View Full Version : Looking for advice on a BackPack for EX1


Pushpanatha de Silva
May 29th, 2010, 08:09 PM
Hi

I am looking for best packpack I can buy to carry on planes as hand luggage(accompanied luggage). with pockets and padding for safety. Thanks

Doug Jensen
May 29th, 2010, 08:35 PM
I've had the forerunner to this Cinebags backpack since I got my EX1 almost three years ago.
CineBags | CB-23 HD Backpack | CB-23 | B&H Photo Video

The fit is a little tight, but it was worked very well and I'd definately buy it again. In fact, I was hiking in Yosemite National Park last week with my EX1 and hardly noticed the camera was on my back. I'm still amazed that the EX1 with all the accessories weighs several pounds less than my other backpack that is loaded with a Nikon SLR and lenses. That thing is heavy!

Dan Asseff
May 29th, 2010, 08:36 PM
I just bought this back pack for my sony NX5 CineBags | CB-25A Revolution Backpack | CB-25A | B&H Photo Video I used it for a three day shoot,and it worked great. I think it will fit your EX1. Lots of pockets for equipment. I love it.

Dan
Forever Moments Video Productions (http://www.forevermomentsvideo.com)

Doug Jensen
May 29th, 2010, 08:46 PM
Dan, I like the color of yours better than the one I have. I guess if I was going to buy one right now, the CB25-A would be the one.

Stephen Mick
May 29th, 2010, 09:31 PM
I've owned CIneBags products in the past, and will never own them again. The construction was shoddy, the materials they use are nowhere near what I consider "professional" and their customer service is nonexistent.

Look at Kata's camcorder backpacks. I don't think I've ever met a shooter who wasn't happy with their Kata gear. It's all I use for my video gear, and Think Tank for my photo/DSLR stuff.

Doug Jensen
May 29th, 2010, 11:46 PM
Although I have never used Kata backpacks, I do own other Kata products and I'd rank the quality of my CineBags backpack and other CineBags products I own (CineBags | CB-01 Production Bag | CB-01 | B&H Photo Video) way above any of the Kata products I use. I have nothing but good things to say about the quality of the CineBags products and I have put a lot of miles on them. The Kata stuff is okay, but In my opinion it has a "prosumer" feel to it, and is not as durable as CineBags or Porta-Brace.

Greg Charest
May 30th, 2010, 12:53 AM
My Kata backpack is a TANK!
I would not run it over with a car mind you but it is truly rugged.
Sadly they don't make one big enough for my EX3.

Harry Christensen
May 30th, 2010, 04:14 AM
The Kata BP-502 is recommended for the EX3 according to their web site.

Juergen Hansen
May 30th, 2010, 10:24 AM
I think it will fit your EX1. Lots of pockets for equipment. I love it.
Forever Moments Video Productions (http://www.forevermomentsvideo.com)

Do you have by any chance a picture of the backpack with your equipment in it. On CineBags Website there is no gallery anymore and the Facebook site is a joke.
I am looking for a backpack which I can use for EX1 + 2 BP-U60 Batteries + Sennheiser MKH416 + Wireless Receiver&Transmitter + MacBook Pro 17.
And all that of course has to fit as handluggage on the plane....
CineBags 25 seems to be ideal but I would love to see how it looks inside.
Thanks a lot,
Jürgen

Israel Hyman
May 30th, 2010, 06:24 PM
I use the Kata HB-207 for my EX1, and I've taken it on many flights. I always worry that I'll run into a situation where they won't let me on the plane with it, but (so far) it has always worked out.

It goes through security fine and barely fits into overhead bins.

It will carry all the gear you're talking about.

Here's the link:

Video bags camera bags Kata - Manufacturer of camera bags (http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?p_Id=273&Version=photo)

It's robust. It's not a Pelican case, but it's very robust.

Dan Asseff
May 30th, 2010, 06:37 PM
Hi Juergen,

I don't have the EX1 but have the NX5. It said it fits the EX1 on B&H web site. Here is some pictures with NX5, wireless and receiver extra shotgun mic, swit light and battery headphones . The top view of over sized
pouch with a HV30 with wide angle lens. Hope this helps.

Dan
Forever Moments Video Productions (http://www.forevermomentsvideo.com)

Eugene J. Kulak
May 31st, 2010, 05:46 AM
this is the backpack I use and it seems to work well.

Petrol | PCBP-1 Papoose Mini DV Hiker Professional | PCBP-1 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/340292-REG/Petrol_PCBP_1_PCBP_1_Papoose_Mini_DV.html#features)

Juergen Hansen
May 31st, 2010, 06:51 AM
Hi Dan,

thanks a lot for the two photos - that is great. I know that you have the NX5 - but in size it is similar to the EX1R I would guess. It is tightly packed on your photos, but it seems, there is another small compartment where you have stocked your little camcorder.

