Has anyone found a good backpack that will hold the JVC GY-HD250 camera with standard lens and still meet requirements for carry on to airplanes? I just ordered my second package and I'd like to keep one on the plane with me and not check it if possible. Thanks for any input.
Randy

I'm using this Kata bag :
http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=260&perentId=1&ProdLine=4

Because the hd251 fits, it's a good bag for walking in montains, but probably too big to be carried with you in a plane (but i don't really travel by airplane, so i don't know what is the size we can carry with us).

Thank you for the reply Fabrice. After an exhaustive search yesterday I decided to go with a Portabrace case for carrying the camera onboard and in the field. I almost bought a second Lightware bag for the second camera, but decided I would feel better having at least one package with me all the time. The Kata bag looks great but would have been too big for carry on luggage requirements.

Which Portabrace case did you end up buying Randy? Any chance you can post us a link to it?

Thanks in advance,

Julian

Fabrice, can I ask a question about the Kata bag?

It does not appear to have any internal straps so that the camera is essentially sitting on the back end of the camera. In my case that would mean an IDX battery mount and battery.

Is this a problem at all for the camera, carrying it long distances sitting in this way?

Rob

Robert, I just flew with an HD-200, Chrosziel mattebox, two Dionic 90 batteries and charger, 9 Tiffen fliters, shotgun mic with softie, DR HD100 (with both cam battery bracket, and hard drive brackets both still mounted to the camera), headphones, extra tapes, xlr cables, viewfinder still mounted, and of course the manual - all packed nice and neetly into a Camrade backpack. I called the airlines ahead of time just to be sure what their dimensions were for carry-on luggage. They told me 10"X16"X24". This Camrade pack measures about 11" (with the top pockets not filled), X @14" X 24". I asked if they'd break my chops about the extra inch and they said no worries. The pack fit real nice in the overhead, and I felt great knowing exactly where it was the whole time (much better than I do when it's down below!).

By the way the Camrade has a neet way of transforming into a back pack. When not being used as such, you'd never even know the padded straps are even in there. They're pretty comfortable too. And yes, on the inside there are straps for you to hold your gear nice and secure. Also, on the top there's a strong cylinder shaped accomodation for the viewfinder which seems to have a plastic shell incorporated into it. It's real strong. In fact the whole pack has a pretty good shape to it. It keeps your gear protected real nice. Heavy zippers too. This bag's gonna be around a lot longer than the HD-200 will..

hope it helps

Thanks Eric,

I was not aware of the Camrade at all and will certainly check it. It sounds like a handy bit of gear.

I actually bought the Kata some time ago but have felt concerned about using it.

Rob

I was not aware of the Camrade at all and will certainly check it. It sounds like a handy bit of gear.

Robert, Camrade actually makes more than just the bag for this camera. They also make a pretty snug fitting weather/elements protective jacket. When I land Monday I'll take some photos of it and post them here.

Good luck Robert

It does not appear to have any internal straps so that the camera is essentially sitting on the back end of the camera. In my case that would mean an IDX battery mount and battery.

Since now i don't have any problem, but i'm concerned with this. Because of the camera design, all the weight goes to one part of the idx battery mount. So i will soon build something with wood to make the weight go on more part of the idx. And perhaps do something with some rope.

Eric,

Which Camrade pack do you have for the JVC and where did you get it? I searched their web site but couldn't find much usrful information.

Jim, the Camrade model number I have now is TM-640. The first one that I ordered was only long enough to accomodate the cam and some gear. When I got the Dionic 90 battery kit AND the DR HD100 hard drive with its funky bracket system, suddenly the rig was too big for the backpack unless I took it all apart. I exchanged the smaller bag for this TM-640

I got the pack from TapeworksTexas (which is on the "Good guys" list here on DvInfo), where I believe they stock the full Camrade line. Scott Cantrell is always very helpful, gives me great deals on all sorts of gear, and has the patience of a saint with me.

Here's a link to the TapeworksTexas Camrade page - http://www.tapeworkstexas.com/camrade1.html

I'll post some pics of the bag in action when I get back tomorrow. Good luck Jim

Eric,

Thanks much for the info. I had looked at the Sound Guys site but wasn't sure which bag it was.

Do you think the smaller bag would be OK for the camera with an AB mount on the back (with or without the batteries mounted?)

First post!

I've been lurking around this forum for some time and found it to be very helpful, so I'm hoping someone can give me some advice regarding a good case for my newly acquired HD200.

Does anyone have any recent experience taking their HD200 (or HD250) on board a plane successfully, as carry-on luggage? If so, what sort of case do you own?

I've been looking at the Kata CC-195, as the price suits my limited budget. The Kata website claims it falls within the current size restrictions for carry-on, but I wanted to get some input from a fellow JVC owner.

