Z1 and portabrace raincover at DVinfo.net

Frank Feijen · March 8th, 2006, 05:50 AM

Does anyone use the portabrace RS-MFZ1?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

I was sondering wether it's a snugfit or rather a baggy item, if the ergonomics are ok and wether all functions still are accessible.

Can it be compared to the petrol raincover ?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation
Which is a lot cheaper.

Also, i heard a lot of good things about bhphotovideo. Is that also true for european orders. Are there extra taxes to be taken in account since they seam to be a lot cheaper than the local reseller.

Fred Tims · March 8th, 2006, 10:32 AM

I have used the PortaBrace on my Z1 for almost a year. It is a real PITA to get it on and off the camera. It is a "baggy" fit. However it does keep the camera perfectly dry. I am happy with mine.

Frank Feijen · March 8th, 2006, 01:20 PM

Hi Fred,

Thanks for the reply!

Some more questions:
Do you need to take the cover on and off regularly?
The sales person told me you could just leave it on always, as a constant protection against scratches and sunlight.

Unfortunately there aren't a lot of pictures to be found on the net (the portabrace-site doesn't even mention the existence of this cover). Have you got - by chance - some pictures laying around, closeup or in action that you would like to share?

Gareth Watkins · March 8th, 2006, 01:51 PM

Hi Frank

I think all the control are too small and close together to leave thes rain covers on all the time.. These cameras are not like th efull size shulder cams...

I have the Petrol rain cover for my FX1 and it is very nice.. but only useful in the rain, where it offers great protection... the down side is that it seriously limits access to the controls, as does the Portabrace.

cheers
Gareth

Joe Lumbroso · March 8th, 2006, 02:34 PM

I use the Petrol Raincover with my Z1. It is cheaper than the PortaBrace and it's a raincover. It fits my Z1 like a baggy glove but is a little hard to put on/take off in a hurry an gets in the way of the zoom/focus rings. Because of this, I only use the raincover when I'm expecting serious rain or hanging out under a waterfall. In light rain I throw my Members Only jacket over it.

Jack Zhang · March 10th, 2006, 05:22 PM

I'm planning to rent a Z1 on monday for only one day and the weather forecast perdicts rain. In that case, it's either I'm not going to rent at all or I'd have to get a rain jacket. I hope it's not cloudy monday!!!

John Kang · March 10th, 2006, 11:05 PM

The new issue of DV magazine, pg 45 offers a free raincover with the purchase of a Petrol HDV bag. The offer is good untill 4.30.06.

The raincover shown is on the Canon XL Hd cam. It looks pretty nice.

The bag and raincovers looks like great items to use for travel.

While I don't take out my Fx-1 on rainy days, I've also been thinking it might be nice to carry one in case of a surprise shower.

Has anyone done a diy project to make a raincover? I was thinking of getting some clear pvc covering and glueing the open ends to make a quick homebuilt cover.

John Kang · March 10th, 2006, 11:05 PM

The new issue of DV magazine, pg 45 offers a free raincover with the purchase of a Petrol HDV bag. The offer is good untill 4.30.06.

The raincover shown is on the Canon XL Hd cam. It looks pretty nice.

The bag and raincovers looks like great items to use for travel.

While I don't take out my Fx-1 on rainy days, I've also been thinking it might be nice to carry one in case of a surprise shower.

Has anyone done a diy project to make a raincover? I was thinking of getting some clear pvc covering and glueing the open ends to make a quick homebuilt cover.

Frank Feijen · March 20th, 2006, 07:00 AM

I tried it on and didn't think too much of it, it really limits the way of handling the camera and i sure wouldn't be able to leave it on for alltimeprotection. Guess i'll save me the money and go fot the plastic bag with tape option. (since dust will be my greatest enemy)

Shawn Redford · March 20th, 2006, 12:36 PM

I have a Kata CRC-15 which is designed for the FX1/Z1u and it fits nicely, though I have yet to use it in the rain. If you want something that's foolproof and used by the military for keeping out rain and sand, take a look at this http://epiccam.com/ and click on the FX1 link.

John M. McCloskey · May 9th, 2006, 07:49 AM

Sorry for sounding like I know nothing but with the M2 I am thinking you would only want a manual focus lens, is this correct?? Thanks for all the educational tips helps me out allot.

