Kata 3N1-22 Sling Backpack for DSLR System and Netbook

2012-05-13T21:00:00

It's a good walk around backpack, and the option to use it as a sling is very handy. My only problem is pack is very narrow on the back and extends further out away from you. It makes it a little uncomfortable if you are carrying around for a long period of time.

MIKE N.

2012-01-10T19:00:00

This bag holds all of my photographic equipment that I take on my nature hikes: Nikon D80 w/Nikkor 18-55mm autofocus lens (attached); Nikkor 55-200mm autofocus lens w/hood; Nikkor 70-300 autofocus lens w/hood; Nikon SB-800 flash; camera battery charger; extra batteries, memory cards,Nikon Coolpix S-4 pocket camera, and misc. breakfast bars (so I'm a foodie, too) are carried in the top compartment with the rain fly. I carry the camera and lens manuals, the monopod, and the writing tablet in the small laptop/iPad pocket next to my back though I have to leave a corner of the pocket unzipped because the monopod won't allow it to zip completely closed. This sling bag holds all my equipment and is ideal for transporting it everywhere. It fits under airplane seats or easily in the overhead bins, is well padded and very well constructed. It is most comfortable worn as a backpack with both straps, which are well-padded. The reason I bought this particular bag is that it can be changed from a backpack to a sling bag over the left OR right shoulders. This is important to me because of pinched nerves in both shoulders. The bag can be set up for either right or left shoulder sling access and has a top compartment for miscellaneous equipment. The thing I don't particularly like is wearing it as a sling bag because of the equipment I pack around with me. The depth of the bag (as opposed to the width) causes it to pull away from my back at the top unless I cinch it up tight to my body, where it becomes uncomfortable. I have tried repositioning all of my equipment with the heaviest lens and flash at the bottom of the bag and the other lens and camera as close to the back of the bag (and close to my body) as I can get them, but that doesn't seem to help at all. I believe it would be more comfortable if the bag were wider and have less depth so the equipment would be closer to my back. I understand this would spread out my equipment and I would probably have to stack it for the side access; that would probably make access to it a bit more tedious, but perhaps it would be more comfortable as sling bag. Aside from being a bit uncomfortable as a sling bag, access to my camera, lenses and flash is quick and easy. I can even change lenses without setting my bag down on the ground. I also have a Tamrac Velocity 8x with external lens and all-purpose pouches that held most of my equipment, but it was too small. I did like the way I could carry my equipment with it and, as a sling bag, was more comfortable to hike with and be able to access my equipment quickly. However, it was horribly uncomfortable when I had to sling the bag around to the front because the strap is not fully padded and cuts into my left shoulder. This bag can only be worn over the left shoulder--there's no way to change the sling strap from left to right as there is with the Kata 3N1-22. Also, the bottom of the Tamrac Velocity bag is tapered and makes it much more difficult to store anything but flat items at the bottom of the bag. Overall, this Kata 3N1-22 has been a great bag to haul my camera and associated equipment from Seattle, Washington to LeClair, Iowa and back without damage, and I can change lenses without having to set my bag on the ground. The bag is well-padded and well-constructed. It may work better for someone a bit slimmer and less wide than I, but overall, this is a good bag and I'm not sorry I purchased it. This bag was NOT a gift, nor was I compensated in any way for purchasing the bag or writing this review. These are my personal opinions based on my personal experiences with this product.

Robert E.

2011-12-08T19:00:00

Plain and simple, does what it was designed to do

Dave

2011-09-03T21:00:00

I use this product to transport my camera and a ipad2 but it needs more room for accessories.

Cheo

2011-07-29T21:00:00

Bought this bag to carry a few things on my travels. Held my nikon, 2 lens, numerous filters and memory cards... plus many personal items. I carried it in this bag and still had room for more. I never once worried about the contents of this bag, even when I had to cram it under the airline seats with other stuff. Plenty of cushion and dividers for any set-up for your stuff. Perfect size for a carry-on backpack, also. Can't say enough good about this bag!

