Cambags

Reviews for Nikon D70 / D100 / D200 / D300 / D700

thanks to D2Creative for photos

for Canon EOS 1D

Photo Contains:

Canon EOS 1D mk II N + Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM (nestled in the lens hoods)
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Canon 580EX Speedlite+ Stofen
Adidt remote
Rocket Blower

I can highly recommend the Kata R-103 rucksack - built like a tank, but distributes the weight nicely - I've only done approx 6 mile walk with it but was comfortable over that distance.

Thanks to Pete (FatPete) for review

Reviews for Canon 350D / 400D XT / 1000D / 450D

(Added 16th March 2008)

Equipment list in bag :

1. Canon 400D Digital Rebel XTi with Sigma Super Wide Angle Zoom 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro
2. Rocket Blower / Lens caps
3. Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L USM IS
4. Canon 430EX Speedlite
5. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
6. Tamron 1.4x Teleconverter
7. Stofen Omni Bounce
8. Misc pouches which can be velcro-ed into place in any empty slot and the all weather cover are stowed here when not in use.
CF Cards
Apple 13" Macbook
Camera spare battery and charger

After much research I finally settled on this Kata backpack. From what I've read Kata was started by a few guys formerly of the Israeli army so they were concerned with comfort, load bearing, durability and protection. Kata also makes ballistic bullet proof vests in case you were wondering!
On to the bag. There is room for my Rebel XTi with the 70-200 f/2.8L IS mounted or stored to the side. Of course all of my other lenses, flash and accessories fit as well as my 13" Apple MacBook.
The one thing I liked about this bag is that it does not follow the formula of most other manufacturers, that being a box on your back with straps. Most other bags in this size range feel like someone packed a box full of camera stuff and decided one day to carry it around. Another plus is that this bag does not look like a camera bag so it should not attract as much attention.

A unique feature of this bag is the smaller opening in the front which allows access to only the camera and whatever you have stored in the center divider. This allows you to get at your camera without having to open up the entire bag and risk dropping anything else stored inside.

As you can see there is also very good padding in front and on the side facing your back.
The shoulder straps also have extra support around the base which helps distribute the load more evenly.

Kata has also supplied a tripod carrier (can be used on front or side) which I have not pictured here and have not had a chance to use yet.

I do have to say this is one of the more comfortable backpacks I have tried on. While not a small bag by any means, it is not as bulky and feels more comfortable to wear. Hopefully this stays true after I experience the bag on a long outing.
My only complaint as of now is the zippers are a bit stiff and can take some effort to open if not at the right angle.

Likes about the bag: Low profile non-boxy form factor, very rugged, good load balancing across shoulders, does not look like a camera bag.

Dislikes about the bag: Stiff zippers

Thanks to JC for review

Reviews for Canon 300D / 10D / 20D / 30D / 40D / 50D / 5D / 7D

Here's a quick pic for anyone wondering how much you can get in the R-103.

Canon 1D Mark IIN with 1.4 Converter and Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM
Canon EOS 20D
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Canon 580EX Speedlite
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

As you can see there is still a bit of room at the top for some small items. Also there are two small side pockets and you have the Laptop section underneath as well, theres enough room to fit a 15.4" widescreen laptop. I have an IBM Thinkpad Z60M which has dimensions of  Height:37.3mmWidth: 357mm Depth: 262.5mm
You have to push it right in for it to fit.

thanks to Robin (BigRob) for photos/info

Review #2

I`m quite pleased with this bag even though it doesn't hold as much as my tamrac cyberpack 9 .. It,s way more comfortable and smaller.. I bought it because it should not be a problem to get this on an airplane as carry on..

Photo contains:

Canon EOS 30D with BG-E2 and Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon 430EX Speedlite
+ other small accessories

thanks to tomvill for photos/info

Review #3

The bag is superbly built and quite light compared to its size.  The zips are quite stiff, very stiff to start with but loosen up some, but remain stiff enough to always feel bag is secure when on your back.  It is a supremely compfortable bag to carry - and I have carried a lot of different backpacks in my time!  Even without a waist belt it never feels heavy and the harness is very adjustable.

The inside is well designed with soft lining to all the partitions.  It is shallower than I imagined and does not take even my Tokina 12-24mm f/4 standing up - for its size I was surprised how little it took - but it carries all I need it for.  The only criticism is lack of 'flat' pockets, the only one being on inside of quick release lid and that is very tight - I caon only get 1 filter and a cleaning cloth/pen in mine.  THe lid lining pocket (which I only noticed after a week of having the bag) actually takes a lot of stuff tho - all my spare batteries, caps, cleaning stuff (inc Rocket blower) and gloves.

I don't use the laptop compartment but I reckon it could take a thin jacket folded up easily.

I like the quick access compartment and the fact that the central bit takes my body with the 100-300 and I can still get it out quickly.

My wife calls me an Armadillo when I'm wearing it!  But at least it doesn't look like an obvious camera bag.

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Inside is the Epson P-2000, Tokina 12-24mm f/4 , Sigma Zoom Telephoto 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM, Canon EOS 30D+Sig Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, memory card and battery pouch all in main compartment. More batteries, caps and memory cards in the lid pockets inside and outside.

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Photo with 100-300mm attached

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photo with 24-70 attached

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shot of the lid pocket with Rocket Blower, batteries, caps etc.

Thanks to AJ Simmonite for photos / info

Review #4

Equipment list in bag :
EOS 5D
BG-E4 battery grip
Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
charger, silica gel, IBM ThinkPad 600.

Review:
This product meets my needs for discreet, rugged, and innovative design. I particularly like the ability to hook my camera to the harness straps to take the load off my neck. The combination water and heat shield is clever and practical. It is obviously designed by people who use bags in other than hotel lobby settings as it is rugged to the point of being  defensive. It may be the best backpack design, per say, I've ever used. I require the predictable mobility of a backpack.  It also fits into overheads on even the most obscure regional carriers without issue and can hold enough personal necessities to get by when my main luggage is misrouted to Persia  ;-)

Likes about the bag: Build quality, the overall way it feels, the specific features.

Dislikes about the bag: None at this time.

Thanks to Patrick Hickey for review

Review #5
(Added 20th Jan 2007)

Photos contain:

Canon EOS 20D Body
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Kit Lens
Quantaray 135-400mm F4.5-5.6 APO Super Telephoto Zoom Lens
Tamron 18 - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI-II LD Macro
Quantaray 28-200mm F3.8-5.6 Macro Zoom Lens
Canon BG-E2 Verticle Battery Grip
Khaki Colored Quantaray Neck Strap
Quantaray 62mm Circular Polarizing Filter
Tamron Lens Hood, Quantaray Lens Hood
Two Canon E160814 Lithium -Ion Battery Packs BP-511A

Thanks to Tack Sharp Photography for photos

Review #6
(Added 29th May 2008)

Photos contain:
Canon EOS 40D+ bg-e2n +
Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8L IS USM hood extended
Canon EOS 30D body
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
Canon 430EX Speedlite
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM IS hood reversed
Rocket Blower



Thanks to Jimmy (ModBoyzz) for photos