Good EX3 bag
 

hey all,
we just bought the new Sony EX3 and I'm having problem finding a good bag for it.
All the one that I saw are too narrow to fit the large viewfinder of the camera,
anyone found the perfect bag? please share your findings
many thx

Sorry, I should have search first of course!!
found thread on EX34 bag.
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-xdca...le-ex-3-a.html

I started the EX-3 backpack thread - but I am always open to new reports.

So far its still bleak on good bags for the EX-3. I just checked out the new Portabrace but again, the EX-3 fits but nothing else - very little left for accessories. Yes, we can put those in our main luggage, but what happens on location?

And what about the laptop?

The only backpack so far is the Kata 502, that seems to do everything a bag should and swallow up the EX-3!

Hy John,

Were you referring to the Porta Brace CO-PC?

PortaBrace - Product Detail:CO-PC

I don't think this is really a new bag, made for the EX-3.

Kata bp 502
 

Backpack, trolley, plenty of room for all your gear! It's a big mutha... but function supersedes form in this case... no pun intended.

I wrestled between this one and the new one from the vermont manufacturer, but I believe fewer bags are better, especially if you're a one man show. Additionally, the 502 has a well organized layout and cushions the cam and the precious viewfinder on the ex3 nicely.

my 2 cents

Greg

I was on a flight last week without my camera, but decided to do a test...

I selected a flight that accepts larger bags - 51 inches. This was US Airways. It was a direct flight from Tampa to PA. I brought a rolling carry-on bag that I compared to the Kata bag earlier. If I lay them both flat on their backs, the Kata bag is about three inches longer, two inches wider, and (cough, cough), about four inches taller.

My carry-on barely fit in the overhead - squished it in and the door only barely closed. And the flight crew were very outspoken about how they were getting very stringent now about carry-ons since people are trying to carry more and check less since nobody wants to pay the additional fees.

The Kata BP-502 would have required checking. Sure, I can put the camera in my lap, but I'd still have to check lens adapters, mics, spare batteries, etc.

I'm pretty concerned and more than a little disappointed. Tomorrow I'm taking a small cutting torch to the viewfinder to rectify this whole issue. I'm gonna shoot blind from now on - maybe I'll start a trend. "Hey, man, videography is an art form - you don't have to see it, you just have to feel it. Peace, man."

A friend brought his portabrace bag with an Ex-1 inside - I popped in my EX-3 to check the fit. There is a bulge to the side of the bag, so yes I think its the CO-PC. I think when he said it was new - he probably meant new to him !!
Again, little room elsewhere and no laptop compartment.
I will live with the Kata bag for now and deal with the airline problem when it comes up - in October I fly to China.

You would think Sony would commission a bag to be made for the EX-3.

Have yet to fly with the Kata CC-195, but as I said in the other thread, it fits my accessories (see pix), protects the camera, and is carry-on. Together with a Brenthaven computer bag, it should work out. I'll post again after flying with it next week.

Mike you should be OK with the 195.
I recently traveled with a few other filmmakers and one of them have this bag as his carry on for some time and never had problems before.

Checking the Kata's site I run into a new released bag, the CC-197

They don't mentioned the EX-3 on the page but the camera selection points to that bag.

Video bags camera bags Kata - Manufacturer of camera bags

It seems slightly bigger than the 195 and they say it has carry on specs.

Another new option, also carry on size:

PortaBrace - Product Detail:CTC-1

I do not mean to dampen anyone's enthusiasm for new bags for the EX-3, but I would restrict this to tested examples, with a photograph posted of the Ex-3 inside the bag. Otherwise it's all guesswork.

The Portabrace CTC-1 is way too narrow for the EX-3 at 7.7" wide. My EX-3 is just over 11" wide.

While I did find 3 bags in total that are practical (not talking huge rolling cases here), the only one I purchased was the Kata 502 that can actually accommodate the EX-3 with protection and take accessories (2 mics-lavs-cables-batteries-power-headphones etc) and a good size laptop and its a backpack as well.

If someone can find these 3 criteria in a smaller bag- please let me know and I will purchase immediately. I am tired of shipping bags back for a refund!

