Best Backpack Style Bags for A1?

Denise Wall · June 3rd, 2008, 08:11 PM

Has anyone tried this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=419113&is=REG

If so, is there room for a shotgun mic? I don't mind taking it off the camera. I just can't tell if there's room for it anywhere.

Denise Wall · June 4th, 2008, 01:03 PM

Okay, well, I went on and ordered this bag (above). I'll let you know how it works out.

Jonathan Plotkin · June 9th, 2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denise Wall

Okay, well, I went on and ordered this bag (above). I'll let you know how it works out.

How did this work out? Thanks!

Denise Wall · June 9th, 2008, 10:54 AM

I haven't gotten it yet. It's supposed to come today. I'll report back.

Denise Wall · June 9th, 2008, 11:50 AM

Well, it fits, but it's using the maximum amount of space. Here are a few pics with the camcorder and my Sennheiser ME66/K6 shotgun with Rycote Softie. And I don't know what they consider a full sized tripod but mine sure won't fit on the side. See for yourselves:

http://www.pbase.com/cdwall/camcorder_bag

It'll work okay for me though. I don't need to carry a lot of extras.

Ralph Lindsen · June 10th, 2008, 06:15 AM

i use the flipside 300. The camera just fits in. I can stuff the batt's and a few cables with it too. It's a very snug fit but the bag is light and very compact.

I bought it for 99 euro

EDIT: it's a bag from lowepro

Annie Haycock · June 10th, 2008, 11:21 AM

Thanks - that saves me finding time to get the camera to the shop to try it out!

David Thanh · June 11th, 2008, 05:14 PM

I'd really like a backpack that will do a good job at distributing the weight of my camera and accessories over my hips as opposed to carrying the weight on my shoulders. Anyone recommend a backpack with a good waist strap (not the silly ones that Porta-brace use).

Annie Haycock · June 12th, 2008, 06:13 AM

At present I have a Lowepro Nature-trekker. It is very comfortable with the weight on my hips when loaded with 2 Nikon D200s and four lenses, plus miscellaneous other items, and a tripod.

Yesterday I went out with it, carrying the Canon A1 plus a D200 with a 400mm lens, and the tripod. I had my lunch and a 1 liter bottle of water in a plastic carrier bag. Once at my destination, I carried the camera on the tripod on my shoulder (wildlife doesn't hang around while you get the camera etc set up), and put the plastic bag with lunch in the camera bag. Still comfortable. And even better once I'd finished the water!

If I could get out more often, I'd be taking either stills kit or video kit, and even this time, I really used only the A1 - the weather was too dull for taking stills of birds. So I really need to decide whether to get another Nature Trekker for the video gear, or get something different, such as the Flipside 300. If I get something different, I'm less likely to pick up the wrong bag by mistake!

Makoto Schoppert · June 14th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Thanh

I'd really like a backpack that will do a good job at distributing the weight of my camera and accessories over my hips as opposed to carrying the weight on my shoulders. Anyone recommend a backpack with a good waist strap (not the silly ones that Porta-brace use).

David, I just ordered the Kata BP-502 backpack and it does a good job of distributing the weight. It has a hip strap that helps keep it steady on your back. I ended up returning it because the backpack is too bulky for my taste, but it does have a good amount of room for a camera, laptop and accessories.

Les Wilson · June 15th, 2008, 12:08 PM

I used the Kata 103 backpack with the A1. I had to take the shotgun and hood off so it's not a run and gun backpack. However, it is very good at protecting the camera and other gear without being bulky and huge. I used it as a camera bag for all my shoots as well as to schlepp on and off airplanes & taxis as I traveled through Asia. It passed as a carry on and protects against other passengers shoving things around in the overhead. It also is very well engineered to be comfortable and distribute the weight. I replaced the waist belt with a wider one for comfort. See photo for how I packed it along with other gear I didn't want to check. It does great for a DSLR kit too.

David Thanh · June 22nd, 2008, 01:55 PM

Thanks Makoto and Ernest. I just ordered the Kata Grizzly-3 from B&H. It looks like it is overkill for my small A1 but I wanted something that I could use not only to keep accessories mounted, but that I could also carry my tripod and stuff I would need for a day (or in a pinch) and overnight hike. I'll let you all know how it works out.

Dave Ambrose · June 22nd, 2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terwingen Niels

hi, i was wondering if anyone ownes the portabrace backpack BK 1N? i am going for a while to cambodia and was thinking to invest in the best around...??

looking on the portabrace folder they say it will fit the canon xh A1 but if i compare to the dimensions of the camera i wonder how it will fit in. anybody some info on this?

http://www.libraprobroadcast.co.uk/p...ckpack&cat=233

http://www.zgc.com/zgc.nsf/product/E...2572D5006DE136

THe bk 1n works real nice. I've traveled much with it. I can easily cram an xh a1, 17" macbook pro, me66, g2 wireless lav, and a lacie d2, plus batteries, charger, headphones, and some small other stuff
plus its reasonably waterproof, and comfortable. I've had other bags but with this amount of weight they usually tear around the shoulder straps.