I had a look at the Petrol bag Eugene recommended, but it is not specific about the size of the Laptop which fits in. I have the '17 MacBook Pro and the CineBags CB-25A says, it will fit that size.

So I guess, I will go with the CB-25A if there is nothing else. KATA seems to be to big for airlines as hand luggage.

Thanks a lot,
Jürgen

Daan Bras
May 31st, 2010, 09:24 AM
I have a petrol pcb-1 in the mail coming to me, delivery tomorrow i guess.
I also own a ex-1 and 17" MBP so i'll check it out for you tomorrow. Petrol claims a 17" laptop will fit.

Juergen Hansen
May 31st, 2010, 09:37 AM
Hi Daan,

that would be very, very nice of you. I appreciate that.
Would you mind to post a photo? I saw the pictures on Petrol's site, it looks nice. The only advantage of the CineBags in my impression - it has additional small bags at the side to put in some Western Digital Passport harddisks for example.
But keep me updated, thanks a lot.
Best regards,
Jürgen

Bob Kerner
May 31st, 2010, 11:58 AM
Also take a look at Think Tank. I have the Airport Acceleration backpack and it holds my EX-1, Wireless mics, 2 batteries, charger, on camera light with room to spare. And it has an outer compartment for a laptop. The backpack straps are quite good. I see they make one now with rollers too.

The only thing that won't fit (but you didn't ask about this) is the camera mounted on rails for a mattebox or 35mm adapter. The bag is about 2 inches too shallow to accommodate the height of this type of rig.

I don't see where you mention if you will actually backpack with it. That's important! If you are just looking for a carry-on sized bag and you wont be hiking or walking a lot with it, I'd suggest getting a roller bag instead. There's no compelling reason not to roller when you can!!!

Bob

Mark OConnell
May 31st, 2010, 01:45 PM
I use the Kata HB-207 backpack as well and really like it. It's a very sturdy pack and keeps the gear well protected.

Zsolt Gordos
May 31st, 2010, 03:39 PM
I use the Kata HB-207 for my EX1, and I've taken it on many flights. I always worry that I'll run into a situation where they won't let me on the plane with it, but (so far) it has always worked out.

It goes through security fine and barely fits into overhead bins.

It will carry all the gear you're talking about.

Here's the link:

Video bags camera bags Kata - Manufacturer of camera bags (http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?p_Id=273&Version=photo)

It's robust. It's not a Pelican case, but it's very robust.

Same bag, same fears, same results :)

Lets not forget it can accommodate a laptop (my 13" Macbook Pro for sure) which is important for dumping and reviewing material.
Optionally there is a trolley, which makes it a roller bag.

Daan Bras
June 1st, 2010, 07:38 AM
I just received my petrol PCBP-1 and it won't properly fit a 17" laptop. The provided sleeve is for 15" laptops. without the sleeve a 17" MBP will fit but i wouldn't recommend it. For me this is not a problem since i own both a 15" and a 17" MBP, so i can use my other bag for the 17". Hope this helps.

Juergen Hansen
June 1st, 2010, 08:12 AM
Hi Daan,

thank you very much for this information. Yes, it helps. I think I will go for the CineBags 25 - as I will use it as backpack.
Bob - thanks for your advice - I had a look at ThinkTank - actually I own the bag for the '17 MacBook Pro from them. The ThinkTank TakeOff with rails looks very convenient - but also heavy.
Thanks all for your opinion and I hope Pushpanatha de Silva has also all the information he asked for.
Jürgen

John Peterson
June 1st, 2010, 12:06 PM
I simply bought a backpack from Walmart that was already padded in the back and seemed to be stitched well (as good as the so-called professional bags) and glued open cell 1/2 inch foam to the other three walls of the inside. In the outer pocket (full sized) I simply inserted another piece of open cell foam for a total of 1 inch of protection front and back and 1/2 inch on the sides. I also made some foam inserts to take up some space if I am only carrying the camera and nothing else to make a tighter fit, although it probably isn't necessary.

Total cost - around $39.

What I like about it is that there are still other pockets for other things and I can partially unzip it if I am walking around and remove the camera by pulling it out from the top instead of having to lay the pack down (as with these commercial overpriced packs) and remove it like it was a suitcase. That is really inconvenient even aside from the high cost.

I do have an aluminum case and a Petrol "Doctor" bag that I use if I am not constantly on the move with the camera.

John

Pushpanatha de Silva
June 5th, 2010, 05:27 AM
Hi All

Thx vm for all the guy who have given me lots of info about theie experiences with their backpacks. I finally bought a Cinebag Model CB-25A which suits my EX1 and as well as my laptop. Thx guys..
Pushpa-Australia