The JVC HD100 Goes Wild - Suitable Backpack
 

I will be needing to take my HD100 into some pretty remote locations in the Australian bush and wondering whether anyone has used or knows about a suitable Hiker back pack style bag for it? Would one of the Portabrace Hiker backpacks be suitable?

Rob

I know what your'e going through. Took me ages to work something out. camera doesnt really fit any pelican case, kata make nothing and portabrace dont either.....or didnt when i first got my camera.
Try the LowePro Lenstrekker bag. It fits with my idx battery on the back and some spare bits n pieces. Snug fit for the camera (i take the viewfinder and top mic off to fly, take the bag as cabin baggage, can then fit a few other goodies in there too) but a good fully adjustable backpack sort of thing u may be after, if you're going trekking.

Craig, just checked out the Lowepro Lens Trekker and it might do the trick.

I was also needing some space for IDX batteries as I am getting this powering solution fot he camera.

Cheers.

Rob

I use this case, the camera fit in with the IDX adapter and a 130 WA battery. Has a few nice packets beside the camera, all lockable. I don't use as a backpack, but it's came with all backpack accesories.

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pi...d=1&ProdLine=1

Laszlo

Lowepro is awesome. My still equipment will never reside in anything else.

Just checked out the portabrace site and they make backpack which suits the JVC. It is the HKP-3 (hiker pack also used for the XL2). Anybody with any experience of that?

With the Lowepro does the camera face downwards i.e with weight on the lens (assuming that you are wearing it as a backpack)? It appears from the picture that it does. Is it somehow strapped in and supported around the body so that the weight does not rest on the lens? I would be a bit worried if the weight of the camera was supported on the Lens while you were walking long distances over rough terrain.

Rob

Are you checked the Kata?

Laszlo, actually I think I was confusing the Kata with the Lowepro. I did check the Kata. Seems like a good backpack.

It seems that you put the camera in Lens forward so that when you put it on your back the lens will be facing downwards. Is that correct? Are there any holding straps that support the camera internally as I am concerned about the weight of the camera being on the Lens on a long hike.

Rob

Yes, the camera is down with the lens, but seat in the case very tight, secure. No straps, but in my opinion the camera is padded enough, and again seating very tight. But, you right the whole weight may not the best for the lens.
In my personal opinion it's a right case for you. But again, that's only me .

Laszlo

Thanks, I will definitely check the Kata bag out. It sounds like it would be pretty easy to actually have some straps around the body put in anyway.

Rob

Sorry Robert, (actually is a good news) I just checked my case, and I find it out it's have a thick velcro at the middle around the camera what you can use secure down the camcorder. It's also coming an extra velcro board for use as a costum dividers, (you can cut for the size you need) and lot's of extra yellow velcro strips, so you can use them as a holding straps.
(It's also come with the camera raincover. I bought the wheels too, you can leave it in, or just pull out if you don't need it.)
I always used Portabrace before, but I'm very happy with this case.

Laszlo

Cheers Laszlo,

Sounds like exactly what I need. I am also just about to get the IDX battery system for the camera as I will need a bit more power than the battery that comes with the camera!

Rob

Robert,
In the lowepro bag i took out all the foam dividers/ supports and just left one to cushion a spare battery and bits n pieces. It's a snug fit because of the top mic and view finder , camera wont shake around at all and the camera goes tail in first, lens up.
The kata one doesnt fit with my idx batteries on it.

oh yeah, the kata is also about double the price of the lowepro. i payed around $280 AUD for my lowepro.....

I have this case, and I use with the IDX adapter + Switronix 130 MA battery, which is thick. Still fit in. Nice and snug. Also the height too. Nice and snug The camera don't move at all. I paid at the Weva show $240 with the troley.

Laszlo

Hi guys,

what about some pics to see how you carry your HD 100? It would be nice to see how it fits into the different backpacks.

