Those who know me know that I like production bags. I am the Imelda Marcos of production bags, I cannot have enough.
I get her, in a strange way. Not in the oppressing the people sort of way, but in liking shoes or bags sort of way.
It used to be Porta-bracewas the only good option for a sturdy bag that would survive in the field. In the past several years I have tried most all of them. Behind Porta-brace, I would rate Kataand Arri. Both make good solid cases with lots of neat options. I have not had a great experience with Cine-bags.
Arri is making a very fine bag these days.
I recently wrote about my love hate relationship with B&H, and the other big east coast video retail outlets. In that post I cautioned against anybody that undercut B&H. I once found a “great” deal at Fumfie.com. It was my 5D and they had it a couple hundred dollars cheaper than anyone else. The scam was that I also needed to buy overpriced/off brand cards and batteries. When I refused, the camera was suddenly out of stock.
My laptop is huge. It is not a petite thing by any means. If it went to grade school, it would be nick named jumbo or tubby on the playground. I like it that way. It churns through video files like me through food at a Chinese buffet. But it is large and few computer bags can accommodate comfortably. The one that B&H sold me when I bought the laptop from them, finally told me to go to heck and dissolved into a little pile of thread and cloth.
The exhaust ports of my ASUS. Very similar to a jet fighter engine. I don”t shovel snow at my house, I just walk around with my laptop.
A new bag search was on! The first one I got was fromebags.com. The compartment dimensions indicated plenty of room. The bag arrived, and the laptop did not fit. Not even close. At least the return was easy. At this point I was scratching my head trying to find something big enough. That is when I went back to basics and looked up what Porta-brace had to offer. Jackpot.
The porta brace Director”s Case with built in laptop glare visor. Gaze upon its beauty.
I then hunted for the best price, and against my better judgement I tried a new place called AV Alive. I just knew I was going to get screwed again, that the bag would arrive with no strap or something weird. But to my surprise and delight it was a perfect purchase. As I understand it, AV Alive is a smaller family owned business fighting it out with the big boys. I would recommend them as a strong alternative. And with that said, here is some bag porn…
The zippers are made of a magic composite that makes them extra strong.
Pockets, lots of pockets.
Tubby fits quite nicely. I suppose the bag size is “Husky”.
If this don”t turn you on, well, I don”t know what to say.
Yes, I may be somewhat of a freak.
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