hello all....

I know that this topic has been talked about...but I am starting a large video project this month which involves air travel as I have the Porta Brace CTC-1B carry bag for my EX3 ...but I think its too big for the over head bin. So any idea's on what to look into getting for air travel?

thanks

I used a Kata 197 bag on my trip to Africa. It was tight but I managed to fit in: Ex3, hard drive, two spare batteries, Sony charger, filter, Adaptimax mount, 300mm Nikkor lens, Sony recorder, Rode Mike, X2 wireless mikes. Memory cards and other small accessories, including a toothbrush. I removed all the inside pockets and padding.

I do not recommend the Kata 197 as an ideal bag for this camera, but it allowed me to take on my gear as hand luggage. Once in Africa I transferred my gear to a more secure bag.

btw. I travelled with Virgin airlines.

Not to hijack this thread, but I'd be interested in tips for carrying 2 EX3 cameras in one case, not just for onboard but also for general production situations.

I carred on the CTC-1 on a 737-800 aircraft. Here are the details w/ pictures: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdcam-ex-cinealta/235793-ex-3-bag-dilemma-may-answered-2.html#post1325361

Bill,

I use the Strut bag for all my travels. Not so good for overhead in RJs but everywhere else it fits fine. It holds cam,fuji lens, media and Nano. More if I had small items that couldn't go in the Storm Case I check.

Dave

I purchased a Porta Brace Carry-on for my EX350 and I know they make one that fits the EX3. One of the best bags I have ever purchased. After three flights with the bag and many days in the field it is a gem. Check it out you won't be disappointed.

I just found the new page on the Petrol site for their inflatable camera bag. If I was flying on an airline with small carry-on bag size requirements I would definitely get this one...

PIAB | petrolbags.com (http://www.petrolbags.com/Camera-Shoulder-Bags?q=node/131)

hello all....

I know that this topic has been talked about...but I am starting a large video project this month which involves air travel as I have the Porta Brace CTC-1B carry bag for my EX3 ...but I think its too big for the over head bin. So any idea's on what to look into getting for air travel?

thanks

IF you were flying from CANADA:
Transport Canada now permits one small carry-on bag for airline passengers who are travelling to the United States. This carry-on bag must not exceed a size of 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9 in x 16 in x 22 in), which is equivalent to the size of a small gym bag. The carry-on bag must fit into an airport’s carry-on baggage sizer.
My EX1 fits nicely into a Kata 195 i believe, but the EX3 is a bigger camera.
Be careful or you may have to put your camera into checked luggage as i did recently on a trip to the US. Put it in a Pelican case just to be sure.

Bob, thanks for the reminder about the one carry on bag limitation from Canada to the US. I subconsciously processed that restriction as a waking dream. Only one carry on is going to make it a lot more difficult to travel with the usual litany of gear and computing devices.

I like Kata and use the 197 for my Ex3. But recently the airlines have stopped me taking this on the plane - even though at a squeeze it fits the overheads. they have really clamped down and its not worth the risk anymore.
There is a new Kata back pack specifically for the Ex3 - check their site for this. I will never check my camera - I lose my bags way too often for this. Last flight I had to hand-carry my Ex3 with no bag on to the plane!!
Travelling for a photographer is really getting to suck these days.

The Kata backpack you speak of is very big. It's a good unit but I would not assume you would get it on board a plane, in North America at least, with the reduced carry on sizes and limits now in place.

For airline carry on I use a Petrol PCCB 2N. It works fine and meets the necessary dimensions - just a touch tight unless you remove the mic clamp (which I've permanently removed anyway as I use a better system). It definitely goes in the overheads on typical jets but there is not a lot of room for much else in it (and not my MBP).

I posted about this on here some time ago including pictures (if I can find the link I'll add it). There are some pictures of my EX3 in this bag hidden away in a little used part of my website too. That reminds me, I need to update a lot of those photos!

