Backpack for my HC1

[Chris Youell]

This summer I'm headed out for some hiking and camping and the like. I was looking at the Petrol PCBP-1. I was wondering if: 1. Would the rain cover fit my camera and 2. would this pack be able to hold the camera and a few lenses safely? thanks.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

[Floris van Eck]

I too looked into the Petrol Bag you mentioned. If you buy the right version, with the smalles raincover, it will fit the HC1. Maybe not really tight, but that does not really matter -- it will protect it from rain. However, I think the bag looks kind of cheap and prefer the Lowepro brand.

Why? Lowepro gives a lifetime warranty on their bags. Furthermore, most of their bags have an all-weather cover that protects your gear against dust, snow and rain. I have ordered the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II, which I believe is exactly the right bag for me. It wil definately be comfortable to wear on long hikes, but it is compact enough to take with you in an airplane.

I expect to get this bag next week, so I cannot say how much I like the Nature Trekker AW II, but if you can wait, I will review it or at least give you my first impressions. Here are some links for you:

All-weather backpacks by Lowepro:
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/

Nature Trekker AW II
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...ker_AW_II.aspx

The Mini Trekker AW is more compact:
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...rekker_AW.aspx

The Dryzone 200 is waterproof (it floats)
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...yZone_200.aspx

I would only buy the Dryzone 200 if you do like rafting or hiking in areas with a lot of water. You need to condition the zippers with special fluid regularly, so if you do not really go into the water, it is a lot of work that does not make much sense.

Another bag that you might like is the HB-205 from Kaka bags:
http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pi...d=1&ProdLine=1

As you noticed, the bags I mentioned are not the cheapest but I can assure you that they are of the best quality and will probarbly last forever.

I hope this information will help you with your decision!

[Chris Youell]

Thanks. I don't see any type of pricing on these. Where would I find that at?

[Floris van Eck]

This are the prices of these bags. They are the prices of BH Photo Video, because that is the store I always use. Very reliable and fast service. But I guess other stores like Adorama carry them for about the same prices.

Nature Trekker AW II ($189,95)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

The Mini Trekker AW ($110,95)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

The Dryzone 200 ($234,95)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Kata HB-205 GDC ($215)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

I received my Nature Trekker AW II today and it is awesome. So much storage space, sturdy build quality (like in unbreakable) and comfortable to wear.

[Floris van Eck]

Originally Posted by Chris Youell

This summer I'm headed out for some hiking and camping and the like. I was looking at the Petrol PCBP-1. I was wondering if: 1. Would the rain cover fit my camera and 2. would this pack be able to hold the camera and a few lenses safely? thanks.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

The PCBP-1 by the way, will definetly hold your camera and a few lenses. As well as all your chargers, batteries, cables, tapes etcetera. I have heard good things about the Petrol bags. But for me, Lowepro is the best. I study marketing and giving a life-time warranty to your products just shows that a company has faith in its own products and their performance/build quality. I have had multiple bags from Lowepro and never had any problems with them.

The Portabrace and Kata bags looked very high quality to me as well, but I am a loyalist. If I have a positive experience with a brand, I will not switch to another brand very fast so that's why I played safe and opted for Lowepro.

In the future however, I might still buy this bag which looks great, and somewhat more compact then the Lowepro backpack I have now.

It is the Porta Brace DV2U ($149):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

In this black and red color, it looks very fashionable. But I do not have money for a second bag yet, and another microphone and better tripod are higher on my list then a highly fashionable bag for my camera.

[Chris Youell]

Thank you all so very much! Do the Lowepro just have room for the camera stuff or is there any other spaces like for a laptop or something like that?

[Floris van Eck]

The Lowepro Trekker AW II series has multiple compartments. The bottom compartment is very sturdy and made for your gear. The front compartment is like in a normal backpack, ideal for food/other stuff. Then there are multiple compartments with zippers for small stuff. Furthermore, there is another small backpack that you can use seperately, or that you can attach to the front of the Trekker AW II bags so you have an additional compartment.

If you want to carry your laptop, they have special bags for that as well:

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...tebook_camera/

There you can see an overview of all notebook/camera backpacks. I think this one has the most in common with my back, as it is in the Trekker line.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...rekker_AW.aspx

Good luck!

[Gian Pablo Villamil]

Whatever bag you get, make sure you can easily store the camera with the wide adapter mounted. I figure I do 70% of my filming with it attached. Having to fuss with it to get it in the bag would really slow you down.