Kata 3n1-30 Review

[riyazi]

Great timing - I got this bag (in almost brand new condition) from a fellow POTNer only last week. I was thinking of doing a review of it with pics this weekend

Absolutely love it and most importantly the wife likes it as well because of the design I really liked the Slingshot 300 which I still have but after I got the 150-500mm it is a bit difficult to use the SS because of the weight - the Kata is not a problem at all as it feels much more comfortable and secure even with more stuff in there than what I had in the SS. The main compartment not opening fully is the only real problem I have - I find it irritating that I have to fight the bag to get to the top part of the main compartment. With the SS I could open the main compartment very easily with the bag still slung on one shoulder and even change lenses without putting the bag down and have access to everything in the main compartment. With the Kata (like mentioned above) you need to make sure that those less used items are in the top part because if you need to get these items you will need to put the bag down and open it.

I love the fact that it can be used as a sling as well as a backpack and that straps including the waist strap can be tucked away when not in use (not possible with SS where the waist strap used to rub against my spine). And the design looks very good.

[dan j]

I know, it's definitely more comfortable than the SS. Well, for most users. I know there's a few guys that disagree.

The problem with getting to the top of the main compartment is a trade off Kata made for their quick access system. I prefer the Kata's QA, but know the middle upper pocket in the main is going to be difficult to access. But, on the plus side, the 3n1 has QA pockets on either side. Great if you're a lefty. Great for accessories (I can access my ST-E2 in 2 seconds from the lefty QA pocket).

dan

[oneeyejack]

Mathias927: if i decided to leave my 24-70 mounted most of the time and put the 70-200 f/2.8 in the bottom, would you recommend the 30 or 20? would the 70-200 even fit in the bottom part?

[Mathias927]

Do you mean if the 70-200 can fit in the 20? You can arrange the dividers to fit. With the 20, I only had a problem when the 70-200 was attached to my body.

[oneeyejack]

yeah that's what i meant. i plan on keeping the 24-70 mounted most of the time and just leaving the 70-200 off.

thanks!!

[Mathias927]

You will be fine with the 20 than if those are the only 2 lenses you plan to carry. You might be able to fit 1 or 2 more smaller lenses though if you ever decide.

[oneeyejack]

would i be able to fit my two lenses and also a speedlite?

[tigerotor77w]

You would be able to fit the 24-70 mounted and a 70-200 f2.8 and Speedlight in either the 20 or the 30.

I have the 20, and though my 7-2 is the f4 IS, the f2.8 will definitely fit *unmounted*. The 24-70 not being a huge lot bigger than the 17-55 that I have, it, too will fit. There is sufficient room in my bag for a 50/1.8, but I have pads so that I squared off a small space just for the 50/1.8 There's more room available that would fit the Speedlight.

[mullhawk]

are the straps longer on the 30 then the 20?
I just got my 20 today, spent about an hour messing around with the dividers, still don't think I have them the way I want them, but anyway.
I am a pretty big guy, and I find that to wear this bag in sling mode it is too small, I am going to have to wear it as a backpack, and sort of flip it around and sling it to access my camera. I can do this pretty quickly, not quite as quick as normal sling mode, but I think quickly enough. I was wondering if I went with the 30, if the straps might be long enough to be more comfortable for me to wear as a sling bag.
Since you have had both, do you notice the straps being longer when pulled out all the way, or is it all relative since the bag is bigger the straps don't actually feel any longer??
Also looking at some of these pics, the cameras seem a bit loose do you worry about them flopping around, I spent the last hour trying to get my camera as tight in there as possible, where I still can access it, but it isn't bouncing around. Am I just paranoid? I do want to get a grip for my camera, which will make it take up a little more room, but right now, I just have way more bag then gear...

[Mathias927]

Pics added.

Originally Posted by mullhawk

are the straps longer on the 30 then the 20?
I just got my 20 today, spent about an hour messing around with the dividers, still don't think I have them the way I want them, but anyway.
I am a pretty big guy, and I find that to wear this bag in sling mode it is too small, I am going to have to wear it as a backpack, and sort of flip it around and sling it to access my camera. I can do this pretty quickly, not quite as quick as normal sling mode, but I think quickly enough. I was wondering if I went with the 30, if the straps might be long enough to be more comfortable for me to wear as a sling bag.
Since you have had both, do you notice the straps being longer when pulled out all the way, or is it all relative since the bag is bigger the straps don't actually feel any longer??
Also looking at some of these pics, the cameras seem a bit loose do you worry about them flopping around, I spent the last hour trying to get my camera as tight in there as possible, where I still can access it, but it isn't bouncing around. Am I just paranoid? I do want to get a grip for my camera, which will make it take up a little more room, but right now, I just have way more bag then gear...

Not sure about if the straps are longer. I am not too big, so that never really occured to me. I you need me to, I would have no problem measuring the straps of my 30 for you.

About the camera flopping around, I noticed that to when I got my bag. Look at my pics and you will see what I did to fix it.

[morpheus6d9]

mullhawk im a big guy myself and the 3n1-30 fits me better than the 3n1-20

[morpheus6d9]

has anyone found the secret compartment it surprised the hell out of me i can fit my ibm x61s in there

[dan j]

Are you talking about the Velcro pocket? My laptop is too big, but I could probably fit my wife's XPS 1210 in it. It'd be better if they reversed the opening but it's nice to have. I stuffed mine with cardboard on my last flight for a little extra protection.

dan

[mullhawk]

ugh, I am torn now. If I return it, I will have to pay the return shipping, probably $10-$15, and the extra $25 for the 30, and have to wait another two weeks to have my bag, just to see if it might be a little more comfortable in sling mode. My stuff is already swimming in this bag as it is, I can't imagine the straps being that much longer to make it comfortable enough for me to wear it that way...
Thanks for the replies, no need to measure the straps, but thanks for the offer, I think I just need to try one on, I am going to try to find a store somewhere in the area that sells Kata bags and see if it is worth the hassle of upgrading...

[Mathias927]

Which secret compartment! I shall find it.

Mullhawk, how much did you buy the bag for? Amazon has it for about 80 for the large, brand new. That is where I got mine.