Which Lowepro or Kata bag?
 

Hi,

I've narrowed my search for a bag and these are the nominees :-):
1) The lowepro, compact AW-DV
http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/proaw/compactawdv.htm
2) The Kata CCC-102
http://www.tiffen.com/kata_ccc102.htm

Who has one of these bags or/and has advice on what to buy.
The price is practically the same.

Which brand has the best reputation regarding weather elements, versatility,....?

Thanks,

Dirk

PS: Happy newyear guys!!!!!!!!

I am a big fan of the Kata bag. It is durable and well worth the money. Not to say that the LowePro is a bad bag, but my money goes to Kata.

tamrac 979

Kata bags
 

<<<-- After traveling to Alaska with the GL2 in a bag designed for 35mm, I just spent a couple of days trying out every camera bag I could get my hands on to see if I could get the "perfect" setup for the GL2. As it turned out a dealer here in Houston had one ccc101 (same as the 102) Kata bag http://www.tiffen.com/kata_ccc101.htm in stock and as soon as I tried it I fell in love with it. It's an extremly well designed bag. It's got a strap to secure the camera (none in Lowepro/Tamrac), it's (semi) hard sided, and it's small and that's why I got the GL2 in the first place.

Although it's small it has room for 4-6 tapes, the charger, the remote, a tripod plate, a pcmcia 1394 adapter, firewire, S Video, and RCA (cables), a couple of BP945's if you mount one on the camera, and a couple of filters. <<-- I've got the Kata rain cover now too and it even fits in there with all my other stuff. -->>It bulges a little but the camera is probably more protected in this bag than any of my 35mm stuff is in any of my Tamrac bags (my favorite for that stuff).

I recently traveled several hundred miles over extremly rough terain with it bungeed to the front rack of my ATV, where it got dusty, muddy, and some gulf coast surf spray, and not a single spec of dust, water or a scratch on the GL2! It's small and inexpensive ($90-$145) and is by far the best value of any bag I own. -->>>

I've had the bag for a few months now and I've logged over 6000 air miles with it and it has been banged, stuffed, shoved and cramed into overhead bins, under seats, in cars, planes, and trucks, and tied on ATV racks. I carry the GL2 and bag with me every day too. I wondered how good a bag like this would be after some real world use and I'm more impressed now than I was when I got it. The only possible downside; the strap that secures the camera to the bag latches right over the Canon logo on the LCD, and it has scuffed it up a little, after the abuse I've put the system through it's no wonder. I suppose I could put the camera in the other direction if I wanted to. One thing is for sure, it's tough.

If it ever blows up I'll get the Portabrace, because it's a little larger, and a tad tougher (2x the price too). It'll be a few years from now at the very least.

my 2 cents.

I also think I'll go for the Kata bag.

Would it be better to take the CCC-102 instead of CCC-101?
The XM2 seems to be slightly larger than the XM1 and most of the time I've got a BP-941 (large battery) mounted on my XM2.

Does someone use the CCC-102 with a GL2/XM2?
Or do you advice to use the CCC-101 bag, even when large batteries are attached to the cam?

Thanx!
Bart

I like the sound of the KATA. Anybody know of a supplier in the UK please?

Grazie

CCC 101 v CCC 102
 

I have looked at both bags and the 102 is ever so slightly longer, and a little goes a long way sometimes. Again this is what I pack in my bag; 4-6 tapes, the charger including the camera power cable, the remote, a tripod plate, a pcmcia 1394 adapter, firewire, S Video, and RCA cables, two BP945's (they are larger than the 941's) if you mount one on the camera, the Kata rain cover, and a couple of filters. It's not full either. I'll send you a picture of my rig if you like so you can see just how neat it all is. The only thing I really did to make mine totally loveable was to put a lowepro strap on it, it's way more comfortable than the stocker, and I just happened to have one extra lying around.

The only reason I'll ever need a bigger bag is for audio stuff; ma300, shotgun mic with a rycote, some handheld mics, and a small mixer, it which case I'll just get a seperate bag.

Mark

<<<-- Originally posted by Grazie Bernard : I like the sound of the KATA. Anybody know of a supplier in the UK please?

Grazie -->>>

I have seen them on auction sites for $65
Mark

Mark thank you for your suggestion >> "but if you get it I'll be gad to forward on to the UK." - But we haven't even been on our first Date! - Thanks Mark - But I'll see what I can do - Are all you Texans so damn nice! - How do I take up residency in Houston? I also think you meant "Glad" rather than "gad"!

