for it. Soft versus hard, and which ones are my best options. I heard Pelican Cases are great, but which models are the most effective cost and size wise?
 
I have the 1550 and I love it. Just determine how much stuff you will be carrying and whether you want to take it on a plane
 
To add to the list, I have a portabrace case which is nice and roomy for accessories. I checked out the cinebag because of all the pouches and removable carpet base and such, but the bag alone is pretty heavy. If you are looking for something to carry around with you on the street I'd go for a kata or portabrace. If you're not carrying the bag around that often or just putting it in your car to transport to locations, I'd go for a cinebag or pelican.
 
I got the pelican 1550. and it holds my DVX, 10 tapes, 2 batteries and the charger comfortably. It cost right around $100 from B&H.

Now, as for whether you should go for a soft case vs. hard, that depends on what you do with your camera and where your priorities are.

Pelican and other hard cases are waterproof, dust-proof, stupid roommate-proof, crush-proof, not to mention they make you look cool. (just watch as people's curiosity is peaked when you open your case) On the downside, they are quite heavy, you can't just sling it over your shoulder and go.

Anyway, I also have soft cases for other cameras I have. They are light, convenient, low-profile and work well. But, they aren't crush-water-dust-proof.

So, figure out your needs and decide from there. The way I look at it, when buying something really friggin expensive, protect it!
 
You might want a hard case, because you never know...You might, one day, hypothetically thinking, unpack your gear from the boot of your car. Then get talking to the guy you're shooting with, who asks you to move the car so they can use the headlights to light the night scene, and you might hop in the car and reverse to get into position and wonder why the car isn't moving easily and there is this funny crunching sound coming from the back....hypothetically....
 
I just got a Pelican 1520 for my 100b. I "Plucked" some compartments for the camera, battery, charger/cables, tripod quick release plate, and remote. There's still some room for another battery or a few tapes if need be. I got the 1520 because its just big enough for a DVX, very rugged and durable, and small enough to fit in my cluttered dorm room.
 
I use the Pelican 1550, but I chose the dividers rather than the pluck foam. The plucj foam ends up falling apart in places, plus it's hard or impossible to reconfigure.
The dividers are fabric covered with velcro at each end, and it allows you to constantly change your configuration when you get new toys. The 1550 fits our 100b with 35mm adapter and 50mm lens attached, and we still have room for a couple extra batteries, 10 or 20 tapes, and a shotgun mic and xlr cables.

It's really a nice setup.

My preference is hard case over soft for a few reasons:
The Pelican case is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and lockable. I don't think you can say any of that for a softcase. I have a softcase, but it just doesn't give the level of protection, or feel quite as "pro".

Hope this helps.
 
I have a Kata bag and love it. The ends/bottoms are rock hard but it is a soft case, and there is a ton of room for the DVX + extras. Just, FYI: I don't have a FF or matt box but I imagine they would fit just fine, as you can move the dividers around. Also, mine was only $90.
 
Wow, lots of great advice here. I'd like to add a question to the original question. I need a bag in which I can carry a DVX and DVC60, as well as minidisc recorder, iriver, batts, tapes, various chords, etc. I would carry cam-lights in a different bag--unless the bag you will suggest would also accomodate those. I prefer soft bags and really like the look and feel of Kata. Any suggestions?
 
pelican case good
p-1510.jpg


pelican bird bad
pelican-link.jpg
 
I gotta say, I love the Kata bags too. I have three of them, two of them bigger than the first, but all three holding my DVXs. I'm a full-time videographer, and with the bigger sized two, I'm able to pack two extra batteries, a boom mic, tapes, a wireless mic set, and the ac adapter in with each camera and still have some room. Plus, I really prefer the look of the Kata bag over the big hard ones, but that's just me. I definitely think it's loads easier transporting around too!
 
I use a pelican 1600 which holds DVX, mics, wireless, batteries, 35mm adapter, 3x canon fd lenses. I also have a soft case depending on where I am going and what I need etc. If you want to fit a DVX and a DVC30 the 1650 with wheels is a good choice, unless your driving the stuff around then 1600 is fine. I actually have a small trolley I strap my 1600 to, then on the other side of the handle I strap my tripod.
 
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