Smallest bag for XH A1 - without having to take off the accessories.
 

It seems like there aren't many options for bags of this particular size. So here's the short list.

For XH A1 with 3rd party shockmount or light, wireless receiver, xlr cables
1. Petrol PCUB-HD HDV U-Bag
2. Strut DVT-4 Transport Case

These might fit your rig if you're using a matte box with rails, external 3rd party batteries, and/or a hard disk recorder.
3. Kata CC-195
4. 16x9 Inc. Grab & Shoot Camcorder Bag, Large

NOTES:
My original budget was US$100-$150. But it ended up having to be at least US$250-$300.
Basically the bag has to have the following internal dimensions to accomodate most basic accessories:

18" long - to accomodate a shotgun mic with something like a Rycote Softie.
8" wide - to accomodate regular XLR cables (7" if you use a right angled XLR cable on the body, HOSA makes them by the way)
11" high - to accomodate a 3rd party shockmount or light. The height of 11" knocked out 90% of the bags out there. The majority of the bags left with a height of 11" were mostly "gigantic" and not easily portable.

I personally like hard cases better and have always used them. I have the xha1 with shotgun and wireless mounted on it and am using this case. Very good hard cases and the cheapest I have found. Something to consider.

http://porters.com/Merchant2/merchan...roduct_Count=0

Everything fits very well and holds a lot of the accessories too.

Matt

I am having a similar dilemma. I love my pelican 1510, but it is completely impractical for any nature videography where I would prefer to hike in and out. I recently hiked down a trail to a local waterfall and resorted to wrapping the camera in a beach towel and putting it in a backpack... far from ideal in my mind. I would love a padded backpack solution that would allow me to keep a shotgun mic mounted to the camera, with some spare room for headphones. In a perfect world there would be straps on the exterior for a tripod. Any ideas?

EDIT: Just came across the Kata HB-207 which may be my solution. Need to check dimensions though.

I have a Petrol PCUB-1N. I think it's a little bigger than the one in your link. I keep a shot shotgun mounted on the camera, as well as a Sennheiser wireless receiver mounted up on the hot shoe. I like the big pockets on the sides for tapes, batteries, cables, etc.

There are padded and compartmentalized big backpacks designed for cameras. In fact Petrol has some, as well as (I think) Portabrace.

Thanks for that, those Petrol PCUB-1 bags are really nice, I was admiring them at B&H today. They're specifically designed so you don't have to take off the accessories. For my setup I'd have to get at least the Petrol PCUB-2. And the Kata HB-207 definitely fits the bill, I think the only dimension that you have to watch out for is the 7" deep - but getting the right angled XLR cables will solve that.

Actually the Kata HB-205 looks like it will fit the XH A1 with basic accessories, but it's going to be a tight fit as it's only 6.2" deep, so the bag might bulge a little. Still it might be worth it to save on the bulk.

I am doing a lot of hiking with the XH-A1 and this backpack is just the thing

http://products.lowepro.com/product/...AW,1958,14.htm

Here it is in use

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jingbar/2472758595/

Bob, do you have a picture of the A1 in the bag by chance? Do you have a mic mounted to it? My other concern is if there is adequate support, it doesn't seem as if having the camera's entire weight on the lens would be ideal. Possibly there is more to the bag than what is seen on the site. I don't see how that support horse shoe device would be usable with the A1.

Thanks

Matt, Sorry I don't have any shots of the AI in the bag, I only use the camera mic as most of my videos taken in the Country Parks are set to music. Yes the camera goes in lens first but under the camera I have a first aid kit and rain jacket. On both sides of the camera I am able to fit tapes, batteries and most importantly lunch. I don't use the support horse shoe but I also take a small towel which I put around the camera.

Bob

PS: I take the matte box off the lens so that the camera fits flatter on my rain jacket

Last month I was in Chicago and wanted to get a few shots of some crowds downtown. I had an old backpack with me, just an ordinary average size one that wasn't expensive at all. By taking the lens hood off the camera, it fit perfectly in the bottom. I had to slide the shotgun mic back a couple of inches but left it in the mount, and the antenna on the wireless had to curve down a little. You wouldn't want to do this for serious hiking, but just to have something to put the camera in, it was OK. A slightly larger backpack would be better, and a piece of 1" foam in the bottom would be good.

