Kata 103 Camera and Laptop Backpack 
Categories:
Reviews,
Accessories [home]
Author: James Wiseman ( james )
Related Link: Kata 103 Backpack
Review Item: Kata 103 Camera and Laptop Backpack
This image shows how I laid out the bag with my camera and lenses.
Shown is my 1DmkII body with 70-200 lens, a Sigma 15mm Fisheye, Canon 24-85USM, Sigma 12-24, and Canon 580EX flashgun. Also shown is my laptop ac-adapter. I still had room for 2 of the KATA velcro-secured mesh bags which I used to secure misc items like a lens cloth, sensor swabs, etc. In the bag’s compartment pouches, I packed my passport, camera manuals (yes, I still need these) filters, extra AA batteries, and my MP3 player and headphones.
A closeup showing how thick the padding is and how everything fits together.
The back of the bag has a zippered drop-down flap for quick access to the camera body.
Compared to other bags on the market, such as the Lowe Computrecker and the equivalent Tamrac bag, the KATA 103 is smaller and doesn’t carry as many lenses. On the other hand, it’s got much more padding and hard-panels to protect your equipment. It’s also got some extra features that the other bags don’t have. My favorite is the built in camera strap that comes w/ the bag and can be clipped onto the front shoulder-strap D-rings. This essentially lets you carry the camera on your chest while you’re hiking for instant access - something I’ve always wanted. The other nice feature is the moisture wicking neoprene panel that goes between your shoulders and the bag - for added comfort - as well as a ribbed panel that rests against the lower back, allowing for cooling airflow. I can see how all of these features will combine to make this an excellent hiking camera-pack, not just a travel pack. Of course, it also comes with an external mount for a camera tripod.
For $160, I would recommend this pack to anyone who does outdoor photography. It’s also an excellent travel-pack for travelling underwater digital photographer as it should hold all of the lenses we need.
Page 1 of 1 [ ]
Comment(s):James, is the case deep enough to accommodate your Seacam housing without a port attached? Or, with a small/short port attached?
TIA
TomPosted by Tom_Kline on 05/22 at 08:43 PMHi Tom,
Yes, I think you could get the housing in the center laying flat, if you took the handles off. But then there wouldn’t be room for much else. You might be able to get in the housing and 2 lenses. It’s not a monster bag - just normal backpack sized.
James
Posted by James Wiseman on 05/23 at 06:10 AMJames,
i presume that the laptop goes between the camera parts and your back?? How padded is that compartment? How large a laptop did you fit into it.
Thanks
TerryPosted by ulcs on 05/28 at 01:49 PMHi Terry,
Yep, that’s where the laptop goes. I am using a Latitude 505 (15 inch screen) and it fits with about 2 inches of additional space at the top. So you may or may not be able to fit a widescreen laptop in the bag, but you can certainly fit a full-sized one.
Cheers
JamesPosted by James Wiseman on 05/30 at 02:41 PM
You must be logged in to post comments. Please log in or register (it's free!) and come back to this page to leave your comment.
Next entry: Wide Angle White Balance
Previous entry: Canon 1D/1Ds Mk II and Lexar 80X compatibility problem
[
