Customer Reviews

Kata KT D-3N1-20 Sling/Backpack (Black)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am only reviewing cause there aren't very many reviews of this bag for some reason anywhere. I have had it for about two weeks now. There is some video out there from [...] or something. You can find it on the kata website and it does a decent job of showing you the features.

Pros:
1. Many ways to wear it. Sling, backpack, x - straps across your chest like an x. I primarily wear as backpack and sling.
2. Looks pretty cool.
3. Lots of buckles so you don't have to zip it up if you know you are going to take another pic soon.
4. I really like the top handle for some reason. Cushioned and easy to grab.
5. Inside dividers are changeable and good.
6. Yellow insides makes easy to see stuff.

Cons
1. Wish it had a water pocket, but that is really just my preference.
2. Wish it had a pocket or something on the outside you didn't have to zip to get to.
3. This is what I took one star off for which is my only real complaint since the other two are just wishes - the material doesn't breathe very well so it gets hot on my back which isn't a huge complaint, but it is a complaint none the less. I wish it was more breathable or like Osprey backpacks, had mesh to let air in. Kata, if you are listening, go look at those Osprey backpacks which I use for hiking/overnighters cause they are awesome.

I got this one after thinking of getting a Lowe Slingshot 200 for a while. Friend of mine has that one and he likes it but I thought it wouldn't be comfortable to have on all day. He uses it for travel and thinks the sling aspect is great. I agreed with him about the sling, but didn't want to have to have it on one strap all day long. So when I saw this one, I got excited. It does what it is designed to do pretty well. Sling aspect works. There are multiple cushions on each of the two straps which are changeable with buckles on the bottom of the bag. So you can have one strap and act as a sling, two straps in either x-across the chest format or as a backpack. I think I made a good choice. Might get the bigger one just cause as a pretty big guy, this looks a little ridiculous on me cause of its size.

As for what I carry, I don't carry much. Just got into photography. Canon 40D, one zoom lens but small one, one other lens sometimes. Still plenty of room to stick a flash, another lens, maybe another camera body but it would have to be without the lens attached. There is space for other stuff in the top pocket like a notebook, some other accessories. Two side pockets too.

Overall, a good bag which is saying a lot cause I have a thing for bags.

I've now owned the -20 backpack/sling bag for a couple of months and can say that I am very comfortable with it. I bought it primarily because I needed something between the Lowepro 300 Slingshot and my Lowepro Nova 3 handheld (plus, according to some - mostly female - 'you can never have too many bags'). The Slingshot 300 is perfect when I need to carry my camera with the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS mounted. But that bag is a bit unwieldy, and I was looking for a bag that had the sling capability but was somewhat smaller. Initially, I looked at the Slingshot 200, but, after a tip from my brother (who shoots Nikon, and thus cannot be easily trusted :-) I also looked at this Kata bag.

What I really like about the Kata -20, and what made me purchase it over the Lowe 200 are a number of factors:
- Build:
The build quality (at least the one I have) is substantly above that of my Lowe. Seams are tighter. Zippers feel more robust. There are tight fabric seals over the zippers. The fabric and texture of the materials feels sturdier. The locks for the side access are also much better than the simple buckles the Slingshot employs.

- Shape:
The Slingshot is roughly pyramid-shaped, while the Kata bag is decidedly boxy. The bag is much more rigid than the Slingshot, and due to is shape I feel it is a bit more versatile and easier to handle. It also fits my back slighly better, and I can more easily pack it. plus, even though it extends outwards further than the Lowe, carrying it on my back is surprisingly unencumbering. And, not least of all, the bag looks darn good (that center vertical line was a stroke of design genius). Due to the more boxy design I (personally) feel it's easier to carry it aboard and stow in overhead compartments (not that I like the idea of the latter much). It is definitely much easier to stow and handle when loading it in a car with your other gear.

