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Backpacks, my two choices. Opinion please.

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I got my Kata a few months back and all i can say is wow. what a sturdy bag...i have no issues whatsoever knowing that my equipment is safe....in fact, id feel comfortable having something stacked on it or if it fell from a pretty decent height....little pricey but well worth it....
MTT said:
I been searching for a backpack to hold my D70 + equipment and my
F717. These are the two packs that I'm interested in [see below].
Have anyone use either one of these packs and what are your
thoughts on them. comfort, padding, etc. Which is better brand?

Also, does all weather [Lowepro mini trekker AW] mean my equipment
will survive a rain storm if I get caught out in one. And would
the rain cover on the Tamrac 5375 provide the same protection as
the AW lowepro pack?

I did my homework on these two packs the best that I could, but
without having excess to them, trying them on and see how I like
them, it's hard to tell which one is the best.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Mini_Trekker_AW.aspx

http://tamrac.com/5375.htm

Any thoughts,

Mark
--
I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished
it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/daryl - pbase supporter

Nikon D Seventy. SB-800, 50mm 1.8, 18-70mm ED & 70-200 VR 2.8
 
Which one do you have, 102 or 103? I am willing to pay a bit extra to get this backpack, I have heard nothing but good things about them. I wish someone local had them but I might buy one on the reviews alone. I like the feature where you can open up only part of flap to uncover the camera only.
--
Steve
http://slipkid.smugmug.com
 
yahtzee said:
I got my Kata a few months back and all i can say is wow. what a
sturdy bag...i have no issues whatsoever knowing that my equipment
is safe....in fact, id feel comfortable having something stacked on
it or if it fell from a pretty decent height....little pricey but
well worth it....
Click to expand...
How flexible is this bag. If I bought this bag, would I be able to place my L-shape 717 at the top of the bag where it curves.

Mark

--

I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
 
i got the 102 because i dont have the need to carry a laptop....the flap concept is pretty cool but if you need anything aside from the camera you still have to open the whole thing....so comfortable and unbelievablely durable.
SlipKid said:
Which one do you have, 102 or 103? I am willing to pay a bit extra
to get this backpack, I have heard nothing but good things about
them. I wish someone local had them but I might buy one on the
reviews alone. I like the feature where you can open up only part
of flap to uncover the camera only.
--
Steve
http://slipkid.smugmug.com
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/daryl - pbase supporter

Nikon D Seventy. SB-800, 50mm 1.8, 18-70mm ED & 70-200 VR 2.8
 
is as flexible as you need it to be...you can rearrange the pockets as you see fit.....i actually store my sb800 tilted in the top of the bag (although the 800 is a bit smaller.)
MTT said:
Mark

--
I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished
it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/daryl - pbase supporter

Nikon D Seventy. SB-800, 50mm 1.8, 18-70mm ED & 70-200 VR 2.8
 
Toad said:
The very top of the bag (where I store the batteries in my review-
http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/katar102/index.php ) may not be
deep enough for the 717, but most of the rest of the bag is - for
example a couple of inches over where I store my SB800.

Post some dimensions and I will measure for you.
Click to expand...
Here are the dimensions for my 717 [see below]. I'm also planning to store my sigma 70-210 zoom [about the same length as the kit lens], my Nikon 75-300 zoom [7.5 inches long], kit lens & Sunpak 383 flash.

I can see the body of the 717 fitting up top, but will the bag have too much curve for the lens?

Thanks for checking,

Mark



--

I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
 
yahtzee said:
is as flexible as you need it to be...you can rearrange the pockets
as you see fit.....i actually store my sb800 tilted in the top of
the bag (although the 800 is a bit smaller.)
Click to expand...
I'm assuming you are referring to the side dividers. But, what about the center divider, can it be changed?

Thanks,

Mark

--

I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
 
Mark, The R-102 is discontinued replaced with the R-103 which includes provisions for a laptop.

Having studied this forum and followed threads concerning all bags I bought the R-103 and it is fantastic. One thing I like about the Kata is when the bags on your back you don't need a neck strap to carry the camera, straps are supplied which connect to the camera.

This is the supplier in the UK.

http://www.dvwarehouse.co.uk/index.php

If you are outside the UK it's still worth a look to look at the range of product. I can see why this is the Pros choice, it's a no contest for quality.

