Kata H-14 • Anyone use one of these?

Anyone here ever use a Kata H-14 bag?

If so, what could you fit in it, and how do/did you like it?

Thanks!

Hmmm... not exactly as popular as the Crumplers, eh?

I use one as my primary walkaround bag; usually carrying my 5D mounted with a 24-105 and my 220EX (fill) flash in the side pocket. The bag is very well built and does an excellent job of protects its contents.

kster wrote in post #2714532
I use one as my primary walkaround bag; usually carrying my 5D mounted with a 24-105 and my 220EX (fill) flash in the side pocket. The bag is very well built and does an excellent job of protects its contents.

Thanks! Do you know how a mounted 70-200 f/4 does in this bag?

Also, is there a special "pocket" for the rain cover that comes with it?

I don't have the 70-200 f4 but I doubt it would fit mounted on a 5D. I know the 70-200f2.8 IS has no chance of fitting with a 5D.

There are two side pockets that are pretty long so I guess they could be used for the rain cover (but there isn't a "rain cover pocket").

kster wrote in post #2714579
I don't have the 70-200 f4 but I doubt it would fit mounted on a 5D.

Sorry, this would be on a 30D, not a 5D.

kster wrote in post #2714579
there isn't a "rain cover pocket".

Bummer. I was hoping it would have one (similar to the Lowepro).

I can fit a 5D and 70-200 2.8L IS (hood reversed) in the H-14. Snug fit, but it works. 30D and 70-200 f/4 would fit just fine. My favorite combination, the 5D and 24-70L, fits with a bit of room to spare. The 24-70L with hood in shooting position is at least as big as the 70-200 f/4L. On top of that, I can fit a 580 in one side pocket, and a 100 macro or smaller in the other. The nice thing, however, is that those side pockets don't stick out if you don't have anything in them, giving it a rather low profile.

Fabulous bag, and protects the contents very well.

It does come with a rain cover/heat shield. Black on one side, silver on the other. Both impermeable. Just stretches over the bag and tightens with a drawstring.

Interesting. I do have a tripod L bracket mounted on my 5D so I wonder if this is preventing me from fitting the 70-200f2.8 IS. But then again, I haven't tried really forcing it yet either.

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #2714648
30D and 70-200 f/4 would fit just fine.

Excellent!

Question: if the 30D / 70-200 f/4 combo is in the middle with a reversed hood, would there be room on the sides for a 17-55 lens (in one side slot) and an external flash (on the other side slot)?

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #2714648
It does come with a rain cover/heat shield. Just stretches over the bag and tightens with a drawstring.

Where in the bag do you keep this cover?

Thanks in advance...

Oh, one other thing:

I'm trying to compare this bag to a Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home. If anyone has experience with both bags, please share your comments.

Thanks!

I've had the H-14 for a little over year now, and it's the bag that I use most. By the way I use this in combination with the Kata S-308 for greater comfort and additional storage rooms. Both look like one unit and VERY stylish.

In the H-14 itself I can put my 70-200 f/2.8 attached to my 20D with the hood reversed, or my 24-70 with the hood ready to shoot. On the side pockets, I normally have my 580EX on one pocket and in another, 85 or 10-22 or 100 macro and some cards and extra batteries, etc.

Very comfortable, and the outer shell cusion adds extra protection in case of bump.

SoundsGood wrote in post #2714685
Excellent!

Question: if the 30D / 70-200 f/4 combo is in the middle with a reversed hood, would there be room on the sides for a 17-55 lens (in one side slot) and an external flash (on the other side slot)?

Plenty of room for the flash, and being that the 70-200 f/4 is noticeably smaller than the 2.8 IS, I'd say the lens would fit, too, since my 100 macro fits with my 2.8 IS.

There's a place on the bag, much like the lowepros. However, I usually just cram it either in the bottom of a side pocket, or in the little "extra" pocket in the front of the main compartment. Or, you can put it in the tight plastic-y section that's on the inside of the top flap.

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #2715211
Plenty of room for the flash, and being that the 70-200 f/4 is noticeably smaller than the 2.8 IS, I'd say the lens would fit, too, since my 100 macro fits with my 2.8 IS.

There's a place on the bag, much like the lowepros. However, I usually just cram it either in the bottom of a side pocket, or in the little "extra" pocket in the front of the main compartment. Or, you can put it in the tight plastic-y section that's on the inside of the top flap.

Very cool. Thank you!

I don't suppose you've used a Crumpler 6 MDH (for comparison sake), have you?

Nah, don't like the Crumplers. Not enough protection for me, and a bit too "fluffy". I like utilitarian design, like the Katas. Extreme protection, style also, in a sensible design. The Crumplers always seemed, imo, to be a bit short on the sensibility, and a bit too thin, literally, to protect my huge investment.

Thanks again. I think Kata's the one for me.