Kata 3N1-20 review

It can, yes.

jdetmold wrote in post #8429696
I have been using my 20 for about 3 months now and loving it!
This is my day to day carry bag (one of many bags) and holds everything I need. the 70-200 goes it the top as it wont fit well mounted on the 50D but everything else I carry fits in the lower section (24-70 mounted, 10-20, 50, 430EX + various accessories)
However the 50D wont sit on the bottom (as seen in the op) with the grip attached.

Great bag! 9/10 the only thing I would change is the way the inserts mount so it would be more configurable for a gripped camera.

This is my first post, as I'm really interested in buying this bag, but am debating between this and the 30 series, but would prefer the 20 series size.

My current gear is as follows:

Canon 50D w/ Grip, Canon 70-200mm f/4L, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Sunpak 120J.

However, I will be tossing out the 50mm f/1.8 for an f/1.4, eventually the 70-200 will become the f/2.8 IS version, and I will also add a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. Oh yeah, and the Sunpak 120J wont be with me at all times in my bag as it doesnt have a hot shoe mount, though a 540EZ I will have with me.

So basically, will the 3in1-20 bag be enough to store:

- Canon 50D w/ Grip
- 28-75mm Tamron
- 70-200mm f/2.8 (for futures sake)
- 50mm f/1.4 (futures sake)
- Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 (futures sake)
- 540EZ (or EX) flash (for futures sake)

I've watched some videos, and apparently the inside cover of top compartment can be removed to allow access to the rest of the bag. Would it be possible to have the top compartment to act as a top loader for a 50D with grip and 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and the rest of the accessories inside? I know what I currently have will be sufficient with the 20 series, but of course, my gear will change so im thinking about the future more so.

Thanks for any help in advance!!!

For reference... you won't be able to carry the 50D+70-200 in the -20 if you use jdetmold's orientation. The lens is too long.

You'll be able to carry all the gear listed, but not all in the bottom compartment. While you could open up the top flap and use it as you suggested, I don't know how securely it'd hold the 50D (even if gripped). There isn't any room to put dividers up there, and as such, nothing to hold a lens or body snugly. With *careful* arranging, it can, however, be done with the -20, but without half your gear, I can't really try it out to show you what it might look like.

tigerotor77w wrote in post #9250635
For reference... you won't be able to carry the 50D+70-200 in the -20 if you use jdetmold's orientation. The lens is too long.

You'll be able to carry all the gear listed, but not all in the bottom compartment. While you could open up the top flap and use it as you suggested, I don't know how securely it'd hold the 50D (even if gripped). There isn't any room to put dividers up there, and as such, nothing to hold a lens or body snugly. With *careful* arranging, it can, however, be done with the -20, but without half your gear, I can't really try it out to show you what it might look like.

Thank you!

I think I'm going to be forced to go with the larger bag in that case, no matter how much bigger it may be. I love the size of the -20, but the -30 is and will be far more practical. With my gear constantly changing and expanding, the -20 will only be good enough for so long with a limited range of lenses on hand.

Thanks again for your input! Merry Christmas!

ungraphic wrote in post #9260431
Thank you!

I think I'm going to be forced to go with the larger bag in that case, no matter how much bigger it may be. I love the size of the -20, but the -30 is and will be far more practical. With my gear constantly changing and expanding, the -20 will only be good enough for so long with a limited range of lenses on hand.

Thanks again for your input! Merry Christmas!

i bought the 30 a while ago and internally it fits a lot more then the 20 but its really not all that much bigger when your wearing it
right now i have a gripped 50d a gripped 40d, 4 lenses, 430exii, 580exii gary fong collapsible ball, hyperdrive, rocket blower, tons of batteries, pelican memory card holder, cleaning supplies and i could still fit at least 1 more lenses in it

dovaka wrote in post #9260974
i bought the 30 a while ago and internally it fits a lot more then the 20 but its really not all that much bigger when your wearing it
right now i have a gripped 50d a gripped 40d, 4 lenses, 430exii, 580exii gary fong collapsible ball, hyperdrive, rocket blower, tons of batteries, pelican memory card holder, cleaning supplies and i could still fit at least 1 more lenses in it

Two cameras, gripped? That sounds like a seriously nice bag for a wedding photographer! I might pick up the -30, i can get it for 100 bucks CAD.

Merry Christmas to you, too, ungraphic!

You may want to pick up a smaller bag in the meantime -- something that'll carry what you currently have without being mostly empty. (I use a Crumpler 5MDH, for instance.) There may be times that you just won't want that big a bag, either. But maybe you've already got that covered.

tigerotor77w wrote in post #9262127
Merry Christmas to you, too, ungraphic!

You may want to pick up a smaller bag in the meantime -- something that'll carry what you currently have without being mostly empty. (I use a Crumpler 5MDH, for instance.) There may be times that you just won't want that big a bag, either. But maybe you've already got that covered.

Well at the moment i've got a top loader LowePro camera bag, the 75AW;

ungraphic wrote in post #9262120
Two cameras, gripped? That sounds like a seriously nice bag for a wedding photographer! I might pick up the -30, i can get it for 100 bucks CAD.

the way i have it setup only 1 has a lens on it and the other is sideways with no lens but if you wanted to waste a little space you could have one on either side of the bag with a lens attached

dovaka wrote in post #9263232
the way i have it setup only 1 has a lens on it and the other is sideways with no lens but if you wanted to waste a little space you could have one on either side of the bag with a lens attached

I'd probably put the primary camera with the 28-75mm f/2.8 and the secondary camera with a short stubby lens like the 50mm f/1.4

would make sense

I've changed my mind completely;

The -20 bag can easily fit all the lenses I'll have. The 70-200 f/2.8 fits just fine in the top compartment of the -20. But with the -30, i'd pretty much have to have the 70-200 f/2.8 on the camera at all times to distribute the weight. This is something I would never want to do. My primary lens is my tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, its a short lens, and will allow for two other lenses be put into the bottom compartment of the -20 (the tokina 11-16mm and the 50mm f/1.4) as well as an additional flash. Which is all the gear i'd ever need.

The -30 bag would require me to have the 70-200 2.8 at all times, and i DONT want to switch lenses each time i take out for work. This would get really, REALLY annoying. I use my 28-75 pretty much 80% of the time. I think the -20 is a bit more practical for someone who doesnt do too much studio photography. Im usually on the go, so i dont need flashes, reflectors, laptops, etc. Just my camera, grip and lenses. Although the -20 will still have room for a flash with my gear.

Good to hear. It might help to post a review with a cutaway similar to jdetmold's -- this will help others in choosing the right size.

tigerotor77w wrote in post #9267449
Good to hear. It might help to post a review with a cutaway similar to jdetmold's -- this will help others in choosing the right size.

Once I get the bag, i'll definitely post some photos. I'm pretty stoked, cuz the -20 is much smaller and doesnt scream 'photographer' bag.

I received my Kata 3in1-20 bag today! Im happy i didnt get the bigger one, I've got mine stuffed and theres still plenty room leftover. From the list of my equipment in my sig, only the 120J is not in my bag.

I'll post a video later on instead of photos, I think videos work better.

Nice -- glad to hear it worked out well. Look forward to the video!