Any recomendations for a camera case?

The slightly larger size of the XL2 means that standard soft cases, such as the Kata XL-1 series case, may not fit right now. Zotz is checking to see if it will work. I'm planning on buying 2 cases; 1 soft for daily use and a custom hard travel case for trips. You want to disassemble the camera during airline travel, etc. since any rough handling can put a strain on the lens mount.

I'm betting Kata will have an appropriate case soon.

Paul,

When you say the "Kata XL-1 Series case", which specific Kata case are you referring to? I just ordered a Kata CCC-10, thinking this would be big enough for the XL2. Does anyone out there with an XL2 have this case? Does it fit? Thanks.

I was at samy's this weekend trying to find a case for my xl2...the Kata bag ---( I'm not sure the number, but it was next to the Canon xl1 case, and appeared like it was the right size)---didn't work as far as I was concerned...the camera fit inside, but closing the flap was barely possible in my opinion...I was concerned about pressure on the viewfinder-mic assembly.

I ended up buying the Lowe-Pro AV commercial. The xl2 fits in it nicely and it has a few nicely placed pockets as well as a rain cover. I carried it around all weekend...nice bag.

Barry

Does the Lowe-Pro AV commercial also have room for an extra lens (3X Wide Angle + 20X)?

It's a bit of a squeeze, but I was able to comfortably fit

the xl2 w/ 20x mounted
3x
16x manual

Barry

Thanks Barry,
Could the case be the AW Commercial?

Greg..

Actually its the Commercial AW DV....(thanks for making me look this up...I paid $100 too much for the bag...damn)....the AW bag is for still cameras. Now it is essentially the same exact bag with out all the foam dividers (the DV only has two...the AW is like a small tenament block inside)...looks like you can get the DV a little cheaper.

Barry

Barry,

Do you remember how much the too small Kata case cost? If you can't remember the model number, then maybe I can figure it out based on the price. Thanks.

Nevermind Barry,

According to the dimensions of the Kata CCC-10, and the Canon XL2, it should fit. And Zotz is selling the CCC-10 with the XL2 in one of their custom packages.

Joel,

I'm not sure what case I was looking at, but it was most likely the ccc-10...the camera fit fine lengthwise, but the lid is a sloping zippered half moon, and it was severly impeded by the viewfinder...I probably could have gotten it closed, but I didn't want to try..

Barry

Barry,

Here is a link to CCC-10:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=7&cid=65&perentId=1&ProdLine=1

It doesn't look like it has a "sloping zippered half moon" so I am hoping you were looking at a different bag.

Sorry to beat this into the ground, but I won't be getting my camera for another month or so (since I ordered the body only kit), so I want to make sure my bag works. I definitely wouldn't want to force the viewfinder in. Thanks!

PS. If anyone is interested, B+H has these bags on sale for $165 in their Used section, even though their condition is marked as "N" which means they are brand new and still in the manufacturers packaging. It's a pretty good deal.

Hi Barry,
I am getting ready to order the Commercial AW DV....one last question.

Do you have to adjust the mic for the camera to fit?

No, the camera fits into it perfectly...although I believe the bag was made for the xl1(it has a tage that says "perfect for the xl1") it seems to fit the xl2 even better.

Barry

Joel..

yes this is a different bag, and it looks like it will work just fine...the bag I saw isn't on their website...so perhaps it has been discontinued...it was like their DV bag, only bigger.

Barry

Has anyone tried the Portabrace cc-210-pw?

or the KATA BP-502 for that matter.
Speaking of which, how do people hike around while traveling with an 8lb camera on their shoulder? Im planning on a travel documentary in thailand for a month so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for bags, rain slickers etc.

also, has anyone tried using the portabrace xl1 rain slicker on the xl2 yet? I'd be interested since i started a thread about that a while ago...

cheers

I just received the LowePro Professional AW DV.

Very nice case, but it is an extremly tight fit, and the mic must be adjusted back to fit properly. There is very limited room left to hold a lens.

<<<-- Originally posted by Alexis Vazquez : Has anyone tried the Portabrace cc-210-pw? -->>>

I just bought the HK-P2 (backpack for xl1) at B&H because I didn't have the xl2 w/me. Length was OK but vf didn't fit in moon. Tried flipping mic so cable didn't protrude (reversing L/R, no big deal for down & dirty audio) but it still was beyond tight.

