What cases are you guys using with the HVX? at DVinfo.net

Marty Hudzik · February 13th, 2006, 02:17 PM

Since the HVX is finally in several hands do we have any recommendations on cases or good bags for the unit? I am partial to a soft case for easier travel but I am not sure what will work or not.

Thanks!

Peter Richardson · February 13th, 2006, 02:43 PM

I think a Portbrace bag would work well. I have the CS-CR4 which I bought for my DVX and I just tried fitting the HVX and it will work, but it doesn't leave a lot of room for anything else and the "caddy" in the bag is too small for the HVX (the HVX is considerably larger than the DVX). I've actually been looking at a Pelican Case because I thought that would be BETTER for travel--more rugged, waterproof. If you go soft case I would really recommend the PortaBrace, though--you can't beat them. Hope that helps and if anyone has a Pelican Case recommendation, let us know!

Peter

Paul Farmer · February 13th, 2006, 03:05 PM

The Storm Case looks nice and rugged . . . diffrent colors too.

http://www.goeps.com/Storm-iM2950-Ca...O8kQ2hsmuSfNTs

Steev Dinkins · February 13th, 2006, 04:31 PM

I scored a Portabrace a Black and Red DV Organizer.

http://www.portabrace.com/product_detail_A.php?id=2947

I needed something flexible since my HVX rig varies in size.

Bill Southworth · February 13th, 2006, 08:00 PM

The camera fits perfectly in the padded side of a Billingham 445 and I've filled the rest with long and short shotguns, a couple Lectronics wireless mics, extra batteries, charger, and a Litepanel. Still room to stuff in a change of clothes and take it as a carry-on.

Hans Damkoehler · February 13th, 2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty Hudzik

Since the HVX is finally in several hands do we have any recommendations on cases or good bags for the unit? I am partial to a soft case for easier travel but I am not sure what will work or not.

Thanks!

We went with the Porta-Brace DVO-1U ... works great, semi-rigid, keeps the camera well protected while providing room for extra batteries, charger, P2 cards, headphones, wireless mics (in the zippered stuff sacks ... very cool), etc.

Here's the link at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

It's basically the alter ego of Steev's.

Bob Gundu · February 13th, 2006, 10:00 PM

http://www.petrolbags.com/new_petrol...ch/search.html

Click on the HVX200 options.

Robert Lane · February 13th, 2006, 11:44 PM

Call me cautious, but none of my camera equipment ever leaves the studio/office unless it's in a Pelican hard-case.

I've had a selection of semi-rigid and soft cases for my SLR equipment over the years, but nothing stands up to abuse, weather or being accidentally dropped by a lazy airline ramp-loader like the Pelican cases. And, they have built-in hasp holes for locks, not to mention a choice of either pluck-able foam or padded inserts for dividers.

Case in point: Last fall I transported my Canon 400mm f/2.8, 200mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.2 lenses, two DSLR bodies and a few EX strobes in one large 1650 Pelican case with padded dividers. That lazy airline ramp worker I mentioned? He didn't load it properly on the belt-loader and I watched the case drop from the near-top of the loader onto the ramp below - from a 767 belly.

I thought for sure the big glass would be damaged in some way, but the Pelican case distributed the shock amazingly well - all that broke were two of the snap-downs (finger pinchers) on the corner where the case took the hit, everything else survived unscathed. Not even those expensive aluminum cases ever held up that well or, protected my gear as well.

I have my HVX, matte-box, filters, Senn G2 Evo mics, batteries, OWC 500gb drive, FW cables, inverter, power supplies and few other minor items all in one Pelican 1650.

You can certainly get some very cool looking bags, but for my money and piece of mind, my gear is either in a Pelican or it doesn't go out.

Marty Hudzik · February 14th, 2006, 08:24 AM

Robert,
I agree with you for the most part on using hard cases. But there are some times coming up where I am going to be running and gunning and something more like the old portabrace quickdraw. Also I am trying to get a padded bag small enought that I can carry it easily for walking 12-13 miles each day.

I should point out that the camera will never leave my hands. If I ever have to check it at an airport or let someone else handle it during transit you can bet it will be in a hard case.