The Petrol PCUB-1 is where the camera lives normally. For years I used Portabrace bags and they're great, but I thought I'd try Petrol when I got the Canon. I actually like it better, mainly because of the hard bottom on the outside with little feet. You don't have to worry about things getting wet if you set the bag down in a puddle of water (which I've done before).

(hmmm... uploading does not work for some reason, so no pictures...)

Here's some pictures from my Kata HB-205.

The backpack contains now:
- XH-A1
+ one extra battery (BP-970G)
+ charger
+ two Sony batteries (for battery adapter)
+ charger for 'em
+ battery adapter to power extrernal display (7.2V -> 12V)
+ Manfrotto 503HDV fluid head
+ some cables

Still missing: Datavideo 7" display + cables

As you can see, the XH-A1 fits in quite nicely but you cannot have the external mic attached to it. The XH-A1 is reserved mainly for indoor sports shooting (floorball).

For reference I've also included my "traveling pack" Tamrac Expedition 7, which contains:
- Sony HVR-A1E
+ Rode NTG-1
+ Beyerdynamics MCE-72
+ Rycote Softies for both mics
+ XLR-cables
+ power cables
+ HVR-A1E XLR-adapter
+ LANC controller
+ extra video light
+ light diffuser for the light
+ charger
+ 2 extra batteries for camera
+ Nokia cell-phone charger
+ 2 Raynox wide-angle lenses (0.6 and 0.3)
+ still camera (Sony F707)
+ 2 extra batteries for it
+ bunch of filters for camera and wide-angle lenses
+ video tapes + cleaning cassette
+ memory cards
+ few other items

And this all can be taken into airplane as hand luggage...

What about this one? I am getting ready to go on a plane and my huge Kata backpack won't fit in the overhead. This one has 18 x 10 x 10 dimensions? Is that close enough or does it have to be 11" tall?

http://www.portabrace.com/productA-DVO-2U

Hello,

I am quite happy with the Lowepro Flipside 300
http://products.lowepro.com/product/...00,2083,14.htm
It was developped for still camera's but the XH A1 fits perfectly in it. Additionally it is the ideal solution if you want to use your camera during hiking. During walking you can "flip" the backpack to the front (it stays attached to the lower belt) and take out your camera.
The camera is well protected, there is additional room for tapes, SD and others and even a tri-pod can be attached.
Try it out !

Greetings,

Rudy

Rudy,
Could you please post photos of your bag and camera here. By comparing the sizes of camera and interior size of this bag I come to the result that there is not enough room for the camera. I'd really like to know how you did it. I'm looking for a bag for my A1 and backpack style is my favorite as I'm doing also hiking.

For reference a stock XH A1 without accessories is:
6.4" Wide
7.4" High
13.8" Long

After adding basic accessories:
7-8" Wide (xlr cables)
11-12" High (shockmount/light/wireless)
15-18" Long (shockmount + mic/softie)


It would be easier to shop for a bag if there was a quick release shockmount adapter, but I haven't been able to find one that's truly "quick release".

For my new Canon XH-A1 I purchased a Petrol PDRB-3 and the camcorder and standard accessories all fit well. Now I have added a pair of folding headphones, spare battery, filters, car charger, spare tapes, head cleaner, Rode NGT2 Mike, XLR cable, dead cat & SM5 shock mount things are beginning to get a little tight.

I am beginning to think along the lines of perhaps two bags would be better, one for general transport of all the kit and a second lightweight & waterproof one to use when shooting that accepts the XH-A1 "fully dressed" along with a few selected accessories.

Nice forum

Paul W. H

Cool Bag
 

I bought a 10 dollar cool bag and took my xh a1 around the world.
(well - Venice, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore)
It's padded, waterproof and cool!
It has a woven fabric finish.
It does not say expensive camera in bag,
and I added a folded garden kneeler (polyurethane foam)
for extra padding. Room for a few accessories too!

I found a great bag for less than $50. Look into an Uncle Mike's Pistol Range bag. The A1 fits great, and it has plenty of pockets for tapes and accessories, and it's durable.

