Subject:  Pelican case for 900?
From: Peter Gould (pgould at almaak usc edu)
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 1999 4:45 PM

I'm considering a hard Pelican case for my 900.  I teach at a film school
and we use the Pelican 1500, which measures 17x11 3/4 x 6 inside.  However,
several people have suggested the slightly smaller version, the 1450, which
is 15 x 10 1/2 x 6.  Does anyone on the list use one of these cases?  Which
version do you use?

Is the Pelican case the best bet? I looked at the Sony case but it seems to
scream "steal me" at the top of it's shiny little, logo blaring lungs.
Also, it's rather pricy.  I prefer something a little more anonymous...

Also, I'm looking for a lighter case for casual travel, something like a
backpack, that we can cram other travel supplies into as well.  Any
suggestions for that?


Subject: Pelican case for 900?
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 17:57:02 -5:00
From: "Mardon Erbland" (merbland at wwa com)

Peter,

I bought my TRV900 about six weeks ago and purchased a Pelican 1500
case for it.  (Incidentally, a recap of my thoughts about the camera
and accessories is in the archives for October 15th I believe.) 

I'm very glad that I got the Pelican case and also that I did not go
smaller than the 1500; even though the salesperson (of all people)
tried to talk me into doing so.  My criteria for the upper end on
size was that the case had to fit easily into the overhead bin on 
most reasonably sized aircraft.

Inside the case I carry the camera, a Sony AC-V700 charger adapter, 
both wide angle and telephoto converter lenses, the disk drive, an 
NP-F950 battery plus the standard NP-F330, a circular polarizing 
filter, the RMT-811 remote, the MSAC-PC1 memory stick adapter and a 
couple of spare tapes.  There is no way that I would be able to fit 
all this into anything smaller than a 1500 and there is none of it 
that I feel like leaving at home either.  To my way of thinking, even 
with the 1500, the foam protection is a little thin between items  in 
order to get all of this to fit.

Anyway, that's my perspective on your question.  I'm sure others may 
view things differently.


Subject: RE: Pelican Case
From: Terry Langille (twl1 at jps.net)
Sent: Friday, October 29, 1999 12:38 PM

Can't help you with the size issue for a Pelican as the primary carrier
of camera and accessories.   I use a small Pelican 1300 for the TRV900
alone because it gave me the smallest possible form factor. The 1300 was
my choice because i wanted something that would pack on a boat, or on a
wetcraft of some kind and still be as rugged as possible. The camera
barely fits the case, but the Pelican is a rugged beast , for sure.

Color is important.  I'd recommend you stay away from black to avoid
cooking your 900.  As professional as it looks, it gets HOT in the sun.
I ended up with a don't-notice-me gray.


Subject: RE:  Pelican case for 900?
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 08:47:56 +0200
From: "RICHELSEN,KAI (KAI_RICHELSEN at bbn exch hp com)

I use the Peli 1400. Space is a bit limited, but it holds the TRV900, some
filters, the Sony wide angle adapter, 2 tapes, a NP550 and a NP750 battery
and the remote control.  It is only 8 pounds and very handy to carry around.

Sometimes I miss extra space for the shotgun mic which is 2 inches too long
and a place for the mic/headphones adapter box.

It is bright orange - get a lot of interesting comments on it like: "Oh,
what a nice luch box!", "Do you always carry your first aid kit on the
boat?".  However, nobody guessed what the real contents might be so
far. Maybe a nice to prevent my TRV900 from being "twok" (Taken Without
Consent) *gg*

Kai

Subject: Tamrac Photo Bag
From: "Jim Reilly" (jim at florals com)
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 12:46:20 -0400

I have a Tamrac 5285 Video-Photo 5 Double-Decker Camcorder Bag

This is a very full-featured bag for camcorder and cameras up to 10" long.
The top compartment is fully foam-padded with an adjustable foam-padded
divider and a Windowpane-Mesh accessory pocket. A front zippered pocket
provides more room for accessories. In back a Tuck-A-Way hip belt quickly
converts the shoulder bag into a comfortable hip pack for hands-free action.
The lower compartment is also foam-padded and can be separated from the
upper compartment to store accessories that are not required during the
day's activity.

