I will be taking a trip here pretty soon, and I will be doing a lot of walking, so I was looking at buying a backpack style bag for my A1. I am looking at a price range of $100 - $250. Any suggestions?

Petrol makes several, so do Portabrace and the other upscale bag manufacturers. Check B&H for listings on all of them. Also, Camrade bags are nice. I'm not sure if they do a backpack, but if they do it probably will be lighter than the others because their regular bags are. Go to the sponsors section here for a link to Tapeworks Texas and talk to Scott Cantrell for info on those and others. Sometimes they're cheaper than B&H and have excellent customer service (though their website isn't much).

i just bought an OGIO Ty Video backback for mine and i like it. its padded well and all the compartments are adjustable. its made for slightly smaller cameras like the hvx-200's and the fx-1's of the world but you can make it fit. i got mine online for $150

It may be on the upper end of your price range, but I went for the Tamrac Expedition 7. It has a great lumbar support system with the ability to attach other components (water bottles, pouches, even a lower storage pack). It has customizable liners, a tripod strap, and clear internal pockets for viewing components. Seems to hold the basics well. I've used it on a limited bases but it seams to work as expected. Out big trip will be to Mesa Verde, CO in 2 weeks to give it a final test.

I really like it so far.

Sean

I've also seen several of these backpacks that have the removable/customizable dividers, but the descriptions say that they are for SLR cameras. Would it be possible to make mine fit?

http://www.camrade.com/
Check out the Travelmate Handy 1. There's a photo of it with a Z7, which is about the same size as the XH A1 (maybe just a bit longer):
http://camrade.alphatron.com/upload/pdf/camradetmhandyiopen-0.jpg

One thing I like about Camrade bags is that they're lighter in weight that Petrol and Portabrace. The tradeoff is that they probably aren't as rigid. But for a backpack, light is good.

I'm cheap, so I got the Kata CB20. If you remove the lens hood, it will fit in the bag on its side. When it's put in right side up, the microphone holder protrudes enough to make it a tight fit. I don't use it, so removed mine.

http://thebrownings.name/photo/cb20/img_0641.jpg
http://thebrownings.name/photo/cb20/img_0642.jpg
http://thebrownings.name/photo/cb20/img_0643.jpg

If you want to get really cheap, you can use an ordinary backpack. A couple of months ago I wanted to shoot some things downtown when I was in Chicago. I had an old Eddie Bauer medium size backpack, and with the lens hood off and mic shoved back a bit, the camera would sit upright, left to right, in the bottom of the bag, with the lens hood in a pocket. If I were going to do that on a regular basis, I'd cut some foam to put in, and maybe a piece of 1/4" plywood for the bottom.

Hi,

I just got a KATA R103...... I think its perfect!

The Kata site was very helpful too...

kata-bags.com

Shawn

I'm cheap, so I got the Kata CB20. If you remove the lens hood, it will fit in the bag on its side. When it's put in right side up, the microphone holder protrudes enough to make it a tight fit. I don't use it, so removed mine.

http://thebrownings.name/photo/cb20/img_0641.jpg
http://thebrownings.name/photo/cb20/img_0642.jpg
http://thebrownings.name/photo/cb20/img_0643.jpg

I really liked that bag, but unfortunately, I couldn't find it anywhere.

I really liked that bag, but unfortunately, I couldn't find it anywhere.

Sorry, I gave you the wrong information. It's not Kata, but Cinebags. I paid $130 for the CB-20, but it is discontinued now and the CB-22 has taken its place for $160.

Has anyone seen one of these in the flesh?

http://hprc-usa.com/3500.htm

They seem almost perfect for what I need (watertight hiker for sailboat use) but just slightly too shallow to hold an A1. 12.59"x16.22"x6.29" vs the A1's 6.4"x7.4"x13.8" From the photos it looks deeper towards the bottom. Any comments or experience out there? will it fit?

$350 is a lot of cash for a case but better than buying a pelican 1510 plus a Portabrace. Oh and yes, I honestly NEED a watertight case, we're headed to the Aluetians by sail boat ;)

by the way this is my first post... should I have started a new thread for this?

Cheers,
Josh.

G'day Josh.

I use a Pelican 1520 waterproof/shockproof case for my A1.

Came across a real find in a local tackle store. It's an Abu Garcia backpack.

