Kata R-103 & T-212 Review

Surprisingly the shipment from the Midwestbags.com came sooner than expected, so here's my promised review of Kata R-103 backpack and T-212 slinger bag.

I'm not gonna go into the materials themselves since you can get a highly detailed info from their own website. Just remember that Kata is a company that specializes in body armors.

The first impression:

WOW!! Both carriers are built like body armors themselves. Having either of these things around my body makes me feel like I'm wearing a bullit-proof vest. You like Lowepro or Tamrac? While I don't own either of these brands, I've tried them at a local camera store. Built and material wise, simply no comparison, in my opinion. I've heard nothing but good things about Kata bags prior to ordering them, but these bags went beyond my anticipation. I'm 100% satisfied and happy with what I got.

The Kata R-103 Backpack Space and Organization:

In the center compartment I can easily fit either of my 24-70mm or 70-200mm lenses with the hood. The side compartments can easily fit either of these lenses, 580EX Flash, 2x Extender, another lens, and the battery recharger. The first front cover zipper opens up to quickly grab the camera with whatever the attached lens. The second front cover zipper then opens up for the whole viewing of your hardware. Inside of this second front cover has one storage room that can be divided up in two with a velcro divider for lots of additional accessories -- filters, cleaners, lens covers, batteries, and whatnot. There's another storage on this front cover for storing manuals or other documents or lens tissues and such flat items.

On the backside of the bag is the place for a laptop or something else flat. It won't fit my 17" Dell XPS, but that's probably a blessing. It looks like it's designed to fit 15" laptop or smaller. The interior color for all compartments is dark yellow that is very soothing to the eyes, comforting and stylish. This backpack also comes with a couple of small net bags and the rain protector cover that can be flipped inside out to be used as the sun and heat protector. It also comes with a detachable (and very tough) holder for either a monopod or a tripod. Because the bag is a part of the Kata's Ergonomic Photo System (EPH), it is designed to be attached to their other bags, like T-212 slinger.

The T-212 Slinger Space and Organization:

While this looks like something that won't be able to hold a lot of stuff, because of its extendable outer cover, it actually holds more than what your eyes can see. The inner space can be divided into two compartments with the zipper that runs vertically in the middle. With the zipper down, I can comfortably place my 20D with 24-70 lens in it without having to struggle to close the bag. It's not large enough to fit the same WITH the lens hood. With the zipper divider, I can comfortably fit my 24-70 lens on one side and 70-200 on the other. There's another zipper compartment where you can, along with the above equipments, place a couple of books or mauals or whatever accessories that are preferrably flat. Again, the interior is of the same yellow color that is very attractive. This bag is designed to fit your body like a glove, so climbing a tree when chased by a grizzly won't be a problem. The shoulder padding is not only thick and comfortable, but it's also very wide such that it looks like I can carry this thing all day without distressing.

Conclusion:

I'm extremely impressed by their quality and design, so I'm very happy with my decision making and my instinct to order these without ever having my eyes laid on either of them. Both bags are definite keepers. Those free gift bags (Crumpler) that Midwestbags.com sent along with the order are also very nice, albeit smaller than anticipated. I can certainly use them for holding my cell phone in one and my Canon A80 in the other. Or give to my 6 and 8 year old boys to place their gameboys in them. A perfect service, quick delivery, free shipping, nice gifts, and most important of all, perfect bags.

In fact, I'm going to order another bag from Kata: either Holster-12 or Holster-14. If anyone thinks the aforementioned slinger bag, T-212, is a tad small for your purpose, I think either of these would be your better choice.

Feel free to throw any questions at me regarding these items.

1) fit with a grip?
2) fit wearing the 70-200?

Q's for the T-212.

I don't have the grip for my 20D (heard so many problems with it that I refuse to get one until Canon completely fixes it), but I think it'll fit in T-212.

T-212 won't accommodate 2), so you'll be better off going with the Holster-14.

Of course no problem accommodating both 1) and 2) in the backpack, R-103.

Rather than start up another thread, I thought I'd tack on the end of this one...

I bought the T-212 a few months ago and have been absolutely DELIGHTED with it. Here's some photos:

Great info - many thanks. Can yiou only wear the bag on your front or can it swivel round?

Sorry about the delay- I had to test out your question and figure out the best way to explain the answer! The first thing you have to understand, is if you're wearing the pack as designed (on your front), then the padded strap sits over your left shoulder. You then have two clips that fasten- one at each hip.

You can swivel it around onto your back by undoing a clip at the hip (I found the left hip worked easiest for me.) and sliding the pack section back and up under your right arm, then refastening the clip at the left hip again. In doing it this way though, you end up with the non-padded section of the bag's straps sitting on your left shoulder. Wearing it like this is doable- but not particularly comfortable for long durations. I do actually make half of this maneuver if I'm trying to do something that requires me to stand close to something and I don't want the pack in the way out in front of my body. I undo the clip at the left hip and then swing the pack around to my side. The padded strap is still over my shoulder at this point in the "swivel" and is quite comfortable still in this position.

If you actually wanted to carry the pack on your back and have the padded strap in the right place, the only way to do it is to take it off completely and put it back on (on your back of course) with the padded strap over your right shoulder. Personally, I find that the position I have all of the straps adjusted to for front-wear mean that they're all in the wrong spot now for total comfort, but I guess it's not too difficult to adjust them again.

I hope that answers your question. I can take some pics of this process if you like.