I found mine in a sporting goods store, but they're available online as well:

http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum2377.php

Check this out :

http://www.spc-international.it/stor...roducts_id=413

Antonio, that's for full size cameras. An A1 would be lost in there :)

Hello Viimar,

here are some photo's to proove that he really fits in the bag. Also the camera sits on his back (battery compartment) and not on the lens or viewfinder.

greetings,

Rudy

Tapeworks sales Porta Brace, Petrol, Kata and CamRade for case solutions. I have been impressed with the quality of the CamRade line and the price is right. CamRade bags are made out of 1000 Stitch Cordura (same as Porta Brace) and everything is double stitched.

Here are two options for a case solution for the XHA1:

The CamRade CB-Single I CamBag. The sides have PVC with double padding. There are two dividers inside that can be moved around. There is a strap to hold your camcorder in place. The bag also comes with a white balance card.
You can view the case at http://tapeworkstexas.com/camrade_cb_single_i_2.html
The CB-Single I sales for only $189.00

The CamRade TM-Handy I BackPack solution is great! The dividers inside can be moved around to fit your camcorder and accessories. There are plenty of pockets on the outside and there is a place to slide your laptop into on the inside. You can view the case at http://tapeworkstexas.com/camrade_tmhandyi.html
Tapeworks website shows sale price $299.00
If you contact Tapeworks Toll Free 866.827-3489 and mention you saw my post on DVinfo, Tapeworks will provide this case for only $250.00

Best Regards,
Scott Cantrell
tapeworksscott@sbcglobal.net

I think Glyn's idea is great from a condensation standpoint and the price is right. I don't have a case yet but thisb is what I'll be looking for now. Thanks Glyn.

The first post mentions the large 16x9 version, but here's the one for the XH-A1: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...rab_Shoot.html

What are the interior and external dimensions of the CamRade CB-Single I CamBag?

It would be nice also if Tapeworks had interior photos of products such at this as well.

Sorry guy's, missed the reponses/questions on this thread.

CB-Single I Exterior Dimensions: 22 1/2" L x 8 1/2" W x 10" D
CB-Single I Interior Dimensions: 20 1/2" L x 6 1/2" W x 9" D

Notice the difference of Dimensions!
This is due to the PVC lining with Double Padding for Protecion.

I forgot to mention that the new CB-Single I's have the entire exterior base of the case is protected with rubber for durability and traction!

Please contact Tapeworks Texas Inc for addiotional information toll free 866-827-3489

Best Regards,
Scott Cantrell
Tapeworks Texas Inc - HDVinfo Sponser
tapeworksscott@sbcglobal.net

I'm looking for a small shoulder bag for my A1, does anyonehave any recommendations? I ideally want the smallest possible one to hold the A1 itself with the lens hood on and just about nothing else - maybe a tape or two and a spare battery.

I've got a nice portabrace case - this one -

PortaBrace - Product Detail:CS-DV3R

which is great but I'm going on an extended holiday soon and want something smaller to walk about with. The portabrace is a bit big and heavy if you're trying to live out of a rucksack.

I have the Kata HB-205 and love it. I used it for 5 weeks traveling through Southern Italy and took almost every possible type of transportation including on the back of several Vespas in Catania, Sicily as I hung on for dear life. The bag is like a tank and is inconspicuous - looks just like a regular backpack. It carried my Xh-A1, extra battery, charger and cables, AT Shotgun mic. and rhycote softee, two AT 4051a condenser mics and two low profile shock mounts with T shaped on camera mic mount., tripod head, Bose headphones, over 20 hours of tape plus some other small accessories. I never had to worry about my camera getting damaged. Plus the Backpack has a waist belt which does make a big difference if you are walking around a lot.

If you need to carry a laptop look at the 207 model, otherwise 205 is more compact.

I kept the shotgun mount ON the camera when I had it in the bag even though it sticks above the rest of the camera a bit. It wasnt a problem. I only removed the shotgun mount when I was doing international airplane travel when the bag would be getting shoved into overhead compartments and didnt want to worry about breaking it. This kind of sucks because I lost one of the little screws.... Does anyone know where you can get a new screw?

I don't want a rucksack style bag as I'll be backpacking most of my clothes and stuff... maybe I'll bite the bullet and take the portabrace and a messenger bag for day trips and stuff.

I use a Hama defender 200 series .. cheap, well made quality materials, well padded, lots of pockets .. snug fit for XH-A1, spare battery, tapes, video light etc, tripod can strap to outside and theres room for spare Canon HV20 as well
hama.co.uk | 00023671 HamaDefender 200

PS: they also make larger 210 and 220 models.