AC90: Rain Cover Options - Kata - Porta-Brace - camRade - Petrol

M

mrveronn

Active member
I will be using my AC90 to record a number of outdoor soccer games (September through April), here on the west coast in British Columbia, Canada. That means rain is a frequent companion to the games. I have previously used a Kata CRC-17 PL with good results on my Panasonic TM300, but was disappointed to find that they have not updated their compatibility listings...so I'm not sure if the CRC 14PL or CRC 15PL would give the best fit with my new AG-AC90. Anyone out there using this rain cover with a AC90...? I see that Porta-Brace makes a rain cover, the QSM-AC90, but oddly enough doesn't show a lot of pictures of the case 'in action' so its hard to form an opinion of the relative merits between these two manufacturers. The Petrol line of bags has some decent features also..., but their small, medium, large approach to sizing also leaves something to be desired since we can't try our camera in there in a store. And another contender is the camRade wet suit, although again they mention the AC130 and AC160, but not the lonely AC90. Anyway, hoping that someone out there is using one of these covers (or any other type that I might have missed), and can offer an opinion/recommendations. I will also be using this rain cover handheld, on a tripod, and on a ProAm USA DVC 250 crane so want something that will remain reliable in all circumstances...good fit, not slipping around.
 
Like the original poster I am in really in need for a rain cover that fits my AC90. I video outdoors at horse shows (going on now... and it has been very rainy here is West Tennessee!) I have a Canon XH-A1 I used in previous years with a Kata cover and a top-mounted mic - I used the EVF with that camera, but With my AC90 I use the top/side mounted mic holder and the LCD so I need a rain cover that will accomodate the top/side mounted mic holder and allow me to use the LCD (read: a cover with a usable CLEAR side panel). Any advice will certainly be appreciated!
 
Tell it to us straight..!

Tell it to us straight..!

Hi JBCoons, yes it is frustrating that, even with a few photos, most of our questions could be answered...showing the AC90 in the raincover from 5 or 6 angles...a virtual walk-round to show us the fit. But what do we get...a single photo with no ability to zoom in for a better look. But nothing beats an honest recommendation, based on some hands on experience...so hoping someone out there has used one of these products and let us know about one of these..!
Well, this photo of the Petrol PR410, for small video cameras, makes me think that the AC90 would fit decently, with or without LCD monitor extended...
PR410_7.jpg
 
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I have an AC160 and I found the Petrol cover a nightmare - fiddly as hell. I settled on the Kata CRC14, which is pretty decent and takes into account a mounted shotgun mic. I have yet to find a cover that makes shooting in inclement conditions anything less than a ball-ache, however.
 
Yes, was wondering how well the zippers would work, and why (in the picture of the Petrol above) the cover is flared out so far to the left...ok, thank you Phil, the first feedback, fantastic..!!
 
The Kata CRC-14PL looks (from the pics on their website) to be a good fit BUT the mic sleeve seems to be for the on-camera (or a "center mounted") mic... since the top/side mic mount on the AC90 is what I intend on using I wonder if that Kata cover would work....
 
Soprry to hijack the AC90 question briefly... maybe this is for a separate thread?

phil s said:
I have an AC160 and I found the Petrol cover a nightmare - fiddly as hell. I settled on the Kata CRC14, which is pretty decent and takes into account a mounted shotgun mic. I have yet to find a cover that makes shooting in inclement conditions anything less than a ball-ache, however.
Click to expand...

Phil, I have the Petrol cover for my AC130. What a nightmare to put on, it doesn't even fit over the mic holder without a microphone fitted! I had to use an additional riser on the cold shoe to stand a chance of fitting the raincover to the top cold shoe. No chance of fitting a mic at all, I had to go with the internal mic only.

I'm seriously looking at the Kata CRC-14, it seems to be much faster to get on or off (the Petrol is like trying to put trousers on an octopus). It also seems to be a better design than the older green CRC covers I used years ago.

How do you find the Kata in operation? Can you use the side LCD screen at all, or are you stuck using the viewfinder only?

Thanks for any feedback you can give.
 
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Hi Mike, the Kata isn't great for using the LCD and I also find using the focus, zoom and iris rings a bit constricted, which is why I thought I might have a look at Fotonex as they appear a bit roomier up front.
 
Thanks Phil... I'll hold off on a purchase. I've never heard of Fotonex, and their business address appears to be residential. Plus there's not a lot of detail on their site either. I wonder if it's Indian imports?
 
I have a DVC-30 and just purchased a AC-90. I never used my camera in the rain, but I did film for 4 years at the "Big Dig". It is the largest vintage heavy equipment show in the U.S. It is also the most dusty show in the U.S. I would need to clean my camera VERY well after each show. The dust is like baby powder. My question is does a rain cover keep out the dust? Can you just use a plastic garbage bag? Can I use waterproof ripstop nylon and make my own cover. Another big question is will the heat effect the camera. The show is in August and is usually in the 90's. How well does the AC-90 hold up in the heat, and with a cover?
Thanks jim
 
Hi jimith, well, the camera with a rain cover is likley going to fare better in a dusty environment than the 'bare' camera...as a good proportion of the dust will be kept off the camera from top and sides...but the open bottom of the rain cover will still allow dust access...so one feature to look for is how easily can you close down that opening...either around your arm(s) if shooting handheld, or around a tripod if using that...

