Backpack to carry EX3? at DVinfo.net

Nathan Apffel · March 8th, 2009, 02:19 PM

Does anyone know of a good backpack that holds the EX3 plus a few odds and ends? I have two different petrol backpacks, but neither fit the ever cumbersome Sony EX3 viewfinder properly. Most of my work is in the jungles in South America so I need to be able to carry the rig on my back.

Side note- Has anyone tried to remove the EX3 viewfinder from the camera, and have an electrician rewire it so you can take the viewfinder on and off, like the JVC 100-250 series? I love my EX3, but the viewfinder's bulky shape is really annoying. Thank you in advance!

Nate

Bob Kerner · March 8th, 2009, 04:39 PM

I have a Think Tank Airport Accelerator backpack for my EX-1. I can pack the camera, batteries, audio and a small palm corder in. I imagine that the EX-3 would fit fine; however, I'm not sure how high your viewfinder sits above the camera.

The search feature should bring up about 10 threads on the EX-3 backpack question.

Dean Harrington · March 8th, 2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Apffel

Does anyone know of a good backpack that holds the EX3 plus a few odds and ends? I have two different petrol backpacks, but neither fit the ever cumbersome Sony EX3 viewfinder properly. Most of my work is in the jungles in South America so I need to be able to carry the rig on my back.

Side note- Has anyone tried to remove the EX3 viewfinder from the camera, and have an electrician rewire it so you can take the viewfinder on and off, like the JVC 100-250 series? I love my EX3, but the viewfinder's bulky shape is really annoying. Thank you in advance!

Nate

A good backpack that will fit in airline carry-on luggage compartments, with some extra gear, has not been produced by anyone as far as I know. I have a Kata BP-502 which I love but ... it doesn't fit in the carry-on compartment ... !

Avery Sellards · March 8th, 2009, 10:38 PM

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Andrew Stone · March 8th, 2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Kerner

I imagine that the EX-3 would fit fine; however, I'm not sure how high your viewfinder sits above the camera....

The search feature should bring up about 10 threads on the EX-3 backpack question.

The best thread I have read here on the EX3 backpack solution is this one. Worth slogging through...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-xdca...le-ex-3-a.html

Alastair Traill · March 9th, 2009, 04:33 AM

[QUOTE=Nathan Apffel;1024436]Does anyone know of a good backpack that holds the EX3 plus a few odds and ends?
Side note- Has anyone tried to remove the EX3 viewfinder from the camera, and have an electrician rewire it so you can take the viewfinder on and off.

I can fit my EX3 into a Loewe Pro Mini Trekker which is a medium size back pack that fits into an airline locker. The EX3 is a very snug fit and it requires some organization that will not suit those who like to have their camera instantly available. The reason for my persistence is the fact that I had a spare Mini Trekker. To make the camera shorter I replace the lens hood with a screw-in lens cap and remove the shoulder pad. I also remove the viewfinder shroud and position the finder as far forward as possible and remove the microphone holder. Once dismantled everything (except the shoulder pad), plus a couple small batteries and other small accessories can be packed in around the EX3. It is a good hiking set up.

Re finder removal: - I would like to remove the finder especially if it would work on an extension. I would also like to do the same for the lens handle. However it would no doubt void the warranty.

Joachim Hoge · March 9th, 2009, 07:15 AM

I use the KATA HB-207 with my EX-3. It´s the smallest back pack that will fit the EX-3.
I can take it on a plane without problems.
It´s actually a bit too small for the camera. I have to take off the viewfinder and keep the camera a little tilted inside the compartment.
It´s not room for much extra though. What I manage to pack is:
The camera
extra battery
Charger
Wireless mics
Some tools
Remote zoom
15" Macbook Pro
Rain cover for the backpack.
Rain cover for the Camera I strap on the outside of the backpack

It really is a very good backpack. I recently used it when shooting for a week in the alps (Chamonix).
I skied, climbed and went on quite long Randonee trips with the the HB-207 and it really is very comfortable.

I´ll try to post a picture of my lay out

I had the Kata 502 for my Canon XL-H1 and it will fit the EX-3 perfectly with lots of extra room, but I only got it on a plane once and I had to take the camera out to be able to squeeze it in to the overhead compartment.
Mostly they wouldn´t let me on the plane with it.
And it´s very big if you are walking a lot with your gear.

