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Anyone use the Kata system?

I see they also make body armour for the Israelis, and the backpack and bum bag and front bag all have a very military look.

I have a number of Kata bags - they are marketed in Australia by Miller Professional of Artarmon (the tripod folk).

The catalogue does include bullet-proof vests and other such arcane paraphenalia.

Excellent is the word that springs to mind although I also use a number of Lowe-Pro bags and my beloved little Billingham Alice.

Christiand has this a backpack, refer this thread:

http://www.d70users.net/viewtopic.php?t ... sc&start=0

and this website:

http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/katar102/index.php

Hi,

I use the Lowepro range of bags extensivley but I did purchase one of the Kata back packs late last year. I use it to house a Panasonic AGDV30 video camera with the XLR adapter and ME66 microphone. The Kata back pack was not cheap and neither is the camera. However it does the job well and protects the equipment.

So far the back pack has not fallen apart. The Kata equipment is well built and recently a brand called Petrol has entered the market to compete at the Kata level. However Kata is still cheaper then Portabrace gear. But now having lots of Lowepro bags I'll stick with them.

Hudo

Whoa.

I like.

How good are they for withstanding weather?

The R-102 also comes with a reversible rain cover - black for rain (and advertising) and silver to reflect the sun in hot conditions.

Ok... so which is better... the LowePro or this one?

I assume that this is less expensive... and it's less harder to mistake at a minimeet!

Wow me likes too!

Nnnnsic,

Nnnnsic wrote:Ok... so which is better... the LowePro or this one?

I assume that this is less expensive... and it's less harder to mistake at a minimeet!

According to Christand he purchased the kata from:

bhphotovideo in NY over the Internet.
It wasn't cheap, USD$139 plus shipping.
Item Code: KAR102RS

Here is the link.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... &image.y=7

Shipping approximately US$60.

60 bucks US shipping?

Oh fuck that. I'm going to email Miller Australia! Lol.

I called Miller in Artarmon last week and they haven't called back yet, so will be interested to hear prices.

A bullet proof bumpack. Now there's a concept!

Matt,


they have the back pack, the bum bag and a flat looking triangular chest pack too, so I guess they find a market among the journos or photographers who cover risky events.

There is an outfit in Australia that prepares journos for dangerous assignments - the ABC puts most of its foreign correspondents through it these days - I'd be interested to hear what they thought about the gear.

I expect that its more use as protection against shrapnel.

And the security guys probably say that if you've got all that gear on to go out and take pics in Gaza you're already too reckless.

It amuses me that one of the worlds greatest photographers of conflict...Jim Nachtway....only ever wore blue jeans and a cotton shirt. Had a Lowepro camera bag on his back. There are photographers and there are media pretenders.....Hello! I'm Skitzo vertigo reporting from Karachi where a coup is currently...blah, blah, blah I'm wearing this bullet proof vest because it makes me look like I'm in danger when in fact I am 500 metres from the front line.

Actually, I like the look of it (woohoo! I'm a 1337 C0unt3r$r!k3 player!) and the design with that quick opening bit that just lets me pull the camera without taking off the tripod (I don't actually own).

Plus, I'd never have to worry about someone "accidentally" taking the wrong bag at a minimeet.

Nnnnsic wrote:60 bucks US shipping?

Oh fuck that. I'm going to email Miller Australia! Lol.

Leigh - are you sure it's OK to say fuck? One of the forum gods might be lurking

yes, US$55 unfortunately.

I couldn't find a supplier in Australia, bummer.
I'd like to hear what the price is here in Australia.
A great bag though.
Anyway, some examples of the bag and there are two more little zipper compartments on the front of the bag.
One on either seide. They can hold a spare battery, torch etc.

HTH,

CD

http://www.pixspot.com/thumbnails.php?album=545

stubbsy wrote:Leigh - are you sure it's OK to say fuck? One of the forum gods might be lurking

For all you know, I said the term for the definition of "empty orchestra" and it came out as "fuck".

