My thinking exactly. I didn't realize it was a hard case until I actually picked it up and felt it.

For a camera bag I have three requirements: sturdy, comfortable as a back-pack, and to get the camera out fast. Some of the shots I do will be while hiking/waking long distances. After some search I found the Tenba P263. The FX1 fits very well inside and my favourite tripod (Slik PRO 700DX) easily goes into the straps at the back, giving it a total of less than 15 pounds of equipment to carry. I've been out carrying this for a whole day with no problem on several occations.

http://bjoernen.ebolaget.com/tenba_P263.jpg

http://www.photographyreview.com/cat...2_3139crx.aspx

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...&sku=800377693

That backpack looks as a great idea. What I don't know is if airlines will let it in as a carry-on luggage. Do you know that?

Backpacks are generally a very good application for carrying video or audio stuff in general on location. One backpack is always part of my location gear, particularly for cables, mixers, mics, etc.

But won't cameras move around a bit inside when you walk? Even if it's secured?

Carlos

Carlos, I've not taken it onto a plane yet. The backpack is roughly 60cm x 35cm x 25cm. Thaiairways (going to Thailand July 21'st) allows 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, so it's slightly larger in one dimension only. I hope they wont be picky. Worst case I'll carry the FX1 onboard in a soft bag, while the backpack (w gear) goes with the luggage. I can take some trouble to get this great backpack with me.

A reviewer (link in my prev post) had the following critera, so I think it will work in most cases: "My main criteria was to get the largest backpack that was DEFINITELY SMALL ENOUGH to carry-on an American Airlines flight to England this fall."

The great thing about this particular backpack is that if you arrange the velcro walls like in my picture, the FX1 fits securely without moving at all, no matter how you carry it. By pure luck the compartment is slightly smaller than the FX1 in all dimensions, so the soft sides secures it all around. On the other hand this will not work if you have a mic or something else that is big and permanently mounted on the camera.

If you plan to buy it, you just have to fix one thing. Take two of the smaller walls and create a longer wall by assembling them together. I took two carpenter's nails and sharpened them at both ends. Then stick them into the wall sides to make a sturdy long wall. This wall goes close to the viewfinder (see picture). Easily done in 15 mins. You also get some small walls left that you can use for padding the camera or other gear.

I picked up the LCH-FXA as well and while it is a little bulky, I love it. It was MADE for the HDR-FX1 and there is plenty of extra room for peripherals and it is incredibly sturdy.

-Douglas

I love the Sony hard case too!
 

John, Douglas,

I have the 'same' aluminium box designed originally for the VX2000. Just had to cut out the base and top inside lid supports for my Z1 and will use for most transport.

Also have a Portabrace backpack with internal dividers and velcro straps originally bought for my (sold) PD150. Quite bulky but more practical for outdoors hiking that I am gearing up for. Space for water and food. :)

Richard

15 years ago I routinely sent my tube camera down the airport shute in a big padded hard case. And I still had to register it when I landed. Those days are long gone. The protocol I followed for the next 11 years as a network Sony Beta-cam chip photog was to place our cameras in the over head compartment of the airplane with only a pillow to protect the lens on takeoff. No bags or cases, and I never had a problem once I hit the ground.

I am now a freelance Panasonic DVX-100A shooter and rather than buying a separate bag for the camera and another for essentials, I bought a Porta-Brace CAR-3 from Adorama, SKU# PBCAR3 for $180. It holds the cam, batteries, audio equipment, tool kit, etc. It has velcro dividers to customize the inside space and has four outside pockets. And it should fit nicely into a plane's overhead compartment.

I wouldn't hesitate to fly with this bag. Hope this info is helpful..

I flew quite a bit the last 10 days with my Portabrace Cargo 2. It fits nicely into the overhead compartment on all the planes - large and small - that I flew in. I help all of my gear as well as my still camera - a Nikon D100 without any problems.

