Kata DCS 3N1-30 DSLR Camera Sling / BackPack Bag

Hi All,
HAs anyone used one of the above bags, I have a Lowpro 100 which is just a bit to tight to take my camera with my Tamron lens attached to it.

I have one and it is an excellent bag. I much prefer it to the Lowepro Slingback 200 and 300 which I also have. I regularly use mine with my K20D and Pentax 55-300 attached, including the lenshood in position.

I have one, excellent bag to carry and many different options to put it up on your shoulders along with it being super light makes it a fantastic bag.
My only problem with this bag is that if you have many lenses then they will not stay properly tucked like the Tamrac or the thinktank for example. Big lenses remain wobbly in there which I hate the feeling and keep on having the impression that they will keep on rolling around inside the bag and suffer impacts although cushioned. I like to carry a bag where the lenses I put in they are properly secured and tucked in well. If this is going to be a problem then you might not like it totally.

But I have to admit, in my short few months that I have been through four different bags the one that gets the thumbs up for ease of carrying around, being light and an absolute joy to move it around the waist or back to remove the camera while its still hanging on your back the Kata 3-N1-30 wins by a long margin.

May I add also that I have never got rid of it, I keep it always and whenever I go out and just take few lenses this is the bag that goes with me. I travelled to Portugal and couldn't leave this bag behind, although took all my gear in a thinktank bag I still carried the kata tucked in my suitcase for the occasions that I was going out while there and was just taking a couple of lenses with me. Needless to say that 90% of my outings there it was the Kata that came out with me. The only time that the thinktank was dragged along instead of the Kata was when I had to tug along my bigma for the Surf world championships in Peniche where I was lucky to capture a few nice shots of the world champion Kelly Slater.
I just wish that Kata made the compartment designs a bit more approrpiate to tuck in the lenses properly rather than just like normal bags, although I must say that they are well cushioned.
These bags are made by an Israely company that manufacture military supplies, reknowned for their ability to be very strong and light at the same time.

Out of interest - why do you prefer it to the Lowepro?

I think that might have to do with the options that the Kata gives on how to hang it on your shoulders. It has a number of options and you can quickly and easily interchange them. They are quite famous for that along with the comfort in carrying it

Mine is in the cupboard now, only used occasionally , use the Lowepro Fastpack 350 instead. Reasons?

1. The MacBook Pro goes with me everywhere along with my camera now, the Kata has no laptop space.

2. Feels tougher built, lenses inside in particular feel like they have better support, less likely to move around.

3. The insides of the Kata do feel a bit flimsy compared to the Fastpack.

4. Fastpack straps are a little more comfortable.

Did like the Kata a lot when I got it, does look more stylish for a start, but it has now been relegated to the spare kit bag. As is usual advice on questions such as these, take your all your kit to a retailer that has a lot of options and try them for yourself. Bag buying can end up getting as addictive as lens buying as well, so best to get a bag you can grow into as well!

The reason I prefer the Kata over the Lowepro Slingbacks, is very much as Amin says. The ability to carry the load on both shoulders means that it is suitable for all day use and it still has quick access.
I find the Lowepros fine for short walkabouts, but the Kata is comfortable for longer periods.

With both the Kata and the Lowepros space for food, drink and clothing is rather limited. So for outward bound location photography, especially in winter, then a more roomier rucksack type bag, may be required.

Thanks for all the advice and comments, I did think about having a bag that would carry a laptop etc. but have decided against that idea (weight is the main reason for this decission)
Regards
Colin

I had to deal with this recently and my primary goal was

1) carry all my kit when I need to (hand luggage on a plane) with laptop

2) carry a selection of my kit for walks etc (possibly with laptop)

I knew I would not get away with just the one bag but I needed one small enough to carry on the plane. I already have the Lowepro Slingshot 200 so I went for the Lowepro CompuTrekker AW because it is large enough to carry everything I have so far but also small enough to take on a plane. When I say large enough I mean all my lenses, my body, my flash, all my chargers and leads, all my cleaning kit, my mz-6 film slr, my memory cards, my laptop (13") etc.

There is not much room left and it weighs in at about 12kg. I am not buying any more kit any time soon and even if I did I am not going to want to carry it all on my back!

I carry my slingshot in another bag and use that when I walk around because it is small enough to carry everything I need and the rest stays in the hotel.

I am however looking to purchase the Crumpler Pony Box or bigger Italian Connection because I like to have the option of taking my laptop with me. Roaming charges for the 3G (on iPhone) are too expensive and I prefer to surf (for directions etc) on my laptop if I can find free wifi. Obviously, this is not really an issue in the UK and the space is reserved for beer instead

I think the Pony Box has been a long time coming and Crumpler have finally nailed it. It is not quite slingshot convenience as it is a full fledged backpack but having the flexibility to pull the camera from the front of the bag is convenient enough.

The bag is also more stylish than most

I bought the Kata 3N1-20 after the zip broke on my Lowepro Slingshot 200.
This is the 3rd slingshot bag I've had that has had this problem so I decided to try the Kata

It's so much better - light, strong and with the ability to vary the carrying position as others have mentioned.

My favourite bag currently.

R

Eric, thanks for that link. Having looked at this bag I think my Kata might have the days numbered. I definitely have to go and check it out, the fact that it has compartments that lenses will sit tight and snuggly and the bag itself looks light which is one of the main features of the Kata it might just get the thumbs up for me and ditch the Kata.

Any time. The only problem with Crumpler bags is they are more expensive that Lowepro, Kata and the like. Buying them straight from Crumpler online or at their stores is not a good idea but apparently you get a 30 year guarantee for your pains.

I found Amazon sold the bigger Italian Connection for less that the Pony Box and it was the cheapest I could find. Do the rounds on the internet shops to get it at a good price but definitely walk into a store and try it out first.

Only time I've flown abroad with my kit, the weight limit was 6kg for carry on, so wouldn't want to risk that. You could also use the iPhone with free wifi for directions which is exactly what we did on Route 66 this year.

Strangely enough the Kata was bought for that trip as the fastpack was deemed 1cm too large by the airline, so again, to avoid the risk, the Kata was bought for its airline friendliness size wise. Now knowing that they didn't even check it when we arrived at the airport, I wouldn't have even bought it.

Depends who you fly with. The low cost airlines can be extremely fussy and even weigh your hand luggage. British Airways used to be very relaxed but they are losing money now and hope to recoup it by charging more for luggage.

Most other airlines are ok but the American carriers might be tight again.