John Peterson · March 9th, 2009, 08:30 AM

[QUOTE=Alastair Traill;1024715]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Apffel

I can fit my EX3 into a Loewe Pro Mini Trekker which is a medium size back pack that fits into an airline locker. The EX3 is a very snug fit and it requires some organization that will not suit those who like to have their camera instantly available. The reason for my persistence is the fact that I had a spare Mini Trekker. To make the camera shorter I replace the lens hood with a screw-in lens cap and remove the shoulder pad. I also remove the viewfinder shroud and position the finder as far forward as possible and remove the microphone holder. Once dismantled everything (except the shoulder pad), plus a couple small batteries and other small accessories can be packed in around the EX3. It is a good hiking set up.

That bag is only 5 inches deep on the inside. I still don't understand how it fits even removing all that stuff?

John

John Peterson · March 9th, 2009, 10:19 AM

The other thing is. Many on these forums keep searching for just the right size officially designated camera backpack for airline carry on luggage for $300 here and $400 there.

Has anyone thought of buying just the right size regular hiking type backpack and lining it with padding of some kind for a fraction of the cost?

John

Alastair Traill · March 9th, 2009, 04:47 PM

[QUOTE=John Peterson;1024795]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alastair Traill

That bag is only 5 inches deep on the inside. I still don't understand how it fits even removing all that stuff?

John

I did not think it would fit until I tried it - it is a very snug fit. It is definitely a minimum size pack. I mount the camera lens down and slightly tilted to one side.

Jon Braeley · March 9th, 2009, 09:47 PM

I have just spent six weeks travelling throughout India with my EX3, including the Himalayas for 2 weeks. I am now in Beijing, China.

I bought the kata backpacks (both) and sold them - one too small, one too big. I am using the cc-197 - it's a shoulder carry bag. The Ex-3, and all accessories fit perfectly with good padding even after very rough treatment (even used a mule to haul my bags up a mountain) - all works well. My mattebox fell enough and bent and of course the mic holder broke off - but thats all.

The kata 197 will fit into most plane overheads, with some small shoving. In six weeks I have taken 12 plane flights, 5 overnight trains, 2 boat rides and lots of strange road vehicles, but the 197 bag performed very well.

My only problem is my back is now bent out of shape due to a lower shoulder carrying the weight.

Duncan Craig · March 10th, 2009, 08:01 AM

I've now got three Kata bags and I can fit my EX1 in any of them depending on where I'm going. A CC-197, HB-207 and an old MC-61

On the face of it the 197 and 207 both look about the same sort of size, the 197 is just a little longer.

The 207 came with a reversible rain/sun cover in it's own pouch which sort of fits the other bags too. Also two drawstring pouches with velcro on the bottom, which I put my cards and little bits and bobs in. The pouches are brilliant, I love to find some more. My 207 also came with a free SLR strap and four strap adaptors to use with the backpack. Nice.

The 197 came with a stiffening bar and two padded divider 'blocks' which are almost useless, but luckily I bought a large Kata divider kit years ago with the MC-61 and had lots leftover to fit out the two new bags.

I've got a lot of flying to do later this year, but I'm still undecided which bag to go with.

Joachim Hoge · March 10th, 2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncan Craig

The 207 came with a reversible rain/sun cover in it's own pouch which sort of fits the other bags too. Also two drawstring pouches with velcro on the bottom, which I put my cards and little bits and bobs in. The pouches are brilliant, I love to find some more.
.

I found those velcro pouches to be absolutly brilliant as well. No more dropping small things when you open the backpack.

March 8th, 2009, 02:19 PM	#1
Nathan Apffel New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 11	Backpack to carry EX3? Does anyone know of a good backpack that holds the EX3 plus a few odds and ends? I have two different petrol backpacks, but neither fit the ever cumbersome Sony EX3 viewfinder properly. Most of my work is in the jungles in South America so I need to be able to carry the rig on my back. Side note- Has anyone tried to remove the EX3 viewfinder from the camera, and have an electrician rewire it so you can take the viewfinder on and off, like the JVC 100-250 series? I love my EX3, but the viewfinder's bulky shape is really annoying. Thank you in advance! Nate

March 8th, 2009, 10:38 PM	#4
Avery Sellards Tourist Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 4	This might work... CineBags - Life on Location

