Review - KATA 3N1 - 25PL

First of all before getting into the review and the bag porn, I'd like to say.. "THANK YOU" to all the POTN members that helped me with my bag search and suggestion to various different backpack w/ sling + side access type bag. Although, I used the SEARCH button several times trying to find reviews for the Kenti, but in the end, personal suggestions from members still RULES!!

Secondly, this might be TLDR.. so be warned.

Let's start... I've used a sling before (Tamrac Velocity 7 - Sold) and messenger (Crumpler 7M) and both are very good and loved it, BUT my shoulder's didn't love me. When using my Tamrac, I could fit my 5D2+grip, 70-200L f2.8 IS, 50 f1.4 and my 580EX2 in there. The lens were not mounted. Crumpler 7M home fit ALL my gears in my sig including my 30D gripped. But both ended up too much pressure for my shoulders (switching it off didn't help much).

So after looking at the Kata 3n1-22 and the 33, i felt the 22 was too small and the 33 was too bulky and fat (too boxy). Then I saw the 25PL (prolight) and was worried that the shoulder strap would feel spongy when fully loaded. But, still took a chance and got it. I'm sure glad I did.

I was able to fit all these into the bag and still have the side access bags (4 of them empty and even the side pouch inside the top compartment empty too.

In the main compartment I was able to fit the following:
- 70-200L f2.8 IS w/ hood reversed
- 5D2 gripped + 24-70L mounted w/ hood reversed
- 30D gripped
- battery charger + wired shutter remote (in the small space above the 24-70)

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Gratz on being able to pull the trigger on a bag before me!

Thanks for showing us pics of the bag loaded. Would a 13" Macbook/Pro fit in the laptop slot? Can you put the 5DII gripped with the 70-200/2.8 attached to it into the side access position?

5D2 + 70-200 would not fit. just putting the 70-200 in there leaves only 3cm of gap left.

You can try it on the 30 or 33 version first. if it fits snug at your local cam shop, then the 35 should fit.

As for the Macbook, I don't have one, but as long as ur dimension is like this then it should fit.

Dimensions (with small 4-cell battery in):
Width: 11.6 inches
Depth: 8.3 inches
Thickness: 0.8 - 1.4"

in this case, i think u just need to worry about the depth no to exceed the 8.3". the width would fit, since there's still plenty of room up top.

Nice review!

Can you put your 5D2 + 70-200 into your new bag in the same way I put my 20D + 100-400 in my Kata 3n1-20 as shown below?

ronnie, yes I can put it that way, but when i did it like that, i noticed i would not be able to maximize all the space in the bag. without a battery grip then i was able to fit it in that way. and i could fit my 24-70 in the place where you put your 100mm, but its really snug.

Wonderful review. Thanks a bunch.
Quick question on quick draw access. Kata site says that this feature should be used only when using bag in sling or X (chock me) position. How about when using as regular back pack, can it be used same way same for accessing side opening as as Lowepro Fastpack and if it can why would Kata disapprove this option?

Here's a question that may not be obvious unless you have the bag on hand... Can you use both side access points at the same time? (Grab camera w/o lens on one side and grab lenses from the other side).

andrew, i don't like the X position either, so for me i'd use it like a regular backpack. in that case, i can still sling it around to access it. but i do notice that it's more optimized for sling position as once you slide it around when you access it from the side, the bag feels more secure on your shoulder. if from backpack position, you'd have to hold the bag with your left hand just in case if it slides off your left shoulder.

wunhang wrote in post #13992253
Here's a question that may not be obvious unless you have the bag on hand... Can you use both side access points at the same time? (Grab camera w/o lens on one side and grab lenses from the other side).

Yes. there's opening from both side depending on how you configure the inside compartment. so if you like to store body only on 1 side and lens on the other, you can do that too. plus depending on if you are lefty or right, this bag can fit different side access preference.

EOS mE wrote in post #13992304
andrew, i don't like the X position either, so for me i'd use it like a regular backpack. in that case, i can still sling it around to access it. but i do notice that it's more optimized for sling position as once you slide it around when you access it from the side, the bag feels more secure on your shoulder. if from backpack position, you'd have to hold the bag with your left hand just in case if it slides off your left shoulder.

Yes. there's opening from both side depending on how you configure the inside compartment. so if you like to store body only on 1 side and lens on the other, you can do that too. plus depending on if you are lefty or right, this bag can fit different side access preference.

Thanks, still makes me wonder why that type of drawing works just fine with Lowepro Fastpack, what could be the difference.
Two side access is a nice feature, with proper configuration can let you access all your lenses w/o taking bag off.

the difference between the fastpack and the 25PL strap. the fastpack strap is regular backpack style, whereas the 25PL las a slight curve in the strap giving you more support when used in a regular backpack style. for me even on the fastpack when i tried it at the shop with stuff in it, i'd still have to hold the bag with my left hand. maybe it's just me being paranoid.

And do you find straps "spongy"?

NOPE! that's the part I love!! before getting this one, i went to a local cam shop and fully loaded my gear into the 22 and the 30 & 33 version and it was spongy for me. but the 25PL, looks like they modified it and now it's not spongy anymore, which i love!!

When I got the 1st iteration of this bag a few years ago, one of the major complaints is the gap below the side release buckle in the side access. Without this gap, you can't pull apart both zippers of the side access flap at one go.

Many were worried about dust and water gaining access to the precious gears within via this gap. Subsequently, Kata addressed this fear by using a thin strap to come in-between the zippers instead. To me, with the initial design, I don't have dust entering my bag as the gap is covered by the side release buckle when in use anyway. I was caught in a few tropical storms while using this bag and the raincover serves its purpose well and there's no water seeping in via the gap.

What's the design in this latest iteration? I can't see them in your other photos in ImageShack

ronnie.. which gap are you referring to? got a pic? this is my first KATA ever owned, so not 100% sure which part you are referring to.

Hmm, I don't have a pic of it on hand.

I'm talking about the design of the side access flap for quick draw without putting down the bag. When you want to access your gear on the move, you swing the bag to one side, open the side release buckle and pull the whole flap apart. Is there a thin strap in-between the zippers underneath?