Regards

Bob
 
Greencog said:
Mark, The R-102 is discontinued replaced with the R-103 which
includes provisions for a laptop.
Click to expand...
Plus a 20 dollar increased in price. If I buy one, I be looking for the 102 and I need to be able to fit my 717 in it. I don't have a lap top and I don't need to pay the extra price for this feature.
Greencog said:
Having studied this forum and followed threads concerning all bags
I bought the R-103 and it is fantastic. One thing I like about the
Kata is when the bags on your back you don't need a neck strap to
carry the camera, straps are supplied which connect to the camera.
Click to expand...
I do like this bag and the fact that you can hang your camera from the bag straps and not your neck. My neck hurts after carrying the D70 around my neck for an hour. Feels like I have whiplash.
Greencog said:
This is the supplier in the UK.

http://www.dvwarehouse.co.uk/index.php

If you are outside the UK it's still worth a look to look at the
range of product. I can see why this is the Pros choice, it's a no
contest for quality.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link. I can also purchase the bag at b&h photo.

Thanks for your reply,

Mark
Greencog said:
Regards

Bob
Click to expand...
--

I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
 
How tall is the 717 - bottom to top?

As per your question to someone else - yes you can rearrange the central horseshoe-shaped divider as you see fit. I kept the basic shape intact, but I pulled the sides in a bit to fit my own configuration.
 
Toad,

I wish I could find the article that showed the kata r-102 with all the contents but I can tell you what I put in so maybe it can help.

I have the 103 great bag as I can put my laptop in (of course it is quite heavy with the lpatop but the starps are great so it doesn't feel that bad on the back)

Center D70 w 17-55
Center above the camera I put some lense hoods for 70-200 and 17-55
70-200 on one side
space for a bag of batteries on same side as 70-200

on other side I put my video recorder around 7-8 inches long and then I also put a 85 1.8 above that.

On the stop, where is curves I put the sb800 at a 60 degree angle.

I will search for that article and hopefully get back to you so you can see it.

Hope this helps

George
 
I have the lowepro mini-trekker AW, and I think it is a wonderful bag. All of my gear, including the 70-200vr, ball head from tripod, and numerous lenses fit inside. Sure is heavy ;-).

As far as the 'all-weather'. There is a little nylon rain fly that you cover the bag with (it is attached to the bag, and hidden in a little pocket). I have gotten caught in a sprinkle - no worries there, but I don't think I'd want to test it in a full-out thunderstorm or anything.
MTT said:
I been searching for a backpack to hold my D70 + equipment and my
F717. These are the two packs that I'm interested in [see below].
Have anyone use either one of these packs and what are your
thoughts on them. comfort, padding, etc. Which is better brand?

Also, does all weather [Lowepro mini trekker AW] mean my equipment
will survive a rain storm if I get caught out in one. And would
the rain cover on the Tamrac 5375 provide the same protection as
the AW lowepro pack?

I did my homework on these two packs the best that I could, but
without having excess to them, trying them on and see how I like
them, it's hard to tell which one is the best.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Mini_Trekker_AW.aspx

http://tamrac.com/5375.htm

Any thoughts,

Mark
--
I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished
it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
Click to expand...
--
ShutterBugin
http://www.exposureproductions.smugmug.com

 
thank you so very much. I t was your article that swayed me to buy that bag. I jusy waited for the r-103.

Excellent article.

Thanks!!!!!!

George
 
Toad said:
How tall is the 717 - bottom to top?
Click to expand...
Approx. 70 mm
Toad said:
As per your question to someone else - yes you can rearrange the
central horseshoe-shaped divider as you see fit. I kept the basic
shape intact, but I pulled the sides in a bit to fit my own
configuration.
Click to expand...
That's good. Right now I favor the Lowepro & Tamrac bags because the two bags look more square then round. It appears that my 717 will fit these two bags better. But, it's hard to say without loading my equipment in them.

Thanks,
Mark

--

I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
 
GeorgeF said:
http://www.photofx-canada.com/Kata%20R-102.html

Check this out and you can get a really good feeling of what you
can pack in.
Click to expand...
I seen this review already. But, I can't see a good spot for my 717. I just don't think my L shape camera will fit in the curve part of the bag.

Mark
GeorgeF said:
It's got great pictures

George
Click to expand...
--

I'm a mechanic to survive, but a photographer for fun. Just wished it were the other way around. Mark Thompson/MTT
Louisville, KY. USA

http://mtt.smugmug.com/
 
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