I'm thinking having about a person I know of who does handmade dacron bags do a custom. The big players let us down and the guys at B&H looked at me like a deer in the headlights. Anybody want to get in on a group order? We could probably get a primo case for under $250 a pop with about 10 people.

I have email notification on so speak up if you're interested in keeping tabs on this.

I have the HK-P3 for the XL1 and I'm hoping that it might fit the XL2 better. However, a custom backpack for an XL2? Sure I'm in. I just need an additional padded pouch for a 12" powerbook. Could I get some contact info at the least so I could get one made up too? 250 sounds perfectly reasonable to me, sign me up!

I was just at San Jose Camera this past weekend looking at backpacks and checking if their XL2 would fit. I wasnt too pleased with any of the backpacks they had there. I was wondering how I'd get a custom pack made for the camera. And there's no way I'm going to hike in a rian forrest for a month with a shoulder bag, yikes.

<<It's a bit of a squeeze, but I was able to comfortably fit the xl2 w/ 20x mounted 3x 16x manual>>

Hey Barry, I'm a little confused, the Commercial AW DV is isted as 17" iinterior and the XL2 is listed as 19.5" long. How can it fit the camera let alone lenses etc.?

<<<-- Originally posted by Jim Giberti : <<It's a bit of a squeeze, but I was able to comfortably fit the xl2 w/ 20x mounted 3x 16x manual>>

Hey Barry, I'm a little confused, the Commercial AW DV is isted as 17" iinterior and the XL2 is listed as 19.5" long. How can it fit the camera let alone lenses etc.? -->>>

I dont know how he did it....it is a very tight fit. The mic must be slid back, or totally removed. Once you put items inside the exterior pockets, you have to force the camera in, and it stretches the two exterior wall out. I have no idea how he fits two extra lenses!!

The bag is awesome, but 2" too small...I am going to keep it for now, but am looking for a better solution.

I went bag shopping today for my XL2 and here's what I found. Neither the Kata bag nor the Porta Brace bags that were made for the XL1(s) will work. The camera is too big for these. It does however fit into the Tamrac 2249 (both versions)-There is a large(r) and small version. The large version could be modified a little to carry your extra lenses and it has room for a modest amount of other gear. I tried to fit the camera into a larger model of the Porta Brace bags (made for a full size camera). The length was OK but the bag was too narrow to deal well with the eye piece.

Anyone else have any luck?

Greg...Jim emailed me on this...I didn't see your post...the Commercial AW DV bag I have is 18 long x 9.5-10 wide x 9.5 tall ID. When I set up my xl2 I had the mic set a little back in the holder..at this setting I measured my xl2 at 18 inches long.....camera fit like the bag was made for it...If you extend the mic all the way forward it will reach the 19.5 length....then it is too long...

sorry for any confusion...I'm very happy with the bag...its nicely designed with lots of extra storage...it would be nice to have a little more room for extra lenses, but for my purposes...I would rarely go out with all three in the first place...

Barry

I have a Pelican 1650 case but instead of purchasing a second foam set and customizing it for the XL2, I was thinking of buying the padded divider set instead.

Do you think the Pelican padded dividers is a good choice? I never cared for the dust that the custom foam sets had. Gets on the equipment.

Evan,

Which Kata bag were you looking at? I ordered the CCC-10, one of the largest bags that they allow you to carry onto an airplane, and it's pretty big. Going off the dimensions of the XL2 and the internal dimensions of the main compartment of the bag, the camera should fit, but things like that don't always work out. The CCC-10 was made for professional sized cameras, but was also advertized for the XL1s, as a larger bag option for that camera. Were you looking at the CCC-3333? Just wondering, thanks,

Joel

where can you get padded dividers???

Joel,

No, I didn't look at the Kata CCC-10. I was looking at the bag that was recommended by the Kata site for the XL1s. I have since been speaking with Brian at Zotz and he is hoping that the CCC-10 will work and will offer the most protection but as of now, I don't know of anyone who has actually put an XL2 into this bag. I can't wait to hear how it works out for you.