March 10th, 2009, 08:01 AM	#12
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	I've now got three Kata bags and I can fit my EX1 in any of them depending on where I'm going. A CC-197, HB-207 and an old MC-61 On the face of it the 197 and 207 both look about the same sort of size, the 197 is just a little longer. The 207 came with a reversible rain/sun cover in it's own pouch which sort of fits the other bags too. Also two drawstring pouches with velcro on the bottom, which I put my cards and little bits and bobs in. The pouches are brilliant, I love to find some more. My 207 also came with a free SLR strap and four strap adaptors to use with the backpack. Nice. The 197 came with a stiffening bar and two padded divider 'blocks' which are almost useless, but luckily I bought a large Kata divider kit years ago with the MC-61 and had lots leftover to fit out the two new bags. I've got a lot of flying to do later this year, but I'm still undecided which bag to go with. __________________ FCPX/LS300/EX1/FS100/GoPro/Vinten/HotHead/Jib/Track/Dedos/Lightstorm/Coollights

March 8th, 2009, 04:39 PM	#2
Bob Kerner Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 388	I have a Think Tank Airport Accelerator backpack for my EX-1. I can pack the camera, batteries, audio and a small palm corder in. I imagine that the EX-3 would fit fine; however, I'm not sure how high your viewfinder sits above the camera. The search feature should bring up about 10 threads on the EX-3 backpack question.

March 9th, 2009, 04:33 AM	#6
Alastair Traill Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 626	[QUOTE=Nathan Apffel;1024436]Does anyone know of a good backpack that holds the EX3 plus a few odds and ends? Side note- Has anyone tried to remove the EX3 viewfinder from the camera, and have an electrician rewire it so you can take the viewfinder on and off. I can fit my EX3 into a Loewe Pro Mini Trekker which is a medium size back pack that fits into an airline locker. The EX3 is a very snug fit and it requires some organization that will not suit those who like to have their camera instantly available. The reason for my persistence is the fact that I had a spare Mini Trekker. To make the camera shorter I replace the lens hood with a screw-in lens cap and remove the shoulder pad. I also remove the viewfinder shroud and position the finder as far forward as possible and remove the microphone holder. Once dismantled everything (except the shoulder pad), plus a couple small batteries and other small accessories can be packed in around the EX3. It is a good hiking set up. Re finder removal: - I would like to remove the finder especially if it would work on an extension. I would also like to do the same for the lens handle. However it would no doubt void the warranty.

March 9th, 2009, 07:15 AM	#7
Joachim Hoge Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 402	I use the KATA HB-207 with my EX-3. It´s the smallest back pack that will fit the EX-3. I can take it on a plane without problems. It´s actually a bit too small for the camera. I have to take off the viewfinder and keep the camera a little tilted inside the compartment. It´s not room for much extra though. What I manage to pack is: The camera extra battery Charger Wireless mics Some tools Remote zoom 15" Macbook Pro Rain cover for the backpack. Rain cover for the Camera I strap on the outside of the backpack It really is a very good backpack. I recently used it when shooting for a week in the alps (Chamonix). I skied, climbed and went on quite long Randonee trips with the the HB-207 and it really is very comfortable. I´ll try to post a picture of my lay out I had the Kata 502 for my Canon XL-H1 and it will fit the EX-3 perfectly with lots of extra room, but I only got it on a plane once and I had to take the camera out to be able to squeeze it in to the overhead compartment. Mostly they wouldn´t let me on the plane with it. And it´s very big if you are walking a lot with your gear.

March 9th, 2009, 10:19 AM	#9
John Peterson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 703	The other thing is. Many on these forums keep searching for just the right size officially designated camera backpack for airline carry on luggage for $300 here and $400 there. Has anyone thought of buying just the right size regular hiking type backpack and lining it with padding of some kind for a fraction of the cost? John

March 9th, 2009, 09:47 PM	#11
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	I have just spent six weeks travelling throughout India with my EX3, including the Himalayas for 2 weeks. I am now in Beijing, China. I bought the kata backpacks (both) and sold them - one too small, one too big. I am using the cc-197 - it's a shoulder carry bag. The Ex-3, and all accessories fit perfectly with good padding even after very rough treatment (even used a mule to haul my bags up a mountain) - all works well. My mattebox fell enough and bent and of course the mic holder broke off - but thats all. The kata 197 will fit into most plane overheads, with some small shoving. In six weeks I have taken 12 plane flights, 5 overnight trains, 2 boat rides and lots of strange road vehicles, but the 197 bag performed very well. My only problem is my back is now bent out of shape due to a lower shoulder carrying the weight.