Oh yes! I've done a little more research and the CCC 102, which is a wee bit larger might be a better option for the longer XM2=GL2 than the XM1=GL1 - yes?

In any event, I'm fedup carrying about my new XM2 in a plastic shopping bag, lined with a pillow - Know what I mean? ;-) . . . Joking aside, a good, anonymous looking "sports-kit" type bag will offer me the option of going out into the wide-world -yes?

Okay - I know I'm now getting greedy, but I've also got my MA300 and a long Senni mike - any thoughts on "stuffing this into the CCC102?

In any event - Mark - thanks for your response . . . and so fast too!

Grazie

Stuffing?
 

I could probably put the MA300 in my bag with minimal problems, but I have an Audio Technica AT835b shotgun and it's about 14" long, and even though it would fit, it probably wouldn't be a good idea. The Sennheiser is about 4-5" shorter so no problems there.

Let us know how you make out!
Mark

Mark - You'd the MAN! - I'll let you know how I "make out" . . . welll . . . Oh yes where would I stick a tripod? Thanks for the Heads-Up on the Senni and the MA300 too.

Grazie

Tripod? What about lights?
 

You think of everything don't you! Actually I have a table top tripod that I leave on the GL2 sometimes, it folds flat and fits in the bag with all my other "junk".
Mark

Re: Tripod? What about lights?
 

<<<-- Actually I have a table top tripod that I leave on the GL2 sometimes, it folds flat and fits in the bag with all my other "junk".
Mark -->>>

Hi Mark,

Do you have the magical CCC-102 version or the standard version :-) I say this because I find it amazing what you can put in that bag. I'm very interested in some pictures if you don't mind.

Thanks everyone for the input. I think I will go for the Kata bag. One thing if find a petty is that there are no attachments for a tripod at the bottom of the kata bag.

FOUND ONE IN UK! Yeah
 

I'm off to the wholesaler RIGHT now - once I get me jeans on! It's about 45min train ride away. I'm taking my kit with me to try before I buy.

Thanks Mark et al . . .

Grazie

It's not a problem at all!
 

Here are the photos of the Kata CCC-101 bag with contents;
www.markaustin.com/images/Kata03.jpg

The bag contents include; GL2, MA300, XLR Cable, 5 tapes, the charger including the camera power cable, the remote, a tripod plate, a pcmcia 1394 adapter, (2) firewire, (2) S Video, and (1) RCA cables, two BP945's, the Kata rain cover, a couple of filters, and a Sony desktop tripod.

The bag packed; although I usually don't carry the MA300 in the bag
www.markaustin.com/images/Kata02.jpg
The mini tripod is also attatched under tha camera so it sits a little higher than when it's off.

And closed;
www.markaustin.com/images/Kata01.jpg

Now where can I put my lunch???
Mark

Thanks Mark for the pictures! Would you advice to go with the 101 like you or go for the 102.

Don't you miss an attachement for your tripod while on a bike or when you are on foot?

Which rain cover do you use?

Thanks again.

go with the 102..
 

I'd go with the bigger one if you can, even a little bit more would be great.

My tripod is so heavy, I wouldn't want to attach it to the Kata bag. I have a seperate bag for it with a nice soft strap. Maybe a carbon monopod, but I doubt I'd use a mono for video, I'm shaky enough as it is.

I have the Kata rain cover designed for the GL/XM1-2, it has kept it dry so far.

Mark

MARK - Got It!
 

Just returned from wholesaler. Kata CCC 102, cost £75gb net taxes. When packed looks a whole lot like yours! Got my long Senni in it AND the MA300; PLUS a "belt-pod" steady shot device. Plus my WD58; PLUS a mini light - and there's space for my lunch too!

Thanks Mark!

Grazie

Fanstastic
 

I hope it holds up as well as mine has.
Mark

Tamrac Superlight 48!
 

I use the Tamrac Superlight 48 (5448). Its made for SLR equipment but the compartments are easily adaptable for the GL2 + accessories. With the GL2 in the bag (with wide angle adapter, thanks to the 14" of interior length), you still have another 2-3 inches space along the inside length of the bag. Very easily fits all the accessories + my rangefinder G2 camera which I also take with me; all in one lightweight bag. Also has more compartments then the KATA or Lowepro bags mentioned earlier. High recommended and not that much bigger then the other bags. I take it to Maui with no problems, never got in the way or too heavy. Only $70. See description below:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh1.sph/...ID=F2B6AD1D5C0

This weekend I had the opportunity to touch the Kata CCC-102 and I must say that I'm not all that impressed by it. Here in Belgium it costs $141 or 157 Euro. I find this to much money for what it is. Apart from the fact that the samsonite and the lowepro look more like a camerabag they are much better priced and they look well disigned too. The Kata has the advantage to be yellow inside. This means you find your small items faster but it also means that the inside of the bag get dirty much faster.

