Hi there,
I'm doing a bunch of travelling. Can people recommend the smallest Portabrace case I can get, that will take the camera with a wide-angle lens attached, and two batteries, and, say, the AC adapter (I have to be able to shoot in the event that my checked cases don't arrive)... that fits the standard carry-on dimensions?
Thanks very much,
Malcolm

Hi again,
I think a fairly standard rule for maximum carry-on is:

Maximum size:
23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm
(9 in x 16 in x 22 in)
Wheels and handles included.

Maximum weight:
10 kg (22 lb)

I see that Portabrace (which I think is a good company) has a whole selection of what they call "Carry On"

PortaBrace - Cases and Bags: Cameras - Video:Carry On Camera Cases (http://www.portabrace.com/category_50_11)

but I'd like to get some real-world experience from EX-1 owners before I pay for something that I won't see until I get it in the mail.
Regards, Malcolm

I use the Portabrace CS-DV4 for my EX1. No wheels on this one.

For my EX3 I have an old Portabrace Smuggler, I love this bag it compresses for carry on, and then expands to hold a Betacam even in a runbag configuration. Pockets and compartments expand by unzipping. And it is a very square hard case. I don't think PB makes it anymore, a pity, it is a great bag and one of the few that will hold an EX3 or full size cam in carry on configuration. It is very rugged and solid.

Hi Olaf,
I've got the Portabrace CS-DV4 too, but it seems waaaaayyy too large to fit under the seat in the kind of planes I fly (from Dash-8s to whatever-jets), and too big for the compartment above as well. I suppose if I took everything out of the pockets the case would shrink drastically (and I could do that for the flight, then reload when I land), but even then, with just my EX-1, two batteries and my AC adapter (I can carry my SxS cards in my shirt pocket), it seems like it would be too large.
I've never heard of the 'Smuggler'... sounds like something the airlines would want to pull you out of line for... I just checked the Portabrace site, and you're right, there are "no results" for the search.
Regards, Malcolm

P.S. can you carry on the EX-1 batteries? I remember someone saying, a couple years ago, that some airlines wouldn't let you do this, but I think I've carried them on in the last few years.

We travel with a Petrol PWB-HDV (http://www.petrolbags.com/Camera-Shoulder-Bags?q=node/98) for our Z5Ps (fit EX1/R no probs), but this bag is probably the absolutely largest you'd get away with. Fits in overhead baggage locker fine on bigger jets (airbus A330) but a squeeze on the Dash 8 prop planes (or not as the case may be - I can't recall)
I researched and decided on the PCUB-HD (http://www.petrolbags.com/Camera-Shoulder-Bags?q=node/91) for the EX1R with room for PXUMS240, PHU120R, couple of radio mics etc, but I would probably need to swap EX1R into the HDV bag if flying and leave some of the back-up storage out.

Mark, thanks very much... that's valuable information. I'm curious about the second bag you mention (PCUB-HD), which is made for (amongst others) the EX-3.
If the EX-3 can fit in there, would an EX-1?
(I've never held an EX-3, and don't know how it compares in size to an EX-1).
Regards,
Malcolm

I use the Portabrace CS-DV4 for my EX1. No wheels on this one.

For my EX3 I have an old Portabrace Smuggler, I love this bag it compresses for carry on, and then expands to hold a Betacam even in a runbag configuration. Pockets and compartments expand by unzipping. And it is a very square hard case. I don't think PB makes it anymore, a pity, it is a great bag and one of the few that will hold an EX3 or full size cam in carry on configuration. It is very rugged and solid.

That should be still around (now called SMG-2), I used it for my PDW and now PMW-350. I would just wish, that the antennas of the slot in-receiver had some more place. I had the receiver in a WR-855 box before attached "to the end" of the camera, where the reciever sat much lower not interfering with the hight of the smuggler case.

I was hoping to be able to replace my antennas (sennheiser EK-3041) with some antennas one could just flip down if needed. But I've been told those are not compatible with my receiver. That's the only drawback. Great - but expensive case - in all other regards.

Stephan

I use a kata CC 191.

The EX1 just BARELY fits...small stuff like data cards, etc around it in the cavities...take off the rear eyepiece and cover the VF.

I put the battery charger and other smallish stuff in my wheelie carry-on.

What you have to take into account is the major airlines have major airplanes...the connecting flights are run by feeder airlines with teensy planes. You may book a big airline, but you may have a connecting flight on something that resembles a private jet without the luxury, headroom, or stowage...

I've seen a lot of people in airports feverishly working to remove fragile items from cases that were the right size for the first plane they flew on, and too big for the second.

The Kata cc 191 fits in the overhead compartment of a Canadair Regional Jet...it makes me smile every time I board one.

I use a bigger case for everyday work of course...

thanks Stephan for the heads up re the SMG-2 (aka Smuggler) — I've emailed Portabrace for more info (eg., ext. dimensions) — and Tim, I'll look into the Kata as well. Very good point, Tim, about how different planes may well have different rules re what constitues "carry on".
Regards, Malcolm

I've had this Portabrace since the day I bought the EX1 and it's great:

PortaBrace - Product Detail:DVO-1RQS-M4 (http://www.portabrace.com/productC-DVO-1RQS-M4)

I don't think you'd have any problem getting this into an overhead.

dave

I know you're saying that you're looking for Port-a-Brace, but if you're really just looking for a case there's also the Pelican 1510 which I have used to take my EX1 flying many times... Fits great into the overhead bins, plenty of room for the camera and whatever accessories you're wanting to take along...

