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Kata R-102 Photo Backpack mini review

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Rob,

The review was very helpful. You have a great website.

You might want to cross post this link in the Pro talk forum

--
Mark
 
I've had one for a few months. Works well, I've got it configured to hold my D70 + 80-200 f2.8 in the center section, with other lenses/extras around the outside.

The tripod holder is a little strange, seem like the straps were not sewn on at the best orientation but Kata says that's the way they designed it.

--
Scott
 
I think Kata should use your review on their website. I was looking at this bag,but went with a mini trekker. I looked at their website and wanted to see more views of it. The mini trekker I checked out first hand . If I had seen this review I probably would have gone with the Kata. Excellent job!

--
Scott S.
 
Thanks Scott:

I know exactly what you mean. When I was checking out the Kata, I found that available pictures and info online were pretty much zero - lots of features were implied, but you really didn't get an idea of how they worked or what they looked like. Fortunately, one of the few places in Canada that sells Kata bags is close to my office, so I was able to get hands-on with it before purchase. I wrote this review so that people wouldn't overlook this wonderful bag based on lack of information.
 
For sure. I have configured the back to have 2 cameras in the center instead of a large attached lens - but that configuration is also totally possible.
RecalcitrantRon said:
will the bag take a big lens, say a 300mm 2.8 attached to a camera?

--
Just my nickels worth.
Happy Snappin'!

Ron
----------------------------------------------------
http://www.pbase.com/recalcitrantron
FCAS Member No. 68
pbase supporter
D Seventy
Click to expand...
 
Looks interesting... does it have a hib/waist strap (can't quite tell from the pics)? I find a hip belt really helps with 20lb of camera gear on my back ;-)
Toad said:
I recently did a lot of research looking for a camera backpack, and
reviews that I read in this forum were invaluable to me.

So turn-about is fair play. I chose the Kata R-102 - and I have
written a review of how I use it and what I can put it it.

http://www.photofx-canada.com/Kata%20R-102.html

Feel free to ask any questions that you have.

Best
Rob
Click to expand...
 
It doesn't have a waist strap. The bag actually rides a little higher than that - so if it did have one, it would be more like a stomach strap. The Kata is designed to work with the Kata waist pack and chest pack as a modular system that all attaches together - so this may possibly explain that design decision. For what its worth, I find it very comfortable without the waist strap - but I understand your point completely.
Keith D. said:
Looks interesting... does it have a hib/waist strap (can't quite
tell from the pics)? I find a hip belt really helps with 20lb of
camera gear on my back ;-)
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for posting this. I am currently very happy with my Tamrac shoulder bag (I'm a strapping young lad without too much gear). When/if I'm in the market for a backpack style bag this will definitely be high on my list.
Toad said:
I recently did a lot of research looking for a camera backpack, and
reviews that I read in this forum were invaluable to me.

So turn-about is fair play. I chose the Kata R-102 - and I have
written a review of how I use it and what I can put it it.

http://www.photofx-canada.com/Kata%20R-102.html

Feel free to ask any questions that you have.

Best
Rob
Click to expand...
 
Rob, I appreciate your review. Nicely done. Unless you live in New York, you can not get your hands on a lot of products. Most sites give very minimum pics (I do not understand this sales strategy). I looked at this one but could not tell. I like it for a lot of the reasons that you pointed out.
Toad said:
I recently did a lot of research looking for a camera backpack, and
reviews that I read in this forum were invaluable to me.

So turn-about is fair play. I chose the Kata R-102 - and I have
written a review of how I use it and what I can put it it.

http://www.photofx-canada.com/Kata%20R-102.html

Feel free to ask any questions that you have.

Best
Rob
Click to expand...
--
Just an amateur
http://www.pbase.com/moosehead
 
Great review Rob,

You're right it doesnt really need a waist belt because of the way the shoulder straps are part of a unique suspension system that keeps all the weight from pinching your shoulders. And I'll add that it works great with the chest pack and waist pack. The chest pack is great to have a camera a little more "at hand" while hiking. The belt pack I've used by itself on a short day hike, or to carry my Bigma. That way i can take it or leave it without rearranging the gear in the pack.
Toad said:
  • so this may possibly explain that design decision. For what its
worth, I find it very comfortable without the waist strap - but I
understand your point completely.
Keith D. said:
Looks interesting... does it have a hib/waist strap (can't quite
tell from the pics)? I find a hip belt really helps with 20lb of
camera gear on my back ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I think you have probably done my research for me.

But could you elaborate a bit more on how the tripod is attached? Looks like you have the 3221 Bogen. How does the pack wear when the tripod is attached? Balanced? etc.
Toad said:
I recently did a lot of research looking for a camera backpack, and
reviews that I read in this forum were invaluable to me.

So turn-about is fair play. I chose the Kata R-102 - and I have
written a review of how I use it and what I can put it it.

http://www.photofx-canada.com/Kata%20R-102.html

Feel free to ask any questions that you have.

Best
Rob
Click to expand...
--
Joe

Proud FCAS member #101
CATS > ^..^
WSSA member #46

Nikon Coolpix 5700, SB-50 DX , Nikon D 70, 18-70mm Nikkor DX, 80-200mm f/2.8 D ED Nikkor-Zoom, SB-800
http://www.pbase.com/mrmom
http://jalan.smugmug.com
 
My tripod is badged as a Siarovski (the telescope company) - but I know that it is manufactured by Manfrotto - it is a medium sized tripod - not particularly heavy but definately not lightweight. The pack is heavier and slightly more awkward when the tripod is attached, but totally carriable. I have chosen the back mounting technique (the tripod will also mount on either side) which keeps the load stable and balanced to carry. I will only discuss the back mount - the other techniques are similar (they just use side loops).

If you look at the very first photo in my review (back of the pack), you will see that there are 4 pairs of loops on the the edge of the rapid access port. The second pair of loops from the top in the picture shows what they call a Slik-clip (I may have the name wrong) on each side.

The pack comes with a sturdy pouch that holds 2 legs of the tripod. The pouch has 2 straps - each with a Slik-clip on it - and I attached these clips to the second set of loops from the bottom of the access port. There are also 2 straps with Slik clips on them that I attached to the top 2 loops. The 2 straps buckle together to hold the tripod in place. This system allows the rapid access port to be fully opened with the tripod held firmly in place because the loops are integral parts of the access port.

Sorry if this is unclear. It is an ingenious system that is kind of dsifficult to describe.
j.alan said:
I think you have probably done my research for me.

But could you elaborate a bit more on how the tripod is attached?
Looks like you have the 3221 Bogen. How does the pack wear when
the tripod is attached? Balanced? etc.
Click to expand...
 
I felt the same way - I would have given this one a miss if I had not been fortunate enough to be able to see one first hand at the distributor. The information online on this pack was so minimal it was quite pathetic.

Give my best to Ohio - one of my favorite places.

Rob
CarlC said:
Rob, I appreciate your review. Nicely done. Unless you live in New
York, you can not get your hands on a lot of products. Most sites
give very minimum pics (I do not understand this sales strategy). I
looked at this one but could not tell. I like it for a lot of the
reasons that you pointed out.
Click to expand...
 
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