Thanks,
Marty

March 8th, 2006, 12:41 PM

Robert (or anyone else with the Pelican),

Did you do the padded dividers again (as you mentioned with your camera above), or did you get the "pick n' pluck" foam? I'd lean towards the foam for my own personal taste at this point. From what I can tell, you can also have the interior foam of the Pelican's custom cut with any kind of configuration. All you have to do is send them the specs of what you want.

March 8th, 2006, 01:13 PM

From what I can tell, the 1610 may be a little better for me. The HVX dimensions (pg. 130 in the manual) are 6 5/8 x 7 1/16 x 15 3/8 (WxHxD).

The 1610 interior dimensions are 22 x 17 x 10 1/2 and seems like it would be easier to handle and store. Just not sure if it would allow for enough of the accessories? Any opinions welcome.

Peter Richardson · March 8th, 2006, 01:19 PM

Hey Derek--I just ordered the 1650 per Robert's suggestions. I don't think I have as many accessories as Robert, so I'll let you know if I think it's way too much room. Better to have too much room than to little, of course. Keep in mind that when shooting with the HVX, you're going to need to take along a P2 Store or at least a portable hard drive, cards, etc., so I imagine you'll be pretty full before you know it. And the 1610 is obviously not carry-on size, so you'd have to check either case (though when I travel with my HVX I put it in my PortaBrace and do it as carry-on....don't trust the "throwers" with my baby).

Peter

March 8th, 2006, 01:24 PM

Peter,

Good points. I need to order one today, so I can get it quick. I think I'll go with the 1650 as well. It will allow for the most flexiblity in the future. Thanks for letting me know that's what you got. It helped me make up my mind. I'm going to place the order now and have it the interior custom cut to the camera's dimensions.

Peter Richardson · March 8th, 2006, 01:33 PM

Glad to know I could help Derek. I hope the case works out for you. The custom cut sounds cool. I got mine with the Pick and Pluck, so hopefully that works ok. Let me know how the custom cut turns out.

Peter

David M. Payne · March 9th, 2006, 11:15 PM

You might like the storm cases at Pangaea-Expeditions. I got a couple of iM2400's for my DVX's from them and the HVX fit it them quite nicely too, with room for batteries, P2 cards, and the ac power adaptors. I believe they are carry on sizes, but you need to check on that, I don't fly that much. They also sell Pelican cases there. I agree with Robert Lane, we have way too much money in these cameras, computers etc to put them in soft bags.

http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/storm/index.html

David

February 13th, 2006, 02:17 PM	#1
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	What cases are you guys using with the HVX? Since the HVX is finally in several hands do we have any recommendations on cases or good bags for the unit? I am partial to a soft case for easier travel but I am not sure what will work or not. Thanks!

February 13th, 2006, 03:05 PM	#3
Paul Farmer New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 9	Storm Case The Storm Case looks nice and rugged . . . diffrent colors too. http://www.goeps.com/Storm-iM2950-Ca...O8kQ2hsmuSfNTs

February 13th, 2006, 04:31 PM	#4
Steev Dinkins Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 613	I scored a Portabrace a Black and Red DV Organizer. http://www.portabrace.com/product_detail_A.php?id=2947 I needed something flexible since my HVX rig varies in size. __________________ www.holyzoo.com

February 13th, 2006, 10:00 PM	#7
Bob Gundu New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 13	Petrol Bags Rock! http://www.petrolbags.com/new_petrol...ch/search.html Click on the HVX200 options.

February 13th, 2006, 11:44 PM	#8
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,788 Images: 15	Call me cautious, but none of my camera equipment ever leaves the studio/office unless it's in a Pelican hard-case. I've had a selection of semi-rigid and soft cases for my SLR equipment over the years, but nothing stands up to abuse, weather or being accidentally dropped by a lazy airline ramp-loader like the Pelican cases. And, they have built-in hasp holes for locks, not to mention a choice of either pluck-able foam or padded inserts for dividers. Case in point: Last fall I transported my Canon 400mm f/2.8, 200mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.2 lenses, two DSLR bodies and a few EX strobes in one large 1650 Pelican case with padded dividers. That lazy airline ramp worker I mentioned? He didn't load it properly on the belt-loader and I watched the case drop from the near-top of the loader onto the ramp below - from a 767 belly. I thought for sure the big glass would be damaged in some way, but the Pelican case distributed the shock amazingly well - all that broke were two of the snap-downs (finger pinchers) on the corner where the case took the hit, everything else survived unscathed. Not even those expensive aluminum cases ever held up that well or, protected my gear as well. I have my HVX, matte-box, filters, Senn G2 Evo mics, batteries, OWC 500gb drive, FW cables, inverter, power supplies and few other minor items all in one Pelican 1650. You can certainly get some very cool looking bags, but for my money and piece of mind, my gear is either in a Pelican or it doesn't go out. __________________ Robert Lane Producer/Creator - Bike Pilots TV

