Kata bags: Opinion?

TylerW

been eyeing the R-103 rucksack for about a week now to suit my photo backpack needs. No one I know carries them, and I hate buying stuff sight unseen, but the quality just looks to be absolutely top shelf with these guys. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they as stout as they look? Is getting to your gear a fussy affair? Are they comfortable enough for all-day wearability?

Thanks in advance.

wxwax

I looked at the ones B&H had on their shelves.

I didn't like them. Build quality did not feel good. Additional storage was meager and an afterthought. The bags felt cramped.

About the only thing I like was the second "hatch" giving access to your gear.

I was most unimpressed.

TylerW

That's a mixed bummer. Any other recommendations for all-day comfort packs that will easily hold a telephoto or two, as well as a laptop?

Dante

Sorry to hear that...I was also looking at buying a Kata R-103.

I've been looking for a backpack that will hold a 30D with a 70-200 2.8L IS attached and a couple additional lenses - anyone have recommendations?

Thanks,

-Dante

wxwax

TylerW wrote:

That's a mixed bummer. Any other recommendations for all-day comfort packs that will easily hold a telephoto or two, as well as a laptop?

As long as you don't want to carry too many accessories, the Karachi Outpost is comfortable. But don't expect a lot of storage for anything other than lenses and laptop. I also have the small Tenba backpack, it will hold a lot, but I'm not sure it's all day comfortable (Patch tells me I'm just using the belt wrong.)

wxwax

Dante wrote:

Sorry to hear that...I was also looking at buying a Kata R-103.

I've been looking for a backpack that will hold a 30D with a 70-200 2.8L IS attached and a couple additional lenses - anyone have recommendations?

Thanks,

-Dante

Lots of 'em out there. The Lowepro mini trekker can easily hold that.

claudermilk

Interesting. I looked a little at the R-104 on the floor at Samy's & thought it was well-made & had plenty of room. I've been looking at getting the R-103 after the lens collection grows more; I might go Lowepro as well since my current two bags are Lowepro (OffTrail2 and Slingshot 200--the reason for my Samy's visit), both are excellent.

Check out www.cambags.com to see what the various choices can hold in the real world.

DavidTO

I have the Karachi Outpost, and it's comfortable, more comfortable than my LowePro CompuTrekker. I gotta say, though, that the LowePro is much more space efficient.

TylerW

DavidTO wrote:

I have the Karachi Outpost, and it's comfortable, more comfortable than my LowePro CompuTrekker. I gotta say, though, that the LowePro is much more space efficient.

I don't know if I need the full karachi outpost, but that Whickey ad Cox is looking better and better the more I see it. Its a fair amount to spend on a backpack, but I don't want to buy something and feel like I need to make apologies for it later.

Is it unreasonable to think I could fit a 10d w/a 70-200mm + 1.4exII tc, another (perhaps longer) zoom, such as a 100-400 L, plus a walkaround 28-80 in there?

Also, does it have any external loops, etc that I could clip a water bottle to via a carabiner?

wxwax

DavidTO wrote:

I have the Karachi Outpost, and it's comfortable, more comfortable than my LowePro CompuTrekker. I gotta say, though, that the LowePro is much more space efficient.

I looked at the Computrekker too. And you can see where the backpack world falls into two categories: those built for comfort, and those built for carrying capacity.

The Compu is totally squared off, not a natural shape, and so not good for long hikes or daylong carrying, but carries scads of stuff. The Karachi is exactly the opposite.

USAIR

TylerW wrote:

been eyeing the R-103 rucksack for about a week now to suit my photo backpack needs. No one I know carries them, and I hate buying stuff sight unseen, but the quality just looks to be absolutely top shelf with these guys. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they as stout as they look? Is getting to your gear a fussy affair? Are they comfortable enough for all-day wearability?

Thanks in advance.

I have had the 103 for a while now.
Here's my review on it.

The bag is one very tough bag very well padded.
Very versatile you can change it to suit your needs.

I have never taken the bag on long hikes so not sure how comfortable it would be.
I don't use it that way.
I usually carry all my stuff in it then kinda use it as a "base camp" take what I need out put it into another bag.(if that makes any sense)

You just can't beat seeing and touching the bags before you buy.

Hope that helps
Fred

TylerW

Very good review, lots of good images showing how things work. After checking a few other reviews on FredMiranda, I'm thinking of the Kata R-103 over the Crumpler Whickey & cox. I like the general Crumpler business attitude, but the kata looks more versatile, more rugged, and I like its functionality and combat-inspired looks over the outdoorsey fashion sense of the Crumpler.

Going to a photo expo/marketplace next weekend, hopefully will be able to get my hands on both there to reach a final decision. Thanks to everyone for the info! Its just more testament as to why this forum is such a fine place to rest my eyes.

wxwax