Terwingen Niels · June 25th, 2008, 05:31 AM

Hi Dave,

thanks for your reply. are you sure its not the 2N or 3N model?
can you post a pic of the backpack with the xh A1 in it?

cheers

Nagisa Kodama · July 18th, 2008, 12:59 AM

how about making a camcorder bag out? anyone know anything about that?

June 3rd, 2008, 08:11 PM	#16
Denise Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Advance, NC Posts: 153	PetrolPMCK-1 Mini Camback Backpack Has anyone tried this one? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=419113&is=REG If so, is there room for a shotgun mic? I don't mind taking it off the camera. I just can't tell if there's room for it anywhere.

June 4th, 2008, 01:03 PM	#17
Denise Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Advance, NC Posts: 153	I couldn't wait Okay, well, I went on and ordered this bag (above). I'll let you know how it works out.

June 9th, 2008, 11:50 AM	#20
Denise Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Advance, NC Posts: 153	Here ya go Well, it fits, but it's using the maximum amount of space. Here are a few pics with the camcorder and my Sennheiser ME66/K6 shotgun with Rycote Softie. And I don't know what they consider a full sized tripod but mine sure won't fit on the side. See for yourselves: http://www.pbase.com/cdwall/camcorder_bag It'll work okay for me though. I don't need to carry a lot of extras.

June 10th, 2008, 06:15 AM	#21
Ralph Lindsen Tourist Join Date: May 2008 Location: Weert / Utrecht, The Netherlands Posts: 1	flipside i use the flipside 300. The camera just fits in. I can stuff the batt's and a few cables with it too. It's a very snug fit but the bag is light and very compact. I bought it for 99 euro EDIT: it's a bag from lowepro

June 10th, 2008, 11:21 AM	#22
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	Thanks - that saves me finding time to get the camera to the shop to try it out! __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

June 9th, 2008, 10:54 AM	#19
Denise Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Advance, NC Posts: 153	I haven't gotten it yet. It's supposed to come today. I'll report back.

June 11th, 2008, 05:14 PM	#23
David Thanh Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 36	I'd really like a backpack that will do a good job at distributing the weight of my camera and accessories over my hips as opposed to carrying the weight on my shoulders. Anyone recommend a backpack with a good waist strap (not the silly ones that Porta-brace use).

June 12th, 2008, 06:13 AM	#24
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	At present I have a Lowepro Nature-trekker. It is very comfortable with the weight on my hips when loaded with 2 Nikon D200s and four lenses, plus miscellaneous other items, and a tripod. Yesterday I went out with it, carrying the Canon A1 plus a D200 with a 400mm lens, and the tripod. I had my lunch and a 1 liter bottle of water in a plastic carrier bag. Once at my destination, I carried the camera on the tripod on my shoulder (wildlife doesn't hang around while you get the camera etc set up), and put the plastic bag with lunch in the camera bag. Still comfortable. And even better once I'd finished the water! If I could get out more often, I'd be taking either stills kit or video kit, and even this time, I really used only the A1 - the weather was too dull for taking stills of birds. So I really need to decide whether to get another Nature Trekker for the video gear, or get something different, such as the Flipside 300. If I get something different, I'm less likely to pick up the wrong bag by mistake! __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

June 15th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#26
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	I used the Kata 103 backpack with the A1. I had to take the shotgun and hood off so it's not a run and gun backpack. However, it is very good at protecting the camera and other gear without being bulky and huge. I used it as a camera bag for all my shoots as well as to schlepp on and off airplanes & taxis as I traveled through Asia. It passed as a carry on and protects against other passengers shoving things around in the overhead. It also is very well engineered to be comfortable and distribute the weight. I replaced the waist belt with a wider one for comfort. See photo for how I packed it along with other gear I didn't want to check. It does great for a DSLR kit too. Attached Thumbnails

June 22nd, 2008, 01:55 PM	#27
David Thanh Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 36	Thanks Makoto and Ernest. I just ordered the Kata Grizzly-3 from B&H. It looks like it is overkill for my small A1 but I wanted something that I could use not only to keep accessories mounted, but that I could also carry my tripod and stuff I would need for a day (or in a pinch) and overnight hike. I'll let you all know how it works out.

June 25th, 2008, 05:31 AM	#29
Terwingen Niels Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Belgium Posts: 57	Hi Dave, thanks for your reply. are you sure its not the 2N or 3N model? can you post a pic of the backpack with the xh A1 in it? cheers

July 18th, 2008, 12:59 AM	#30
Nagisa Kodama Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California Posts: 28	how about making a camcorder bag out? anyone know anything about that?