February 13th, 2006, 02:43 PM	#2
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	I think a Portbrace bag would work well. I have the CS-CR4 which I bought for my DVX and I just tried fitting the HVX and it will work, but it doesn't leave a lot of room for anything else and the "caddy" in the bag is too small for the HVX (the HVX is considerably larger than the DVX). I've actually been looking at a Pelican Case because I thought that would be BETTER for travel--more rugged, waterproof. If you go soft case I would really recommend the PortaBrace, though--you can't beat them. Hope that helps and if anyone has a Pelican Case recommendation, let us know! Peter

February 13th, 2006, 08:00 PM	#5
Bill Southworth Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 37	The camera fits perfectly in the padded side of a Billingham 445 and I've filled the rest with long and short shotguns, a couple Lectronics wireless mics, extra batteries, charger, and a Litepanel. Still room to stuff in a change of clothes and take it as a carry-on.

February 14th, 2006, 08:24 AM	#9
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	Robert, I agree with you for the most part on using hard cases. But there are some times coming up where I am going to be running and gunning and something more like the old portabrace quickdraw. Also I am trying to get a padded bag small enought that I can carry it easily for walking 12-13 miles each day. I should point out that the camera will never leave my hands. If I ever have to check it at an airport or let someone else handle it during transit you can bet it will be in a hard case. Thanks, Marty

March 8th, 2006, 12:41 PM	#10
Guest Posts: n/a	Pelican - Padded Dividers or Foam? Robert (or anyone else with the Pelican), Did you do the padded dividers again (as you mentioned with your camera above), or did you get the "pick n' pluck" foam? I'd lean towards the foam for my own personal taste at this point. From what I can tell, you can also have the interior foam of the Pelican's custom cut with any kind of configuration. All you have to do is send them the specs of what you want.

March 8th, 2006, 01:13 PM	#11
Guest Posts: n/a	Maybe the 1610? From what I can tell, the 1610 may be a little better for me. The HVX dimensions (pg. 130 in the manual) are 6 5/8 x 7 1/16 x 15 3/8 (WxHxD). The 1610 interior dimensions are 22 x 17 x 10 1/2 and seems like it would be easier to handle and store. Just not sure if it would allow for enough of the accessories? Any opinions welcome.

March 8th, 2006, 01:19 PM	#12
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	Hey Derek--I just ordered the 1650 per Robert's suggestions. I don't think I have as many accessories as Robert, so I'll let you know if I think it's way too much room. Better to have too much room than to little, of course. Keep in mind that when shooting with the HVX, you're going to need to take along a P2 Store or at least a portable hard drive, cards, etc., so I imagine you'll be pretty full before you know it. And the 1610 is obviously not carry-on size, so you'd have to check either case (though when I travel with my HVX I put it in my PortaBrace and do it as carry-on....don't trust the "throwers" with my baby). Peter

March 8th, 2006, 01:24 PM	#13
Guest Posts: n/a	Good Points Peter, Good points. I need to order one today, so I can get it quick. I think I'll go with the 1650 as well. It will allow for the most flexiblity in the future. Thanks for letting me know that's what you got. It helped me make up my mind. I'm going to place the order now and have it the interior custom cut to the camera's dimensions.

March 8th, 2006, 01:33 PM	#14
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	Glad to know I could help Derek. I hope the case works out for you. The custom cut sounds cool. I got mine with the Pick and Pluck, so hopefully that works ok. Let me know how the custom cut turns out. Peter

March 9th, 2006, 11:15 PM	#15
David M. Payne Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 81	You might like the storm cases at Pangaea-Expeditions. I got a couple of iM2400's for my DVX's from them and the HVX fit it them quite nicely too, with room for batteries, P2 cards, and the ac power adaptors. I believe they are carry on sizes, but you need to check on that, I don't fly that much. They also sell Pelican cases there. I agree with Robert Lane, we have way too much money in these cameras, computers etc to put them in soft bags. http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/storm/index.html David