Alex, I'd looked at the 197, but didn't think it would work as carryon. Kata says it will, but if you look at its linear dimensions (53.4), only Air Tran & Jet Blue say they'll accept that. Not to say others won't break their own rules, but...
\RickSeaney.com Airline Carry-On Baggage Chart

Jon, the 195 offers excellent protection and will work for accessories (see pictures on http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-xdca...-ex-3-a-5.html), but it won't work with a computer and it's not a backpack. I think you've found the only one so far that will pack everything and where size is not a consideration. I'd be very interested to see if anyone's bought the Kata HB-207, Kata | HB-207 GDC Hiker Backpack | KT HB-207 | B&H Photo Video which is a backpack and will take the computer, but is slightly smaller than the 502. One poster said it wouldn't close on the camera, but the dimensions indicate that it should.

Mike, I noticed the "linear size" is larger than what's suppose to be.
It's only by a few inches but that should be enough to create problems if they want to.

I'm not really worried about fitting everything. I usually check my tripod/lighting/cable bag and a Pelican case with accessories, sound gear and expandables.

It will be a challenge to flight alone with this camera (+ batteries) and a laptop.
2 person crew should be OK.

I'm interested in trading my EX3 for a Handycam. Any takers? ;-)

Sure Ted ...
 

I have an extra DVX100 around here ... how about that ?

Mike - the Kata HB-207 will not accommodate the EX-3. I looked at this before I purchased the Kata-502.

The problem is a practical one - I can only carry 3 bags - The camera bag, Tripod bag and my clothing. Once I arrive at my destination I do hire an assistant usually. But there are cases where I travel by myself - on small hops, like Beijing to Bangkok.

Its not practical for me to have a laptop in a 4th bag and the EX-3 workflow, now makes having a laptop a necessity. Right now I have the kata 502 and I am 5 weeks away from a major trip, so I will keep my eyes open, but I am not anticipating any change.

Strut
 

I'm just about to order the Strut GTC-3

Strut Gunner GTC-3

I'll post pics of my EX3 in there when it arrives next week.

Please let us know how this works out. But I am curious as it states on their website that the bag is 8 inches wide external size. My EX-3 measures 9.5 inches wide. Maybe they count the viewfinder blister extra?

Is that the Handycam with the removeable viewfinder?

I think the width is the inside bottom of the bag, not the top where the viewfinder bulge is.

I just spoke with the owner of a shop that sells both the Strut and Portabrace (plus others), and is saying that this bag is well made with great materials and fits the EX3 perfectly. She recommended it over any other bag in her store. It's on its way to me now.

Please keep us informed.

If you click on the bag details a new window pops up. It states that the EXTERNAL width is 8 inches - which to me, is not useable for the EX-3 by a long shot.
This is all moot anyway, as I need to get a laptop and some accessories into the same bag also ... the search continues.

For limited additional items, I will add another vote for the Kata CC-195. It holds the EX3 almost perfectly and as mentioned before it is within all airline carry on rules right now. So far I can fit my EX3, the 0.8X wide angle adapter, a shotgun, the battery charger, all supplied cable, two 60 batteries, the PHU-60K, a couple of dead cats for the mics, an XLR cable and I will still have room for a Microlite and a few other odds and ends I want to have all in one bag. This gives the traveller the crucial items in a carry on.

If you need more gear then it becomes more logical to rent locally at the shoot or ship the extras ahead or in checked luggage. Clothes don't matter as they can be purchased anywhere you travel should your clothing get lost. I sill have room for a emergency shirt, underwear and socks in my CC-195 though :)

With all airlines, this still leaves the availability for a second carry on item for a computer bag, and even with some the option of these two bags and in addition a "purse".

The Kata CC-197 is too big for carry on for many airlines and really doesn't seem to offer anything better without buying additional dividers. The Portabrace CTC-3 fits but is basically a camera bag and will not hold much else. The Kata 502 seems to be a good option for non air travelers who need to carry everything to remote locations but I have no experience with it. I was unable to try a Lowepro Commercial but it also looks like a possible option and my well be a better one than the Kata CC-195.

Based on some recommendations, as well as my tape measure, I have purchased a new bag for the EX3. It is the Kata (I'm pretty impressed with this brand now) CC-195. Now, the CC-197 is slightly larger, and should do a better job holding the camera, but this one does fit.