Evan

<<No, I didn't look at the Kata CCC-10. I was looking at the bag that was recommended by the Kata site for the XL1s. I have since been speaking with Brian at Zotz and he is hoping that the CCC-10 will work and will offer the most protection but as of now, I don't know of anyone who has actually put an XL2 into this bag. I can't wait to hear how it works out for you.
Evan>>

After doing some homework, I ordered the ccc-10. Using the inside dimensions of (I think) 23.5 inches with a width of 9.5 it seemed like a good fit for the XL2 that has a length of 18" with the mic pulled back and about 8.75 wide, with the VF assembly slid hard right. It also has a formed sidewall to prevent pressure on the VF and looks like there should be ample room for batteries, charger, lenses and I hope a 7" LCD.

Jim,

I received mine a few days ago. While I don't have the XL2 to test in it yet, I can say that the bag is very very nice. You won't be disappointed.

<<I received mine a few days ago. While I don't have the XL2 to test in it yet, I can say that the bag is very very nice. You won't be disappointed.>>

Joel, can I borrow your's till it comes. No wait, you'll probably want to borrow mine till my case comes.

Has the XL2 been placed in a CCC-10 by anybody yet and how does it fit? Does the accessorie bracket on the back fit in there too?

I need to get a case immediately and this is the one I am leaning towards.

Thanks.

My XL2 is at home, I picked up my CCC-10 this morning. If you can wait until this evening, I'll let you know.

My boss wanted me to order it today so I could have it next monday-tuesday. I may try to hold off. can you give me any feedback on what you think of it so far? I mean....the construction and design alone. Does it look really well made and does it look like it will hold the XL2 with bracket on it?

Thanks...

Hey Marty,

I'm just calibrating monitors and packing for a shoot tomorrow. The XL2 fits perfectly into the CCC-10. Real nice case. I've always had my cameras carried in Pelican cases and the XL1s in the canon hard case. I've never been a big fan of soft cases like Porta Braces for cameras and monitors, which is why I got the Dave Riddle case system for the 8044Q.

That said, we're on the road a lot with tons of action footage over the next 3 months and needed something that could get around Olympic venues, airplane carry on etc. This case works because an intelligent bracing on the sides that while a soft case, definitely protects against bumps and pressured that could damage the VF specifically, and camera in general.

I took out one divider and adjusted the other to fit the camera with lens and mic and VF all in place (slid quickly back for the mic and to the right for the VF to be smart). I was able to comfortably fit the 14x manual lens beside it, tapes a lens cleaning kit in the front outside, dual charger and bunch 'o batteries in the back outside (15-20 hours worth).

I figure there's enough room in the extra compartment inside created by the divider to hold filters, a small field mixer /pre and/or a 7' LCD monitor.

Very ergonomic and comfortable, good build and the flaps open up for full clearance and close so that there's actually another aluminum "strut" to protect against any downward pressure on the VF area and camera top.

Best I've used, B&H has it with a free rain hood for the XL for around $220. This is the one to get. As far as the accessory bracket, I was just looking at that and would have to adjust the velcro divider forward ta couple of inches to fit it, but yes it will.

Thanks!

One other question. Anyone have any experience with the Ta100 tripod adapter?

Currently I have Bogen MKII tripod head with a large metal plate that mounts to the camera. THis plate gets in the way big time on hand held shots. Would the TA100 help with this? SO that The big plate stays on the tripod and I just mount and unmount using the TA100 quick release?

Thanks!

B&H is where I got mine. Definitely the best deal. This bag is made really well. Good padding, etc. The only bag I've seen that may be better is made by Petrol (used to be the same owner of Kata). They have a port for the eye piece that is surrounded by hard plastic. They also have some hard cases that are covered in cordura so they look like soft cases. I don't think I'm allowed to say where I saw them because they are not our sponsors.

OK, here's the skinny on the fit.

It fits (barely). Assembled, the eypiece and microphone are barely touching the sides of the bag. I would definitely remove this mount if I were to travel for any length of time. Lengthwise, no problem. Unassembled for air travel (apparently this bag fits in the overhead compartment) no problem. A good bag for shooting on the move-not the best protection for the eyepiece and (stock) mic but goes in and out of the bag (top loader) easily.