It's time for another camera bag review, but with a few differences. First, it's our first camera backpack review. Second, I actually bought this bag for myself to use, and have given it a good workout over the last month or so. And three, I'll give you the conclusion right now: If you're in the market for a camera backpack, buy the Kata 3N1 (three in one. Get it?). It's not too expensive, it has some great features and it comes in three sizes. Better still, it looks good. So good that the lady even said the rain cover looks cool, and you know how she normally hates nerdwear.
To find out why, read on. Warning: Lots of pictures.
The name 3N1 comes from the three different strap configurations. This bag is the 3N1 20, the middle-sized model. Here it is in standard backpack mode. Even fully loaded this is comfortable enough to wear for hours without feeling it. You can see the padded back, under which the straps can be slid when not in use, and the two hip pads (color coded, more on that in a moment). There is also a thin but effective enough waist strap.
Here the straps are crossed. You can also opt for a sling configuration which just uses one shoulder. Either way, from here you can swing the bag around from back to front and access the main section through the side pockets. If you're using the red strap (right shoulder) you should pack your camera on the side with the red hip pad.
Pull the clip and open pops the pocket. Both zippers pull open as you do this.
This is what you see. That's a Nikon D700 with a large-ish lens and metal lens hood, and there's plenty of room. This is the exact orientation you'll find when you have slung the bag around to your front. You can get at your camera in a few seconds.
Also inside the pocket is this pouch, which velcros into place and can hold memory cards. It's handy, I guess, but there are better places for the cards.
This is the same compartment when empty. The yellow inserts can be put almost anywhere, but in practice you can't stray too much from the standard layout if you want to use the bag as it is meant to be used. The flash is a huge SB900, which runs all the way through the bag but fits fine.
And here is the almost standard layout. If the flash were smaller I would have space at the top to add another lens, and there is in fact a spare yellow divider I'm not using here. Look close and you'll see a small lip at the bottom of the opening. This is enough to stop things falling out.
These are the side pockets on the upper section. They expand with a dart in the zipper section and have a mesh pocket inside. You can slip in filters or, as in the picture above, something bigger like a flash diffuser. The outside of these pockets is padded.
This is possibly the best part of the whole bag. It's a zippered section up top which can be used for anything you like, including more lenses and other kit. But because it is separate it's ideal for all the other junk you don't want to mix with the camera gear: Cellphones, notebooks, headphones, books, anything. There is an internal zipper so the compartment can be joined to the rest of the bag, but if you're that short on space buy the bigger model.
This strap lets you mount the bag on a trolley to roll it along, but the bag is so light there's really very little point.
Finally, the rain cover, which folds into an integrated pouch and doubles as a handy bit of padding for small lenses. The bright yellow color is smart, too, keeping you visible in dull gray weather.
To sum up, the 3N1 is probably my favorite bag I have. It works well for storage and lugging lots of kit but is also very easy to work out of, and that top section means I don't have to carry my personal junk elsewhere. It's comfortable and very light when empty, especially in comparison to the Lowepro bags we've tested, which are so well padded as to be heavy.
Downsides? A small chest strap would be nice, although in crossover mode it would get in the way. A mesh water bottle pocket on the outside would also be welcome, as would a few extra strips of velcro on the inside for attaching dividers. But these are small gripes. Like I said, if you're looking for a backpack camera bag, you won't go wrong with this one. $100.
Product page [Kata]
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