- Design:
This is where the Kata beath the Slingshot hands down:

** Carrying Options: You can configure the -20 to be carried in various ways: as a sling (for side access), like a backpack, and with the straps crossed in front. I found the cross configuration impractical (even constricting), but the other two carrying options work really well. The straps are nicely padded, and feel comfortable either way. I carry the bag backpack style while traversing, and then quickly change the configuration when I arrive at the location. Changing configurations is easy, takes only a short time, and in a pinch can be done without putting it down.

** Ambidextrous: The -20 is designed near-symmetrical, with provisions to open it from both sides (left and right). This design is mirrored in the carrying straps, resulting in a bag that can be slung and operated both from the left and right side. Although of little concern for most people, 'lefties' will regard this as a godsend. That being said, due to a small design compromise, the bag is slightly easier to operate from the right than left side. As I am right-handed, I currently have it set up for left-side access (I sling it under my left arm, making the bag's left side come up).

** Contrast Color: All inside fabric is made a bright yellow, which contrasts nicely with all the small (usually black) doodahs I bring along: memory sticks (especially those!), filters, adapters, lens cleaning kit, remote control, batteries etc. In dimly lit situations, this makes finding your stuff much easier than when rummaging through the light grey insides of the slingshot.

** Metal loop: set into the top third at the center is a metal loop that allows me to quickly attach other gear (usually a tripod) - I use carabiners, and prefer this over the rubber loops the 300 sports that require ropes.

** Top-down access to main compartment. The top compartment is separated from the main through a piece of padded fabric. By operating a simple zipper, you gain acces to the main compartment from the top. This may be to alleviate one of the drawbacks I mention below and is only practical if you have nothing stored in the upper compartment. Since you can remove the padding completely, this allows you to configure your bag with only a single main compartment, allowing you to use the bag in a classic pure-backpack style. Configured that way, the side access panels become quick-acess flaps for lenses.

Using the Kata -20
The -20 has enough room for me to carry my Canon with battery grip and EFS 17-55 2.8 IS mounted into the side access panel, and a flash plus a 50mm 1.4 lens and filters. I also loaded the 70-200 into the top compartment (the bag is too small to load the camera with that lens mounted). Filled that way, the bag is still comfortable to carry over prolonged periods of time (6-8 hours on a *hot* day). Carrying the -20 configured as a sling bag is less troublesome than my Slingshot - but this may be attributed to the fact that usually I pack more stuff into the 300 (additional two lenses, tripod ring, tripod mounts and battery charger). Carrying it as a backpack is gives it additional comfort as the weight is distributed over two shoulders, and fastens it more securely to your back, allowing you a greater range of movement (e.g. traversing rocks, rivers and insecure ground) where a sling configuration would get in the way.

Drawbacks
There are a couple of minor downsides to the Kata-20 I've found so far:
Being a wuss, I try to refrain from shooting in bad weather. Still, although the -20 has a bad weather cap (stowed inside a small bag clipped to the inside), I would have preferred if the bag had a rubberized bottom. Currently I simply don't trust the bottom of the bag to keep water out when accidentally placed in a puddle. The Slingshot has a definite advantage there.
Also, I've found that when configured for sling side-access (as I usually have) with a zoom mounted, access to the other compartments (especially those above the zoom 'canal') is awkward, if not difficult. Changing lenses hence becomes unnecessarily difficult. I have compensated by now loading lenses low, and putting the flash high in the bag. While this alleviates the problem when changing lenses somewhat, it's still far from ideal.

Summary:
The Kata 3N1-20 is a superior bag that sports great design, is durable, extremely versatile and easy to use. It has space for a DSLR with a mounted mid-size zoom plus two smaller lenses and some additional gear. There are only few minor drawbacks. I wholeheartly recommend this bag, and when compared with the Lowepro Slingshot 200 (it's closest competitor) I recommend this one.

I have FINALLY FOUND the bag!

