Backpack for PD170 at DVinfo.net

May 28th, 2004, 07:05 AM

My equipment buying for my PD-170 is nearing an end much to the delight of my wife. I just took delivery of a Miller DS-10 Solo carbon tripod system. At the same time, my new Lowepro Photo trekker AW2 arrived. Having solved the problem of mounting a Digital still camera to the Miller tripod, I would like to use the backpack to carry all this stuff into the field.
The Lowe pack is primarily aimed at the still photo field but, is listed as suitable for a somewhat large video camera. I have tried to figure out how to configure the pack for the PD-170 with its moveable dividers. Since my primary objective is video, does any one have info on how this pack would compare with the Porta Brace Hp-2? pro video backpack? Would the Slr gear fit in this pack with the PD-170?
Also, while on the topic of the PD-170, if the wife could be pursuaded, what would be the best next step in microphones over the stock mike? Primarily outdoors with occasional indoor use. Thinking of the Me-66?
I want to thank everyone who contributes to this website. I have learned so much and saved alot of grief by acquiring the most suitable equipment first. Now if the wife will let me get a G-5 rev b when they arrive...who's at the door...a process server..oops got to go. LOL Thanks again

George Ellis · May 28th, 2004, 09:10 AM

This is by no means the best solution. I have a Swiss Army Computer 'backpack' that I use to tote my camera around in. I have to fold the eyepiece up and lower it into the pack battery first. I do have to remove the shotgun before I put it in. I got it at OfficeMax or OfficeDepot (I get confused on which is which).

Oh, I have a VX2100

Matt Stahley · May 28th, 2004, 11:42 AM

I use the Lowe Nature Trekker for my VX. You could definitely fit an SLR and a couple lenses depending on size in there with the VX if needed. Im not sure how the PD would fit due to its XLR box on top of the cam. THe Lowe packs are awesome and probably the best when it comes to backpacks over the portabrace as far as the harnessing etc goes.

Mike Rehmus · May 28th, 2004, 09:57 PM

There are a lot of posts on this subject. Do a search and I think you will find the information you seek.

Congrats on the 170.

Paul Vlachos · May 28th, 2004, 11:11 PM

I needed backpackability for when I get to shoots on my bicycle. I'm in NYC and sometimes do that for speed.

I got the PortaBrace BK-3 and love it.

Mike Rehmus · May 29th, 2004, 09:55 AM

Did you happen to look at the BK-3L, the one with the laptop flap?

Paul Vlachos · May 29th, 2004, 10:12 AM

You know, I wasn't aware of the laptop version when I went in. This was about two months ago. The guy at B&H didn't even know about the BK-3 and was as curious about it when it came upstairs as I was. They don't have all the Porta-Brace stuff on display there.

I don't think you'd want to do the Appalachian Trail with it, but it was surprisingly comfortable. You have to take a little time and mess with the dividers. If you like, I'll take a shot later and post it if you're curious. Very spacious.

And in the spirit of permanent credit card indebtedness, I went out last week and got the PortaBrace SizeWize, which is alleged to be as big as you can go for carryon. I'm about to configure that this weekend and am flying with full rig for the first time next month.

Mike Rehmus · May 29th, 2004, 10:24 AM

A picture or two would be welcome. Also a report on flying with the max bag too, if you please

Paul Vlachos · May 29th, 2004, 11:41 AM

okay, some quickies.

Here's the BK-3 open.

http://www.paulv.com/photos/bk3.jpg

It comes as a box and you can configure it any way you want. this is how I have it at this moment. camera goes in, straps hold it in place - all this stuff is included. I put the WA adapter below the camera. Upper right corner, I have a piece of divider hinged on one side with velcro so that I can put batteries underneath and flip it down, the put tapes on top of it.

You can basically do whatever you want with it. Depth is what you can see, to the top of the PD-170, although the flap is soft and you can put bigger stuff in there. I like keeping it flush.

Here's a view of it closed:

http://www.paulv.com/photos/bk3b.jpg

And here's what it looks like from the back with the backpack strap flap half unzipped:

http://www.paulv.com/photos/bk3c.jpg

I hope this helps. I'll post more with the SizeWize once I configure it. That's going to be stuffed pretty tight, but I'll still have to work out of it. I'm a new convert to PortaBrace after these two bags.

I just posted and noticed that the photos don't come through as hotlinks. Should I use HTML tags in the post?

May 29th, 2004, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the input everyone. I am interested in the Porta Brace pack. The Lowe Photo Trekker AWII is too shallow to accept the PD-170 with mike and box. It can accept the camera as is but the top would not be flush. The info on the Lowepro website says its for video cams but, the larger pack the Super trekker would be the one to get. I travel alot and the larger version would not fit in the overheads of most aircraft types I fly. Thanks again.

