Kata DPS DR-467 First thoughts / review

goatee wrote in post #6013228
It would be perfect for me, if it was impossible to open the camera section whilst on the back.

I guess you mean "if it wasn't impossible". If so, then i have to agree. It is quite difficult to change lenses with this one.. But i guess it's the same with every bag like this. Slingbags is the way to go for easy lens changes.

No, I mean impossible - I don't want to be worried in crowded places someone can open it without me knowing.

Oh, i am sorry

Well i don't really worry about that.. But i can see your consern. It is possibly with this design.. as it is with almost any design without locks on the zippers.

Well, with the Lowepro Orion Trekker, and Compurover AW (which I used to have), it's really difficult to open the bottom section when it's on your back.

thanks to johnz for providing all these great pics. i just bought the bag here on POTN.....and couldn't be any happier with this backpack. the quality of the bag is very good. i was in between this bag and the fastpack 250. i chose this bag because it looks low-key and better. there are many pockets to put your stuff in also. i'm glad i bought it!

Bryman wrote in post #6010659
Goatee, could you post a picture of the 70-200 f4 in the bag? Does it cause the bag to bulge out on the top compartment? I think my current kit can fit but wasn't sure what you meant by it just fitting. Thanks

here's my contribution......70-200 f4L (with hood reversed) fit perfectly into the bag.

Thanks Menis! I've decided I'll be trading my Tamrac adventure 7 for this one instead. Don't get me wrong, the adventure 7 is a great bag but I just like the option to carry my macbook with me along with my camera equipment.

Hrumph - already another 70-200 f/4 piccie? Well, I'll post a shot later with 1DM2+24-70 mounted, 17-40, tamron 2xtc, spare 1D battery, and set of AA batts later.

johnz you are a god haha. thanks to you i have one ordered and on the way.

=)

like goatee though, I will have to think of a way to "pilfer proof" the bag haha. Thanks guys. You're the best!

Innocence wrote in post #6031546
johnz you are a god haha. thanks to you i have one ordered and on the way.

=)

like goatee though, I will have to think of a way to "pilfer proof" the bag haha. Thanks guys. You're the best!

No problem
Like i've said, i have found my purpose! Hope you like the bag!

I am now looking at replacing my crumpler shoulder bag with Kata H-14. We will see what kind of promotion starts then if i do get it..!

Thanks to all those who posted great shots on here I picked this bag up yesterday. I can actually fit the 70-200 2.8 IS L in the bottom with the hood reversed, and it's totally usable that way (though certainly not ideal). You just have to angle it. I can also get a 5D, 24-105, 16-35 II, 50 1.8, and 430 EX in the camera compartment all at the same time. I wouldn't call it a working arrangement, but it would suffice for travel. I'll post pictures this afternoon.

Also, as to the questions regarding security and accessability while it's on your back, I've found that it's pretty easy to access the camera without taking the bag off, similar to how the new Lowepro fastpacks work (kind of like a poor-man's sling).

To deal with the security problem, I've found a couple of solutions. First of all, you can pull the zippers all the way over to the side of the bag where there are some tabs designed to prevent the lower compartment from opening too wide. If you tuck the zippers under one, it would be pretty hard for a thief to get at them deftly. You can step up the security a bit further. The first option is to clip a small carabiner through the zippers. That doesn't lock the camera compartment, but it ensures that it takes some time to open it. If you want to be really secure, you could easily put a combination luggage lock through the zippers.

I'm really impressed with this bag. Also, I'm pretty sure that you could use the compression straps to rig up a system to hold a tripod.

Holy moly, that's a lot of gear - since I last posted, my gear has changed again - I'll see how much I can squeeze in, and take a shot.

Thanks for all the photos - really helpful - I have just bought a lowepro 200 mail order but am returning it - too "stiff" .... I am thinking about getting a DR465 instead - do you know if the bottom compartment is the same size? Jackie

The official internal measurements of the DR-467 are 13" x 5.9" x 7.5". However, while the camera compartment has a good deal of padding, it's really quite flexible. The front flexes out beyond 5.9", and if something is taler than 7.5", it just presses up into the bottom of the upper compartment a little. Conversely, something very heavy in the upper compartment presses down on the top of the lower compartment a little. There's [plenty of padding between the layers, so I wouldn't worry about damaged gear unless you do something crazy.

So here's the lower compartment with the 70-200 2.8 L IS in it. As you can see, it doesn't fit as nicely as the f4; it has to be angled. It's not a terrible pain to open the compartment with it in there or anything.

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I should add that it's much more convenient in my opinion to have the camera turned horizontally (parallel to the bag opening). With it turned perpendicular to the bag opening as it is in my first photo in the previous post, it's it little more awkward to take out.

This is a much more ideal working arrangement:

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Nice - I have my camera perpendicular, so that the eyepiece doesn't get pulled off, when I open the bag - but if I put my camera the other way round, it should be fine - will give that a go.