Portabrace Polar Mitten at DVinfo.net

Trond Saetre · January 24th, 2004, 05:24 AM

I'm about to buy the Portabrace Polar Mitten, POL-M2, bag for my Canon XM2.

Has anyone had experience with this bag and/or is there any other bag I should consider?

I have searched this and other forums, but so far I haven't found any bags that can be compared with the Polar Mitten from Portabrace.

Will mostly using it when shooting skiers, and the temperature can be as low as -18C. (About 0F)

Ken Tanaka · January 24th, 2004, 11:40 PM

Hello Trond,
Yes, I have used the Porta Brace Polar Bear cover (it's not really a "bag") with my GL2 in very low temps (down to -10F or so) for extended periods. It's quite well designed and really did offer excellent protection.

I offer three suggestions.

1. Practice using it indoors (or in less severe conditions) before using it in severe conditions. It will take you a bit of time to become comfortable with it and to learn how to operate the camera while keeping it closed.

2. When using it in deep cold make sure that you use the insulated lens cover between shots. A great deal of heat can be lost quickly through that lens, leading to a prematurely sluggish lens servo.

3. Be sure to give the hot packs 30-45 mins. to heat up before placing them in the cover's pockets. Also be sure to place the packs properly in the pockets. They are designed to warm key areas of the camera such as the lens servo and the battery (and your right hand).

Have fun!

Trond Saetre · January 25th, 2004, 04:48 AM

Thank you Ken!

Will order it tomorrow.

Can you also use a tripod when using the Polar Mitten?

Ken Tanaka · January 25th, 2004, 12:26 PM

Yes, you can.

January 24th, 2004, 05:24 AM	#1
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Portabrace Polar Mitten I'm about to buy the Portabrace Polar Mitten, POL-M2, bag for my Canon XM2. Has anyone had experience with this bag and/or is there any other bag I should consider? I have searched this and other forums, but so far I haven't found any bags that can be compared with the Polar Mitten from Portabrace. Will mostly using it when shooting skiers, and the temperature can be as low as -18C. (About 0F)

January 24th, 2004, 11:40 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Hello Trond, Yes, I have used the Porta Brace Polar Bear cover (it's not really a "bag") with my GL2 in very low temps (down to -10F or so) for extended periods. It's quite well designed and really did offer excellent protection. I offer three suggestions. 1. Practice using it indoors (or in less severe conditions) before using it in severe conditions. It will take you a bit of time to become comfortable with it and to learn how to operate the camera while keeping it closed. 2. When using it in deep cold make sure that you use the insulated lens cover between shots. A great deal of heat can be lost quickly through that lens, leading to a prematurely sluggish lens servo. 3. Be sure to give the hot packs 30-45 mins. to heat up before placing them in the cover's pockets. Also be sure to place the packs properly in the pockets. They are designed to warm key areas of the camera such as the lens servo and the battery (and your right hand). Have fun! __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 25th, 2004, 12:26 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Yes, you can. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 25th, 2004, 04:48 AM	#3
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Thank you Ken! Will order it tomorrow. Can you also use a tripod when using the Polar Mitten?