Matt Gettemeier
August 1st, 2003, 08:15 AM
I just wanted to post this because I was torn on what case to get for the dvx100... If you shelled the bucks out for this cam then you should get a "shell for your bucks". Personally I think it would be crazy to keep one of these in a cheap, unprotective case.
Panny's case is over a hundred bucks but the price varies by where you go. The Panny hard case is over $300 and perhaps it's worth it, but I never cared much for hard cases... if one day "the worst case scenario" comes to play I'm sure I'll be converted to a hard case owner, but for now I'll take my chances because there are "soft cases" available that offer tremendous protection.
Portabrace makes a DV4 case and a DV3 case for this camera. The DV4 can be configured to take a matte box or not and it's still listed specifically for the dvx100.
The DV3 case is designed for a lot of cams of about this size. You just specify which camera you'll be using it for and choose the appropriate "cradle". In this case the cradle is the CR4, so your model number is DV3/CR4.
I almost went with the DV4 case instead of the DV3 for the extra space and storage. I'm glad I didn't. The DV3 case has enough extra room for two wireless sets, a shotgun with Softie, and several xlr cables... not to mention all the other stuff you normally would have such as spare batteries, charger, manual, tapes, etc.
The case is designed with a super thick padding all around and it unzips through the center, alla clam-shell, so it's very easy to put the cam in and take it out... fast. There are several internal pockets as well as a padded removeable pouch which is perfect for your wireless sets or anything else that you want to have an extra level of protection but don't want touching your camera. The cradle velcros down inside the case so that it has padding as well as an airspace surrounding it, basically from any side, but the bottom. The bottom of the case is both padded and reinforced with a hard-board that's encased within the padding. From any angle (except the bottom) you could hit this case with a bat and the blow would be absorbed before it made it to the cam. The design of the cradle and "floor" allow the cam to be placed anywhere inside the bottom of the case... if you want more space at one end of the cam for other items, you just velcro the cradle more to one end... if you want the MAXIMUM protection for your camera, velcro the cradle in the center of the case and you'll have 5" of airspace at both ends of the camera... which is overkill for an already very protective case. The long sides of the camera are protected by thick padding on top of big pockets.
The other point of note is that a couple of the biggest pockets have this clever system by which the pocket can be devided into smaller pockets or left as one big pocket... there's an ingenious system of velcro flaps that either lay flat inside or can be folded to create the seperate pockets. Very cool.
All Portabrace cases come with a luxurious tan suede carry strap that makes you want to keep the camera with you at all times. I say "luxurious" because I can't think of good way to say "strappily sexual"... Portabrace's carry straps are worth buying all by themselves just to use with other case brands.
All the hardware on the case is pure overkill and made for professional use. Everything about the case oozes quality. And I hate to throw this in, but facts are facts and this is still a cool point: Every news crew or high-end videographer you SEE uses Portabrace gear. Even my friends who don't know anything about video have noticed, "That's the same kind of bag those news guys had...".
Ok, I'm rambling... If you didn't want to read this whole post at least you can breeze through this summary. Here's my rapid-fire list of reasons in favor of this case:
1) The distinguished look and quality of the Portabrace DV3 is WELL worth the $179.95 price.
2) The functionality and luxury of this case will never leave you wishing you'd chosen another brand.
3) With the fit and comfort of the carry strap it feels like you're carrying an EMPTY bag!
4) The connection points of that luxurious strap make the case hang perfectly on your body. (Related to point 3)
5) If you add the cost of the carry strap ALONE to another brand that's like a $40 option. Therefore I believe this case should be compared to cases around $139.95 because the strap is SO worth it, and that logic makes it an even better value.
6) Everywhere you go a Portabrace bag gets noticed and everybody who's EVER seen a news crew thinks "this is a professional".
7) AMERICAN MADE in Vermont! If you don't think that ALONE is worth something you're nuts... Most other cases are made in another country, often China.
8) Clever design "extras" which will pleasantly surprise you as you use the bag more and more.
9) Very tough and durable.
10) Super friendly people offering good service and striving to create a superior product. (See 7)
Feel free to rearrange the above points according to what YOU think is most important. Obviously I personally don't care what case you get, I just wanted to offer some ideas on a nice case from an American company that I've bought from in the past and I'm very happy with.