As a side note...as I was going through security in SLC I followed some folks who were travelling with an FX1 in a Sata soft bag. I thought it odd that we both had HDV cams.

At one point I contemplated gate-side checking the case because of a very full flight. I feel confident that it would have protected the camera and other contents. I don't think I would do a curb-side or ticket counter checkin, but the gateside check in seems to be less abusive.

Which is smallest reasonable Pelican case for the FX-1?
 

My love of Pelican hard cases 'reawakened' the above older thread.

After reading through the thread, I see that many have provided their opinion of which cases are best for the FX1 (leaving me even more confused). So, to narrow things down a bit, which size Pelican is the smallest that will reasonably accommodate the FX-1 (or Z1U), batteries, and a few other misc. small accessories?

Thanks in advance,
--Jim

I think it would be the 1520 or the 1526 combo. The Pelican 1526 = 1527 soft bag with 1520 hard case.
1520 Outside Dims. 19.12" L x 15.43" W x 7.56"H
1520 Inside Dims. 17 7/8 x 12 3/4 x 6 3/4"
1527 Interior Dims 17 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 6 3/8"
see: http://www.casesbypelican.com/app-1520.htm

I really wish that pelican made a case that had more depth (or was equal in two dimensions, like 9"x9"x18") because the depth is always the problem dimension on the smaller cases, and the weakest part of the case is the largest surface and that is where you have the least padding for the camera. The Kata Shell-03 (CCC-2003) is 16.5Lx10.6Wx7.9H which fits the FX1 well, but it's not like a Pelican (e.g. it could be crushed, but it's much stiffer than a soft bag). The great thing about the Kata is that it looks so small compared to a Pelican case.

check: alphatron.nl they have a seperate division called camrade.
Upon my inputr they made a special bag for a z1 with a chrosziel mattebox attachhed. . you can use it as a normal bag in you hand. over the shoulder. and also as a rucksack!

Just got myself a FX1, and am looking into buying a case for it. I'm not planning on bringing it on a plane or anything, I just need something that will store the camera and some small accessories. So I'm not looking into anything expensive.

Does anyone have experience with a Vanguard Hard Case? Thanks!

i am using a Lowepro Magnum AW for my FX1 and it fits just fine. I love Lowepro bags!

Can anyone confirm the Pelican 1520? Shawn put up the specs that make it look like it should, but has anyone actually tried it?

I will be able to in a few days ?
think my FX1 will be coming in next few days and I used a 1520 for my VX2100

well it will not fit in standing up which I figured
it will fit in laying on its side I have he divider set not the foam and got it to work OK ??
a bit taller case would be ideal for this camera though
I can snap a few shots and post it if anyone wants to get a idea how it fits in and what room is left over

I just got the Pelican 1520 as well. Fits the camera, charger, tapes, extra battery(s), and remote easily. I love the durability of it.

I have to move a lot in Manhattan, on feet and in buses/subways/cabs.

Bag is the solution for me.

I used to have a large gym bag with lots of foam insulation for my Z1, for two reasons: - pro bags induce theft; - they cost a lot.

But recently I came across Kata MC60 and just couldn't resist - it holds everything, including the external mic assembly, filters/lenses/batteries/tapes/lens cleaning solutions/charger, my 35mm adapter, and has space for some more - all at $99 and sized smaller than my gym bag.

B&H seems to have discontinued it and moved the last (demo?) piece to their Used dept. - where I happily picked it up :) Original price, I think, was around $150.

I've mostly been a case guy, but have recently discovered the joy of bagging it for those short trips or carry-ons. I just finished a review of the new Petrol Camporter bag if you're interested in how it works for us.
Read it here

Did you resolve this or did TSA just give you some explaination in another language which amounted to, tough luck.

