I have a Pelican 1514 that I use for transport of the A1, but it's less than ideal for walking around. Does anyone have any experience with the Lowepro Commerical AW DV bag? I've got a couple of their backpacks, and I like them, so I'm wondering if this could be the right thing for the A1.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulder_Bags/allWeather/Commercial_AW_DV.aspx

Any thoughts?

That looks pretty nice. I've used their still camera bags, and they look well made. This one seems to have more pockets and things than the normal video camera bag, and that's cool. You might want to measure the length and height of your camera, with a mic mounted, to be sure it will fit.

Just picked this up:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=355584&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Sony soft case for the FX1.

Fits the XH-A1 fine with all it's accessories + Mic + 20/10 Mic, not to mention I safely also fit my trusty HC1 in there too (but unforunately not enough room to also fit ALL of my HC1 accessories), but I'm not complaining!

Here are a couple of pics of the Kata CC-193 carrying the A1. Also picked up one of the Sony eyecups but haven't tried it out yet.

Hi Wade, If you read this, let me know if I'm right as I am trying to decide between the CC-191 and the CC-193 for the A1, and I wanted to know how much extra room would be available in the bag. Do you happen to have more pics of that bag stocked with battery charger, shotgun mic, or other accessories?

Anyone have a photo of the Kata CC-193 or a Kata CC-191 with their XH A1 and filled? I want enough room for some all my accessories (tapes, shotgun mic, charger and cords, battery, filter) but I don't want to tote a huge duffel if the space isn't filled. Thanks

Anyone have a photo of the Kata CC-193 or a Kata CC-191 with their XH A1 and filled? I want enough room for some all my accessories (tapes, shotgun mic, charger and cords, battery, filter) but I don't want to tote a huge duffel if the space isn't filled. Thanks

I'd like to second that. Also, there is the Cata Shell-03 model, supposedly stiff due to thermoformed material used:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=10&cid=65&perentId=1&ProdLine=1

Does anyone has any experience with that one?

While browsing for pics of the Kata Cases with cams, I found a 191 with an FX1 (about 14.5 inches long). And needless to say, it is extremely cramped. So if you are looking for extra room for accessories, I would definitely go with the 193 over the 191.

I prefer bags and have use Portabrace for years. I've also had Pelican and Halliburton (no relation to THAT Halliburton) cases.


Hi Bill,
Actually many years ago they were the same company. Earle Halliburton started the metal company to make cases to drag his gear through the oil fields of Texas--that Halliburton company is one and the same. I did a search and found that in 1952, he sold the aluminum company to Zeroid and the name was changed to ZERO Halliburton. I still love ZERO cases. They are a timeless design and will last forever.

I found that my old Tenba P795 camera bag holds the A1 and all the cables, charger, and tapes very well in a compact easy to carry package. I just hauled the package all over St. Maarten for a week. PANALOOK preset is superb, though BLEACH BYPASS is great for giving the images a nostalgic feel. Would love to go to Cuba and shoot BB.

I use a Promaster backpack for my camera. It accomodates spare batteries, tapes, my external 7" Marshall HD monitor, the camera and various and sundry items like white cards, etc.

Hey Steven,

Mind if I ask which model Promaster backpack you use for your XHA1? I like the two Petrol bags at B&H, PCUB-1N-U (for $149) and PWR-HDV ($189), but am straining my budget.

The one I have is no longer made. It belonged to my photographer wife and she gave it to me when I got the A1. An equivalent is this one:

http://www.tamrac.com/ExpeditionBackpacks.htm (Model 5575)

It's about $130

Now that you purchased the Pelican 1560 you may want to look at the padded divider set for it. You can stand the camera up with a shotgun mic attached and close the case without any pressure on the camera.

The padded divider set for the 1510 does not work well since they did not make the entire inside velcro so that you could move the divider anywhere you want.

Both divider sets are available from B&H.