Matt G.
Panny's case is over a hundred bucks but the price varies by where you go. The Panny hard case is over $300 and perhaps it's worth it, but I never cared much for hard cases... if one day "the worst case scenario" comes to play I'm sure I'll be converted to a hard case owner, but for now I'll take my chances because there are "soft cases" available that offer tremendous protection.
Portabrace makes a DV4 case and a DV3 case for this camera. The DV4 can be configured to take a matte box or not and it's still listed specifically for the dvx100.
The DV3 case is designed for a lot of cams of about this size. You just specify which camera you'll be using it for and choose the appropriate "cradle". In this case the cradle is the CR4, so your model number is DV3/CR4.
I almost went with the DV4 case instead of the DV3 for the extra space and storage. I'm glad I didn't. The DV3 case has enough extra room for two wireless sets, a shotgun with Softie, and several xlr cables... not to mention all the other stuff you normally would have such as spare batteries, charger, manual, tapes, etc.
The case is designed with a super thick padding all around and it unzips through the center, alla clam-shell, so it's very easy to put the cam in and take it out... fast. There are several internal pockets as well as a padded removeable pouch which is perfect for your wireless sets or anything else that you want to have an extra level of protection but don't want touching your camera. The cradle velcros down inside the case so that it has padding as well as an airspace surrounding it, basically from any side, but the bottom. The bottom of the case is both padded and reinforced with a hard-board that's encased within the padding. From any angle (except the bottom) you could hit this case with a bat and the blow would be absorbed before it made it to the cam. The design of the cradle and "floor" allow the cam to be placed anywhere inside the bottom of the case... if you want more space at one end of the cam for other items, you just velcro the cradle more to one end... if you want the MAXIMUM protection for your camera, velcro the cradle in the center of the case and you'll have 5" of airspace at both ends of the camera... which is overkill for an already very protective case. The long sides of the camera are protected by thick padding on top of big pockets.
The other point of note is that a couple of the biggest pockets have this clever system by which the pocket can be devided into smaller pockets or left as one big pocket... there's an ingenious system of velcro flaps that either lay flat inside or can be folded to create the seperate pockets. Very cool.
All Portabrace cases come with a luxurious tan suede carry strap that makes you want to keep the camera with you at all times. I say "luxurious" because I can't think of good way to say "strappily sexual"... Portabrace's carry straps are worth buying all by themselves just to use with other case brands.
All the hardware on the case is pure overkill and made for professional use. Everything about the case oozes quality. And I hate to throw this in, but facts are facts and this is still a cool point: Every news crew or high-end videographer you SEE uses Portabrace gear. Even my friends who don't know anything about video have noticed, "That's the same kind of bag those news guys had...".
Ok, I'm rambling... If you didn't want to read this whole post at least you can breeze through this summary. Here's my rapid-fire list of reasons in favor of this case:
1) The distinguished look and quality of the Portabrace DV3 is WELL worth the $179.95 price.
2) The functionality and luxury of this case will never leave you wishing you'd chosen another brand.
3) With the fit and comfort of the carry strap it feels like you're carrying an EMPTY bag!
4) The connection points of that luxurious strap make the case hang perfectly on your body. (Related to point 3)
5) If you add the cost of the carry strap ALONE to another brand that's like a $40 option. Therefore I believe this case should be compared to cases around $139.95 because the strap is SO worth it, and that logic makes it an even better value.
6) Everywhere you go a Portabrace bag gets noticed and everybody who's EVER seen a news crew thinks "this is a professional".
7) AMERICAN MADE in Vermont! If you don't think that ALONE is worth something you're nuts... Most other cases are made in another country, often China.
8) Clever design "extras" which will pleasantly surprise you as you use the bag more and more.
9) Very tough and durable.
10) Super friendly people offering good service and striving to create a superior product. (See 7)
Feel free to rearrange the above points according to what YOU think is most important. Obviously I personally don't care what case you get, I just wanted to offer some ideas on a nice case from an American company that I've bought from in the past and I'm very happy with.
Matt G.