Panasonic HC X1 back pack?

gerrymoore

I haven't been on the forum for quite a while but have just purchased the above camera.  I am hoping to take it out on my walks and wondered if anyone could recommend a back pack type of case to carry it in?  I have seen plenty of shoulder type cases but think a back pack type would be better when climbing in the hills etc.

I should add that I am looking for inexpensive if possible as I am now fully broke after buying the camcorder!!

Thanks and Merry Christmas to everyone.

chrishull3

Its a nice camcorder,i personaly would not use a back pack for it but a camera bag like the one here https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-shoulder-camera-accessories-interior/dp/B00CDS9HTM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1545053638&sr=8-3&keywords=camcorder bags large or larger if thats too small

gerrymoore

Hiya..thanks for the link but that bag is only 30cm and the camera is 35cm.  Is there a particular reason why you wouldn't use a decent quality back pack?

Terfyn

The bag shown is very decent quality, I know, I have one. One reason to go for a shoulder bag is that you can access the camera at any instant whereas recovering a camera from a backpack is more convoluted and you might need to sling the camera around your neck as well as carrying the backpack.
If you intend to use the pack for hiking then you only need enough kit for the day. I have the consumer cam Panasonic and I carry a few filters, a spare battery, a small LED flood and batteries. (3 AA for the light and a AUKEY power pack for the camera) Plus a Mic when I expect I might need it. These all fit into a BV & Jo Waterproof Anti-shock DSLR Camera Case Bag from Amazon. I also use a monopod, mainly to stop me falling over but with A 1/4" thread to mount the camera.
You may consider splitting the equipment load between a holdall and a day bag.

chrishull3

The reason i prefer shoulder bags is the same reason Terfyn explained,i did not realise the bag was only 30cm one of my cameras with lens attatched would not fit in it either so if your cam is 35cm you will need the next size up,i would not carry a quality prosumer cam like yours in a back pack as i said,good luck,

gerrymoore

Thanks guys..I'll start looking at alternatives..

12harry

Hi, welcome and MC HNY.... Perhaps you can say why you bought this pro-camcorder? It's certainly an interesting high spec  - and presumably you will need a tripod too? For severe weather, something like a camera rain-suit, makes sense.
I can't imagine a budget case is a good idea; should you stumble, the camcorder needs to be "drop-proof" - professionals spend a lot of money protecting their kit; since their time is money and if they fail to record anything the whole journey is wasted. Pro carry-case are often bulky and inconvenient ( as a back-pack)....... maybe you need to visit a major stockist to find what fits the camera when climbing hills . . . . but  local climbers can assist  maybe too.

Let us know how this camcorder performs - There will be interest especially in using it in HD-mode, as some 50%-cheaper Pana 4K models appear deficient ( compared with earlier HD-models, known to be super-sharp). The  HC-X1 has many useful features, inc. ND filters, XLR audio inputs etc.  but all of this means it not lightweight . . . . hence my Q. as to why you chose this model when being outdoors is yr thing...? Don't forget spare batteries and your own safety gear.

Cheers.

gerrymoore

Hiya.... the main reason for buying it was the 4K picture quality...I am just selling a VX870 which gave excellent HD and not bad 4K but a different league to  the X1. I don't plan to use HD on the camera.

I'm retired, in my late sixties, so I have 'money to burn' and lots of spare time.  I love the editing process and have an extremely fast and well specified (for 4K editing) PC and a 27" 4K monitor so looking forward to experimenting...camera was supposed to arrive today but delayed until tomorrow.

As to weight .....at 2kgs it pales compared to my first video setup in the mid 80's ...JVC video camera with 6x zoom and vidicom valve tube probably weighed around 10 - 12 lbs.....then on one shoulder I had the Ferguson VHS 'portable' tape recorder at about 20lbs and on the other shoulder the twin lead acid batteries at another 20lbs and with the 220 line resolution (it  said!!) you could just make out someones face if you knew them real well !!!

I'll post how I'm getting on once I've had a little practice...not sure if anyone reading this ever bought a Smoothkam stabiliser in the late 90's ...I used to make them

Terfyn

One area which could cause problems is battery power especially if you are using Phantom Power for your add on mic. You may have noticed that I carry a USB Power Pack (AUKEY 20,000mAh), this is because the Panasonic consumer cams use a 5V USB system for recharging and running the camera. Panasonic supply what they call a DC cable to connect the camera to the 5V source, be it their mains charger or another USB source. The Power Pack will run the camera for up to 12 hours.
Your system is 12V so the USB idea would not work. There are 12V packs (lighter than lead acid batteries) which may work for you. One pack would be cheaper than Panasonic supplied batteries and last 10 times as long. I note that the AG-VBR59E retails at around £190   ( ouch)

We went for the Power Pack option when Panasonic were the only suppliers of replacement batteries at £80-£90 each. The PPs were about £30 and lasted 10x as long as the OEM batteries.

chrishull3

Your right compared to cameras of the past your camera is not big,like yours my first video was a two part camera and VHS portable recorder many years ago,The battery on your cam will be a high powered long life one but a spare is advisable,the HC-X1s 1" sensor is not that large the same as in bridge cameras like the FZ2000 which i owned but the 4K PQ  will be great,all the best for great filming.