I'm a freelance photographer and I'm always traveling around the city with my equipment. It's usually in my messenger style camera bag or my waist bag. But what a problem! The waist bag cannot hold all of my necessary equipment. The messenger bag tires my shoulder out.

Lo and behold, the Kata 3N1-20 bag! I actually wore it out in the city today. I loaded everything I had: Canon EOS 5D, EF 24-70mm, EF 70-200mm, EF 50mm, 580EX Speedlite, Point & Shoot, and small little items like batteries, diffusers, sunglasses case, etc.

It felt comfortable on me. I didn't feel the usual strain like I did with the messenger bag. I also tried it as a backback and the weight distribution was perfect.

I also liked how I can swing it to the front really quick so I can grab my camera to take a quick shot then put it back and tucked away.

I highly recommend this bag to anyone who's experiencing shoulder strains from the usual shoulder bags. This one is definitely worth it!

P.S. I also added photos into the product image section.

I was seeking a bag that had some versatility, looked good and could carry a day's worth of equipment in. After reading the reviews here, I was sold on the Kata bag. The negatives didn't seem all that bad and the positives were that good that I didn't think twice about the purchase. Until I received the bag.

Let's start off with the pros. The bag looks great. It's compact, but not TOO compact and the handle on top is a nice added touch. The ability to use it as a sling or a full backpack is a major plus and the main reason I even came across this bag. I really like the way the cam can be pulled from the side without opening up the entire pack.

That's about it. Now for the cons. Off the cambags website, it states this bag can hold 1 large DSLR, 2 telezooms, 1 mid ranged lens and 1 prime with a flash. Maybe it's my in ability to pack well, or maybe my bag needs to "break in" a bit but there is no way it will fit all that. I currently have a d90 with a 17-55 attached, sb600 and my sigma 150 in it. I would be able to fit a 70-200 with what I have now and MAYBE a small prime...but NOT comfortably. I have my bag set up just like the pic here on Amazon and my SB600 doesn't have the room that this pic does and too boot, it DOESN'T fit longways [front to back] like it is shown in the picture.

The last thing that is frustrating is the upper portion of the, lower compartment, isnt easily accessible. You can see it in the user's pictures that are posted here. I have to PULL the lower flap up and pull and at the same time, push the foam partition down to access the equipment I put in that area. For the life of me, I honestly cannot understand why a company would not just raise the zipper path another inch to make it easy to reach that area.

UPDATE :
Just received my Nikon 70-300 and Sigma 50. I can squeeze all the lenses in if I mount the 50mm on the d90 but my SB600 doesn't fit anywhere in the bag. I will be sending this bag back as I don't want to be limited to fitting my lenses only if I mount my prime.

This is my second camera bag and will pretty much replace my slingshot 100. I loved the sling feature, but after more than an hour or two it would start to get heavy and uncomfortable. Enter my new Kata bag - The 20 is a good sized bag. Mine is currently holding a D80 w/kit lens (18-135) attached, 50mm lens, and a 70-300 lens. I could still fit a flash and another small/medium lens in main section. The upper pocket is nice and big and will fit your personal items and the two side pockets on the top aren't huge, but I keep a spare battery stashed in one and a filter or two in the other one.

The bag is comfortable to wear and offers several options. You can still sling the bag toward the front and use the quick access pocket if you take off one shoulder strap and pass the other over your head. The front handle is great and the bag sits up nicely. One cool feature I've discovered is that the top "personal" section has a zippered bottom. This feature lets you get down into the bag while it is vertical if you have it set up that way.

So why 4 stars and not 5? The central organization of this bag gets tricky with a bigger lens, in my case a 70-300. I ended up having to use one of the central organizers connected to a divider to create one long section above where my camera sits to place my large lens in. The other odd thing is that the top flap doesn't open completely, the zippers constrain it as it flips upward and this makes it hard to use the top of the central organization.

Overall, I'm very happy with this bag as my new camera backpack. It took some figuring to get it organized, but it will serve me well for years to come.

