Kata 3N1-20 review

Alright, so here's a wrap up of the purchase:

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=I2MaOCDcX3g

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=BRM0miyTBTA

HI Ungraphic,

do you think the 3n1-20 could take a gripped 350d with the 70-200F4 in the top compartment pointing down, as well as 20D and 28-70 in the bottom?

For most use I would just have my 20D with tam 28-70 and the 70-200 seperate, but I can see that some times I may want both bodies loaded. I know I can do that with the 30 but is is a big bag.

Chris

Great videos, Ungraphic. And helpful reviews, everybody. Wish I'd found them before I ordered the Kata 3N1 22 -- but I'd read a lot of reviews and they pretty much all really liked this bag. So do I! It came just last week.

I got the 22 for the "netbook" compartment on the back. Not to hold a netbook, but to carry manuals and bounce cards (yep: I love using "A Better Bounce Card" DIYs found on YouTube).

The 3N1 22 is amazing. Yes, it's deceptively "small" and compact looking for a backpack. Yes, it converts instantly to a sling which can be swung around in front to use the quick-access flap to pull out your camera, then use the bag across your front as an elbow-rest to help steady your shots.

It holds, uh, basically everything. Fully loaded, mine weighs 14 pounds (3 pounds are the bag; 11 pounds are gear). Here's what's in it:

UPPER COMPARTMENT

580 EX II Speedlite (in padded case, with stand)
430 EX II Speedlite (in padded case, with stand)
8 spare AA batteries
Cables
Microfibre cloths
Lens caps
LED flashlight

RIGHT EXTERIOR POUCH

spare Canon camera battery
Canon wall charger

LEFT EXTERIOR POUCH

Polarizing and other filters

MAIN COMPARTMENT

Canon 40D
Tamron 70-300mm and hood (on camera)
Canon 50mm 1.8 prime (hood separate)
Canon 28-135mm (hood reversed)
Tamron 17-35mm (hood separate)
Tamron 28-200mm (hood reversed)
2-pc Vivitar wireless shutter release
3pc Cowboy wireless Speedlite triggers
rain cover

NETBOOK COMPARTMENT

Bounce Cards
Manuals

What's amazing is how comfortable it all is! I can wear this bag, carry my Bogen tripod in its shoulder-sling case, two light-stands, umbrellas and mounts in another shoulder-sling case, and I've got a complete portable studio.

It's so easily configurable that I can leave things at home to lighten the load when I want. Removing the 430 EX II Speedlite (in padded case, with stand) and the Canon 28-135mm and hood shaves off 3 pounds, for instance.

Beautifully designed and constructed. My first Kata bag. So impressed with it that I ordered the Kata H-16 Holster for a daily runaround bag. I got lucky. I noticed on Kata's site that the H-16 has just been discontinued. But they are still available for awhile on Amazon, Adorama, B&H and elsewhere, at great prices.

ungraphic wrote in post #9281153
Alright, so here's a wrap up of the purchase:

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=I2MaOCDcX3g

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=BRM0miyTBTA

Ungraphic,

Thank you for your informative post! My Kata 3n1-33 just arrived and there's plenty of room for my 70-200 f/4. whew!

Also, I think I may have received the "updated" bag". The zippers can zip all the way around without being stopped at the buckle on both sides. It involves a little work but it can move around allowing better access to the main compartment.

I have the 3n1-20 for over a year now and i think its a great bag. I'm still amazed how much stuff you can put in it.

This summer i took it to a dusty summer holiday camp and wanted as much gear mounted to the camera.

So loaded the lower bag compartment with:
7D with 70-200F4IS (Mounted)
450D with 15-85 (Mounted)
135L

initially i didn't thought that the 7D/70-200 Combo would fit. but a reorganisation of the compartment did the trick.

here are some pics. (my 450 has been sold by now so the 7D took its place in the pics.)

I love mine too, but it is getting a little tight when I want to bring my flash.

Great organization in the pics above to fit the 70-200 mounted.

a question for you guys/gals...will the following gear fit into a 20 or do i need the 30 (sorry, i'm a nikon shooter)?

nikon d3 with 24-70 attached, 14-24, 70-200, tc 1.7 plus assorted small nick nacks.

i'm looking for the smallest bag that will take the above. i have a thinktank ud 35 which is great and which will take the stuff above, but i think a slingbag will be more comfy especially when i'm out for a long time. thanks!

it should fit all that

the bummer is there is a local seller of a 30 at a good price which is what got me looking at these bags. since none of them will hold my 300mm vr1 i feel like i should try to get the smallest that will fit what i will carry, which is the above kit. with the tc i have 340mm of reach which is ok for most situations.

cohenfive wrote in post #11252248
the bummer is there is a local seller of a 30 at a good price which is what got me looking at these bags. since none of them will hold my 300mm vr1 i feel like i should try to get the smallest that will fit what i will carry, which is the above kit. with the tc i have 340mm of reach which is ok for most situations.

Looking at the specs, the 3N1-30 should hold your 300mm. Did you want it mounted to the camera? For very large lenses mounted, you can always unzip the divider that separates the top compartment from the bottom. This gives you the full height of the bag to store a large lens on a body.

thanks! i'm getting the 30 today to try it out. i don't care if it's mounted as long as i can take it in something that can also hold some other stuff. we'll see what the bag does for me. if i don't like it i'll just sell it back out to the market.

Going to be getting a Canon T2i in the next month or so and will be my first DSLR.
I'm going nuts trying to find a bag that I like. Found Kata bags a couple weeks ago and really like them. Haven't got to see one in person yet though.

Have been looking at either the 3N1-11 or 3N1-22 and was hoping someone might be able to give me some suggestions.
I don't want to get a bag too small or way too big for what I want to carry around.
I know that finding the perfect bag for most photographers is a never ending quest.

My kit will most likely be by 5/2011 the following:
Canon T2i, Canon 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 IS kit lens, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (this is not the L lens and the barrel contracts into the lens so it's not as tall, but i'm sure everyone here knows this ),
and some type of flash gun.
Also will have the standard cabels, notepad, pens, etc that people carry around.
I won't get the 70-300 right away most likely, but want a bag that will fit all that.

Thanks for any input!

How big of a notepad? If it's just a flip-type pad (3x5 inches or so, say), the -11 will work.

For the kit you've proposed, the -11 should be plenty sufficient -- the cables can go in the top compartment; the 70-300 and the flash (assuming you mean like a Speedlite, right?) can go below and the body + kit lens can be in the bottom as well. The -22 will offer plenty of additional room.

yeah just a little 3.5in flip notepad maybe.
The flash will most likely be a Vivitar DF383.

Thanks for the great info. So close to pulling the trigger, just gotta wait till after xmas to see what people might be buying me.

Gotcha -- yeah, the -11 should be a good bag for your current (intended by May 2011) kit. I think it'll still give you some room to upgrade further in the future if need be, but not with say a 100-400...

Let me know if you have other questions!