Camera Bag for GL2 at DVinfo.net

Alex Geschke · May 20th, 2003, 10:24 PM

I just ordered a Kata case online for my new GL2. I wish I had examined this thing in person first, it's a worthless piece of crap. There is absolutely no padding.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for a carrying case under $200? Even though it is probably best, I don't want to haul around a hard case.

Frank Granovski · May 20th, 2003, 11:37 PM

Well, I don't know anything about this Kata bag---never even seen one. Depending on how much room you want in a bag, let me suggest the Lowepro Nova 4, 5, or 6. I have the Nova 5, and it's well padded. It even comes with a lifetime warranty. But I have so much stuff that I wished I would have went for 1 size larger, the Lowepro Nova 6. Mind you, I've got 3 cams plus lenses and stuff stuffed in there!

The Nova 5 cost me just under $80 Canadian. That would be around $60 US Dollars.

http://www.lowepro.com
http://www.lowepro.ca

Alex Geschke · May 20th, 2003, 11:50 PM

Thanks, I'll check it out.

The Kata brand was included on the GL2 accessories section of Canon's web site. I suggest that they not continue to endorse this product.

Ken Tanaka · May 21st, 2003, 12:04 AM

This thread and this thread may give you some guidance.

In my opinion, if you want a very good bag for your GL2, spend the extra for a Porta Brace. Most everything else will be "crap" by comparison.

Frank Granovski · May 21st, 2003, 12:56 AM

Yes, the Porta Brace is nice also---it has about the same kind of padding as the Nova Series. The Porta Brace, from what I recall, is even larger than the Nova 6, and 3X the price.

Ken Tanaka · May 21st, 2003, 01:09 AM

Nope, they're not that expensive. You can get a Porta Brace CS-DV3 case (GL1/GL2/PD150) for less than $200.

Lowe makes good, reasonably-priced cases with still photography gear in mind. I own 2 myself and like them. But Porta Brace's detailing really targets video cameras and accessories.

Frank Granovski · May 21st, 2003, 01:17 AM

A Nova 6 costs just under $90 Canadian; a Porta Brace costs at least $269 Canadian---last time I checked.

Ken Tanaka · May 21st, 2003, 01:23 AM

Ah, indeed, you're right Frank. But Alex has a budget of $200.

Bud Kuenzli · May 21st, 2003, 04:36 PM

I use a Lowe Pro Commercial AW. It's overkill for -just- the camera. I inevetibly have my digital camera, chargers,cords, flash, tapes,microphone, etc with me so it works perfectly for me. I got mine on ebay for cheap. good camera bags wear well and are often not used heavily so I think ebay is a great place to look. There is another Lowe Pro model that is made more specifically for video cams but mine works great.

Frank Granovski · May 21st, 2003, 04:40 PM

Re: "Ah, indeed, you're right Frank. But Alex has a budget of $200."

Hehe. My way of buying is always going for the best bang for the buck. I'd buy the almost as good Lowepro, and with what I had left over, I'd buy an extra battery or something, or put it back into the bank. :)

Ken Tanaka · May 21st, 2003, 05:00 PM

Frank,
You and I would make a lovely couple. I'd be pillaging the central bank like Sadaam and you'd be beating me off with a baseball bat. (Actually, my wife is very much a kindred spirit to your philosophy.)

Stephen Sobel · May 21st, 2003, 05:59 PM

So, Frank and Ken - what do you recommend by light hiking? I'm looking for a bag to carry my GL2 and accesories on the trail.

Frank Granovski · May 21st, 2003, 06:58 PM

Stephen, I don't work for Lowepro, really. I just wanted to mention this. Now go to Lowepro's site, and look at the great hiking type protective bags they have:

http://www.lowepro.com

Ken, my wife is like you, I think. I'm always beating her back from spending money. :)

Dan Holly · May 21st, 2003, 07:21 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Stephen Sobel : So, Frank and Ken - what do you recommend by light hiking? I'm looking for a bag to carry my GL2 and accesories on the trail. -->>>

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/dryzone/dzone.htm

I use this for my GL1, and every time we hike to a location my partner is whining about why they don't make on for the XL1s <;~)

I love this bag, it is very well made and worth the $$$ IMO.
You can also carry your sticks with this pack. See me if you buy one because I made some minor modifications on the strapping system for your sticks.

I do wish that they would make this a little larger though....
I'm the kind of person who would carry 100lbs of gear on a hike just so I have everything for every potential situation.

Ken Tanaka · May 21st, 2003, 07:54 PM

I have no experience with hiking / backpack cases for gear. But here is Porta Braces version for the GL2-sized cameras. Here's their larger version.

Honest, I don't work for Porta-Brace, either! I'm just a big fan of their cases.