Did a quick Google. This looks like the same one and you can get it online locally. At $45.00 it's a bargain and the Pelican 1520 fits snuggly inside. Good quality too:

http://www.discountfishingsupplies.co.nz/shop/garcia-back-pack-deluxe-p-2472.html?osCsid=9a59b1e878f01d906ee21bd06260

It's got two long side pockets, a top pocket and two front pockets for accessories.

I've taken this bag hiking in Costa Rica, on planes, and to documentary shoots. It is awesome. Holds my laptop, lots of camera accessories, and even the A1 camera fully assembled with lens hood and shotgun mic (it sticks out a little). Not the smallest bag, but it's all I ever need. It protects the gear very well and is very comfortable as well.

hi, i was wondering if anyone ownes the portabrace backpack BK 1N? i am going for a while to cambodia and was thinking to invest in the best around...??

looking on the portabrace folder they say it will fit the canon xh A1 but if i compare to the dimensions of the camera i wonder how it will fit in. anybody some info on this?

http://www.libraprobroadcast.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=portabrace%2Dbackpack&cat=233

http://www.zgc.com/zgc.nsf/product/E46ED99C8BC07A4E852572D5006DE136

Has anyone tried this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=419113&is=REG

If so, is there room for a shotgun mic? I don't mind taking it off the camera. I just can't tell if there's room for it anywhere.

Okay, well, I went on and ordered this bag (above). I'll let you know how it works out.

Okay, well, I went on and ordered this bag (above). I'll let you know how it works out.

How did this work out? Thanks!

I haven't gotten it yet. It's supposed to come today. I'll report back.

Well, it fits, but it's using the maximum amount of space. Here are a few pics with the camcorder and my Sennheiser ME66/K6 shotgun with Rycote Softie. And I don't know what they consider a full sized tripod but mine sure won't fit on the side. See for yourselves:

http://www.pbase.com/cdwall/camcorder_bag

It'll work okay for me though. I don't need to carry a lot of extras.

i use the flipside 300. The camera just fits in. I can stuff the batt's and a few cables with it too. It's a very snug fit but the bag is light and very compact.

I bought it for 99 euro

EDIT: it's a bag from lowepro

Thanks - that saves me finding time to get the camera to the shop to try it out!

I'd really like a backpack that will do a good job at distributing the weight of my camera and accessories over my hips as opposed to carrying the weight on my shoulders. Anyone recommend a backpack with a good waist strap (not the silly ones that Porta-brace use).

At present I have a Lowepro Nature-trekker. It is very comfortable with the weight on my hips when loaded with 2 Nikon D200s and four lenses, plus miscellaneous other items, and a tripod.

Yesterday I went out with it, carrying the Canon A1 plus a D200 with a 400mm lens, and the tripod. I had my lunch and a 1 liter bottle of water in a plastic carrier bag. Once at my destination, I carried the camera on the tripod on my shoulder (wildlife doesn't hang around while you get the camera etc set up), and put the plastic bag with lunch in the camera bag. Still comfortable. And even better once I'd finished the water!

If I could get out more often, I'd be taking either stills kit or video kit, and even this time, I really used only the A1 - the weather was too dull for taking stills of birds. So I really need to decide whether to get another Nature Trekker for the video gear, or get something different, such as the Flipside 300. If I get something different, I'm less likely to pick up the wrong bag by mistake!

I'd really like a backpack that will do a good job at distributing the weight of my camera and accessories over my hips as opposed to carrying the weight on my shoulders. Anyone recommend a backpack with a good waist strap (not the silly ones that Porta-brace use).

David, I just ordered the Kata BP-502 backpack and it does a good job of distributing the weight. It has a hip strap that helps keep it steady on your back. I ended up returning it because the backpack is too bulky for my taste, but it does have a good amount of room for a camera, laptop and accessories.

I used the Kata 103 backpack with the A1. I had to take the shotgun and hood off so it's not a run and gun backpack. However, it is very good at protecting the camera and other gear without being bulky and huge. I used it as a camera bag for all my shoots as well as to schlepp on and off airplanes & taxis as I traveled through Asia. It passed as a carry on and protects against other passengers shoving things around in the overhead. It also is very well engineered to be comfortable and distribute the weight. I replaced the waist belt with a wider one for comfort. See photo for how I packed it along with other gear I didn't want to check. It does great for a DSLR kit too.