SHOOTING IMAGE PHOTOS (http://www.shootingimage.co.uk/Shooting%20Image%20Photos/Shooting%20Image%20Photos.html)

Hi Bill,

My name is Chris and I work here at Porta-Brace in Vermont. First of all, thank you for using the CTC-1, to the men and women here that make the cases it truly does make a difference.

Regarding your situation, based on the amount of replies you've received, it looks like you have a lot of viable options. The Canadian requirements seem awfully tight so I'm not sure that you'd be able to get any bag to fit those requirements while carrying an EX3. Since you can't remove the viewfinder I think you have to go with a slightly larger case.

We have received feedback from many CTC-1 users that they are able to fit this case, with the viewfinder pocket extended into the overhead compartment. This will depend of course on the model of aircraft you are flying on. Most standard flights you'll be fine, smaller city-hoppers you will likely have an issue. I know a photog who told me he ended up checking the bag with all his batteries and accessories and just carried his camera with him on the plain (rather than check his baby!).

Here are the best travel solutions for your camera from Portabrace, I recommend sticking with the CTC-1:

Traveler (CTC-1) - Ext dimensions - 60cm x 28cm (viewfinder pocket extended) x 32cm
PortaBrace - Product Detail:CTC-1B (http://www.portabrace.com/productA-CTC-1B)

Carry-On (CO-PC) - Ext dimensions - 58cm x 18cm x 29cm
PortaBrace - Product Detail:CO-PC (http://www.portabrace.com/productA-CO-PC)

Best of luck with your decision and safe travels!

Chris

First off I have to say I do not work for Portabrace.

I purchased a Portabrace Carryon bag for my PMW-350 and have flow with it four times with out a problem but all of these flights were with in the US.

Over the years I have purchased from most of the bag companies and I have to say Portabrace beats them all when it comes to quality and well thought out designs. Don't skimp on your bag buy the best to protect your gear.

OK thanks all....I am sure I will go with the PortaBrace CO-PC carry bag....

thanks again to all of you for the feedback.

William I purchased the same bag in a longer version, and I know you will not be disappointed.

hi ..

I carry my fx1e and nikon D80 on flights in a Lowepro Vertex 200 AW backpack.
It has no issue fitting in carry on luggage compartments in small or larger jets ...

I was recently told by the US customs guard that even though it did not fit in the sizing frame, as it was camera equipment and i had no other personal items (eg clothes) in it they will allow it ... that was their policy ...

I still see a lot of camera guys carry their cams on the plane in their hands during my pretty frequent travel. Everything else goes in the checked baggage. But these are usually big shoulder cameras. If you're travelling on a smaller plane you will pretty much be checking any bag as you've only got the under seat bit for carry on. But they'll generally allow you to check the bag as you climb the ladder which means you will see it go in the hold and it's brought out to the bottom of the steps for you to pick up. Any of the bigger jets will have overhead bins so you'll need something that goes into one and that's going to limit you to a camera and some bits.

I'm a bag nut and generally work my bags pretty hard. Over the years I've had lots. I can honestly say the quality in Lowepro, Think Tank and Portabrace is awesome. I've beaten a couple of lowepro bags into submission for years and am really impressed with the fact the fabric is so tough and the zippers never let go. Portabrace is the same and my recent purchase of a thinktank has allowed me to see and test it's quality and I'm very impressed.

Prioritise zip quality as there's nothing more annoying than having a zip break. It practically writes off the bag.

But you will pay a premium for any of the three brands. I've not had experience with Kata. Portabrace is horrendously expensive in Oz and thinktanks are new here. But the bags will last for along time.

My expensive lowepro backpack for my SLR (film and then Digital) has been everywhere from the snow to the desert, been mis-treated and beaten for over 10 years and is still performing faultlessly.

In reply to Chris Miceli. I really wish Portabrace would update their web bag descriptions. See Kata and Petrol where one can get a real feel for what the bag can do. You make a great product but I could never buy it online with the small undescriptive dark pictures which accompany the product. A pity.