As for heat, well the bags are made to be water resistant, and probably don't convey heat away very well...so maybe the home-made idea is worth exploring, if some sort of vents can be incorporated.
 
Items to Consider for Rain Cover

Items to Consider for Rain Cover

Ok, so some common elements are coming out:
  • How easy is it to apply the rain cover to the camera?
    • A 'snap'
    • Fiddly ("...trousers on an octopus.")
  • Can you easily use the pull out LCD or is it Viewfinder-only?
  • Access to Focus/Zoom/Iris rings restricted? yes/no
  • Accommodates the shotgun mounting well? yes/no
  • _____?________ (what next?)
 
I can tell you that with my experience with rain covers in general, you can find one that fits well and may also allow for use of shotgun mics. However, use of the camera LCD with the rain cover is going to be problematic at best. Some cameras that have an LCD that fold into the body when open would work more easily because the LCD does not have to protrude. The last cover I used was the Porta-Brace QS-M4 on my Sony EX1. It worked quite well as long as I didn't need to use the LCD. It was a live SCCA national racing event. I was forced to use the EVF. Fortunately the EVF on the EX1 (using focus peaking) got me by just barely. I don't have the AC-90 just yet but if the EVF is not that great (that is what I anticipate) make sure that you are comfortable getting your exposure correct without using the LCD and use focus peaking. Otherwise, the other option is off-camera monitoring with a LCD field monitor but you will then need a slicker for that as well.

Shooting in the rain can be managed but there are a few pitfalls like those mentioned above.
 
Ok, so I purchased a Kata CRC-15 GDC. This appears to be an earlier (and out of production) version of the current CRC-15 PL. But I liked the large clear 'window' feature that it shares with the newer production version, and the rain cover seemed like a decent fit (in the photo showing a sony camcorder with a handle mounted LCD).

Arrived last night and I can confirm that the fit is very good with my AC90. Accommodates the off centre shotgun microphone, with good sealing around the lens hood and viewfinder. I think the major difference between the "old" GDC and the "new" PL is a front velcro opening on the PL which would probably make it quicker to apply on the camera, and the Kata site claims that it accommodates a mattbox also with this front opening feature. I don't envision shooting in the rain with a mattbox, so the older version suits my needs.

The bottom opening is generous and so I find access to the buttons and control rings is very good. The bottom opening can be made smaller by the velcro closure, or by using an included 'hand sleeve' accessory. As I will be using this on a Pro Am jib, and of course on a tripod and hand-held I will be able to customize the opening to meet my needs. So the Kata's design/features meet all my planned usage.

The kit comes with two optional accessories. First is a sleeve that fits over a shotgun microphone and provides decent protection, and accommodates both the foam or a 'dead cat' microphone cover. Second is a "hand sleeve" that attaches to the bottom opening of the rain cover to provide extended coverage for arms or a tripod. The accessories can be attached or left in your kit bag.

The kit was on sale at www.henrys.com for CDN $68.17 ($46.83 savings off the $116.00 list price) which helped seal the deal. I also have a petrol unit on the way (which was ordered before I discovered this deal)...so will be able to do a comparison when it arrives, but frankly, it would have to be pretty darn good to push aside the Kata.

First photo showing a Sony camcorder, with the shotgun microphone sleeve in use, and second photo with the LCD folded out. I will replace these with photos of the rain cover on my AC90 when I can...
CRC15-1_Other.jpg

CRC-15_1.jpg
 
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mrveronn said:
Ok, so I purchased a Kata CRC-15 GDC. This appears to be an earlier (and out of production) version of the current CRC-15 PL. But I liked the large clear 'window' feature that it shares with the newer production version, and the rain cover seemed like a decent fit (in the photo showing a sony camcorder with a handle mounted LCD).... I will replace these with photos of the rain cover on my AC90 when I can...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info - l am looking forward to your pics of your AC90 in the Kata cover - sounds like the cover solution for me!
 
Photos of the Kata CRC-15 GDC rain cover on AC90

Photos of the Kata CRC-15 GDC rain cover on AC90

Here are some photos of the Kata CRC15 GDC (version previous to PL) rain cover on my AC90. I received the Petrol cover on Friday, and quickly came to the conclusion that it is not a good choice. It will mount if you are not using a shotgun microphone, but space if very limited for the LCD, and it takes too long to do all the fastenings. The Kata, by comparison goes on quickly, allows the use of the shotgun microphone, and also the pull out LCD. So the Petrol cover is going back.IMG_3947.jpgIMG_3948.jpgIMG_3949.jpgIMG_3950.jpgIMG_3951.jpg
 
Wow... the AC90 isn't really that much smaller than the AC130 then! It looks like a good solution, I'd much ratehr have something slightly too large (with the result of a bit more room inside it, and easier to put on) than something too tight.

The new CRC-15 PL does seem pretty much the same as the older model, other than the color and the improved mic facility.
 
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