May 28th, 2004, 07:05 AM	#1
David Johnson Posts: n/a	Backpack for PD170 My equipment buying for my PD-170 is nearing an end much to the delight of my wife. I just took delivery of a Miller DS-10 Solo carbon tripod system. At the same time, my new Lowepro Photo trekker AW2 arrived. Having solved the problem of mounting a Digital still camera to the Miller tripod, I would like to use the backpack to carry all this stuff into the field. The Lowe pack is primarily aimed at the still photo field but, is listed as suitable for a somewhat large video camera. I have tried to figure out how to configure the pack for the PD-170 with its moveable dividers. Since my primary objective is video, does any one have info on how this pack would compare with the Porta Brace Hp-2? pro video backpack? Would the Slr gear fit in this pack with the PD-170? Also, while on the topic of the PD-170, if the wife could be pursuaded, what would be the best next step in microphones over the stock mike? Primarily outdoors with occasional indoor use. Thinking of the Me-66? I want to thank everyone who contributes to this website. I have learned so much and saved alot of grief by acquiring the most suitable equipment first. Now if the wife will let me get a G-5 rev b when they arrive...who's at the door...a process server..oops got to go. LOL Thanks again

May 28th, 2004, 09:57 PM	#4
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	There are a lot of posts on this subject. Do a search and I think you will find the information you seek. Congrats on the 170. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 28th, 2004, 11:11 PM	#5
Paul Vlachos Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 88	I needed backpackability for when I get to shoots on my bicycle. I'm in NYC and sometimes do that for speed. I got the PortaBrace BK-3 and love it. __________________ One day at a time.

May 29th, 2004, 09:55 AM	#6
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Did you happen to look at the BK-3L, the one with the laptop flap? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 29th, 2004, 10:12 AM	#7
Paul Vlachos Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 88	You know, I wasn't aware of the laptop version when I went in. This was about two months ago. The guy at B&H didn't even know about the BK-3 and was as curious about it when it came upstairs as I was. They don't have all the Porta-Brace stuff on display there. I don't think you'd want to do the Appalachian Trail with it, but it was surprisingly comfortable. You have to take a little time and mess with the dividers. If you like, I'll take a shot later and post it if you're curious. Very spacious. And in the spirit of permanent credit card indebtedness, I went out last week and got the PortaBrace SizeWize, which is alleged to be as big as you can go for carryon. I'm about to configure that this weekend and am flying with full rig for the first time next month. __________________ One day at a time.

May 28th, 2004, 09:10 AM	#2
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	This is by no means the best solution. I have a Swiss Army Computer 'backpack' that I use to tote my camera around in. I have to fold the eyepiece up and lower it into the pack battery first. I do have to remove the shotgun before I put it in. I got it at OfficeMax or OfficeDepot (I get confused on which is which). Oh, I have a VX2100

May 28th, 2004, 11:42 AM	#3
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	I use the Lowe Nature Trekker for my VX. You could definitely fit an SLR and a couple lenses depending on size in there with the VX if needed. Im not sure how the PD would fit due to its XLR box on top of the cam. THe Lowe packs are awesome and probably the best when it comes to backpacks over the portabrace as far as the harnessing etc goes.

May 29th, 2004, 10:24 AM	#8
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	A picture or two would be welcome. Also a report on flying with the max bag too, if you please __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 29th, 2004, 11:41 AM	#9
Paul Vlachos Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 88	okay, some quickies. Here's the BK-3 open. http://www.paulv.com/photos/bk3.jpg It comes as a box and you can configure it any way you want. this is how I have it at this moment. camera goes in, straps hold it in place - all this stuff is included. I put the WA adapter below the camera. Upper right corner, I have a piece of divider hinged on one side with velcro so that I can put batteries underneath and flip it down, the put tapes on top of it. You can basically do whatever you want with it. Depth is what you can see, to the top of the PD-170, although the flap is soft and you can put bigger stuff in there. I like keeping it flush. Here's a view of it closed: http://www.paulv.com/photos/bk3b.jpg And here's what it looks like from the back with the backpack strap flap half unzipped: http://www.paulv.com/photos/bk3c.jpg I hope this helps. I'll post more with the SizeWize once I configure it. That's going to be stuffed pretty tight, but I'll still have to work out of it. I'm a new convert to PortaBrace after these two bags. I just posted and noticed that the photos don't come through as hotlinks. Should I use HTML tags in the post? __________________ One day at a time.

May 29th, 2004, 03:54 PM	#10
David Johnson Posts: n/a	Thanks for the input everyone. I am interested in the Porta Brace pack. The Lowe Photo Trekker AWII is too shallow to accept the PD-170 with mike and box. It can accept the camera as is but the top would not be flush. The info on the Lowepro website says its for video cams but, the larger pack the Super trekker would be the one to get. I travel alot and the larger version would not fit in the overheads of most aircraft types I fly. Thanks again.