The one I have is no longer made. It belonged to my photographer wife and she gave it to me when I got the A1. An equivalent is this one:

http://www.tamrac.com/ExpeditionBackpacks.htm (Model 5575)

It's about $130

Those do look pretty nice. Yet, every time I see a backpack configuration I immediately begin to have visions of me falling backwards and smashing a couple thousand bucks worth of gear :)

And don't even get me started when I see those baby back packs!

Just got the Kata CC-193 for my XH A1.

Overall Impressions are very good: comfortable handle and strap, plenty of room for accessories. I have the cam, which could be stowed with a shotgun attached, a bunch of tapes, 2 windscreens, shotgun mic, battery, charger and cords, av cables, book, remote, and there is still room a set of wireless receivers and the like.

Other good things, the case is very rigid for a soft case and the dividers on each end keep the camera away from the edges. Also, very nice quality of all materials and construction. And a nice little "seatbelt" for the cam to keep it in place.

Bad things: The dual zipper top doesn't work as smooth as you think it would. I think a single zipper all the way around would have worked better. Also the modular design with movable panels is pretty useless as there is only one possible configuration with the included pieces. However, it XH A1 fits perfectly in the default configuration.

Also, the bag was a bit bigger than expected, but everything is easily accessible and I am very pleased with it for $125 shipped.

Thank you, Nick. This is exactly what I needed. I was also choosing between the Kata 191 and 193 bags for my A1. How much (dead) space is between the cam handle and the top of the bag?
/Thomas

Thank you, Nick. This is exactly what I needed. I was also choosing between the Kata 191 and 193 bags for my A1. How much (dead) space is between the cam handle and the top of the bag?
/Thomas

I would say about 3 inches of usable space from the handle, right at the middle. However each end tapers down a bit and if you have a shotgun mic, there is about 1.5 inches of clearance from the mic to the inside of the top of the bag. I was also considering the Kata-191, but then I saw a pic of an FX1 in it, almost bursting at the seams without much for accessories (I posted a pic of that on page 4 of this discussion).

If you need any other pics or info, let me know.

Great, Nick. Thanks for being so helpful. I'm convinced that the 191 is out of the question and that the 193's extra space will be needed.

I believe that the 193 exceeds the limits for aircraft carry-on baggage (which has been one of my concerns). But for that case, it might be convenient anyway to put the non-fragile stuff in the checked baggage and "squeeze" the camera into a separate suitable carry-on bag.

/Thomas

I've just got my Kata cc-193 as well, and - while satisfied with the overall design and quality - have one doubt: why is the bottom so soft? In fact, it's softer than the side walls, so that when putting on the floor, you almost feel the camera bumping against it!

Are yours the same, or is mine defective?

Per the KATA web site info on the CC-193: "These bags meet the strict new airline regulations for carry-on luggage size. Due to constantly changing airline regulations, please check with your carrier prior to departure."

I just bought the Portabrace CS-DV3. I'm a sucker for portabrace. Wallet feels lighter. I was gonna get the DVO-1 but I always liked the vertical zip entry and it's less likely to get stuff piled on top of it this way.

The one I have is no longer made. It belonged to my photographer wife and she gave it to me when I got the A1. An equivalent is this one:

http://www.tamrac.com/ExpeditionBackpacks.htm (Model 5575)

It's about $130

I use exactly the 5575 Model. The xha1 perfecltly fits in it. It is very easy to carry on your back.

Great, Nick. Thanks for being so helpful. I'm convinced that the 191 is out of the question and that the 193's extra space will be needed.

I believe that the 193 exceeds the limits for aircraft carry-on baggage (which has been one of my concerns). But for that case, it might be convenient anyway to put the non-fragile stuff in the checked baggage and "squeeze" the camera into a separate suitable carry-on bag.

/Thomas

I have the Kata 191 and it fits the XH-A1 like a glove. Now, there is almost no room for accessories but it is the smallest bag that will fit the cam. I can put the camera in it, the Canon wide angle glass, both lens hoods, tapes and that's it.

I did quite a bit of research on bags yesterday. I wanted someting that would carry my A1 and my digital camera (20D) with several Canon lenses.