Pelican 1510 Carry On Case with Foam Set (Black) 1510-000-110 -

Mark, thanks very much... that's valuable information. I'm curious about the second bag you mention (PCUB-HD), which is made for (amongst others) the EX-3.
If the EX-3 can fit in there, would an EX-1?
(I've never held an EX-3, and don't know how it compares in size to an EX-1).
Regards,
Malcolm
It's actually a bit big for the EX1/R, the EX3 is wider because of the viewfinder/LCD on the LHS. I took the dimensions from the EX1R manual and matched it with bags on the Petrol site...in hindsight the PCUB-HD perhaps a little too roomy...but I had all those Sony access + potentially PDW-U1 XD CAM drive, UHF radio kits, AJA i/o express, Bebob zoom etc. I travel by road and air sometimes so the bigger bags handy for the car.

I have the Kata CC193 for my EX3. It just barely fits, but it's the perfect carry-on size (I'm an airline pilot, so I carry it on many different size birds), and has a slide pocket to go over the handle of your roller-board overnight case. I think someone else has used this for the EX-1R, and it should fit perfectly. Great quality bag, and not too expensive. Good luck...

I use a Kata cc193 as my everyday bag for my EX1...good space inside it for accessories.

However, the cc191 is a tight fit into the overhead on a CRJ or Embraier overhead...I don't think I'd have a prayer to get the cc193 (both wider and taller) in those little things. And the cc193 will stick out if you attempt to shove it under even a large airliner seat in front of you...something they are frowning on more and more.

The Porta Brace mentioned earlier looks like the right size for the teensy plane overheads as well...8 inches is about all you have, and even then, some flex in the case is helpful to get it through the access as it's often smaller than the compartment itself.

In case anyone's interested... after all the advice re portabrace, etc., which I really appreciated, I had a very different thought. And here's what I ended up doing.
I got a fairly run-of-the-mill carry-on suitcase from a local luggage shop. Does it have all sorts of special places and pockets for my gear? No. Or at least, it didn't when I bought it. But it does now. I added foam, and cut out spaces for my camera and other key gear.
So now I can roll through airports (notice I said "roll"; this thing has an extendable handle and wheels) with everything I need (camera, batteries, charger, SxS cards, RF mics x 2, headphones, even my little Canon HFS10 as a second unit), knowing that I can shoot if (god forbid) my checked gear doesn't show up at the next airport. And since I'm carrying it on, it doesn't matter if it's not bullet-proof.
I'll try to include a couple pix.
Cheers, Malcolm

I use the Porter Case. It's hard shell, fits into most airlines overhead compartment. I can hold my EX1R, power supply, batteries, wireless mic system, hand held mic, and extra cards. In addition, the case folds down from the telescoping handle and becomes a cart that can carry up to 200lbs for short distances.

Cheers,

Jim

Love my Pelican 1510. I would NEVER go with a soft case. Hard cases allow for maximum security, are waterproof, can double as apple box, seat or other. I can fit my EX1, 2 lav setups, on camera light, shotgun, headphones 3 batteries, 3 cards, charger, small roll of gaff, cords, wide angle lens, white balance cards, xlr cables and misc in there. Why you would ever risk a 10k investment in a soft case is a mystery to me.....


oh.. and it is carry on legal for EVERY airline and airplane size, including those tiny CRJ or RJ's delta connections fly. They say the won't fit, but they do, with no problem! I fly all over with my EX1 every month.

I hear you guys, but I'll add one little thing about my soft case: it doesn't look any different from 97% of all the other pieces of luggage that people are lugging, so it doesn't attract the attention that a more expensive-looking hard case might.
Cheers everyone,
Malcolm

looks like a good solution, Malcolm, but as a pilot I think I should warn you, the first time you go to fly on a CRJ/ERJ/Turboprop, they are going to take that case away from you and throw it in the back, and probably literally 'throw'. You might want to have a small, roll up padded sack that you would fit your camera in a pinch, because if you travel a lot, this will happen, and you'll want to take you camera out before it does. Good luck...

You have to be careful so they don't force you to check the bag. This can easily happen if you are using a connecting flight on a smaller plane. Even my Petrol PDRB-3 would have been confiscated on my last flight had I brought it. Instead, I used my Walmart backpack ($35) that I lined with egg crate foam and cinched it down so it was thin. No problem going either direction from NY to California. A modified small standard carry-on would also work. Space is often limited on small planes, and some passengers like to hog the entirety of the small overhead compartments.

Most of us seem to like spending a whole lot of money on overpriced bags, cases, and backpacks that can be confiscated by the "luggage predators". Why? So that we can look more "professional" when we arrive? But at what price?

John

I fly with my hard pelican case all the time on RJ's. It fits no problem.



looks like a good solution, Malcolm, but as a pilot I think I should warn you, the first time you go to fly on a CRJ/ERJ/Turboprop, they are going to take that case away from you and throw it in the back, and probably literally 'throw'. You might want to have a small, roll up padded sack that you would fit your camera in a pinch, because if you travel a lot, this will happen, and you'll want to take you camera out before it does. Good luck...