That's great. I guess what I am after is more like a lowepro slingshot. SOmething I can chuck a body and couple of lenses in and have them handy up front when changing lenses....

Your info helps, thanks for being a guniea pig

Here's a couple of other thoughts for you:
Another thing I liked about any of the sling design bags is the ability to have things not only handy up front like you mentioned... but also safely away from sneaky thieves. When I looked at Lowepro and Tamrac's sling style bags, I liked the fact that things were nicely padded and separated inside, but I preferred the way that the Kata moulds to however much stuff is in it. It didn't feel as bulky on as the Lowepro and Tamrac models did and I had more options with how I could fit my gear inside. I find the T-212 does exactly what you describe, but you might prefer the padding in the other models. Like everything- you sacrifice one feature for another. BTW, there's a new model out that has improved on the T-212, called the T-214. Worth checking out also. Here's a link:
http://www.cambags.com …/264/sort/2/cat​/38/page/1

No worries about being a guinea pig, lol. Good luck with your choice.

keenasmustard - your reviews have been very helpful. I just placed my order for the R103 and now I'm thinking about the T212 or T214 to use for short hikes and walks etc while on vacation rather than carrying everything I own in the backpack. Actually I don't even own all that much right now but I'm buying for the future.

I have a 20D with kit 18-55 lens plus a new EF-S10-22, 28-135 IS and 100 f2.8 macro. Hopefully in the next year I will also get one of the 70-200 zooms.

Is the T212 or T214 a good idea?

Mickey

t-214 is a great bag IF you don't have the battery grip. Much to my disappointment, I had to return mine because I had to kind of stretch it with my other hand to get the camera inside the bag.

I had to settle for a lowepro slingshot 200. While I've been pretty happy w/the lowepro bag, I really wish I could have found a kata bag that would have suited me better. I have the R-103 as well and I absolutely LOVE that thing. I'm never worried about any of my equipment while it's in that bag.

Well, my Kata R103 arrived today. It truly is really well made but looks huge compared to what I have been using. I'm thinking about returning it. I just can't decide. Do I really need this much protection when I only travel with my equipment a couple of times a year?

I find it a little hard to get on and off, even empty except for my laptop. Maybe it's because I'm a woman of about 5'6", a little overweight and pretty curvy , not sure. It also just barely holds my laptop if I take both of the stick shaped pads out.

It will definitely hold my photo gear with some room to spare for future splurges. But my existing Domke bag will hold everything too, barely, but no laptop. Domke doesn't have much padding but it sure holds a lot. Is the extra padding just overkill if you are carrying everything?

I bought the bag because my husband and I are going to Hawaii next month and I wanted to be sure I could carry all my gear and have it protected on the flights, etc. but now I'm wondering if this is overkill for what I have. Alternative would be to carry the Domke and a computer case on those trips (like this weekend to Houston) where I need it all.

Is the $180 better put towards another lens?

Mickey

I just revisited this post, because my Mum is thinking of buying a sling bag and I pointed her to this thread to check out the Kata bag. For some reason my pics weren't working, but hopefully I've sorted them out now. Please let me know if you guys can't see them your end.

Anyway, I thought I'd add that I have looked at the T-214 in a store and it is an amazing improvement on the T-212. Access to your camera is much smoother and easier, thanks to the improved zipper opening. It also has extra pockets and the harness has had some improvements. That's all off the top of my head (I looked at it a while back), but my point to anyone out there deciding between the two- go for the T-214. It's a bit more expensive, but worth it for the improvements Kata has made.

I still LOVE my T-212, even almost a year on from my earlier review. I personally find it difficult to pay the full amount, plus more to upgrade to the T-214, as it seems an awful shame to let my old bag just sit there and collect dust. So, some wisdom from this is, if you can't afford the extra dough for the T-214, or have an offer of a cheap 212, then the 212 is still a great bag!

keenasmustard wrote in post #2684075
I just revisited this post, because my Mum is thinking of buying a sling bag and I pointed her to this thread to check out the Kata bag. For some reason my pics weren't working, but hopefully I've sorted them out now. Please let me know if you guys can't see them your end.

Anyway, I thought I'd add that I have looked at the T-214 in a store and it is an amazing improvement on the T-212. Access to your camera is much smoother and easier, thanks to the improved zipper opening. It also has extra pockets and the harness has had some improvements. That's all off the top of my head (I looked at it a while back), but my point to anyone out there deciding between the two- go for the T-214. It's a bit more expensive, but worth it for the improvements Kata has made.

I still LOVE my T-212, even almost a year on from my earlier review. I personally find it difficult to pay the full amount, plus more to upgrade to the T-214, as it seems an awful shame to let my old bag just sit there and collect dust. So, some wisdom from this is, if you can't afford the extra dough for the T-214, or have an offer of a cheap 212, then the 212 is still a great bag!

Well, this is very timely! I was thinking lately of upgrading to T-214, and I think I will....

Glad I helped someone... Hey can someone help me out here? Every time I log on, it appears that my images (earlier in the thread) aren't showing up. I'm just seeing the little "x" boxes. I don't know if it's a problem my end or not.

keenasmustard wrote in post #2737209
Glad I helped someone... Hey can someone help me out here? Every time I log on, it appears that my images (earlier in the thread) aren't showing up. I'm just seeing the little "x" boxes. I don't know if it's a problem my end or not.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=269622

See if this solves the problem...