I own the Pro-Spec package (Fujinon 17x5 lens and DR-HD100, Anton Bauer Trimpac, etc).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Welcome!

I own the KATA cc-197 and couldn't be happier. The construction is superb for the money and I personally prefer the look and feel to the PortaBrace stuff I've used over the past 10 years. How it holds up will remain to be seen but a very functional and attractive carrying case.

Should point out I'm a HD200UB owner with the stock 16x and AB dionic power. I have my AB Ultralight2 mounted on top of the camera and everything still fits. I have 2 batteries and my charger stowed internally with 20 tapes and still have reasonable room.

Just re-read your post. Haven't tried flying with my JVC or the KATA bag yet. Not sure the 197 even comes close to carry on size.

I use the Camrade. To complicate things for you, I couldn't be happier either. Use is confidently as a carry-on all the time. Always fits the overhead compartments, no one ever looks at me cross-eyed. Has tuck away backpack straps, which are AWESOME to have and to use. Once tucked away you'd never even know they exist. Has plenty of pockets for your batteries, chargers, tapes, toy trucks - whatever. Inside has straps to secure your baby, and PLENTY of room for matteboxes, filters, mics, whatever. Only bitch of it is you can't fit the tripod in there. But just about everything else works out great!

I got if from Scott Cantrell at TapeworksTexas. They are one our DVinfo sponsors.

Good luck brother

Thanks Shaun!

I saw the cc-197 on the Kata site, but the link to the page seems to be broken. However, if I'm not mistaken, it appears to be a slightly larger version of the cc-195.

Have you had any issues getting your case on board a plane? Some airlines can be quite strict about dimensions and I don't want to have to buy another seat for my gear (as much as I love it, the overhead compartment will do), or worse check it in.

I don't have the 200, but I've carried my 110 with the Anton/Bauer Tandem charger and Hytron 140 stuck on the back which is not such a short combination on four or five flights last June.

I have it in a Camrade case that I got from Scott at Tapeworks.

The case is at least 4 inches longer than the official carry on limit, but no problem getting it in the overhead on Southwest.

According to the TSA website, media cameras are exempt from carry on size restrictions as long as they can be safely stowed on the aircraft. And I don't think anyone at the security line will mistake a JVC with A/B battery on the back for a consumer handycam!

In fact, I've had the TSA security guys tell me to not bother taking it out of the case as soon as I showed them what it was.

Thanks also to Eric and Jim!

Eric,

From what I can find on the interwebs, your Camrade looks like a really nice case. I see you posted the dimensions of the TM-640 as 11" x 14" x 24" earlier in this thread. That makes me a little nervous because the airlines I usually fly with don't allow bags of that size (according to their websites). For example: Northwest & Delta - 9" x 14" x 22", BA - 9.85" x 17.5" x 22".
I suppose the thing to do is to call ahead and ask, just as you did yourself and hope they will bend the rules a little. In my case (no pun intended), I think I will call around before I make my purchase.

Jim,

I wasn't aware of those TSA exemptions; that's very good news indeed.


Edit: As a side note - I was hoping for a little advice; I didn't expect 3 really helpful individuals to come through in such a short span of time. Thanks again everyone! This really is a wonderful community to be a part of.

It's what we do here, Brendan. Glad to be of help.

The only thing to concern yourself with the TSA exemption is you are at the mercy of the security/check in people who may not be as willing as the TSA to actually MAKE that exemption for you... (or possibly have never heard of it and are unwilling to look into it for you). While MOST people at International airports are accommodating, when lines are long and tempers are short, routinely the EASIEST thing for the agent to do is "insist" that the "offending" article be checked.

My significant other until VERY recently worked at our airport here and some baggage handlers were recently "caught" deliberately throwing items marked fragile several feet into the air on purpose, allowing them to crash to the ground. My equipment ALWAYS travels carry on! Mind you, I until recently only has a Sony PD150 or Z1 to worry about. The semi-full-sized HD200 may prove to have it's own issues.

I may very well look into the Camrade as a carry-on solution as well.

I had the same decision to make a few months back. I've got Lightware cases for my lights and sound gear and love them. I've used Portabrace, Kata, etc over the years. I decided on the Portabrace CO-AB-MB: http://portabrace.com/productA-CO-AB-MB

It is a great bag and the black is much better than the standard portabrace blue in my opinion. :)

in the midwest (at least in des moines) a lot of the connecting flights are TINY planes, that have virtually NO overhead space. but there isnt a chance in heck that I am CHECKING my camera, as if it doesnt show up, I am out a camera for my shoot. so you end up having to take the camera out of the bag, and wrap it in a jacket half the time. never had a problem yet though.


I do want to check out that camrade case though. I still need a good car bag.