Kata HB-207

BrandonD

BrandonD

Member
Hey everyone,
So I've been looking at different soft but durable backpacks for my DVX. After reading a few threads on the Kata HB-207, I think that is probably what I'll be going with. Besides the camera, I'll be using it to also carry my shotgun mic, couple batteries, charger, tapes, and various cords.
My question to those who have used this pack is; how big is this thing, really? From the pics it seems pretty big. I really don't want something that is going to make me feel like a ninja turtle, circa the first movie. Ok, well, maybe I do. Buuut, not while I'm running around shooting in the woods, or at the beach or an amusement park, etc.
I realize this isn't a compact case but I'd just like to make sure I'm not going to be knocking over small children every time I turn around. Thanks for your input!

-Brandon
 
I have one and its fantastic! Its just the right size trust me. I've lugged it around in the jungle for up to five hours. Also took it carry-on on airplanes(737's and up) around the world without problems... You won't be disappointed when you realize you can carry everything you think you will need and then some... Once I packed it up with two DVX's, Two SLR's, tripod, some lenses, mics, tapes, film etc... Just go get it and enjoy!
 
The BP 502 seems like a good size. I think it's a bit smallre than the 207. Has anyone seen the 502?
 
It's really not that big. It's a good size considering the amount of padding and compartments it has. The padding takes up a lot of room, but it really protects your equipment well. It fits one DVX nicely, and has a really well padded space for a laptop. I store my DVX, shotgun mic, 4 batteries, LED light, MD46 interview mic, 20' and 4' XLR cables, sennheiser g2 wirless, wirless XLR adaptor, 5in1 reflector kit, 2 small radios, 10 tapes, charger and power cord, M-audio Microtrack, lens cleaning kit, 4 filters, Sennheiser headphones and misc cables, extra AA batteries, etc. With two DVX's there would not be much room for accesories. With the velcro compartments it's completely modular, so you can change it around to suit any prosumer video or still camera.

My favorite thing about the pack is the waist and chest support(which feels like a nice hiking pack would). You can synch it down and make it feel like it's an extension of your body. It's a pretty spendy pack but I really like mine and I'll be moving onto another camera soon and this pack will last through multiple cameras because of how sturdy it is. The base of the pack is a hard shell that looks like an @ss. The zippers are large and very strong. The inside of the case is bright yellow which makes it easy to find things. It's next to impossible to strap a regular sized tripod to the pack. A small still camera tripod maybe. Comes with a funny hair cap looking rain cover but I'm sure it works fine.

If you pack it right I would trust this pack almost as much as a hard case like pelican. Downside is you cannot lock it up like a pelican, but it's a back pack and it doesn't stand out like a pelican would to a theif IMO. If you want to lock it up for some reason you can get a wire mess net and a padlock...like this...:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?storeId=8000&brand=pacsafe&cm_mmc=ps_google-_-Travel-_-general_pacsafe-_-pacsafe

Later
-Kevin
 
I've been looking at the 502 and that actually looks pretty good too.

Update:
I got to see the 502 today. It's HUGE! A lot wider and thicker than the 207. I'm going to pick up the 207 instead. The BP502 is just too big, though it's looks great and it has a lot of room for a lot of things. Probably good for HVX users. Since it's wider, you can store more if you have a lot of equipment. The shell is quite hard too.

The 207 is narrower than the 502.

I also saw the R-102 Rucksack. The 102 is quite nice and small. I think it can fit the DVX, some batteries and tapes, a small mic, some lens filters. I remember it having a laptop compartment also, but from the brochure I'm looking at, it says it's doesn't. I could have sworn I saw it. It does not have a waist strap.

I'm kind of undecided now on the 207 and the 102. The small form factor of the 102 is a plus. It's hard for me to say since I don't have a lot of equipment, it's hard for me to judge. If any of you that have a alot of equipment and come across the 102, let me know if it's good enough for you to store your important equipment on the go.
 
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I've finally put in an order for the Kata 207T. Got it for a good price. Cheaper than anywhere you can find on the internet. I have purchased 2 other kata bags (prism and sensitivity) from this seller before at great prices. If anyone is looking to purchase a Kata Bag or possibly any kind of bag, PM me and I will give you the email contact info of the seller. He has an ebay store. He didn't have the 207, but I had asked him if he did and he was able to order it for me.
 
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