Some references to it here: The EX-3 "Which Bag?" dilemma may be answered... - The Digital Video Information Network

Think someone got one and returned it as a bit too small for the viewfinder.

Oh well back to square one! I have a Tamrac Expedition 8 that mine fits into no problem, with enough room for a Nikon 200-400 so I may use that untill someone finds something better.

why do you want to replace the tamrac?

Ed it's a little oversize re hand baggage regulations when flying.

Dave

Ahh, got it. that is important to me too. hopefully somebody is working to perfect the ex-3 backpack.

there was talk on this thread about removing the viewfinder. Sounded like a big chore, not suited for many do-it-yourselfers.

But, what about removing the limit on the pivot of the viewfinder. If the viewfinder could swing down another inch it would get lower in profile and make things a bit easier.

Removal would be best, but could this be done easier as a modest compromise?

I tried in my Lowepro Vertex 200, but I would have to remove the shoulder pad...not an issue really, but the Vertex 300 may do the job and it's a bit shorter than the Tamrac Expedition 8.

Actually I just worked out las night if I take the lens shade off and just put a generic 77mm lens cap on the front it will fit in the Vertex 200, without having to remove the should pad. A bit of a squeeze on the viewfinder though!

I broke the mike holder when taking the EX3 out of the Kata 195
 

Hi everyone,

I enter this discussion because last night I broke the mike holder of my EX3 out the my Kata 195 bag. I had already 10 hours of shooting walking across a city (touristic film for the town) and was tired I admit. It was in the dark and had to shoot part of a piano concert in a parc. When I pulled out the EX3 out of the bag, the mike holder got stuck and stayed in the bag. Of course I should have been more careful but the part is very fragile plastic.
Now I am looking for a replacement such as this: DM-Accessories - EX-FLAT - Shoe Mounts for Sony EX1 & EX3 Camcorders
Anyone with similar break and solid replacement solution?

DM is good repacement for broken mic holder. I did the same and purchased DM. Works great.

I didn't brake my sony ex3 mount but I still replaced it with the DM one just so I could have a real shock mount to eliminate operator noise. The supplied sony one picks up too much of the camera operations in quiet conditions.

//////
2. If the bag is not rigid it can be squished (which it will) and if you do not have a 2nd carry-on - known as a personal bag (laptop etc)./////

Reminds me of the time I tried to carry a COMPLETELY SQUISHABLE 1/2 empty nylon bag onboard and the ticket agent at the ticket counter--not even the gate agent, mind you--called the cops on me because I insisted it would (and it did) fit into the constraints of carryon. This was American Airlines in Corpus Christi. The cops told me I was right but the ticket agent could have me arrested for arguing with her! Welkom to Amerika.

OK...back to the present (whew!)

I bought the CineBags CB-25 REVOLUTION BACKPACK with the groovy neon green straps. Took out the velcro dividers and can carry the PMW EX3 in the cavity which unzips only when you have the backpack off (aperture faces your back when it's worn).

Plenty of room elsewhere for 17" MBP, batteries, remotes, cables, etc.

That said, it's a tight squeeze and I'm thinking I'll want to remove the lens shade and cap the lens next time I travel as that would afford some padding on the bottom.

It measures 12 x 21 x 10" which is I think, and I'm not math genius, just under the carry on limit.

Here's how I had it packed. Like I said, the aperture opens only when you've taken off the backpack so it is protected from bumps. My only modification would be to take off the lens shade next time to add foam padding for the bottom of the pack. BTW, the pack comes with a nylon rain cover which has a pouch at bottom where it'd would be easy to add the foam.

Would it be possible to get a nikon 200-400 in there also?

Cinebag and Ex3
 

I just read the specs for that lens and at 4"x14" My guess is that it would be a very tight squeeze. I measured the empty space left once you've got the EX3 in there and there is 4" or more width on the viewfinder side (the camera fits in with tripod plate facing towards the front of the pack) and about 14" or more length wise.

The top pocket of the pack is a handy spot to stash gear but if you don't fill it up, the divider between the top and the internal cavity obviously gives a bit more vertical dimension to the space.

Remember, I'm planning to add some cushion to the bottom so that the end of my camera, the shoulder mount, has some protection when I'm setting the bag down.