Thanks

Markus

Pics would be good. I have decided to buy the Kata bag and it will be here soon so I will take a photo and post it.

Rob

I just got my cam on friday and now I start to find the stuff like backpack, batteries and so on. Do you really think it enters in the Kata bag with IDX battery and a better and longer mic?

Markus

I just got my cam on friday and now I start to find the stuff like backpack, batteries and so on. Do you really think it enters in the Kata bag with IDX battery and a better and longer mic?

Markus

Dear Markus,

I will let you know in a couple of days when I get the bag!

Rob

PortaBrace anyone?
 

I am a little late in this thread...sorry if it was already discussed.
Anybody though of/used a PortaBrace?

http://www.portabrace.com/product_detail_B.php?id=2626
http://www.portabrace.com/product_detail_B.php?id=2427

Tomorrow I'll make a few pics. with the attached IDX battery adapter with 130mA battery. It's fit nicely, Nice 'n snug.

Laszlo

I made a few pics. but some reason I can't uploading. The system tell me, I don't have a permission to access this page.
What's wrong?

Laszlo

I just uploaded a few pics. for those of you who interested in some great case. The direct link is here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/browseimages.php?c=24

Laszlo

Hi Laszlo,

thanks a lot for the pics. Now I know that I need another solution due to HD and bigger mic. I think I will have a look on Portabrace.

Regards

Markus

Laszlo, cheers. Thanks for your persistance in getting your pics up. The bag looks good for what i will be needing. Should be here any day.

Rob

Packing the bag for the bush
 

Robert,

You have probably thought about this anyway but many airlines will not take a bag this size onboard as carry-on. We work tend to buy a unfoamed Pelicase to fit the entire bag so that our backpacks with cameras, lenses etc can be slotted into this and put inside the hold safely (lenses removed from bodies of course) and then removed for work at the other end. I have had a number of Lowepro cases which are perfect for the day to day 'hiking' work but none are really crush, dust or waterproofed enough for the long trips in the back of a pickup, boat or Cessna. The Pelicases are and have saved my gear on a number of occasions when the gear is out of my control, sight etc.

Other thing I have done is to foam out the Pelicase and pack the camera inside. Pack soft gear (clothes etc) into the camera backpack and carry an empty rucksack to transfer the clothes into.

Working in Sub-Saharan africa makes you very paranoid about protecting your gear.

James
DP Earthmedia Imaging and Film
Mozambique

Dear James,

I agree that Pelican are the way to go for airtravel. I remember the first time I flew with my camera I made the mistake of using a pretty light weight bag for it and was persuaded to trust the baggage guys with it. It had "fragile" stickers all over it. At the other end I looked out to watch the baggage being unloaded. The baggage guy picked up my case with camera and threw it through the air about 10 feet onto the baggage cart!

I will be getting a couple of bags. The Kata I will use for my days out hiking which I have to do fairly regularly.

Cheers

Rob

The airtansport problem usually is resolved within minutes. I flew within Europe and to Southern America and if there is any doubt you just show them what's inside and they don't want to asume the responsability to transport it in the freight compartment.

BTW: I just bought a nice backpack I had seen it on the Broadcast fair in Madrid. The brand's name is "Working easy" (www.workingeasy.it). In the next days I also will upload some pictures.
They also have a cover for the HD 100. Price is nice.

Markus

Gents... when you say the Lowepro, is it the lens Trekker 600 as shown here?
I ask because this doesn't look like it was designed for video cams, is it really safe? Let's qualify safe, what kind of fall/drop this this bag save the camera from?

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

Another Lowepro Trekker 600 question... any way I can get my Canon 40D in there too?

Sorry if I am a little late. I have been searching for a backpack as well, for my HD201, and found this on the petrolbags.com site and also on BHPhotoVideo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Backpack.html

I don`t know how to post pics here but I found several pics on the petrolbags.com site with the camera inside the bag.

Svein Rune