I still think the rebuild lunchbox is the best solution :-)

I'm back at the beginning of my search.

Dirk

Hiyah Dirk - Well there's a thing! The LowePro are more expensive in UK - by about £120gb - yes? Port-A-brace do some products which are in a similar price bracket as the LowePro. I felt the PaB didn't offer much more than the KATA esp. for the extra ££s . Soooo that's why I decided on the KATA. Now maybe I might also purchase a KATA back pack - I'll see. I do like the KATA's option of being able to pull back the double zip and have - as it were - an open, stable toolbox to rummage around in. This I've used over the weekend and find it superb. AND I can quickly zip it back closed again.

Good hunting Dirk! - Been to Brussels often - love the fishmarket and the astounding range of Fish restaurants not far from it. Mussels to die for! And the people are so smashing! Great time.

Grazie

Hmmm, in Canada Lowepro bags are a steal while Port A Brace bags are big bucks. Kata bags? I've never even seen them here. Funny how prices can be so different, depending on where you live (to buy). If I lived in France, I would surely have a complete set of Cokin screw in filters...if I lived in the USA, I'd surely own a VX2000 or GL2...Bonk! Back to Canadian reality, where you get the better buy via FEDEX---from who knows where. Thanks to the Internet, it makes researching and buying easy!

Port-a-brace is very expensive in Belgium too. Shop owners say it has a lot to do with transportation costs. Lowepro is much cheaper. The cheapest bag in the catagory of known brand names for the xm2 here is the samsonite trekking 220.

Yeah - saw the Samsonite on the web - looked good. The cheaper models I'm not sure would do the thang for the XM2 - Another reason for the KATA.

Grazie

Is anyone using the Lowepro Compact AW DV bag?
I've just ordered one today for my XM2 ;-)

Looks like a great bag ... but tell me if I'm wrong.
What I'm not sure of, is if you need to lift up the eyeviewfinder to fit the camera in the bag.

Hi Bart,

Imho you made a great (but expensive) choice. I've seen a bag of the AW serie in a store and it looked rock solid! Where have you bought it and what did you pay for it? The cheapest price I've found was € 188.10 at Grobet in Antwerp. I've decided to go for the lowepro vidcam5 bag because of the price and quality.

Hi Dirk

The retail price in Belgium for the Lowepro Compact AW DV is 197 EUR.
I'll have a 10% discount from a friend of mine ....

I hope the bag will be large enough to hold the XM2 ;-)
Lowepro also has a "Commercial AW DV" but that one should be used to hold the XL1s.

Delivery of my Lowepro bag will be Friday this week or Wednesday next week.

Regards!
Bart

I use the Kata CCC 3333.

I've added some extra padding and design a foam case for the minimount. My goal was to be able to fit the GL2/WD-58H/sun shade/BP945 battery (in one piece) + headphone + ME66/K6 Power module/Rycote Softie/minimount/universal shoe holder (in one piece).

The CCC 333 allows all of that on the upper compartment and leave you the under compartment for battery charger, tapes and others.

I'm in a process of generating some webpages to show my setup (XLR cable, bag, minimount protection...). I'm especially proud of my ME66-Softie case using .... a Toilet Brush Holder (perfect diameter, hard plastic).

When you place the GL2 "naked" into the CCC 3333, you could say "this bag is way to big for this small baby" but when you add all the accessories it makes sense. Not the mention the original design of thi bag that allows you to add extra padding to maintain everything in place but because of the position of the zip will ease the extraction of the equipment when the bag is open.

Dany

This weekend I bought the lowepro vidcam 5. The camera fits in nicely. Like it was made only for the GL2. My only concern is that there isn't much room left for other accessories. I know someone on this community who adviced against the vidcam 6 because of the big but I can't see me taking a lot of accessories with the 5.

I'll have my Lowepro Comapct AW DV at the end of this week.
I need room for my XM2, battery charger and cables, 4 BP941 batteries (1 of them attached to the cam), MiniDV tapes, headphone (haven't thought about that before) and an on camera light in the future.
Actually all the accessoires that came with my XM2 should also be hold in the bag.