The TSA gives you a claim form. I'm still waiting on payment for a camera damaged 3 years ago. They work like an insurance company, deny, deny, deny...well, maybe we shouldn't be quick to deny, but we're still not paying. Give us more information.
Between dropped laptops, stolen goods, and damaged cameras, we're into the TSA for around 10K over the past 4 years.
Side note, I had a piece of jewelry disappear on-camera in Las Vegas at NAB last year (leaving the airport) and since it happened during a shift change, TSA "couldn't do much." Since the bracelet was made by a Dine' and didn't have a "catalog value", they gave me 100.00 and said "Sorry, that's all we're permitted to do." For those that saw it (it never left my arm for 17 years, I have a groove worn in my wrist bone from it) any idiot could tell you it was a unique piece, and was worth well over 1k. It wasn't the money; it was an heirloom. Wearing a TSA badge is a license to steal or break.

Good grief, this would drive me to rent equipment if I have to fly to do a gig. That sucks Doug. As a side note, I as a general rule I 'hate' to fly. I hate the entire process. I don't unless I have no other way. When we go to see my in-laws, total time in the airports (non-flying) comes to around 6 or 7 hours . The drive to thier house is around 10 hours one way. It doesn't make sense, so I no longer fly there. I'll just drive. I hope you get your money dude.

Flying Cases
 

Two quick points (a total of $0.04):
1. I work for a defense contractor and we try to break cases for our equipment all the time for testing before delivery to a customer (i.e. Army). Pelican makes some really nice cases, but we have switched over to using Hardigg's Storm series cases. We tend to prefer the latches on them better. They open and shut much easier and the case is just as durable. I have three cases (for my XL2 and VX2100). The iM2975 is the largest, but I can stick everything into one case (did I mention it was big?). The iM2720 (the equiv. of the Pelican 1610) for one-camera shoots and the iM2200 for my photography equipment.

2. I typically ship my equipment so I don't have to deal with TSA (expensive, but I try to build it into my pricing quotes). One trick that I did try and it has worked out pretty well so far: I bought the olive drab color cases. Then I went to the base exchange (for military folks, for non-military, try e-bay) and bought a few official U.S.A.F stickers. Don't get the "Property of.." ones, just the insignia. Now, I made a mold and spray-painted the insignia (in black) on the case along with U.S.A.F, but the sticker may work just as well. Then I use a "TSA lock" on the case. They have been nice to my equipment so far, but I feel like I am rolling the dice every time I hand off the case.

How did you take the mic holder off. I removed some screws that looked like it would loosen it, but it did not. Not wanting to risk it, I stoped trying.

I bought it. Love the protection. A little cumbersome for travleing, but i just cart it from home to church on Sundays. Fits everything including extra cables and a FS 4 Pro HD.

Scott, forget small black the screws on the back. They do nothing to mic holder.

Instead, simply unscrew the big ribbed screw, as if putting a mic in, and flip the mic holder open. Look inside. See 2 shiny chromium screws? You only need a normal Philips driver to unscrew them, and the whole mic holder assembly comes off.

Of course, the usual disclaimers apply - do it at your own risk etc etc, but it worked fine for me.

Thanks for the quick response Alex. I am new to this group and new to HDV. So far you guys have been great. Thanks for being a fountain of knowledge for us "newbies".

Glad to help!

I do agree that Chris's site is fantastic for every person devoted to (HD) video. Thanks Chris and everyone.

Bags
 

I have 2 Z1Us and originally bought Petrol bags but sent them back because they were just too big. Instead I got two Impact bags. They are perfect for carry on and hold the camera, G2 transmitter and receiver, mic and short cable, ME66, headphones, two tapes, and a few misc items---in other words, enough stuff so the airline can lose your checked gear and your can still shoot---and that is the way I always travel. The bag has a shoulder strap and fits nicely in the overhead airplane bins. Great bag! Here's the B and H link:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...lue=382085_REG

JimT

I have the Petrol bag for my FX1 and love it. I'm a big fan of the extra room and carry lots of things with it (mics, tapes, batteries, cables, connectors, headphones & even extra bulbs for my light kit). I don't travel often, but am planning to take it to NY in July... I hope if fits in the overhead! If not, I've taken large items like guitars and had the flight attendants take it to some special secret place on board the plane, but not by the passengers. Hopefully they'll accomdate me in such ways again.