I opted for the 195 because it was not quite as long (by about 3.5 inches) and one inch narrower. I will need to take it as a carry-on on some smaller flights, and so I'm very concerned about dimensions.

I'm impressed with the amount of space it has, left me nearly three inches down the side of the bag (minus where the viewfinder resides) and about four inches at the rear (or front) of the camera. Quite a lot can fit here, that that was great.

But I need a rolling carry-on, and thought the Kata Trolley works with this bag, the engineering for this is terribly poor. The bag goes on the Trolley sideways. Perhaps I should have seen this from the pics on their site, but I just thought they set the bag there, I never would have imagined that they intended for one to roll it around behind them with it's full width of nearly 24" blocking the way.

Other than that, it's great. Can't fit a lot extra, but would have been plenty for me. The Trolley thing is a deal-breaker, though.

So, another wrong bag and I'm now ordering a new one - the CC-197. The only differences are that the 197 is one inch wider, and about 3.5" longer - still looks good for the flights I usually take. Oh, and of course, the Trolley fits into the bag under the bottom, the long way. So when you are toting it, it is following you in a narrow path.

And I'm starting a bag store with all of the wrong orders.

(and YES it's my mistake for not buying locally - leave me alone Dave Morrison! :-) )

I use an-off-the self hard shell carry on regulation size wheeled bag for my EX3. There is plenty of room for the camera, charger, batteries, SxS cards and a few other personal items. I then put my laptop in a small laptop bag and these make up my carry-on. I have a clip on strap that goes around the handle of the carry-on case and I can use that to attach my laptop bag to the wheelie bag. I then have a large hard shell samsonite suite case that takes my tripod legs diagonally inside. I have travelled all around the world with this combo. It protects my gear without attracting attention, I only have to wheel around two bags, the big samsonite case is much lighter than an equivalent flight case so I normally avoid excess baggage.

Alister,

I like the tripod solution! I was planning on the same things with my notebook case (slim) and camera bag - they'll clip together. But I really like the Samsonite case for the tripod. Not a bad place for a few changes of clothes and perhaps some tools as well.

Kata keep updating their line - so the choice is dizzying.

My ideal for the EX-3 is still the Kata-502 but I have yet to board a plane with this. Has anyone flown with this bag yet?
I shoot outside in remote locations, and having a laptop was a necessity. However - now that SD cards allow hours of shooting for a cheap price, I am free from needing a laptop at all times - this can be left in a hotel room.

So the bag situation just got a little more complicated. I have 6 weeks before I leave for Tibet, so I have time. All my bags need to be carried by shoulder or backpack - camera, tripod (Miller Solo), clothing and laptop. Any wheels have to detach as they do not work well on mountainous paths,

Alister ...
 

Can you shoot some pics of this setup?

Ted, I almost blew Diet Coke out of my nose when I read this line!! ;-) Too funny!

dave

I have found my utopia in a camera bag...

And I feel a little like Edison for so many failed attempts preceding this one!

Kata CC-197. Unless you want a backpack, this bag is IDEAL! For the following reasons:

1. It is the only bag that I have tried that accomodates the viewfinder so well. It doesn't even rub anywhere!

2. Compartments/sections are configurable with quite a bit of room in them.

3. I can fit all my stuff in there easily, remove my camera only, and everything else will stay (provided I don't kick it around or turn it upside down - in this aspect the BP-502 is the clear winner).

4. The Trolly fits into it it so that it rolls behind you in a vertical fashion.

5. My notebook (Dell XPS M1330 w/ Expresscard slot, Vista 64-bit, 4GB, 360GB, Vegas 8.1 64-bit) fits perfectly fine if I need it. It takes up lots of packing room, so there will be choices to be made at times, but it fits in it easily.

6. Viewfinder doesn't even have to be lowered to fit well in the bag. You can leave the eyepiece on as well provided you don't pack a notebook computer in the bag. I know I already mentioned the room for the viewfinder, but it is SO nice it deserved mention again.

7. I believe I'll have no problem carrying it on a plane - if I lay my "regular" well within the specs carry-on next to it, this bag is about 2" longer and 1" or 2" taller, but 3" narrower.

