In Broadcast - May 2013 - 32

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

WWW.INBROADCAST.COM | ISSUE 19 - MAY 2013

N E W S

InGEAR

Snug As A Bug – Bags And Cases
AT NAB there was a plethora of protective soft bags and hard cases on show that would suit everything
from a disk drive to a live production workstation, but it’s a tough market to crack…

By Kieron Seth
Contributing Editor

“W

e’ve made the decision not
aluminium and engineering grade
to take on a line of bags,” a
polymer materials to provide
certain British manufacturer and
complete protection. Its copolymer
distributor wryly commented at
rubber absorbs shocks while its
NAB. “I used to think that the
full-seal design defends against
battery market was competitive,
wind-driven snow, rain and dust.
but the bags and cases market is
An anti-scratch screen cover, IPtruly something else.”
54 water, dust and snow-resistant
A march along the aisles at this
microphone and speaker covers and
year’s NAB does nothing to counter
an optical grade glass camera port
this observation. On interviewing
complete a comprehensive picture.
a series of manufacturers, another
Released for sale late in April, it
truism quickly comes to the fore.
seems a worthwhile investment.
Virtually every developer compares
For Mike D’Angelo, the company’s
its products – totally unprompted –
Business Development Manager,
directly and unashamedly with the
the focus at the show is the new
market leaders.
Rig Line products. “The question for
With this in
mind, for this
survey of new
products at the
2013 edition of
the Las Vegas
show, it’s worth
starting with the
few companies
against which
all seem to
c o m p a r e
themselves,
before moving
onto the up Porta-Brace boasts some 900 professional bags, covers
a n d c o m i n g and cases in its ever-growing portfolio, making the stand
something of an Aladdin’s cave.
suppliers.
Pelican Cases new U160
production crews today is not to ﬁnd
a bag or case suited to a particular
Backpack cleverly integrates a
camera model but for a fully rigged
waterproof Pelican case with a
soft bag. The hard covered section
camera system.” D’Angelo gives
on the lower part of the bag has
the example of a Red camera or a
fully customisable padded dividers
Blackmagic Cinema Camera which
to protect camera gear and a
can be conﬁgured in countless ways
according to what components
watertight press and pull latch.
Sensitive, high cost items such
and accessories are selected for a
as camera bodies, lenses, media
particular shoot. The resulting Rig
and ﬁlters can all be stored in this
Line soft case range is based on
polypropylene-protected section,
a rigid frame into which a rigged
while other items are kept in other
camera can be placed whole,
padded compartments and other
without having to be
watertight pouches. It is designed
disassembled
ergonomically to be comfortable,
ﬁrst. “We want
supportive and adjustable. The
the crew to
U160 is expected to ship in the
stay shootre a d y, s o
early summer.
they never
The fact that Pelican was also
focusing on the forthcoming
miss a shot,”
ProGear Vault series for the iPhone
and Galaxy S is indicative of how
the industry is increasingly reliant
on smartphone apps and data
Petrol Bags Deca
communications. This particular
Airﬂow Camera
Backpack (PC306)
enclosure is made of die-cast

D’Angelo concludes.
Petrol Bags – Part of the Vitec
Group, Petrol Bags has a strong
reputation among photographers,
video professionals and sound
engineers for its soft shell shoulder,
back, trolley and hand-carried
bags. For Tal Tzuk, the company’s
Research & Development Deputy
Manager, the approach to new
products is consistent: “We are
guided by three principles: ﬁrstly,
we seek to understand what end
users want. Next we build in total
protection, even if it entails making
the product a little heavier or less
attractive: keeping kit safe and
secure is a top priority. Finally
we ensure the portability of the
product and make sure that it is
easy to carry.”
This overwhelming emphasis on
function and form is witnessed in the
new high calibre PC306 backpack.
Designed to accommodate a
Sony PMW-200 style mid-sized
camera, as well as a 17” laptop, it
is clearly targeted at the shoot and
edit operator that needs to move
and produce fast. Front and side
access, and a rainbow shaped back
for improved airﬂow are evidence of
a product destined for high-paced
environments.
Also making its debut is the
PA1000 Deca camera and accessory
bag. Like the Porta-Brace Rig Line,
dividers in its lower section can
be removed to create single large
compartment for camera such as
the Sony F65 or Arri Alexa. The
unit features a removable upper
tray with detachable dividers for
storing essential accessories. Again,
practicality and usability is very
much to the fore.
“We aim for a professional look
and certainly avoid the garish,”
claims Tzuk. “We want to make a
product that lasts in form, function
and style so we offer up-to ﬁve
years warranty and make sure that
we use standardised
components
that the
user can
switch
o u t
themselves even six
to seven years
after making the
original purchase.”
Kata, also part
of the Vitec Group,
came to NAB with
a philosophy very different
to that of Porta-Brace as Brand
Manager Bellina Israel explains:

Kata’s Pro-V 610 PL backpack had
been selected by a leading camera
manufacturer

“We have consolidated our case
line from 100 down to less than
30 key products. We want to make
it easier for the customer – and
retailer – to choose the case they
need, without being inundated with
countless options.”
At NAB, Kata announced that its
new Pro-V 610 PL backpack had
been selected by Sony to be part
of its new camcorder kit. Suited to
models such as the EX3, or a large
DSLR rig, the bag meets everyday
production needs. Israel comments,
“We design around the cameraman,
not the kit,” and this emphasis on
ease of use is clear to see. The pack
features a compartment dedicated
to laptop storage, an optional trolley
system that is easily detached, ultralight materials and very comfortable
cushioned harness straps. Attention
to detail is also commendable with
a ground mat included as well as
a reversible environmental cover
that has a black side for water
resistance and a silver side for sun
and heat protection.
And when asked whether Kata
would consider manufacturing
a hard case, the brand manager
promptly stood on the soft bag. It
didn’t give an inch.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

camRade WetSuit protecting a Sony
PMW-F55

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In Broadcast - May 2013

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