works for me....but then again, I hobby only. I love that I can wear it on
my waist, and I am also able to slide it around to by back at other times.
When it is worn around the waist, in the front, it doubles as a lunch shelf
:)

I carry the TRV900, 5 tapes (one in the camera), 3 filters, backup battery
and my wideangle lens in the main bag, with nothing else in the main
compartment except the camera,(for freedom of quick in, and quick out) In
the zipper on/off lower section, (which I leave in my car) the powersupply,
connection cables, a third battery. All the comparments are filled, but not
stuffed...so squeezing in something else is possible, unless it's your dog,
however the taco dog may fit.  :)

jim

From: Greg Leibfried (gregl at netaffect com)

> I have a Tamrac 5285

I just checked this bag out at Tamrac's web site.  It looks like a great
bag for my purposes.  I also checked on the price at Adorama.  It was
listed at a very reasonable $37.95, IMHO. 

Subject: Re: Best TRV900 carring bag - SONY Case $150
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 09:45:29 -0500
From: "KH" (Win95 at execpc com)

We use the Sony hard cases for our VX-1000's and TRV-900's. In our opinion
no case looks better or gives more protection.

We purchased three LCH-TRV900  Sony hard cases for $150 each including
shipped from CameraWorld (Shawn EXT. 5837 800-226-3721


Subject: Inexpensive hard case: Tool Box
From: "Doug Graham" (pandavideo at erols com)
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 22:10:58 -0500

I thought I'd mention an inexpensive hard case alternative I found at the
local Lowe's home improvement emporium.  They had an aluminum tool case,
approximately 18in x 12in x 6in, trade name "Task Force", on sale for $30.
It's lockable, and the inside is filled with pluckable foam.  The top is
lined with eggshell foam and includes a removable tool-holding pallet behind
the foam insert.  The case is lined with a rubbery material, and includes
dividers and cross-dividers of the same material, so you can make separate
compartments as desired.

I fit my TRV-900, remote control, two wireless mic transmitters/receivers,
pouch with several 52mm filters, wide angle and telephoto adapters, tripod
plate, a couple of tapes, and a couple of NP750 batteries in this little
gem.

The only drawback(s) I found are:  The case has no "O" ring seal to make it
completely moisture and dustproof; I could wish it were another inch deeper
for a bit more padding; and the foam insert has no solid foam underlayer.  I
overcame this last one by cutting off 1/2" to 1" of the pieces of foam I
removed and reinserting them into the bottom of the cavities.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

Subject: Camera case from Portabrace
From: NoMoeMax at aol com
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 22:17:56 EST

I just got Portabrace's Trv900 camera case. It is really well made with
velcro's and zippers everywhere for accessories and alot of compartments
for standard supplies like AC adapter, remote, floppy disc adapter, etc. I
picked it up for $170 from B+H. I recommend for the same amount going with
the hard case from Sony - LCH-TRV900. It is a simple case with the camera
resting on a shelve in the middle with all accessories underneath the
camera. Very little on compartments but the Hard shell is extremely rugged
for almost any situation as were the portabrace is padded but has a soft
shell and is susceptible to crushing or dropping. But if you need or like
the compartments definitely go with portabrace.
Carlo

portabrace.com hard case

Hardshell makeup case

If you are taking a trip, a samsonite hardshell overnight makeup bag works
well. It looks like a camera case, and a luggage case, but you need to supply
some foam. The inside is a perfect fit for the 900 with  or without the
wideangle and has a few storage areas. The case is a clamshell design. the
camera  and a couple accessories only takes up  1/2 of the clamshell design.
the other half is free for storage and it includes a makeup mirror if you
have to use on screen talent. Only about 60 dollars US. I use the portabrace
rain slicker most of the time, but this case works very well if you need a
hard shell case with extras. Available at most luggage places; Dillard's
and other dept stores.

-bullardc