In the case, I have packed the following:

-EX3 with my customized AB battery/mic mount that extends off the back
-Dell XPS M1330
-Dionic 90 battery (on camera) and charger
-Recharger for AA batteries
-Sony MDR-7506 full coverage headphones
-Wireless transmitter and receiver (Sennheiser)
-Two Sony wired lavaier mics, each in their own 9"x3"x1" case
-Rode NG-1 w/ Rycote Softie and K-Tek mount
-Sony zoom-though wide angle lens adapter

Here are a few pictures - in the first one I'm trying to hold it apart so that you can see better inside the bag:

Nice looking setup, Ted. Well done. ;-)

Yes, Dave, all done without leaving my house! Mail order is easy - though I kinda sucks for testing bags!

Ted: I think you'll be fine with the 197. I just traveled with the 195, will post my first impressions of the EX3 in another thread, but re: the bag:

It worked very well as carryon. If the 197 were higher, you'd have a problem with the overhead compartments, but as it's the same height and just a little wider and longer, I don't think you will. It just barely fits height-wise in the overheads, and even then you have to avoid the compartment hinges.

I didn't really mind the horizontal fit on the trolley. I put my computer bag on top of it, plus my duffel bag. With all that weight, the handle is a little shaky, but I was very impressed with the trolley overall and very glad I had it for going thru security and changing planes. It's a bit of a hassle getting the case into the slot, but you'll find that on the 197 as well. I kept it on the trolley until the end of the jetway, where I slipped it off and hand carried everything down the aisle. Probably better to do it that way even with the 197, as it takes more than a few seconds to get it out of the slot, and a backed-up line could start to get peeved at you. I never found the horizontal mode annoying, altho I admit, vertical might be better, unless you're carrying extra bags, which would then put too much weight on the upper portion of the handle.

The bag is a good size for traveling; it's still a tight fit, and the 197's extra inches of space would help, so I'll be interested to see if that extra 3.5 inches of length makes it unwieldy for you. I don't think they'll bother checking its dimensions for carry-on--people were taking everything under the sun on board (like guitars), and I think the airlines are fine with that. I did have to rearrange the dividers while on location, though, as the lens barrel thumbscrew was in danger of rubbing every time I put the camera in and out. I wouldn't really mind just tightening it up, but it also means running the flange focus adjustment, which would be a royal pain in the middle of a shoot. The extra 1" of width in the 197 would be nice, but I just don't know about that extra length. The 195 is still a pretty big bag to be carrying around.

As far as checking bags in general: We were driving from Moab to Grand Junction with a flight to Denver and then to Houston and Austin. As we were driving to GJT, though, I was calculating that United was going to charge me over $600 for all the bags! I had a tripod case, green screen case, and Arri light case, plus 2 suitcases, computer bag, and backpack--so we just kept driving to Denver and skipped that flight! Continental only charged $100 for the extra bags after I made my duffelbag a carryon to avoid the third bag charge. And on the way back, I had to remove the green screen and put it in my duffel to bring that case under 70 lbs. (I guess we had a nice porter leaving Denver who ignored the extra 3 lbs).

The airlines are beginning to charge for any extra bags. United is the worst: $15 for the first, $50 for the second (doubled since 9/15), and $125 for the third. We noticed an article in the local Aspen Daily on the way home saying that skiers were going to be paying almost $400 to get their boots and skis to Aspen this winter! Frontier began charging for extra bags in June: $15 for one, $25 for 2 and 3, $50 for a fourth. Delta is first one free, second $50, third $125.

Glad the 195 is working well. I came to the same conclusions about the size as you did. I packed mine so that I can "crumple" the top 1-1/2" of the bag without affecting anything inside to make it easier to fit in the overhead.

Also, I'd noticed that it was a little tricky getting the 195 on and off the trolley. Somehow, the 197 is a little easier (or I'm just getting better at it).

Thanks for the report!

Strut Bag vs PortaBrace CTC-1
 

Well I can finally give some feedback on the Strut Bag that I ordered. It's solidly built. Very well put together. It will travel well, but it has a serious flaw.