I am a 67 year old woman, 5ft 6, 150 lbs. I've had my Kata 3n1 20 for about 2 months and put it through it's paces. It's been to the beach in a driving rain storm where I had to use the little rain coat provided, it's been on car trips and short hikes and it just got back from a week long trip to two states that included motels with no elevators, sand dunes, waterfalls, back country etc. In my bag I carry a Nikon D300, a 70-300mm, a 60mm macro, a 28mm, a 50mm, a 12-24mm wide angle, an 18-70mm, cleaning cloths, a remote release, a right angle optical viewer, 2 neutral density filters, a polarizer, extra batteries, battery charger + cords etc, extra memory cards, and my Canon G9 and extra battery/cards.
As you can imagine, packing all of this into a bag the size of the 20 is a challenge but do-able. That said, I wish I had purchased the 30 which is a little bit bigger.
There are several things to love about this bag:
1. The bright yellow interior makes it easy to see what's in the bag! I have had other bags with black or grey interiors that made it impossible to see my gear in low light situations.
2. The bag's construction is good and the zippers work easily.
3. The design allows for sling or back pack modes (although I only use it in sling mode when I am carrying much less than my maximum gear).
4. The bags design is comfortable to carry in back pack mode with tripod attached for several miles even with all my gear hiking trails.
5. The additional tripod holder works well with my Manfrotto 190 pod (carbon fiber).
There are a few things I would change about the bag however
1. The top compartment has a handle that makes it easy to grab and carry for short hops however, if the zippers on the top compartment are not completely shut, they unzip.
2. When the tripod holder is attached, it limits access to the bag. You must undo the lower tripod holder attachments to totally unzip the bag.
3. There are no re-configurable labels on the outside compartments (NO BAG has these - it's my worst gripe for all my bags). That means you have to memorize which side your polarizer is on versus your neutal density filters and which side of the bag gives you access to your long lens etc. This is irritating when the light is fading fast or the antelope is going to bound off at any moment, etc, etc.
All in all, I like the bag and will probably buy the wheels that can be purchased separately. However, if I see a sale on the the 3n1 30 I'll be tempted to but it.

I did quite a bit of searching when looking for this camera bag. I wanted a bag that could hold all my camera stuff (DLSR, lens, flash, and charger) AND serve as a purse so I didn't have to lug around two things. I just got back from a trip to the desert and am really impressed. It held everything and was amazingly good at staying put when you'd sling it off to get at your camera. I thought it would be falling off my shoulder, but it didn't at all. I used it primarily in the backpack mode. What I really liked was after a few hours of walking when your back would start to get a sore spot from the weight, you could change it to a sling bag and walk for a few more hours (ache gone). It was very nice having three options (sling bag, back pack, and "X" backpack-which I didn't use). The top compartment had ample room and I loved that it had a cell phone pocket and zippered pouch. The two top zippers could be arranged so they were together right next to my back so I never really worried about "pick pockets" getting at my stuff. The fabric is nice and doesn't really pick up dust/dirt (brushed right off) and was sturdy too (no pilling etc). I'm very happy with this bag and glad that I purchased it. Solved my "one personal carry on" item dilemma.

I was planning to buy the Lowepro Slingshot 200 All Weather Backpack (Black) until I ran into review on this bag. I've checked out the Lowepro in person but I couldn't find any Kata 3N1 at any local store, so I didn't really know what I am getting. I am willing to take a risk because of these reasons:
- It can be worn as a sling pack as well as a backpack.
- I like the look better than the Lowepro Slingshot.

The bag is better than I expected. It is very well constructed and well padded. It fits all the gears I have and it is very comfort to wear, both as a slingpack or a backpack. By the way, changing the bag from sling to backpack is very easy. Some issues I have are:
- If I open the bag from the front instead of from the side, it is slightly difficult to get to the stuff on the top portion of the main pocket.
- Lowepro has a special pocket to store its rain cover but Kata doesn't.
These are minor issues that I can live with.

