33l with laptop compartment: highly praised - but not for everyone.

I have the Kata backpack due to the many eulogies ordered in various forums - despite the steep price and despite some misgivings. Right at the front away: The Kata has some clever details, the quality is top and the fantastic use of space - but I decided against it and returned.

MY expectation:

For everyday use, I already have a Manfrotto Unica VII styles SLR camera bag collection (Messenger for DSLR with lens, laptop to 38.1 cm (15 inches), accessories) Bunge cord Messenger Bag. Top for daily use as a laptop bag with camera compartment. On larger trips or longer trips, however this will be quite fast heavy and uncomfortable. So I wanted for such tours a flexible backpack, which should, however, also have a compartment for a laptop because I do not want to leave these in the car on round trips. All equipment must therefore fit in with extra space for some food, but the bag should still go through as hand luggage on the plane.

WHAT MUST fit in:

- Canon EOS 550D with battery grip
- Canon 15-85mm USM
- Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 with Extender
- Canon 50mm 1.4
- Canon 430 EX flash
- Notebook HP EliteBook 8460p (43.8 x 38.4 x 19.4 cm, about 2 kg)
- Travel tripod Togopod Jana (about 1.5 kg)
- Various other small items
- Day supplies

WAS LIKE:

Space efficiency !!! Really everything listed above fits in perfectly in the Kata KT DL-3N1-33 DL. The very flexible to gestaltene interior layout allows everything to pack safely. Particularly interesting for left-handers is that you can configure the interior layout so that you get from your left and right access to the camera.

Just when you some bags are used a larger DSLR with battery grip or a fast running out. Not so the Kata. The camera with battery grip fits perfectly pure in the side pocket. My little EOS 550D with handle has even room - a Canon EOS 5D or Nikon D800 with grip should not be a problem.

Well I also like the bright yellow color of the interior. Even in low light you will find every little thing right away.

Nice also means that you can easily clean up the strap in my backpack if you do not use them.

Also very commendable: A rain cover is included.

The quality of the material is top notch and feels very good. No error in the processing. The shape of the rucksack is stable even when empty. In other words, the price is true.

Dislikes:

The clearest unique feature of this bag are the flexible carrying options: Sling - left and right, X-position, backpack.

Sling falls flat for me unfortunately. But this model is then too heavy to carry too big and with the useful load to the Kata more than 10 minutes with full load on one shoulder as a sling. A particular advantage of Slings with the lateral access should be that the bag can be easily pulled in front of the abdomen and one direct shortcut to the camera and (depending on the configuration of the internal division) has the main lens or other accessories. In practice, however, I realized that this only needs to loosen the belt, otherwise the one hand, the backpack hanging high behind his head. On the other hand, the shoulder pad is not sutured to the extremities of the belt and buckled it around when you move, if you can not easily raise the seat belt when moving. With practice, however, one has here the right grip out maybe someday.

The X position corresponding to virtually the sling, except that then the second belt again stressed here across the chest. To get to the camera or wearing the bag you have to solve a belt only then. I was, however, this position too restricted to allow them to pass as easily.

That leaves only the normal backpack position as a viable solution. But then I need the Flexibilitäet and the side access no longer - the biggest advantage touted therefore falls flat for me unfortunately.

Another Vermutstropfen is the accessibility to the lower camera and lens compartment: To open the lateral compartment you have to pull the zipper on at least two tight bends. This is in spite of the very good running hakelig zipper. To gain access to the entire lower compartment and not only partially unfold as shown in the second product image, you have to open both side compartments, ie you have to pull the zippers 4 tight curves and 2 corners and also open the two safety stops below. So if you need access to something that is not accessible through one of the side compartments, it is fiddly.

As a memory aid, which belt you should reassign for which side pocket, a shoulder pad is black and the other white - on the inside (!). One can imagine how this white interior upholstery looks after a short time. Because I would rather do without this memory aid.

The biggest criticism, however, the suspension of the stand. It is right at the back hung on the outermost edge. Now the Kata is 33 l already quite thick. By leveraging the weight of the stand is multiplied and can be felt by a multiple. Perhaps that is portable with a 500g carbon fiber tripod, but not with my aluminum tripod with 1.5 kg. Moreover far the tripod sag down so that you can not even put short with backpack. A suspension on the side would have been much better. Unfortunately, I have found this, no way. Ultimately, the Kata is not reasonable use for me with attached tripod.

CONCLUSION:

Many of my criticisms are specific to the 33 liter version. Who loads his backpack with less or buying the smaller version, like look at these criticisms as much less bad. Even those who do not need a tripod might be happy with the Kata.

I am far from the Kata badmouthing. The concept is intended some friends and the quality is top. Unfortunately I have not found here for me but what I was looking for and now I am at Crumpler Jack Pack Full Photo Backpack dk. mouse gray / burned orange landed.