By animalartist from Vermont on 3/26/2007

I did a lot of research before I bought this bag. It is in a small category of shoulder bags that can be carried in front, which is what I wanted- to be able to reach in and grab my camera without taking off the pack. This it does very well. I can even support my elbows on it to take a picture. It is extremely well built, though there are fewer pockets and less space than I had hoped. Still, it was not meant to be a bag that holds everything, and it can be attached to other products in the Kata system for more carrying capacity. It can be used as a back-pack as well as a front pack. I would not take it out in a rainstorm without a rain cover-I wish it came with one. The weight pulls out away from the body a bit- perhaps I don't have the straps adjusted correctly. It came with almost no instructions and has a lot of straps. Still, I DO like this bag. It does what I wanted it to do. It holds my Canon 30d with 70-300 lens attached (hood turned back over lens), an additional short lens fits on the smaller side ( 17-85), or the large lens will also fit on the small side if camera and a different lens are on the large side. That combo is a bit tight though-harder to pull the lens out. It has one small outside pocket-might hold a lens cleaner brush,a little pocket inside for xtra battery or card, and a big pocket in back suitable only for flat things such as manuals, as this part also rests against your body. There is also a front expansion pocket which is a bit hard to open, but in a pinch I found I could get a flash attachment in there. As I am a woman, I wondered if a front bag would be comfortable, and it is. You can adjust the carrying height to suit your body type. I find this important as I find most gear is designed for men. I think, though not sure, you can carry it on either shoulder with adjustments, though left shoulder is what I use and is shown.

Kata with Canon 30D, 70-300, xtra lens and flash

Tags: Picture of Product, Kata front bag

Kata arm support

Tags: Using Product, Supporting elbows on bag