Also, you those available dimensions in the cavity adjacent to the viewfinder side of the camera are pretty tight and I'm not sure what sort of padding you might fit in there. I took out the velcro dividers that came with the bag which I suppose you could jerry rig along with some sort of sock for that lens.

I've made only one trip with this backpack so far but it's worked for me. And it does have a lower profile than the Kata B502 which I looked at when I visited B&H. I decided it wasn't worth rolling the dice that I'd be asked to check it on smaller planes or oversold flights.

Something else I like about the Cinebag is the hip belt which takes a lot of load off your shoulders once you get it adjusted right. I suppose that's a feature most bags have but is a blessing regardless.

Portabrace BK-3BLC
 

Anyone using the Portabrace BK-3 backpack? PortaBrace - Product Detail:BK-3BLC

What I like about this pack is that it is rectangular, so it uses all available space given to the rectangular box the airlines use for sizing carry ons.
The most restrictive airline is Delta with a 45" girth dimension. This pack measures 47"; pretty close.

The interior height shows 8" so I'll need to remove the mic mount. Other than that, the dimensions look very good.

Broken Mic Holder
 

Hi Jeremy,

Knowing that this mic holder was a weak link, we unscrewed it, added a thin strip of stainless aluminum for the base, screwed into that then added silicon into the recesses where the screws sit but still protecting the screws themselves so you can take the whole thing off. It didn't cost anything but time and seems pretty bomber.

Joe


2009/IMG_0362.JPG

Kata 502 ...
 

I have had some good and bad luck on getting my kata 502 on planes as carry-on. It's a crap shoot. The only advice I can give is hold the camera or have a light weight bag to put it in if they say no to the kata.

737-400
 

Dear All,

I can confirm that the Kata backpack fits in the overhead on a Boeing 737-400. You need to remove your laptop from the backpocket but with a bit of prodding it fits fine.

Here''s a shot of what the camera looks like in the bag which we've set up with a foam base rather than the dividers but as you can see, the viewfinder is pretty well protected:

why don't they make that viewfinder removeable. it so bulky, removeable like canon XL are perfect.

A solution for the viewfinder
 

I posted this a few weeks ago:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...my-ex-3-a.html

Removing the viewfinder is extremely tricky. Making it swing down to lower the profile is much easier to do. If you are good with tools, you might consider this modification. I did it specifically to enable a better fit in a backpack. Hack at your own risk!!

Any Burton Bags suitable?

I have had great experiences with older Burton camera bags. But the older ones I have do not fit the EX3. Has anyone tried some of the newer models?

The Aperture Pack - dimensions look good on paper.

Aperture Pack | Burton Snowboards

The focus Pack

Focus Pack [30L] | Burton Snowboards

The Zoom Pack

Zoom Pack [28L] | Burton Snowboards

I am not sure if the measurements given are internal or external, and I don't have a store nearby with them in stock.

Anyone able to test out?

Ben

My experiences with the Cinebag CB-25

I recently took the pack from New Zealand to Colorado and back via Australia for a quick doco shoot on the snow at Winter Park. I was carrying a basic EX3 kit with a Miller Solo tripod set up as well.

I have had a lot of experience with specialist snow camera backpacks from Burton and Dakine, and use a lot of other non snow based bags - such as Think Tank, Lowe Pro etc. I also have bought Cinebags products from them years ago when they first started up.

I had several issues with the CB-25.

The EX3 only fitted in the main compartment when the camera's padded base was removed.

All of the zips open easily, by themselves when the bag is being moved around. They also do not completely close - letting in moisture, and with the potential for accessories to fall out.

The straps on the front are made of a cheap material. They work themselves loose and are pretty much useless. No way for them to secure a tripod.

There is a hole in the very top of the bag for an ipod headphone cable. Not the most waterproof design. I ended up putting gaffer tape over it.

The harness is very bulky, and not that effective.

The base of the bag has a rain cover in it. But this base digs into my back when worn - the padded harness not being effective at all.

The garish colors really stand out in an airport, and not in a good way.

The massive 'CineBags' logos also scream out for attention. I ended up coloring mine in black.

The bag looks big, and is not the best for carrying through airports.

I hope my thoughts are useful to someone. On the whole, I would not recommend the bag.

New Kata
 

New backpack from Kata
Video bags camera bags Kata - Manufacturer of camera bags

It looks like a beaut. Those guys are definitely awake to our needs.