John M. McCloskey · May 9th, 2006, 12:53 PM

Sorry for the last reply was meant to be on the M2 thread

March 8th, 2006, 05:50 AM	#1
Frank Feijen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brussels - Belgium Posts: 36	Z1 and portabrace raincover Does anyone use the portabrace RS-MFZ1? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation I was sondering wether it's a snugfit or rather a baggy item, if the ergonomics are ok and wether all functions still are accessible. Can it be compared to the petrol raincover ? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation Which is a lot cheaper. Also, i heard a lot of good things about bhphotovideo. Is that also true for european orders. Are there extra taxes to be taken in account since they seam to be a lot cheaper than the local reseller.

March 8th, 2006, 10:32 AM	#2
Fred Tims Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 82	Rainjacket I have used the PortaBrace on my Z1 for almost a year. It is a real PITA to get it on and off the camera. It is a "baggy" fit. However it does keep the camera perfectly dry. I am happy with mine.

March 8th, 2006, 02:34 PM	#5
Joe Lumbroso Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 110	I use the Petrol Raincover with my Z1. It is cheaper than the PortaBrace and it's a raincover. It fits my Z1 like a baggy glove but is a little hard to put on/take off in a hurry an gets in the way of the zoom/focus rings. Because of this, I only use the raincover when I'm expecting serious rain or hanging out under a waterfall. In light rain I throw my Members Only jacket over it. __________________ Brilliant Champions \| Gallery Hijinks

March 8th, 2006, 01:20 PM	#3
Frank Feijen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brussels - Belgium Posts: 36	Hi Fred, Thanks for the reply! Some more questions: Do you need to take the cover on and off regularly? The sales person told me you could just leave it on always, as a constant protection against scratches and sunlight. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of pictures to be found on the net (the portabrace-site doesn't even mention the existence of this cover). Have you got - by chance - some pictures laying around, closeup or in action that you would like to share?

March 8th, 2006, 01:51 PM	#4
Gareth Watkins Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: France Posts: 578	Hi Frank I think all the control are too small and close together to leave thes rain covers on all the time.. These cameras are not like th efull size shulder cams... I have the Petrol rain cover for my FX1 and it is very nice.. but only useful in the rain, where it offers great protection... the down side is that it seriously limits access to the controls, as does the Portabrace. cheers Gareth

March 10th, 2006, 05:22 PM	#6
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	I'm planning to rent a Z1 on monday for only one day and the weather forecast perdicts rain. In that case, it's either I'm not going to rent at all or I'd have to get a rain jacket. I hope it's not cloudy monday!!!

March 10th, 2006, 11:05 PM	#7
John Kang Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 219	The new issue of DV magazine, pg 45 offers a free raincover with the purchase of a Petrol HDV bag. The offer is good untill 4.30.06. The raincover shown is on the Canon XL Hd cam. It looks pretty nice. The bag and raincovers looks like great items to use for travel. While I don't take out my Fx-1 on rainy days, I've also been thinking it might be nice to carry one in case of a surprise shower. Has anyone done a diy project to make a raincover? I was thinking of getting some clear pvc covering and glueing the open ends to make a quick homebuilt cover.

March 20th, 2006, 07:00 AM	#9
Frank Feijen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brussels - Belgium Posts: 36	I tried it on and didn't think too much of it, it really limits the way of handling the camera and i sure wouldn't be able to leave it on for alltimeprotection. Guess i'll save me the money and go fot the plastic bag with tape option. (since dust will be my greatest enemy)

March 20th, 2006, 12:36 PM	#10
Shawn Redford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 158	I have a Kata CRC-15 which is designed for the FX1/Z1u and it fits nicely, though I have yet to use it in the rain. If you want something that's foolproof and used by the military for keeping out rain and sand, take a look at this http://epiccam.com/ and click on the FX1 link.

May 9th, 2006, 07:49 AM	#11
John M. McCloskey Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Point, MS Posts: 313	Sorry for sounding like I know nothing but with the M2 I am thinking you would only want a manual focus lens, is this correct?? Thanks for all the educational tips helps me out allot.

May 9th, 2006, 12:53 PM	#12
John M. McCloskey Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Point, MS Posts: 313	Sorry for the last reply was meant to be on the M2 thread