D-3N1-20 is a good size bag, very similar to the Slingshot 200.
Kata KT D-3N1-10 Sling/Backpack (Black), I think is too small and Kata KT D-3N1-30 Sling/Backpack (Black) is too big.

By the way, if you really want a Slingshot 200, it is on sale at Fry's or Costa for $69.

Update after using the bag for 8 months:

It holds up very well and I have put more stuff in it. Here is what it carries:
- Nikon D300 + MD-B10 Grip
- 18-200mm lens
- 12-24mm lens
- 50mm lens
- SB800 flash
- Tri-grip reflector
- Other various accessories

It holds all the above without any problem.

The only issue I had is I got stopped every time I go to a museum. They told me the bag is too bag and I should not carry it on my back during the visit. I need to hand-carry it.

Recently I ordered first the Tenba Shootout (medium) and later the Kata 3in1-20 sling bags. A friend had recently picked up the LowePro AWS sling, which I also tried out; I liked the lowepro, but the top compartment was too small.

First some thoughts - overall, both Tenba and Kata are really solid, well put-together bags. Some notes on each follow...

TENBA Shootout
- very solid, pretty stylish, but rather bulky
- very stiff/rigid; for me, this was not a good thing as I wanted a less bulky bag
- roomy top compartment
- zippers were quite stiff; taking the camera out was slow, required both hands and quite a bit of force on the zippers
- wide strap was very comfortable around the shoulders (though I didn't wear it for more than an hour on my short trek); secondary strap secured the bag against the body quite well
- very easy to "swing about" to access the camera
- interior access was fantastic, as the entire back unzips
- interior dividers OK, but not as good as the KATA's
- side strap for tripod and back bungee for misc stuff handy (though securing a tripod on the side strap seemed kinda iffy, as it would tend to slide down & out)


KATA 3in1-20
- very stylish bag, not much smaller but much less "bulky" than the Tenba
- roomy top compartment
- one-handed "unclip & zip-back" to reveal the camera was fantastic, very easy to use!
- interior access was just OK, as only half the bag unzips (not a huge issue, imo)
- nice interior dividers, and the neon yellow makes it very hard to lose something!
- the top side pockets were very useful; lacking on the Tenba
- harder than the Tenba to "swing about" to access the camera
- the main issue w/the Kata was the sling strap; it is much less wide then the Tenba, and so in sling mode wasn't nearly as comfortable; in fact, during a short trek and w/the bag only moderately loaded (D90, + three lenses), I found myself adjusting the bag quite often to relieve slight discomfort on my shoulder. (didn't use the bag in backpack mode, though presumably this would be more comfy)


FWIW, the gear I stowed in the bags was a D90 with 18-200, 35-70/2.8 and 85/1.4 lenses, along with some camera miscellany (SD, batteries, cleaner, etc).

The Tenba bag went back; the Kata 3in1 bag (as I've already taken it on one trip) I'm going to try to sell locally.

Kata KT D-3N1-20 Sling/Backpack (Black)

I had a Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW, but decided to try out this bag based on a good sale price and I like the Kata T-14 and BP-205. As with all Kata's, I don't know if the thermashield feature is more hype than reality but it does appear to give another layer of protection that I like. Also, the Kata 3N1-20 has a bigger secondary compartment than the Lowepro Slingshot 200, as well as being slightly roomier in the main camera compartment. I also like the dual-strap options of the Kata over the Lowepro.

However, I like the Lowepro's more straightforward access to the main compartment over the Kata 3N1 although I'm used to the Kata now. My only other complaint, albeit a minor one, is that Kata did use the same fabric on the 3N1 as they do on the T-14 and BP-205; the fabric they used does not feel as resistant to wear but time will tell. The same basic material as the Lowepro.

I would buy this bag again, but would purchase the bigger D-3N1-30. I like it very much as my local "haul-it-around-town" pack. Still have the Lowepro, but don't use it.