Thanks Makoto and Ernest. I just ordered the Kata Grizzly-3 from B&H. It looks like it is overkill for my small A1 but I wanted something that I could use not only to keep accessories mounted, but that I could also carry my tripod and stuff I would need for a day (or in a pinch) and overnight hike. I'll let you all know how it works out.

hi, i was wondering if anyone ownes the portabrace backpack BK 1N? i am going for a while to cambodia and was thinking to invest in the best around...??

looking on the portabrace folder they say it will fit the canon xh A1 but if i compare to the dimensions of the camera i wonder how it will fit in. anybody some info on this?

http://www.libraprobroadcast.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=portabrace%2Dbackpack&cat=233

http://www.zgc.com/zgc.nsf/product/E46ED99C8BC07A4E852572D5006DE136

THe bk 1n works real nice. I've traveled much with it. I can easily cram an xh a1, 17" macbook pro, me66, g2 wireless lav, and a lacie d2, plus batteries, charger, headphones, and some small other stuff
plus its reasonably waterproof, and comfortable. I've had other bags but with this amount of weight they usually tear around the shoulder straps.

Hi Dave,

thanks for your reply. are you sure its not the 2N or 3N model?
can you post a pic of the backpack with the xh A1 in it?

cheers

how about making a camcorder bag out? anyone know anything about that?

how about making a camcorder bag out? anyone know anything about that?

can you elaborate?

i'm trying to make a camcorder bag out of a normal bag (been looking at ogio bags due to their sturdy build). so while everything depends on the bag i use, there are many factors i don't know of such as setting up the interior padding.

i was hoping on information if anyone had attempted to do as i am now and if there are any sources online that would be of help to me.

tanner
hey man i just took a 38 day trip to europe. i bought a back pack from wolf camera and it is the perfect size for the xh a1, i have plenty of room for the camera and all the accessories (lens, charger, lot of tapes, cleaner, 2 extra batteries. it was only 8 dollars. it is a black bag by Quantaray Pro. its sick and was only 80 bucks. it held up really well through my travels and i put some miles on that bag. look into it, i think its the best value out there because i searched everywhere for bags. good luck.

josh

I went with the Kata 103 like a few other people and here is my setup. I just got it today because I wanted something portable to take to Red Bull Flugtag in Portland this next weekend. It is setup great for something smaller and is very durable. I am able to fit my NTG-2, accessories, and other items. Only downside is that I havent figured out a safe way to keep the hood on..

The reason I bought this primarily is that it has room for my laptop which you can see in the bottom picture.

Thanks,
Luke

For me is the Lowepro Nova 5 AW the way to go. Very good for its price (not a backpack though:-).

Yep, that's what I keep mine in when I've got the Lowepro naturetrekker loaded with stills camera gear.

My Delsey Gopix, paid £30, fix: XH A1 with battery charger and 6 batteries, Me66, steadycam Merlin, Macbook pro 15" + 2 additional batteries. It also comes with its rain-cover. A nice price for all that...
Pros: small and light, very cheap. Cons: the zippers are weak, it's too warm on the backside, especially for African climates...

This medium Tenba Shootout backpack has worked out well for me. Have had it for about a year. (That first photo was taken when it was new, the others were taken minutes ago). I usually hang a shotgun in the tube below the pack. A MacBook Pro with a 'wide' 17" screen slides in nicely. (It gets heavy when fully loaded).

When I travel without the camera I pull out the lining and pack it with clothes and a notebook computer.

Hey, Steve. I'm getting a A1 here real soon. Is this the same Timba backpack you have?
http://www.adorama.com/TBSBPMBK.html
To me, this one looks slightly different.

Check out the Crumpler Karachi Outpost (http://www.crumplerbags.com/Lite/English/Products/Karachi-Outpost-KO03A.html) and Whickey Cox (http://www.crumplerbags.com/Lite/English/Products/Whickey-and-Cox-WC03A.html). Took an XH A1 down to their store, and they fit pretty well.

Hey, Steve. I'm getting a A1 here real soon. Is this the same Timba backpack you have?
http://www.adorama.com/TBSBPMBK.html
To me, this one looks slightly different.