We'll see if it works ;-)

Bart

Got my Lowepro bag
 

Just to let you know that everything fits well in the Lowepro Compact AW DV bag!

The bag even includes a rain cover! Not for the camera but to pull over the bag in rainy conditions.

There's plenty of room for several BP-941/945 batteries, DV tapes, cables, ....

Regards!
Bart

Bag to use with the large eyecup
 

Hi

After reading this threat I was wondering is someone give me some advice about buying a bag, witch fits the GL2 with the large eyecup on.

I saw many pictures with a GL2 in a bag, but none with the large eyecup. Just pressing the eyecup together to fit it in a bag is not the best idear I think.
So what's a good bag to use when using the large eyecup

Gabriel

tamrac 979. gl2 fits perfect even with the videosmith eyecup!

About two weeks ago I ordered a KATA CCC-102 from B&H. When I got it in I opened up the box and immediatly knew it was going to be too big for my needs. The case is large. If your looking for a semi-large case that will fit your GL2 and a load of accessories, the CCC-102 is the case for you. I was looking for somthing slightly larger than my GL2. Big enough to store the GL2, some tapes, an extra battery and the AV cable. If your looking for a nice compact case to carry your GL2 in I would not reccomend the 102. I returned the 102 and have ordered a CCC-101 which is a couple inches smaller in the length, heigth and width. Just a warning if you are ordering the 102 looking for a ultra compact bag that is not what you will get. I would say the 101 is your ultra compact bag. There are also some Tamracs that fit the GL2 very nicely.

Gabriel: My guess is that any bag that fits the GL2 with the small eye cup will fit it with the large eye cup also. I know the CCC-102 will fit it because that bag has plenty of room. I will let you know if the CCC-101 fits the GL2 with large eye cup when it arrives from B&H.

Happy bag hunting!

I too considered the LowePro Compact AW DV or one of the Kata bags. I settled on a third choice that has worked out quite well:

LowePro Nova 5, with the inserts for a Compact AW DV inserts substituted for the Nova 5 inserts, and with the LowePro Deluxe shoulder strap substituted for the Nova 5 strap. The DV insert set has to be purchased directly from LowePro. This combination is far lighter and less bulky than the Compact AW DV, yet has essentially the same room, which I need for the following:

Canon GL 2 with Century 0.65X zoom-through lens attached
Century FA 100 (I think that is the number) lens shade (it is big!)
Sennheiser MKE 300 shotgun mike (detached)
Extra Canon battery packs & charger
Cables
Blank tapes, all pre-blacked with time code, and numbered
Folded white cotton T-shirt for white balance & misc.
Small spiral notebook & pen
LED flashlight
Cleaning items, including small air can
GL 2 manual, with French section trimmed off.
Remote control
Extra batteries for MKE 300
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones, folded (wonderful!)

There is also room for a Beachtek XLR adapter

Dryzone 200
 

For what it is worth, I just purchased a GREAT bag for my GL2 and (increasing growing) accessories. It is the Lowepro Dryzone 200. It is a fairly large backpack style carrier. The interior is customizable, so as far as the large eyecup is concerned, no problem with this one. Besides being completely waterproof (the guts of the bag is protected within a completely watertight rubber "pod"), it is large enough to carry:

GL2
4 large batteries/charger
10 tapes
On board light
Headphones
Hand held mic
Portabrace Polar Mitten
Cords
All in all, it is a great bag for people on the go, who might find themselves in some not so desirable shooting conditions.

I just found a dealer in The Netherland who sells this nice Lowepro Dryzone 200.

The bag looks very nice
But this price is way to much
500 euro (500 dollar)

I was looking for something cheaper (if that's possible)

Gabriel

$500!?!?
 

Wow. That IS really expensive. I got mine from B&H Photo for $245 (which I thought was expensive, but worth it). I don't know what their international shipping rates are but here is the link to the bag if you want to check it out.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh6.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___251101___LOD200Y___REG___CatID=0___SID=F32 80B9A240


Good luck

If I buy one at that site, the bag will cost (inc shipping) 300 dollar
That's a lot cheaper than 500.

One of the largest problems in The Netherlands is, that you can hardly find any of these populair bags in stores.
Lowepro, Kata, and simulair, they don't sell them in shops, only on order, so you never get the chance to look at a good bag, and look inside it.

All the el echeapo bags of an unknown brand are availble in stores, but some nice brands are hard to find.

Gabriel