Anyone know if they have a tray for the A1 yet? thanks
Jerry

I know its old, but it came up in a search and I'm wondering the same thing

I found a case that looks like it should work. Anyone using this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=375658&is=REG

I'm using the Porta Brace DVO-1U bag for my Canon XH-A1.

Any change you could post a picture with the camera in the bag? I'm interested to see how well it fits

Portabrace has essentially two options for the XH-A1. The DVO-1U will hold the camera in the main compartment with a little room left for accessories. There is a zippered pocket inside, one large pocket on each end, several smaller pockets and two padded bags and a white card are included. I have this bag for my A1 (with J-rod/shotgun, Sony eyecup and wireless receiver on the cold shoe attached). In addition, I have room for 10 tapes, the lavaliere transmitter and mic, the stock charger, AC cord and A/V cables, am extra large capacity battery, remote, a Samson Zoom H4 field recorder and the various pens, markers, lens cleaner, head cleaner, extra filter, mini flashlight, SD cards, etc. This bag is approved as an airline carry-on.

If you don't need an airplane carry-on (or want to take the chance with an oversize), the DVO-2U has a lot more pockets and interior space.

I loaned my A1 to Portabrace last year, so I know these bags provide the correct fit. There is an interior adjustable cradle with straps to secure the camera and all sides of the bags are rigid.

Portabrace has essentially two options for the XH-A1. The DVO-1U will hold the camera in the main compartment with a little room left for accessories. There is a zippered pocket inside, one large pocket on each end, several smaller pockets and two padded bags and a white card are included. I have this bag for my A1 (with J-rod/shotgun, Sony eyecup and wireless receiver on the cold shoe attached). In addition, I have room for 10 tapes, the lavaliere transmitter and mic, the stock charger, AC cord and A/V cables, am extra large capacity battery, remote, a Samson Zoom H4 field recorder and the various pens, markers, lens cleaner, head cleaner, extra filter, mini flashlight, SD cards, etc. This bag is approved as an airline carry-on.

If you don't need an airplane carry-on (or want to take the chance with an oversize), the DVO-2U has a lot more pockets and interior space.

I loaned my A1 to Portabrace last year, so I know these bags provide the correct fit. There is an interior adjustable cradle with straps to secure the camera and all sides of the bags are rigid.

The Porta Brace is a very nice bag, but the DVO-1U leave very little room on the left and right inside the bag once the Canon A1 is strap down. But you do have 2 outer pockets on the side to put your accessories. Everything Bill wrote is correct and Bill configuration is basically the same as mine, I just don't have a wireless at this moment.

I just purchased the PortaBrace DV3U bag from B&H and I'm sending it back to exchange for a Petrol camera bag (PCCB-2N). I use a Petrol bag for my Sony A1U and while I think the build quality of the PortaBrace and Petrol bags are on par with one another, I like the design of the Petrol bags better. My problem with the PortaBrace bag was one, it was dirty inside when I received it. Some judicious use of my vacuum fixed that but I think on a high end bag it's not acceptable. The Petrol bag was clean as a whistle when I received it. Two, the camera cradle doesn't fit the Canon A1 very well, it's stiff and causes the camera to sit diagonal in the bag. It's adjustable but it just didn't seem to fit my camera right. Just a personal preference, others might not see it as a problem. The Petrol inserts are soft and pliable and you can velcro them into just about any configuration you want. Only thing is I wish Petrol sold the inserts as a separate item because there are alot of possible configurations and I wouldn't mind a spare one with the bag. Portabrace includes a spare case/pocket/sack whatever you want to call it, for accessories. It can be velcroed into the case or used as a small stand-alone bag. With the A1 in there, there is not really enough room for it so it's just an extra bag. The camera fits fine in the bag, but takes up most of the main compartment. There are plenty of pockets for accessories. I noticed the suede on the PortaBrace handles was flaking a little bit and this gets into the bag and on the camera. This would probably go away as the handles are broken in but again I don't think a high end bag should be doing that. There are some other small touches to the Petrol bag that I like over the PortaBrace bag. Petrol put feet on the bottom so the bag doesn't sit right on the ground. Keeps it cleaner, less prone to moisture damage, and the bottom of the bag won't wear out as fast. The PortaBrace doesn't have these, so the bottom of the bag sits right against the ground. Didn't mean this to be a review of Petrol vs. PortaBrace but I wanted to throw in my two cents as I had a hard time finding any info on bags for the A1. Keep in mind all of this is subjective opinion and I think the Portabrace is a well made bag. I know people who swear by them and there is a reason. I just happen to like the Petrol better. Hope this helps.

Are these soft cases from portabrace good enough for preventing the camera from getting broken if the bag is dropped with the camera inside ? Or would a hard case (metal case) be better?

