I just bought the HMC80 and wondering which case to go for on the rebate, the hard case or the soft. B & H sells them seperately but doesn't have photos of the two model numbers offered. Also panasonic is using there own model numbers, however, are those the same that are offered at Porta Brace's website with different model numbers as the prices are much cheaper on Porta Brace's website (I think they are but are given a different model number as I don't think the sales for one camera justify two custom cases made for panasonic). I am thinking the soft case would give me more options but like to hear your views.
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Which HMC80 Rebat Porta brace Case to Pick?
- Thread starter Ken1212
- Start date
Greg Smith
Veteran
I use a Porta-Brace CTC-3 "Traveler" case for my HMC80. Since the Panasonic model number for the item on the rebate program is CTC-3Pan, I'm pretty sure this is the same case they are offering. Mine is blue instead of black, and I don't have the rain slicker, but otherwise I can comment on it. I like Porta-Brace stuff in general, and this is no exception. It fits the camera OK, not perfectly, because the HMC80 viewfinder is quite wide (due to being based on a bigger than usual LCD panel). Therefore, it is a tight squeeze left-to-right with the viewfinder under a bit of pressure from the bulging viewfinder pocket that is built into the case. Nevertheless, this was the best fitting off-the-shelf soft case I could find for the camcorder, and otherwise I like it just fine. The case is also a little longer than the camera, but this leaves a few inches of empty space at the back of the camera that I fill with a well padded bag that also holds my wide angle lens adapter and protects everything nicely. There are three outside pockets with sturdy Velcro closures where I keep batteries, chargers, filters and memory cards. A mesh pocket inside holds manuals (including Barry's book!) and a white card. I usually carry enough location audio gear (two wired lavs, two G2 wireless systems, a couple of handheld mics, headphones, shock mounts, cables, etc.) that I put all that in a separate Porta-Brace "run bag," but you could certainly squeeze a mic or two and their cables into the CTC-3 if you planned well.
B&H sells this case for $233, and most of the rain slickers are around $165 to $225 (I don't know which one fits the HMC80). So Panasonic's value of $379 for this item listed on the rebate form sounds reasonable to me. (Sheesh, I had no idea the rain covers were so expensive!)
I prefer soft cases for my gear except for long distance travel, so except to say that the Thermodyne they offer looks like a pretty slick box, I can't comment on the hard case option, but hope this helps.
- Greg
B&H sells this case for $233, and most of the rain slickers are around $165 to $225 (I don't know which one fits the HMC80). So Panasonic's value of $379 for this item listed on the rebate form sounds reasonable to me. (Sheesh, I had no idea the rain covers were so expensive!)
I prefer soft cases for my gear except for long distance travel, so except to say that the Thermodyne they offer looks like a pretty slick box, I can't comment on the hard case option, but hope this helps.
- Greg
Last edited:
Thanks for the response, I've been leaning towards the soft case, but I am basing it on photos. Seems that it has enough room for accessories. Sounds like you bought yours in person Greg and not theorugh mail, did you you inspect the Hard case and if so what was your impressions.
Greg Smith
Veteran
I actually bought the CTC-3 several years ago for another camera (now retired). So I had it on hand, and after checking the dimensions of many different cases online, it seemed like the best fit I was going to get anyway. When Porta-Brace added the HMC80 to their list of supported cameras (after I had already had mine for awhile), the CTC-3 was their recommended case for it too.
I just did an online search on "Thermodyne" and came up with a few pictures, which is what I was basing my offhanded judgment on. I haven't seen one in person but it has built-in wheels and a foam interior and looks perfectly serviceable.
My general rule is to avoid cases or bags that I can't pick up with one hand. Sometimes this means dividing related equipment into several smaller bags, but I find that easier to deal with than single boxes that are too hard to maneuver. I had gigantic ATA-style hard cases for several of the Sony and Ikegami cameras I used 20 or 30 years ago and just absolutely despised them, so I try to go for lighter and more compact luggage nowadays.
- Greg
I just did an online search on "Thermodyne" and came up with a few pictures, which is what I was basing my offhanded judgment on. I haven't seen one in person but it has built-in wheels and a foam interior and looks perfectly serviceable.
My general rule is to avoid cases or bags that I can't pick up with one hand. Sometimes this means dividing related equipment into several smaller bags, but I find that easier to deal with than single boxes that are too hard to maneuver. I had gigantic ATA-style hard cases for several of the Sony and Ikegami cameras I used 20 or 30 years ago and just absolutely despised them, so I try to go for lighter and more compact luggage nowadays.
- Greg