Porta Brace cases at DVinfo.net

Matt Newcomb · April 8th, 2007, 01:53 PM

I'm shopping for a new case and I'm looking at getting a Porta Brace CTC-C2. I noticed there is also a C3 and a C4 and I can't for the life of me tell what the difference is. The only thing I saw was that the dimensions of the C4 were smaller, but all the pocket configurations seem the same.

I was going to order the black version of the C2 off B&H since it's a little cheaper but there are no returns on it and I just want to make sure it will work well.

Jonathan Kirsch · April 9th, 2007, 08:45 AM

I've got the C3 and it works like a charm. Didn't know about the C2 or C4. If you want info on it, you can check out this thread.

Jonathan

Matt Newcomb · April 14th, 2007, 07:28 PM

anyone have any insight into the different case models?

Jack Barker · April 15th, 2007, 08:27 AM

Matt - As near as I can tell, the CTC-2 (20 x 10 x 6.5") is slightly smaller than the CTC-3 (22 x 10.5 x 6.5") and the newer model CTC-4 (same dimensions, but with different pocket arrangement). Also, I noticed that the CTC-2 "bulge" (place where the viewfinder sits inside) tapers away toward the end, where the CTC-3 and 4 are the same thickness all the way along the length, and I'm not sure how that would work out.

They all look like good cases, with the CTC 2 & 3 at the same $290 (B&H) and the CTC-4 at $320, I would still choose the CTC-3, since that's what I have, and everything fits perfectly, with just enough pockets. However, I did notice that B&H have a used CTC-2 (condition +8) for $129.00, so if budget is a consideration, that looks like a good buy. If that appeals to you, you would need to rush, since their used stuff doesn't last very long on the shelf.

One small note. At the PortaBrace web site, the XL2 is listed on both the CTC-3 & 4 model pages, but on the CTC-2 model page, the XL1-S is listed. Maybe it's just an old web page, but I would call PortaBrace first.

Dale Guthormsen · April 17th, 2007, 10:10 PM

Matt,

I have the ctc-3 and it is a good camera case and great for travel. However, In my opinion it has very little room to carry other pertenant equipment. I never put stuff loose in the camera compartment as I will lose items taking the camera out for sure. I guess the solution is carrying the second accessory case.

Matt Newcomb · April 18th, 2007, 11:46 PM

Thanks Jack and Dale,

I guess as long as I can hold some tapes and spare batteries and maybe a charger in the external pockets that is fine with me. The case I'm using now is a hand me down portabrace, which has seen better days and doesn't fit my camera very well, so it was already destined to become the accessory case.

Jack Barker · April 19th, 2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Newcomb

Thanks Jack and Dale,

I guess as long as I can hold some tapes and spare batteries and maybe a charger in the external pockets that is fine with me.

Matt - it will hold all that and more. Mine holds the cam and stiff draw-string bag with a dozen or more tapes, warm cards, and the manual on the inside – three batteries, battery bracket, charger, lots of cables, and the remote in the outside pockets. I'm sure I could cram more in there too.

April 8th, 2007, 01:53 PM	#1
Matt Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 212	Porta Brace cases I'm shopping for a new case and I'm looking at getting a Porta Brace CTC-C2. I noticed there is also a C3 and a C4 and I can't for the life of me tell what the difference is. The only thing I saw was that the dimensions of the C4 were smaller, but all the pocket configurations seem the same. I was going to order the black version of the C2 off B&H since it's a little cheaper but there are no returns on it and I just want to make sure it will work well.

April 17th, 2007, 10:10 PM	#5
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Matt, I have the ctc-3 and it is a good camera case and great for travel. However, In my opinion it has very little room to carry other pertenant equipment. I never put stuff loose in the camera compartment as I will lose items taking the camera out for sure. I guess the solution is carrying the second accessory case. __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

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April 9th, 2007, 08:45 AM	#2
Jonathan Kirsch Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 204	I've got the C3 and it works like a charm. Didn't know about the C2 or C4. If you want info on it, you can check out this thread. Jonathan

April 14th, 2007, 07:28 PM	#3
Matt Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 212	anyone have any insight into the different case models?

April 15th, 2007, 08:27 AM	#4
Jack Barker Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 342	Matt - As near as I can tell, the CTC-2 (20 x 10 x 6.5") is slightly smaller than the CTC-3 (22 x 10.5 x 6.5") and the newer model CTC-4 (same dimensions, but with different pocket arrangement). Also, I noticed that the CTC-2 "bulge" (place where the viewfinder sits inside) tapers away toward the end, where the CTC-3 and 4 are the same thickness all the way along the length, and I'm not sure how that would work out. They all look like good cases, with the CTC 2 & 3 at the same $290 (B&H) and the CTC-4 at $320, I would still choose the CTC-3, since that's what I have, and everything fits perfectly, with just enough pockets. However, I did notice that B&H have a used CTC-2 (condition +8) for $129.00, so if budget is a consideration, that looks like a good buy. If that appeals to you, you would need to rush, since their used stuff doesn't last very long on the shelf. One small note. At the PortaBrace web site, the XL2 is listed on both the CTC-3 & 4 model pages, but on the CTC-2 model page, the XL1-S is listed. Maybe it's just an old web page, but I would call PortaBrace first.

April 18th, 2007, 11:46 PM	#6
Matt Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 212	Thanks Jack and Dale, I guess as long as I can hold some tapes and spare batteries and maybe a charger in the external pockets that is fine with me. The case I'm using now is a hand me down portabrace, which has seen better days and doesn't fit my camera very well, so it was already destined to become the accessory case.