BRYAN E.

2010-04-10T21:00:00

I spent a lot of time looking at photo backpacks and I settled on the Kata 3n1-22. I believed that Kata offered the best style and function vs value. I assumed the -22 would fit my needs and after looking long and hard to find one in person to play with[...] I set off to pack it up.The reason I settled on this bag is because it seemed to be a versatile arrangement with a good balance of photo gear storage and personal storage. Upon inspection the build quality is excellent, namely the zippers, and I believe it will hold up for me over the long run. The main storage compartment is arrangeable in numerous configurations, and while a little bit deep, meaning that the camera body in my case is significantly shorter than the available depth in the bag, so the camera tends to float a bit in the middle. This added depth does allow you to store lens on end, or stood up, so you can haul a bit more gear with you if you desire. I like the rain fly and other various small pockets on the bag. I like that the center divider zips out so that longer telephoto lens could be easily stored inside by sacrificing the upper storage compartment. Another notable design feature is that when laying on its back, the gear storage compartment can be completely opened, allowing you access to your smorgasbord of choices contained within. When in sling mode the integrated and intelligently placed clips keep you from unzipping too far and dumping your cargo on the ground. I like the versatility, it is a well thought out design.The 3n1 function of the bag allows it to be packed as a back pack or a sling which is nice for me because I use various forms of transportation to get to what I want to shoot and there is always a secure method of securing the bag to me while at the same time providing easy access while on site. The side access also works great from the seat of the car or while at family functions etc. because you can keep you gear secure and in one place while remaining mobile. The corners opposite the sling side access are a bit difficult to access while in sling mode, as is the opposite upper side pocket, this can however be planned for while packing your gear into the bag. This bag has plenty of room to make it heavy enough to remind you it is on your back and while it may not hold every lens in you collection, it will most certainly hold the important ones. A few accessories I would recommend with this bag are the available tripod holder, as well as the external lens cases should you need them. The bag comes with a small media storage bag for memory cards as well as the rain fly. I will also be ordering one of Kata's diy divider kits so that I can better make use of the depth. With a horizontal divider I will be able to stack two of the smaller primes and open up one side for a longer telephoto in the 400mm range completing my arsenal.Overall I am very please with my purchase and plan to continue a working relationship with Kata Bags and Adorama. Once again I feel the bag is sturdy and well built[...] I am writing this review for you... I do not receive compensation of any sort from either of these companies and I hope you find this helpful.Gear list that I currently pack...Canon sx200isPanasonic GH1Panasonic 14-140FD-m4/3 adapterMinolta-m4/3 adapterCanon FD 50mm 1.8Rexagon MD 28mm 2.8Minolta MD 135mm 2.8Tokina FD 70-210 3.5Tokina FD 50-250 4 macroVarious filters, SD cards, and a smile!

CLIFTON M.

2010-02-24T19:00:00

The 3N1-22 is an ideal travel companion. It holds all my current lenses (4) and accessories like a Gorillapod, charger, hoods, filters and cleaning stuff. If I buy one more lens, I'm going to have to choose which one to leave at home, so in a way this bag is good for my budget too :) After seeing the 3N1-10 I expected this one to be slightly smaller than it actually is. But seeing what I can fit into it, it's as compact as it can be. The 3N1-30 or 3N1-33 would be too big and heavy for me. Originally I wanted to use it mainly as a sling bag, but when stuffed with all my equipment, I prefer to wear it as a backpack because it's more comfortable that way. And the zipper at the side still allows for quick grabbing (it'll take a few hours of use to get used to this though). The extra lenses are slightly less accessible and I prefer to sit down and take my time to change them. Maybe I'm just not experienced enough. I bought the 22 because one day I might get me a netbook. But the extra space has already proven useful for storing travel documents and a novel. If it was cheaper, I'd buy an additional 3N1-10 for every day use and keep this for excursions. But right now, this is my bag of choice and I don't regret buying it!

Pieter D.