I wanted to be able to fit the camera in the bag with the sennheiser mic attached as well as my wireless lav on the side of the cam. My camera size with all these attachments is 18Lx10Hx8W. I didn't want to have to break it down every time I put things away. That means a pretty big bag. I also wanted to be able to carry it as a bag or backpack if I went hiking. And to be able to bring along the tripod. But at the same time I wanted it to be a grab bag for the truck. I already have a Pelican 1450 for travel, and a small Lowepro backpack if I want to go light.

The Kata Grizzly has customizable interior compartments that can be cut to specific sizes to hold lenses, wires, etc.

I looked at Portabrace backpacks and they were my second choice. I just didn't like the layout of the interior and they seemed less customizable.

I settled on the Kata Grizzly-3. This is an expensive option at $480 (BH) but I think it will solve all my needs in one bag. I'll post pictures as soon as I get it to show how the layout is on the inside.

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=18&cid=67&perentId=1&ProdLine=1
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=233135&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

It looks like BH only stocks 1. I bought it yesterday and now it shows out of stock. They list it at $550 on the site but if you add it to cart it goes to about $450.00.

-Jonathan

I just bought this Petrol case
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=381848&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

At work we use Portabrace bags with Z1s and since they open like a clamshell they would always hit the gain and whitebalance switches. Part of that is because of the design of the Z1, but I wanted something where the entire top opened up and didn't split apart. This petrol case seems to fit the bill nicely, plus it's quite a bit cheeper than the porta brace. I'm not a big fan of the bright orange, but I guess I'll be able to see what is in there a little easier. It's also got a lot of room for other goodies - like a WA adapter etc.

The A1 ia a lot bigger and heavier than I expected.

I have a wonderful Petrol bag that fit my Xl1S AND GL2 as an ideal, single carry-on.

I was expecting to swap out the GL2 for the A1 and I'm SCREWED!

I also carry-on a 20D set up with all my EOS and Video lenses in a LowePro rolling backpack. It's does not fit the A1 either.

Any further case suggestions would be helpful. All of my shoots are always
two or more plane rides away. I need both cams in the cabin in one bag.
I have a feeling I'm SOL.

I use exactly the 5575 Model. The xha1 perfecltly fits in it. It is very easy to carry on your back.

Hey George, I'm leaning more torward those backpack-style cases. I had a hard briefcase style case for my old Sony A1 and I liked it, but it just seemed too bulky.

I am now looking at this case:

http://www.mekko.net/photobag/c37.html

Seems to be similar to yours, no?

Hey George, I'm leaning more torward those backpack-style cases. I had a hard briefcase style case for my old Sony A1 and I liked it, but it just seemed too bulky.

I am now looking at this case:

http://www.mekko.net/photobag/c37.html

Seems to be similar to yours, no?

You should decide yourself. I actually do not have to many accessories to bring with me in the case. (The tripod I use has its own bag)

I recommend not to order any case online! Bring your camera with you and try the bag, if the camera fits or not. The model I have chosen was about the 6th I have tried.
The others were too small, or too big.

Okay, I have this auction-offer on an "old" but official SONY Video8 Pro aluminium box for about 160 euros (+the first ever semi-professional Video 8 camera with 3ccds ccd-v200e). Should I get this or should I spring for a Pelican-type trunk?

I have the Kata 191 and it fits the XH-A1 like a glove. Now, there is almost no room for accessories but it is the smallest bag that will fit the cam. I can put the camera in it, the Canon wide angle glass, both lens hoods, tapes and that's it.

I got the Kata 191, and here's a photo. As you can see, there is not much room left: There is room on the side, but it's tight on the length. The main problem is the eyecup which is at the hight of the fold of the top lid.

Either take off the lens hood or mundle a bit to soften the bag to fit the camera nicely.

On the side I have a filter set from Canon and two cassettes with two tapes in each. I might reconsider what to bring the day I get an external mic.

However, I think this is the ideal bag for gun'n'run style. The only other equipment I have is a tripod, so no need for a larger bag (yet). I think that if I would get a larger bag later, then it would be some wheeled bag that I could fit the 191 into.