May 20th, 2003, 10:24 PM	#1
Alex Geschke Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 37	Camera Bag for GL2 I just ordered a Kata case online for my new GL2. I wish I had examined this thing in person first, it's a worthless piece of crap. There is absolutely no padding. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a carrying case under $200? Even though it is probably best, I don't want to haul around a hard case.

May 21st, 2003, 12:04 AM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	This thread and this thread may give you some guidance. In my opinion, if you want a very good bag for your GL2, spend the extra for a Porta Brace. Most everything else will be "crap" by comparison. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 21st, 2003, 01:09 AM	#6
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Nope, they're not that expensive. You can get a Porta Brace CS-DV3 case (GL1/GL2/PD150) for less than $200. Lowe makes good, reasonably-priced cases with still photography gear in mind. I own 2 myself and like them. But Porta Brace's detailing really targets video cameras and accessories. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 21st, 2003, 01:23 AM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Ah, indeed, you're right Frank. But Alex has a budget of $200. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 21st, 2003, 04:36 PM	#9
Bud Kuenzli Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 197	lowe pro I use a Lowe Pro Commercial AW. It's overkill for -just- the camera. I inevetibly have my digital camera, chargers,cords, flash, tapes,microphone, etc with me so it works perfectly for me. I got mine on ebay for cheap. good camera bags wear well and are often not used heavily so I think ebay is a great place to look. There is another Lowe Pro model that is made more specifically for video cams but mine works great. __________________ on the Internet, when you get where you're going you still don't know where you are

May 20th, 2003, 11:37 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Well, I don't know anything about this Kata bag---never even seen one. Depending on how much room you want in a bag, let me suggest the Lowepro Nova 4, 5, or 6. I have the Nova 5, and it's well padded. It even comes with a lifetime warranty. But I have so much stuff that I wished I would have went for 1 size larger, the Lowepro Nova 6. Mind you, I've got 3 cams plus lenses and stuff stuffed in there! The Nova 5 cost me just under $80 Canadian. That would be around $60 US Dollars. http://www.lowepro.com http://www.lowepro.ca

May 20th, 2003, 11:50 PM	#3
Alex Geschke Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 37	Thanks, I'll check it out. The Kata brand was included on the GL2 accessories section of Canon's web site. I suggest that they not continue to endorse this product.

May 21st, 2003, 12:56 AM	#5
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Yes, the Porta Brace is nice also---it has about the same kind of padding as the Nova Series. The Porta Brace, from what I recall, is even larger than the Nova 6, and 3X the price.

May 21st, 2003, 01:17 AM	#7
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	A Nova 6 costs just under $90 Canadian; a Porta Brace costs at least $269 Canadian---last time I checked.

May 21st, 2003, 04:40 PM	#10
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Re: "Ah, indeed, you're right Frank. But Alex has a budget of $200." Hehe. My way of buying is always going for the best bang for the buck. I'd buy the almost as good Lowepro, and with what I had left over, I'd buy an extra battery or something, or put it back into the bank. :)

May 21st, 2003, 05:00 PM	#11
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Frank, You and I would make a lovely couple. I'd be pillaging the central bank like Sadaam and you'd be beating me off with a baseball bat. (Actually, my wife is very much a kindred spirit to your philosophy.) __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 21st, 2003, 05:59 PM	#12
Stephen Sobel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 408	So, Frank and Ken - what do you recommend by light hiking? I'm looking for a bag to carry my GL2 and accesories on the trail.

May 21st, 2003, 06:58 PM	#13
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Stephen, I don't work for Lowepro, really. I just wanted to mention this. Now go to Lowepro's site, and look at the great hiking type protective bags they have: http://www.lowepro.com Ken, my wife is like you, I think. I'm always beating her back from spending money. :)

May 21st, 2003, 07:21 PM	#14
Dan Holly Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 336	my x-mas present <<<-- Originally posted by Stephen Sobel : So, Frank and Ken - what do you recommend by light hiking? I'm looking for a bag to carry my GL2 and accesories on the trail. -->>> http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/dryzone/dzone.htm I use this for my GL1, and every time we hike to a location my partner is whining about why they don't make on for the XL1s <;~) I love this bag, it is very well made and worth the $$$ IMO. You can also carry your sticks with this pack. See me if you buy one because I made some minor modifications on the strapping system for your sticks. I do wish that they would make this a little larger though.... I'm the kind of person who would carry 100lbs of gear on a hike just so I have everything for every potential situation. __________________ Dan Holly Anchorage, Alaska

May 21st, 2003, 07:54 PM	#15
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I have no experience with hiking / backpack cases for gear. But here is Porta Braces version for the GL2-sized cameras. Here's their larger version. Honest, I don't work for Porta-Brace, either! I'm just a big fan of their cases. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com