I used a PortaBrace CTC-3 for my old XL1s, but I wouldn't trust the camera to work after dropping it at all. They're just soft cases, I don't think it would handle an impact quite like a Pelican or similar would.

Thank you all for the info, I've never looked into the Petrol bag Ray, but I'll definitely check it out. I've always been a fan of PortaBrace, but there's always time for change. I used to be a Sony-only, and now I prefer Canon....

Ray, did your set come with the PMH-1 Mini-hood? I noticed that was included when you buy from B&H. I was wondering if this hood fit the A1's LCD and if it was useful at all?

I bought a Petrel PCCB1 for the XH-A1, which is a very good fit for the camera, sturdy and well made. The design is perhaps not the most weather proof, with two zips along the top. There is a more expensive version with a lid that overlaps all round the edge.

However, I often walk a few miles in the course of a day's filming and would much prefer to carry the camera in a backpack than just slung over one shoulder. Has anyone found a rucksack-style bag to fit the XH-A1 yet? I have a LowePro Orion Trecker, but the XH-A1 only just fits in the padded compartment with the lens hood off, and besides, the padding is not very substantial. Has anyone used Luggy bags (made by Libec, I think)? If so, any comments? Their LY13L9M rucksack looks about the right sort of size and shape.

TIA

Nick, I haven't received the new Petrol bag yet so I can't tell you if the included lcd hood fits the A1 or not. Once I get it I will give it a shot. My guess is it won't as I think the hood is designed for 2.5" screens. The first Petrol bag I bought was the smaller PMCCB-1 and it came with a hood designed specifically for the Sony HVR-A1U 2.7" screen. That is a closer match to the Canon lcd in terms of size but the odd shape of the Canon lcd may an issue. I never used it with my Sony as the camera uses a touch screen and a hood would only be a nuisance. If I can find it I will try it with the Canon and report back.

In response to Mark's posting, Petrol apparently has an add-on that turns their cases into a backpack. You can see it at the Petrol website. It doesn't look very elegant to me but if you don't want to buy two bags it may be a solution. A dedicated backpack would look better and probably be more functional.

Nick, I haven't received the new Petrol bag yet so I can't tell you if the included lcd hood fits the A1 or not. Once I get it I will give it a shot.

No worries there... I went ahead and ordered the Petrol bag. I figured since I'm getting it from B&H I'll just return it if I don't like it or something... but from all the info I could find on here and the Internet I think it will be just fine.

Thanks anyway for the info. I'll try and remember to post my experience in this forum or something once I get the bag.

I know this started out as camera bag thread but I thought I would give an update on the Petrol lcd hood. Tried the PMH-A1U lcd hood and the odd shape of the Canon A1 lcd doesn't allow a correct fit. The elastic bands that hold it to the lcd are very tight and they wont fit over the A1 lcd where it interfaces to the camera body. Doubtful that the other Petrol hood would work either. There is another thread on this board regarding lcd hoods and Hoodman makes one that seems to work.

On the basis that the Z1 is only slightly larger than the XH-A1 and has been around for a couple of years, I did a quick search in it's forum for threads about bags and cases, to see what's popular over there. I turned up this one: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=39573. It's even a sticky! I've not read it yet...

I know this started out as camera bag thread but I thought I would give an update on the Petrol lcd hood. Tried the PMH-A1U lcd hood and the odd shape of the Canon A1 lcd doesn't allow a correct fit. The elastic bands that hold it to the lcd are very tight and they wont fit over the A1 lcd where it interfaces to the camera body. Doubtful that the other Petrol hood would work either. There is another thread on this board regarding lcd hoods and Hoodman makes one that seems to work.

Ray, I just got the Petrol bag with the free cover (PMH-A1U) and if you really stretch the band on the larger part of the LCD it works great. I'm about to use it today for a few test shots outside where its bright and sunny today so I'll report back here later on with my results.

As far as the bag goes, I'm very happy I switched to the Petrol bag this time around instead of the Portabrace. The bag is bigger, sturdier, and I like the way you can reconfigure the inside divisions unlike the Portabrace. The plastic handle at first felt cheap and I didn't like it, but now that I've used it a lot I don't even notice. I kinda like how it goes together too. The shoulder strap is also very comfortable. This bag has room for all my A1 accessories, camera, charger, battery, tapes, cables, remote... with some little room to spare. THe large flap with the double zipper on top is nice too because you quickly have access to everything inside the bag.