I really suggest that you have a "plan B" because I don't think you can count on that. There is typically a little closet sort of space where the crew puts their own luggage, but they can be pretty strict on a full flight. Last month I saw a passenger getting very riled when they told him that he would have to check an item and that no, they couldn't find someplace else to put it. OTOH, on another flight where the overhead bins were full they did offer to stash a passenger's carry-on.

But if you're taking one of the little "regional jets" then forget it, all carry on items that won't fit under the (tiny) seats are gate checked without exception. Take the time to do some research - look on your airline's website and you will find very specific limitations on carry on size. They may vary between different airlines. Also check to see what kind of airplane you'll be flying on. When flights are full they can be really strict and make you leave anything that looks too big before allowing you on the jetway.

Is this for the Z1u as well, and is it already cut out for a fit to the foam? I added it to my wishlist, but I'm trying to decide between this and the pelican.

Everything is formed perfect for the camera and accessories. It is "officially" for the FX, but I have a Z1 and size/shape wise they are the same camera. If you are not doing heavy traveling, I highly recommend it.

Hey Douglas,

I'm only buying one Z1u, in your opinion, would you still get the 1620 for that one camera, or will the 1610 do?

I'd love to see a pic of your camera/case setup.

Steven

The 1610 would do for one cam, no doubt.
I haven't taken pix of the Pelican setup, I do have pix of my Petrol softbag setup at http://www.vasst.com/resource.aspx?i...1-0b0afaaeecf0 , but that won't likely help much. When we return from this shoot, I'll try to remember to take a few pix and post em'.

Thanks Douglas. I'm very excited about having my new baby. Ok, maybe that's carrying love of technology a little far.

New HDR-FX1 carrying case by Pelican
 

Hello all,

I ‘m new to the post. I was getting ready to order a Pelican case at their site http://www.casesbypelican.com. It looks like they just came out with a very nice carrying case for the HDR-FX1. It’s based on their wheeled 1560, still it is too large for an airline carry-on, but it’s quite smaller than the 1610.

http://www.casesbypelican.com/videocamcorders-sony.htm

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to post and mention that I picked up a Tenba S-7 shoulder case recently and it works fantastic for my Z1. It's a soft bag that offers excellent protection with plenty of space. I pulled the inside dividers out and put them back in lining the sides for added protection. You can find it here at B&H:

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

John

PS - It has much better interior padding and protection than the B&H description says.

Bag options
 

Hello everbody!! Just wanted to jump in on this and let you all know about a new bag company coming into the States. I am sure that many of you saw the camRade line at this years NAB? Well we here at TapeWorks Texas inc. liked what we saw with those folks and decided to become one of their main distributors here in the States.

Constructed of the industry standard 1,000 stitch Cordura (same as
Portabrace) these bags feature a more sleek and professional grey color, soft padded interiors and a PVC lining for added protection (kind of sound like a salesman, eh?)

Check out the link here and see a great bag for smaller DV and HDV cameras. These cameras will be hitting the States real soon and at a lower price than advertised for the DVInfo crowd. They also have a really cool backpacks, wetsuits, desert suits and more for all size cameras.

http://tapeworkstexas.com/camrade_cb_single_i_1.html

Thanks,
Jason Price
TapeWorks Texas inc.
Jason@TapeWorksTexas.com
866.827.3489 toll free

That's a pretty nice looking bag, and a decent price too.
I'm not sure I like the PVC lining, but it would be waterproof, and I've been on shoots where that would be a very good thing (like a few months ago, with all my bags in the back of a cargo golf cart, shooting an outdoor truck show, in the rain. Water can soak through a Portabrace bag quicker than you think.