Kata 3N1-30... so very dissappointing...

i'm at a loss here...

despite having a very nice bag in which i've reviewed and was in love with... when i saw the opportunity to pick up a Kata 3N1-30 used from a seller here on PoTN, i jumped on it...

yes, i'm buying used... so i cannot and will not comment on the bag condition itself... (being shipped in a box with paper shredding did not help much... lol... at least a plastic bag?) but i'm not here complaining about the seller... i'm complaining about this bag.

i was planning to do a review of it... but it's utter garbage... i'm surprised such bags were actually made in production.

should i spend time and do a review? i know i'm going to sound like an a$$ in doing so... (but that's my job, i've worked almost 20 years in quality control with garment and footwear factories around the world...)

i know what china is capable of... but this must have been made by the worst factory ever...

so i ask my fellow PoTN members... is it worthwhile to do a review and share some of my opinion on this and why i think it just sucks as a bag?

secondly, anyone want a used Kata 3n1-30? i don't think i can actually charge money on this and sleep well at nights.

thoughts?

A non-favorable review is generally more valuable to me than a superlative-ridden glowing endorsement.

kinghong1970 wrote in post #10251120
i was planning to do a review of it... but it's utter garbage... i'm surprised such bags were actually made in production.

Wow... I'm sorry to hear that, particulalry when I think of how much I paid for mine... new... and in EURO...

But anyways, I second the request for your valued, professional opinion! Even if you're not motivated to do a full review, at least post your observations on this thread:

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=10228565#po​st10228565

Thx

really? wow. im surprised. I have the dr467 and the make and quality is great. i would assume all kata bags would be made to the same standards.

thanks for the review though! now it give us bag buyers a second opinion.

I'm sorry... sometimes my words are harsh...

after my post, a fellow member of PoTN showed interest in the bag and so i am sending the bag to him after i clean it up a little.

in our PM chats, he mentioned that there is no such thing as a perfect bag... i agree... and working with factories to push them to produce a tiny bit better QC from them, i've grown to be an a$$.

my point of view is from a manufacturing point of view... i'm sure this bag can serve it's purpose...

i've taken some pics and will post a review of it shortly.

You seem like a hard person to please. Anyone who complains about how a camera is packed for shipping. I mean really its a camera bag how much protection does an empty bag need to ship? Most bag is get from photo stores on the net come in a cardboard box. Its not like a fabric bag is going to break in shipping

alemmo wrote in post #10251591
You seem like a hard person to please. Anyone who complains about how a camera is packed for shipping. I mean really its a camera bag how much protection does an empty bag need to ship? Most bag is get from photo stores on the net come in a cardboard box. Its not like a fabric bag is going to break in shipping

hahaha... yes, i am not too easily pleased... guess occupational hazard.

but as for how it was shipped...

1) paper shreds from the shredder will also create paper dust that gets into every single crevice and does not make a good cushion/padding...
2) the bag was shipped with the paper shreds and it took quite some time to get all the dust out of the bags...
3) simple polybag or a trash bag would have been great to prevent the bag from getting dusty
4) most bags should be shipped in a poly bag and with a desiccant inside. ESPECIALLY if it is shipped from china (as is this bag) via container freight.
garments and bags are exposed to humidity and extreme heat for a period of 20-30 days during transit via ocean (if shipped via air, freight cost would be ridiculous). and in my personal experience, most purchases made were sent to me in poly bags, not just in a carton box... unless i've purchased a store floor model.
5) i'm not complaining about the seller or the shipper...

the bag will do as they advertise... but it was made from a very poor quality factory.

honestly, save the money, add a bit more and get Lowepro or TT series.

i'll work up my review to further explain later on...

FWIW, i bought the same bag new and I ended up returning it the next day.

It was packed to the gills with features and doodads but in practical use I found it awkward to use and complicated.

Not my cup of tea but other people seem to be a fan.

vento wrote in post #10252840
FWIW, i bought the same bag new and I ended up returning it the next day.

It was packed to the gills with features and doodads but in practical use I found it awkward to use and complicated.

Not my cup of tea but other people seem to be a fan.

So did I. It is also somewhat bulky. Try the Incase DSLR sling. It is minimalistic and I currently have my 5D MKII w/ 85L, 24L, 16-35II, flash, and E-PL1 with 2 lenses in it. It is not the most protective bag nor is it the quality build of a Tenba Black Label but it is a good alternative to most slings.

That's too bad. I have had the 3n1-30 for over a year, and it has stood up better to daily use better than my old lowepro bag, and both of my current thinktank bag.

And when I mean daily; Monday to Friday, this thing gets pack full of gear, chucked into my trunk, driven 20 minutes, taken out, and strapped on my back, Sent on a 30-50 minute bus ride, getting tossed around and bumped. When I get to work it gets pushed around a floor, unpacked, repacked. I take it out to shoot all over the city and then at the end of the day goes all the way home.

Besides the fact that the straps are a little thin, and the bottom is starting to sag from the weight, it has held up amazingly well to the abuse I have put it through.

It's a great everyday pack, if you need the space and it fits your working style.

What about the materials bothers you?

Please do tell why its disappointing. I'm considering it and would like to know why you'd find it so.

Please share

MARK1992 wrote in post #10253715
Please do tell why its disappointing. I'm considering it and would like to know why you'd find it so.

Please share

For me it was really the size. In fairness I should have tried the 3N1 20. The build and durability, and looks are excellent. I also prefer the simplicity of the Incase sling.

kinghong1970 wrote in post #10252825
the bag will do as they advertise... but it was made from a very poor quality factory... i'll work up my review to further explain later on...

Ok... now you've got us all curious (and the owners nervous as well...).

I have a problem with the 3N1-33's size, making it impractical to really use as a sling. However, from my untrained eyes, the quality appears to be excellent... . So I'm looking forward to being entlightened in the ways of the textile Sifu / Sensai...

Kata's Quality is on a different level than TT's because of the pricing, if you worked in the garment industry as you say, you should know there's different levels and you get what you pay for.

That said, construction aside, the DESIGN of the Kata fails. It's got some nice concepts (sling that can be worn as a backpack) but it's just put together poorly with cheap materials. Basically, I agree with you on your critique of their quality, but it shouldn't be a surprise at their prices -vs- say TT.

I don't think my Kata bags are badly made. I have the 465 and the torso bag. No, they are not Think Tanks. I think there is a market for both types, but to hear that the production factory isn't doing its job is disturbing. I would definitely send some communication to KATA and explain your unhappiness with their product. Makes them hear you that you belong to a forum and many people see your writing.