I want to say, before I criticize it, that I've been on the phone with the owner of Strut (the designer of the bag), and he's taking my input into consideration and coming out with a redesign. I think it will be the best run and gun travel bag out there once he's done with it.

The fatal flaw of the bag is that the viewfinder blister is way too far forward. It needs to be moved all the way rearward. As it's placed right now, you have to drop the EX3 into the bag with the sunshade nearly touching the front of the bag. There's plenty of room behind the camera for another padded bag (I use one for some wireless mics). But, there's absolutely no room for a real mattebox. A longer lens would also not fit.

This also means that any mic placed in the stock mic holder sticks out past the zipper of the bag and needs to be removed before inserting it. Not what I want to have to do. I also asked for a little more height so that I could use an aftermarket mic shock-mount as well.

The other pockets on the bag are excellent! They are zippered with easy to pull zippers and with little weather flaps that protect the zippers. The shoulder strap and handles are comfortable and solid. When the bag gets redesigned I'm going to be first in line for one.

I am currently using the PortaBrace CTC-1 which is new and made for the EX3. It's nice. It has a viewfinder blister that's well placed, but could be a bit taller to accommodate the eyepiece in any position. If you're using the bag with another camera, that blister can be separated from the interior of the bag and become an outside pocket. The other pockets on the bag are velcro closure, and when the blister is extended for the eyepiece, are rather hard to access as the blister covers them.

The camera seats well rearward in the bag, and my mattebox and a Sennheiser ME64 can stay on the camera when I close the bag. It's wedge shaped, and the lens goes towards the front of the sloping side of the bag. Great shoulder pad and handles as on any PortaBrace. It's solid and well built, and I was able to carry it on the plane and it JUST fit in the overhead with a little persuasion.

Keep your eyes peeled for the new Strut - it's going to be the run and gun bag of choice in my opinion.

Thanks Zachary,

I had a few email conversations with John Fairley, the owner and he was so quick & helpful. He indicated to me about the GTC-3 case's blister and having the Fujinon XS lens, certainly my camera would not fit.

As you mentioned, John is looking into a redesign. Not sure how long that will take to produce.
For the moment, it could be the Portabrace. I am waiting to see one to try my camera in.

David Issko

And both the Kata CC-195 and CC-197 fit well. Not much extra room in the 195, but lots of room in the 197.

Ted - I looked at the 197, but could not visualize how the EX-3 would fit AND my Macbook Pro (15"). Are you saying it's not a problem?
I would forego the fact that it's not a backpack if the 197 could do what I need - EX-3, Macbook Pro, mics and lavs, batteries, headphones, etc.

I checked out the Portabrace CTC-1 - I heard also that it was made for the EX-3 but I have my doubts. The viewfinder blister offers no protection and did not seem properly placed to me.

The Ex-3 and bag choice just gets more complex to me. No clear winner yet.

I use the Porta Brace DVO-3,
Porta Brace | DVO-3 DV Organizer Case | DVO-3R | B&H Photo Video

It's not good for planes, but camera fits nice. You can fit a laptop next to camera in provided soft bag. Pockets on front and back for small cases to hold my cards and hard drives.
http://i37.tinypic.com/xnar1j.jpg

Batteries and matte box etc, go in med Porta Brace run bag.

Jon,

The picture here - http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/945702-post30.html - is with my notebook in the bag, but it is a 13" notebook (I was going for compact). The bag accomodats about 10" of height and 14" or so of length. My notebook, inside the small protective case that it comes with, is about 12.5" by 9.5" by 1.75" (case at it's thickest)- this is a Dell M1330.

I selected it because it came loaded with 4GB RAM, 360GB HD, and Vista 64, yet was only $1100. I adjusted the partitions to dual-boot with XP for some other apps that I use, but Vegas 8.1 is 64 bit and was built for Vista 64 - and it is quite spry with it.

I was going to point out a smaller Mac notebook that would work, but only the Pro line has ExpressCard and it isn't available in a size smaller than 15". If using the SDHC solution, you don't need ExpressCard, but they don't have card readers! Maybe the 15" Pro would fit - It is 9.6 x 14.1 whereas my Dell is 9.4 x 12.5.

If you buy me one, I'll test it for you and even send you pictures. Really, I'm THAT considerate.