Prices for Kata backpacks

R102 220.55
R103 232.16

Wont be in stock till later this week

This compares to AU$188.53 and AU $215.42 to which you have to add AU $80.83 shipping from US (B&H)

Shock horror ...its cheaper to buy local

Jenno wrote:Prices for Kata backpacks

R102 220.55
R103 232.16

wheres that from ?

Miller Professional Products
30 Hotham Pde
Artarmon (Sydney)

Ph 9439 6377

If you're in Melbourne, I've posted the Victorian Dealers that were emailed to me from Miller in another thread:

http://www.d70users.net/viewtopic.php?p=84493#84493

Apparently there is a shipment coming in this week.

What's the difference between the 102 and the 103?

Nnnnsic,

Nnnnsic wrote:What's the difference between the 102 and the 103?

+1

Check out the specifications in each website under:

R102:

http://www.desktopdarkroom.com/katar-102.html

R103:

http://www.video-direct.com/accessories ... kpack.html

wow videoguys have some mark up from miller

miller price $220 - $230
videoguys $395

Quick comparison with Lowepro Mini Trekker AW

Internal Dimensions

Lowepro 28W X 12.5D X 37H
Kata 103 33W X 15.0D X 45H
Kata 102 31W X 15.0D X 47H

Just got my Kata today from B&H. Even with the $120 US postage (UPS Express (damn UPS) & the package weighed 10 kg).

Bought the HB207, heaps of room for my body and current lenses, also plenty of room for the 300mm F/2.8. Modular storage is fully changeable and it comes with the rain/heat shield. Good storage on the side for tripod/monopod and a top pocket for another body (or food!). It's a big pack, best used for transporting stuff to and from, rather than wearing all day. But it loks like it will offer bloody good protection, with plenty of padding and hard plastic protection.

I've just sold my LowePro Orion Trekker on EBay, and looking at the quality and level of protection afforded to my gear, I'm extremely happy.

http://www.videoguys.com.au/scripts/pro ... oduct=1645

Go the Kata!

Correction.

Much to my dismay, when I rang Miller today to confirm availability of 103 they quoted me a different price.
Seems they initially gave me the price for a VA102 and VA103.

Prices for the R102 is $325.02 and R103 is $366.27.

Big difference!

*jaw drops with a sound of an anvil hitting the ground*

Okie dokie... I guess I'll be sticking to my LowePro. Lol.

Nnnnsic wrote:*jaw drops with a sound of an anvil hitting the ground*

Okie dokie... I guess I'll be sticking to my LowePro. Lol.

Never buy in this country, anything thats pricey always will be half the price from B&H (including GST and postage).

Raskill wrote:Never buy in this country, anything thats pricey always will be half the price from B&H (including GST and postage).

Then we have no jobs

Actually, you're right! I do not understand why should we have to pay too much in everything we want over here.

Birddog114 wrote:

Raskill wrote:Never buy in this country, anything thats pricey always will be half the price from B&H (including GST and postage).

Then we have no jobs

Actually, you're right! I do not understand why should we have to pay too much in everything we want over here.

I'd agree with you in principle (but to quote Homer the great "In principle Communism works...").

Maxwell Optics cannot justify charging 250% more for a Nikon lens (that is duty free for import purposes) to Aussie customers, when it can be bought from any number of reputable O/S dealers with international warranty. If it puts them out a job, then stuff them, I won't feel bad (Well, maybe a little).

Raskill wrote:Maxwell Optics cannot justify charging 250% more for a Nikon lens (that is duty free for import purposes) to Aussie customers, when it can be bought from any number of reputable O/S dealers with international warranty. If it puts them out a job, then stuff them, I won't feel bad (Well, maybe a little).

Actually, they're suffering in photography field in the last two or three years, since Internet and eBay same as O/S suppliers rolled in and our Aussie consumers realized they paid to much for the big shark.

Time has changed everything and they could not stop even they tried at some ways and they have no rights, cos they're just a disti.