Comments on: Kata R-103 Digital Rucksack: I’m loving it this week!

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:00:28 +0000

Terry, I am almost ready to purchase the R-103 myself, but have concerns over my big lens–the Sigma 50-500. This lens is 8.6″ long when compressed. Will this fit when attached to the body (Nikon D300, in my case).

I appreciate your advice.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:27:47 +0000

Thanks Terry,

That was the information I needed to make the decision to buy a very good, but secondhand used Kata R-103.

I will have it delivered to my home next week.

By: terrywhite

terrywhite — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:32:49 +0000

Peter, Yes, the D700 has the battery grip and it does fit. The MBP is easy to get out with no scratching. It can actually hold the 17″ model. So there is plenty of room for the 15″ model.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:19:50 +0000

Hi Terry

Nice review you wrote. I second the question Craig Herold asked. »Does your D700 have the aux battery grip??»

I have a D300 with a battery grip myself and I’m thinking of getting a bag like R-103, but I’m not sure it will fit my camera if I’ve got the battery grip mounted, will it?

I’m glad to see that the MBP is small enough (or is it the bag that is big enough?) to fit within the bag. Is it hard to get the MBP in and out of the rear pocket without scratching it’s surface?

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:47:45 +0000

I have the Kata R-102 (no laptop) — fantastic bag. I can carry all my primes or my workhorse zooms and a few primes — 15-20 pounds — and still walk around for 4 – 8 hours without problems: the weight is so well-distributed across your shoulders, back and hips — extremely comfortable. For those who want to add a laptop *and* external pockets, the new R-104 is out: same internal dimensions as the 102 & 103 (except and extra 1/2″ of depth), plus the laptop compartment and two side compartments. Looks like another winner.

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:52:52 +0000

I got this bag this past christmas. I love it. I can fit my 30d, 24-70 with lens hood, 100-400 with lens hood, the kit lens, 18-55 i think, a nifty fifty, a rocket blower, charger, memory card wallet, extra batteries, two external hard drives (both are laptop hard disks in cases). I recently returned from Hawaii and was glad to have it.

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:12:41 +0000

Hi Terry,

I just got a Kata DR-467, and I LOVE it! I previously used a Lowepro backpack for my SLR and a regular shoulder briefcase bag for my 17-inch MacBook Pro, but the strain on my back just got to be too much. So I got this backpack, and it’s perfect! It’s so much easier–especially when I fly. Now it’s just one bag instead of 2.

By the way, I really love your blog. Thank you!

By: Craig Herold

Craig Herold — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:48:11 +0000

I see you have a D700 nicely placed in the bag. Does your D700 have the aux battery grip??

By: William Beem

William Beem — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:25:33 +0000

I looked at this one, but ultimately decided that the Crumpler Whickey & Cox . I don’t like backpacks that allow someone to access my gear while standing behind me, as with the Kata. Perhaps I’m paranoid, but I like the fact that the Crumpler bag only allows access from the part that touches your back.

By: Big C

Big C — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:19:30 +0000

Terry,

Thanks for the post, I was just looking for bags.

I have a lowepro bag and I love to use it as a carry on also, but the problem I’m having is that I want to be able to detach the laptop part of the bag once I get to my destination because I don’t need my laptop as I climb mountains/rocks/cliffs such as yourself ?JK.

So thanks for the link I will see if they have something that may suit my needs.

Big C,

By: Mike Lao

Mike Lao — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:21:59 +0000

Hey Terry – I actually had one before and I returned it. The built is very good but I just didn’t like how it fit my needs. It’s a great bag though if you need to carry both your laptop and your camera.

When I bought it, my camera gear couldnt fit in the bag and I can’t also carry all my hard drives due to the limited space.

Mike