Hi Douglas, that one is a 'mini' and mine is a medium. On the Adorama site I see a Black Medium (http://www.adorama.com/TBSBPMDBK.html?searchinfo=Tenba%20Shootout%20Backpack%2C%20Medium&item_no=1) and a Silver-Black Medium (http://www.adorama.com/TBSBPMDS.html?searchinfo=Tenba%20Shootout%20Backpack%2C%20Medium&item_no=5). I don't know why they are priced differently. I just came across a YouTube sales video on the Shootout Backpacks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgcgOsW8c7w) (which is a little much) but does go over the interesting features. If you can, take your A1 into a store where you can check it out with various backpacks. Doing this was extremely helpful for me. I had been using a Tamarac and never heard of Tenba but after spending some time with a few backpacks the choice was easy.

The arrows in this pic point at a divider section that is used to velcro the A1 handle to the center compartment divider (click on the image to enlarge). When the backpack is vertical the camera is suspended so the hood does not touch the bottom of the compartment. This suspension scheme is one of the things I discovered in the store when checking out backpacks and is now my standard procedure.

Did you modify that at all, Steven? Or did it come that way?

I've not made any special modifications. These kinds of backpacks (not just the Tenbas) come with section dividers that you arrange to house your camera body(s), lens, etc. The first pic below shows a small divider that fits nicely around the handle of the A1. It has velcro at the top and bottom. The next pic shows the general organization that I use. (All of these dividers come out). The small curled divider (from the first pic) is attached to the long central one where I put the A1 handle. Notice the velcro areas. The third pic shows access into the backpack via the pod. The last pic, from the www.Tenba.com, shows a different organization of the dividers for the same model backpack.

It somehow seem appropriate at this point to state that I am in no way affiliated with Tenba or any kind of marketing or selling of backpacks. (Hahaha).

Hahaha. I think you might wanna send them you resume. You can say you sold one on your first pitch. I plan on getting one for sure now. Thanks a lot, man. You did a lot of work with taking pictures and whatnot. Props to ya.

I know backpacks are really more comfortable, but let me relate a story-- Russian metro (Subway) crowded, I am with a girl speaking English. Therefore, I'm a mark. I can't remember whether it was Moscow or St Pete.

I had a backpack on, a cheap one-- probably easier to open than a pro backpack-- with a Minolta x-370 in it, I loved the black anodization on that.

I barely felt anything, a slight touch to my back, I didn;t realize until I got off the train that i'd lost my camera.

I have a Pentax K-1000 now, nice camera but...

Anywhere you are going which will be be somewhere crowded, you will be distracted, in a rush, obviously not local........

I don't know the answer, but wearing the backpack on the front of your body when in public streets might be an answer.

I would try to think of it BEFORE you enter an urban/public area, once you're rushing, entering a crowded transport, you're already distracted and vulnerable.

Especially with a 3k camera, thy might quietly open the zipper between stops, just blatantly pull it out of your pack at a stop, jump off, and even though you know they did it... in Mexico city-- What will happen?

That's why Lowepro made the Flipside - the main opening is against your body, so it's difficult for anyone else to get into it.

According to message 21 on this thread, the A1 just about fits in the Flipside300.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Flipside-300,2083,14.htm

Thanks to you folks on this forum I purchased Flipside 300 and I love it. I definately recommend it to all of you looking for backpack for your A1.
As Annie already mentioned, it is impossible to open this bag when wearing it on your back. In other words there is no way to steal your gear on train or any other place without you notice it.

THanks for pointing out someone else must have learned the hard way and deisgned a backpack.

The Crumpler backpacks mentioned earlier also claim main compartments can only be entered easily through the side facing your back.

Someone couldtry to cut through the fabric, but with that heavy nylon stuff you'd probably realize something was going on.

I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out these backpacks today. They're a nice size for carry-on luggage, have decent pockets for accessories, space for a large laptop, and straps for a tripod. Can't say I'm thrilled with the color schemes, but I can live with it, I'll be picking one up tomorrow. Cinebag CB-25 Revolution Backpack - Lime Green (http://www.cinebags.com/revolutionbackpack.html)
Cinebag CB-25 Revolution Backpack - Digital Camouflage (http://www.cinebags.com/revolutionbackpackcamo.html)