I recommend the Petrol bag to A1 owners. Great value too. I think it's a little chapter than the Portabrace.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=11411&A=details&Q=&sku=381848&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

The hood was priceless. Yes, you have to stretch it to make the elastic band fit over the larger part of the LCD, and it makes it a pain to take on and off, plus it won't fit in the bag with the hood on unless you reconfigure the partitions. But if you plan to strap it on and leave it for a while it works great for what it is. Excellent when using the A1 with a glidecam 2000 outside in bright sunlight.

i used the portabrace bk-1 backpack on a recent trip to maui. the a1 fits, but you have to turn the lens hood 90 degress like you're about to take it off for it to fit. it's a tough little bag, airline carry-on friendly, and took the camera, batteries, tapes, filters, and a laptop virtually everywhere i went.

and the hoodman for the lcd is definitely a great purchase, practically essential shooting outdoors. if chris hurd puts up a "five essential items for your a1/g1" list as he did for the xl/gl cams, i'd say the hoodman and z1 eyecup should definitely be on there.

Hi Nick,
Thanks for the feedback on the Petrol bag. I haven't got mine yet (hopefully Monday or Tuesday). I always pop for the cheapest shipping so it's still in transit to me. I may upgrade the shipping next time as I hate waiting. I actually like the plastic handles and they have been very durable on the bag I use with my Sony.

Regarding the Petrol lcd hood, glad you were able to get it to fit. I was going to sell mine on ebay but I may reconsider keeping it. When I tried to fit it on my A1 I backed off because it was so tight I thought I would damage the lcd bracket. Did you stretch the elastic or anything? It's only an issue with that first strap and maybe it could be stretched with some heat or something. Possibly cutting it and adding a little more material would do the trick as well. Again given it's so tight I would be nervous about pulling it off and on repeatedly and the wear and tear that would put on the lcd bracket. All this is probably a moot point, I'm sure with the number of A1's Canon is selling; A1 specific accessories will be all over the place in a couple of months. It's always the case with a new camera design.

Ray, the LCD on the A1 seems to be made really well. I can't forsee any problems stretching that band over the larger area to make it fit, but I've only used it a couple of times. I really don't think its squeezing too hard to break or warp anything. As long as you're pretty careful sliding it on and off, I don't think it would put much stress on the bracket.

The elastic is a little stretched, but not by much, so it may not fit properly on another LCD, but if I wanted to use it on a different cam I'd just get another... its only $10-$12.

I've also grown to love the plastic handles on the Petrol bag, very sturdy and they are surprisingly comfortable. Once again, I'm very happy that I bought the Petrol over the Portabrace, it feels sturdier, more comfortable to carry, and has more inside room than a similar Portabrace. I also love the material the inside dividers are made out of, very soft and easy to move around.

You're probably right about all the accessories coming out soon for the A1... just not soon enough for me, I've already ordered the Sony eyecup for the viewfinder :)

I got my A1 last week. I purchased a Portabrace DVO-2U from B&H and I like it a lot. I might try to post some photos later if anyone is interested. The case also came with a Portabrace hard case that I thought was really nice. I didn't realize it was included in the package so it was a surprise.

My only complaint about the DVO-2U is that it has a pocket on the inside, which I have put all of my video cables, remote, and other A1 included accessories into (and this part is great), but the pocket blocks the compartments I made with the included dividers below. You have to hold the pocket out of the way to get to the things below it. Not a big deal, but if I need to find something quickly it could be an annoyance.

Nick. I bought the PMH-1 and have found it no problem to use or fit. Can slide a bit though if you accidentally knock it. I have the Hoodman on my XM2 but that involves attaching it to velcro strips arroung the LCD. Wouldn't be ideal on the A1 as you couldn't close it into the camera top.

Also bought the Petrol PCCB-2 case which is obviously a bit bigger than the PCCB1. Bought it at the VideoForum at Earls Court, London and got an opportunity to compare various bags ancluding Kata, Portabrace, Probag, LowePro etc. IMHO the Petrol came out on top for value, sturdiness, space and customability. Maybe not everyone would agree but I am well pleased.

And just to crown it all, bought the Petrol PRC-DV Rain Cover which is probably not ideal (wouldn't like to be in a hurry to put it on) but will probably do the job.

Thats my 2 cents or twopence worth!

Nick, I think we were talking about two different lcd hoods. The hood I was trying to fit was for the Sony A1U (PMH-A1U) and it's apparently a smaller hood than the Petrol PMH-1 that comes with the Petrol PCCB-2N bag. I got my new bag the other day and finally got around to trying out the lcd hood that came with it and lo and behold it does fit really well. I had my doubts as the other hood is way too tight. Thanks for the feedback on this issue and I highly recommend the Petrol PMH-1 to anyone looking for an lcd hood for their Canon A1. The Petrol bag isn't half shabby either and is considerably larger than my previous Petrol bag. Holds everthing I need with room to spare. I live in Tucson, AZ and an lcd hood is a necessity out here. I can scratch that off my list. Thanks.